Discussion
Hi,
I’m looking to get a used bmw 3 series from around 2001-2005, I’ve been looking on auto trader and love the styling and what you can get for your money.
However I’m not a car head so what shall I look for when going to viewings? Is this car usually reliable or do you think I should steer clear? I’m not much of a car guy so any advice would be great.
Cheers
I’m looking to get a used bmw 3 series from around 2001-2005, I’ve been looking on auto trader and love the styling and what you can get for your money.
However I’m not a car head so what shall I look for when going to viewings? Is this car usually reliable or do you think I should steer clear? I’m not much of a car guy so any advice would be great.
Cheers
Rust, rust and rust.
e46 3 series' are lovely cars and can generally be reliable if looked after.
I would be looking on the gov site at mot histories for any cars you see to check for advisories on rust.
I'd run from anything with the slight mention of the stuff.
Diesels seem to be pretty robust however, I'd be looking at 6 cylinder petrol cars such as 320i and up.
The engines can suffer with oil leaks usually stemming from rocker cover gaskets and oil filter housings. I wouldn't be put off by this but budget a few hundred for repairs of that nature.
overall I'd be looking for a clean 6 cylinder car preferably a 325i or 330i and go for condition and history over millage.
Find a good specialist who really knows these cars and you should be okay.
Its a 20 year old BMW so theres bound to be issues but that could be said of any 20 year old car.
Good luck op.
e46 3 series' are lovely cars and can generally be reliable if looked after.
I would be looking on the gov site at mot histories for any cars you see to check for advisories on rust.
I'd run from anything with the slight mention of the stuff.
Diesels seem to be pretty robust however, I'd be looking at 6 cylinder petrol cars such as 320i and up.
The engines can suffer with oil leaks usually stemming from rocker cover gaskets and oil filter housings. I wouldn't be put off by this but budget a few hundred for repairs of that nature.
overall I'd be looking for a clean 6 cylinder car preferably a 325i or 330i and go for condition and history over millage.
Find a good specialist who really knows these cars and you should be okay.
Its a 20 year old BMW so theres bound to be issues but that could be said of any 20 year old car.
Good luck op.
HaydenS2k said:
Rust, rust and rust.
e46 3 series' are lovely cars and can generally be reliable if looked after.
Exactly what he said! e46 3 series' are lovely cars and can generally be reliable if looked after.
As good looking as the E46 models are they do like to rust, other than the Compact but most people don't like their looks although they are probably the best drive of the range. Front wings on all of them are bolted on and replacements can be bought online so if they are rusty it isn't too expensive to get new ones fitted, but any rust on rear wings is likely to be expensive.
I had a 325ti Compact for over 3 years and asked my BMW Indy for advice on a replacement and he recommended 6 cylinders, and preferably petrol.
So I now have a 55 plate next generation E90 330i which doesn't look as good but is much more refined and crucially doesn't seem to have rust issues!
If you buy one it's worth finding an Independent specialist - there is a list of recommended ones on the "BMW General" section of the forum.
Good luck anyway.
It's not just the bodywork either. Mine is currentky on axle stands overnight whilst i try to wrestle with the rusted brakes. These cars have been used as daily drivers for 20 odd years now, in a country that salts its roads. It's a testament to their quality that many are still going, but as a result most are in poor shape.
If you specifically want an e46, buy a low mileage 330 that's been garaged and cherished. If you just want a 3 series, the later e90 is now a much more affordable long term proposition in terms of running costs.
Of course if you are buying at the lowest end of the spectrum its a bit different. My advice there would be to make sure the thermostat gets up to temp, there's no oil or water leaks and there's no dodgy noises from the engine. Check the wheels hold air (the 18 inchers are prone to crack). Check the rear subframe or boot floor isn't torn apart too.
If you are set on buying one, I'd get one with the best interior spec possible. Makes a huge difference.
If you specifically want an e46, buy a low mileage 330 that's been garaged and cherished. If you just want a 3 series, the later e90 is now a much more affordable long term proposition in terms of running costs.
Of course if you are buying at the lowest end of the spectrum its a bit different. My advice there would be to make sure the thermostat gets up to temp, there's no oil or water leaks and there's no dodgy noises from the engine. Check the wheels hold air (the 18 inchers are prone to crack). Check the rear subframe or boot floor isn't torn apart too.
If you are set on buying one, I'd get one with the best interior spec possible. Makes a huge difference.
In that age range, what you are looking for is no rust, 6 cylinders and some decent paperwork showing its been maintained.
I had a 6 pot E46 for a couple of years and other than standard servicing, I had the following issues:
Had to replace two pulleys at the front which were making a noise (an hours job and £40 in parts)
Both front lower wishbone bushes which are fairly common on the E46 as the miles stack on. (Two hours job and £50 in parts)
Sticking brake caliper (refurb off ebay for £45 and an hour to swap over)
Handbrake was beyond useless. Replaced the handbrake shoes and all springs etc. Fine for a while then went useless again so gave up and just tightened it to within an inch of its life for the next MOT. Fortunately I know the guy and he wasn't bothered.
