Advise please - going to look at a 330i

[doctor_k]

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...


Going to look at the above tomorrow - any advice please? (i.e. what to look for apart from history, Hpi check, drive etc.)

Edited by doctor_k on Friday 21st December 21:36

[MattOz]

Where to start! LOL

Check that it tracks straight and true and brake without holding the wheel to check whether it's pulling to one side or the other. The alloys are later MV2's. Can't tell if they're OE or not. Clearly the rears should be wider than the fronts.

The early gearboxes can be a bit vague. The plastic guide in the 'box itself wears out and can mean that the lever sits over in the 5th gear plane rather than centering itself. The part is about a tenner, but it's a gearbox out job to fix, so about a grand if it worries you.

Get the wheelbrace out of the boot and check the front wishbones for movement. If the alloy moves considerably with the brace when fully tight, then it's new lower wishbone bushes.

Check the history with a fine tooth comb. It should have had a service every 2 years or about 15k miles, whichever came sooner. Brake fluid change evry 2 years. Check all electrics work.

You can check with BMW GB on history etc. Looks reasonable for the monsy though. Look for accident damage etc.

Always take a friend with you for a 2nd opinion and to keep your feet on the ground!

Matt

[doctor_k]

Thanks for that. Ill bear that in mind-sounds like the usual stuff for most cars. Ill take my dad -not a car buff, but certainly a grounding influence on me! Its HPi clear apparently. Will definitely do my own HPi check though.

Edited by doctor_k on Friday 21st December 21:51

[Shropshiremike]

Hard to tell on a test drive but some of these engines can have quite a thirst for oil. Our old one didn't but cousin's did - both ran fine though.

Some say it's how they're run in and others speak of modded oil control rings partway through production....

[doctor_k]

Oh i'm well used to topping up the old black gold. My Type-R used to gobble up the stuff. Especially as i averaged 180 miles per tank of petrol. VTEC is amazing

Edited by doctor_k on Friday 21st December 23:44

[VtecLover]

check the subframe, common fault on them. The rear cracks.

[Vee]

VtecLover said:

check the subframe, common fault on them. The rear cracks.

Only applies to pre2000 coupes.
Saloon unaffected, certainly a 2001 would be.

[doctor_k]

was originally going for a 330d but was convinced by the value vs mileage argument - I don't do enough miles to justify buying a diesel. Plus I really dont want to have to fork out for a new engine when the turbo goes in the diesel. And after all, we're petrolheads not dieselheads!

[doctor_k]

Bugger- he's sold it already!

[FesterNath]

That wasn't a sport model, either.

[w80hwa]

How can you tell if its a sport or not? I guess those 18" MV2s weren't factory fit?
Oh and I got a weird error on the Autotrader and RAC/HPi websites -neither could find its history and do a check which is a bit odd.

Edited by w80hwa on Saturday 22 December 17:33

[FesterNath]

w80hwa said:

How can you tell if its a sport or not? I guess those 18" MV2s weren't factory fit?
Oh and I got a weird error on the Autotrader and RAC/HPi websites -neither could find its history and do a check which is a bit odd.

Edited by w80hwa on Saturday 22 December 17:33

Most obvious on that one was that standard bumpers and steering wheel.