Buying E46 Touring
Discussion
I'm after an E46 328 or 330 Touring to replace my E34 530 V8.
Any hints or tips on what I should be looking out for or checking has been done that is perculiar to the E46.
Anticipate a 99 or 00 example with anything from 70 to 120K on the clock.
If anyone knows of a good one that's not so far from Dundee even better !!!
Any hints or tips on what I should be looking out for or checking has been done that is perculiar to the E46.
Anticipate a 99 or 00 example with anything from 70 to 120K on the clock.
If anyone knows of a good one that's not so far from Dundee even better !!!
I think you'll find they're pretty bullet proof, if you apply the normal rules of service hist and look for signs of accident damage.
The only prob with mine was the headlight washer flaps didn't close properly and syphoned the washer bottle dry. Minor, but not that cheap as the bumper had to come off, and one I'd never have thought of.
Oh, and check for vague steering too. Read somewhere something about all joints or something.
The only prob with mine was the headlight washer flaps didn't close properly and syphoned the washer bottle dry. Minor, but not that cheap as the bumper had to come off, and one I'd never have thought of.
Oh, and check for vague steering too. Read somewhere something about all joints or something.
I've a 328 Touring and one of the main things to look out for is rear sub-frame failure. It only affects early E46's and after the 2.8 was replaced with the 3.0 the problem was cured. it tends to be linked with coupes but I've heard both opinions about it possibly being a problem for the Tourer. I've had no issues though, it's just something I pester my indie about to look for every time it's serviced. A failing as well can be the rear springs snapping, I had mine replaced at 80k but another reason was I wanted a set of Eibach springs fitted.
Other than these things it has been bullet-proof, by far the most reliable and satisfying car I've owned, the larger petrol sixes combined with the Touring body give me the best compromise of an all-round car. I've just helped my sister's boyfriend find a 325 Touring and he loves it, again, no problems with that.
Other than these things it has been bullet-proof, by far the most reliable and satisfying car I've owned, the larger petrol sixes combined with the Touring body give me the best compromise of an all-round car. I've just helped my sister's boyfriend find a 325 Touring and he loves it, again, no problems with that.
Common wear items are the rad, water pump, expansion tank, front control arms and control arm bushes, rear trailing arm bushes and heating fan final stage resistor. Vanos seals can also start to go but this is not a catastrophic failure on the 328's M52TU engine as it is on some cars and there's now a cheap-ish fix. (http://bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/439158) Also look for corroding rear brake pipes.
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