Mine was 16 years old at the time and barely cost me anything to maintain but I am fairly good at basic DIY repairs.
Then again, you could get a dog which becomes a money pit. Luck of the draw I guess.
I had a 6 pot E46 for a couple of years and other than standard servicing, I had the following issues:
Had to replace two pulleys at the front which were making a noise (an hours job and £40 in parts)
Both front lower wishbone bushes which are fairly common on the E46 as the miles stack on. (Two hours job and £50 in parts)
Sticking brake caliper (refurb off ebay for £45 and an hour to swap over)
Handbrake was beyond useless. Replaced the handbrake shoes and all springs etc. Fine for a while then went useless again so gave up and just tightened it to within an inch of its life for the next MOT. Fortunately I know the guy and he wasn't bothered.
Mine was 16 years old at the time and barely cost me anything to maintain but I am fairly good at basic DIY repairs.
Then again, you could get a dog which becomes a money pit. Luck of the draw I guess.
Edited by Wagonwheel555 on Friday 12th February 09:25
I've owned a handful of e46's.
For the age and the money i think they are a really nice car. The straight 6 engine's are just lovely.
Reliability - In my ownership, i've had injector go, siezed caliper, rust on front arch. That was it. Everything else was just maintenance. All of the things it needed either i did or at a specialist if i couldn't be bothered - but if you are handy with a spanner they really are quite easy to work on. Cost wise, parts weren't all that expensive really. You can readily find bits all over the place from ebay to eurocarparts and they never cost a fortune.
Drive - The 330 was the best (not including my m3). The engine note was the real treat. Sounds lovely and goes quite well too. Mine had the auto box which honestly wasn't all that bad. It quite suited the car i found. Though obviously if you want the best engagement go for the manual. Ride was it was comfortable and not too hard/harsh. When pushing on it felt composed and handled well. Was a 2001 car so i expected it to feel tired but really it was still quite nice to drive. We did plenty of weekends to wales over the mountains and it always brought a smile to my face. The convertible i had at one point was just really fun. I really enjoyed driving it.
Performance - well the 3.0 was good, not earth shatteringly quick but the sound was good and it was more than enough performance for the car. Never felt underpowered or lacking in any area. In fact i think more power would have made it obviously too close to the m3 (also owned). But at your normal average speed, the two side by side felt much the same. 80% of the time. The other 20% i'd always take the keys to the m3 but that was what it was for right.
The 3.0ltr diesel touring i had was also good. Didn't feel too "dieselly" if that makes sense. Was very comfortable. Covered ground much faster than you thought you were going. It was great on the motorway. Reliability of that thing was great, it just ate and ate and ate miles. Not the most economical diesel but the performance and fell far outweighed the lost of a few mpg's. Not saying it was bad by any means - though mine was remapped so that would have factored in.
All in all, i really like the e46. I think they were very handsome. The 3.0litre engines both petrol and diesel were great. Offered useable everyday performance and remained refined in their own way.
The petrol was the pick of the bunch though. They just stood that bit higher due to the noise from that engine. It was very nice. Though admittedly i am a BMW fan.
For the age and the money i think they are a really nice car. The straight 6 engine's are just lovely.
Reliability - In my ownership, i've had injector go, siezed caliper, rust on front arch. That was it. Everything else was just maintenance. All of the things it needed either i did or at a specialist if i couldn't be bothered - but if you are handy with a spanner they really are quite easy to work on. Cost wise, parts weren't all that expensive really. You can readily find bits all over the place from ebay to eurocarparts and they never cost a fortune.
Drive - The 330 was the best (not including my m3). The engine note was the real treat. Sounds lovely and goes quite well too. Mine had the auto box which honestly wasn't all that bad. It quite suited the car i found. Though obviously if you want the best engagement go for the manual. Ride was it was comfortable and not too hard/harsh. When pushing on it felt composed and handled well. Was a 2001 car so i expected it to feel tired but really it was still quite nice to drive. We did plenty of weekends to wales over the mountains and it always brought a smile to my face. The convertible i had at one point was just really fun. I really enjoyed driving it.
Performance - well the 3.0 was good, not earth shatteringly quick but the sound was good and it was more than enough performance for the car. Never felt underpowered or lacking in any area. In fact i think more power would have made it obviously too close to the m3 (also owned). But at your normal average speed, the two side by side felt much the same. 80% of the time. The other 20% i'd always take the keys to the m3 but that was what it was for right.
The 3.0ltr diesel touring i had was also good. Didn't feel too "dieselly" if that makes sense. Was very comfortable. Covered ground much faster than you thought you were going. It was great on the motorway. Reliability of that thing was great, it just ate and ate and ate miles. Not the most economical diesel but the performance and fell far outweighed the lost of a few mpg's. Not saying it was bad by any means - though mine was remapped so that would have factored in.
All in all, i really like the e46. I think they were very handsome. The 3.0litre engines both petrol and diesel were great. Offered useable everyday performance and remained refined in their own way.
The petrol was the pick of the bunch though. They just stood that bit higher due to the noise from that engine. It was very nice. Though admittedly i am a BMW fan.
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