Just a few questions.

[AndyKH]

Hi guys, i was just wondering if anyone could give me a few a bit of info. I'm looking for a decent second hand car and have been looking at BMW 3 series. Now i can afford to buy one and insure it but was just wondering what servicing and general maintainance cost are like on these cars?
Not sure on what version this is, ir E30 and all that but this is the shape i'm looking at, also what should i look at when viewing a car, common faults etc etc.
Cheers guys and gals.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/318367.htm

[AndyKH]

Jesus look at my grammar. You can tell i'm winding down for christmas.

[Ciaran]

Hi there, that's an E46 - lovely looking car. If you can though, stretch to a sport model as they are easier to sell in the future and look more agressive IMO. But that is a very nice example.

The main problem with the early E46's was the subframe - but BMW fixed this free of charge so see if it's had the work done.

Service wise, it should be about £100 for an oil service, £150-£200 for an inspection 1 and about £250 - £300 for an inspection 2 from a dealer but an independant will be cheaper. BMW do what is called the 4 plus scheme.

Service schedule is:

Oil Service
Inspection 1
Oil Service
Inspection 2
oil service
etc

Intervals are about 10-12k miles, depending on how you drive the car.

Edited by Ciaran on Tuesday 18th December 09:49

[RobM77]

I've seen those complete spec lists with code numbers before. How do people get those? I wondered if it was possible to see the spec of a secondhand car I'm looking at.

[ian in lancs]

depends which engine; the M's cost twice that

[bmwdrivernigel]

RobM77 said:

I've seen those complete spec lists with code numbers before. How do people get those? I wondered if it was possible to see the spec of a secondhand car I'm looking at.

Pop into your local BMW stealer with reg/chassis number and they can access all info on the car.