E46 330i - how to check boot floor for cracks?

[MajorMantra]

I might be looking at an E46 330i Touring this week. I'm aware of the boot floor/subframe mounts issue, but what I'm struggling to find out is whether it's possible to check for it without getting the under car.

Is checking in the boot sufficient?

[MajorMantra]

Seen that, but it doesn't answer my question. Clearly you can check underneath, but I'd like to know if one can learn anything useful without a ramp. I'm not convinced a small dealer will let me get that up close and personal with the car's underside...

[MajorMantra]

Funk said:

I thought this was really only an issue on the M3 due to the power/torque? Does the 330 really have enough output to cause this?

If you google for it there are reports of it on most E46s, but it seems to affect the higher-powered models more. As usual with such problems, it's very hard to get a sense of high prevalent they really are. A bit like IMS failures on Porsches...

Thanks for the replies, all useful. I'm seeing the car tomorrow. If I like it I might just roll the dice.

[MajorMantra]

Well, I had an appointment to view the car this evening. I sent a text to confirm we were still on and politely asked if I could get under the car with a jack. Apparently that wasn't a reasonable request as he's told me not to bother now. A lucky escape, perhaps?

[MajorMantra]

HugoFastmann said:

Sounds like it! Or maybe he thinks you're one of those dodgy buggers who "fixes" a car viewing to get money off, like the dirty oil thing I've heard about people doing...

Maybe. The sudden change in tone was a bit weird, and he'd previously sounded normal enough on the phone.

The search goes on... Buying petrol estates is bloody hard work!

[MajorMantra]

Yeah, I'm being realistic and keeping my options open. Am considering E46s, E90s, Accord Tourers, A4 Avants among others. I'm not looking to spend a lot (ideally not more than £3k, maybe up to £5k for the right car) so I'm not willing to travel huge distances - cars this far down the depreciation curve invariably have issues that sellers gloss over. I must have done about a hundred MOT checks in the last week!

[MajorMantra]

Fastdruid said:

If you're looking at others then I can't praise the Mondeo 2.5T Estate enough..... but the same issue, if you can find one.
Although it's rather larger than the 3-series and A4 (but much nicer to drive than the A4).

Also on my list, but yeah, there are very few for sale and it is a big car. It's a shame there was no Focus ST Mk2 estate (yes, I've seen that excellent thread in Readers' Cars) as something like that would be ideal.

[MajorMantra]

Monty Python said:

For that price I'd be looking at Japanese stuff - less likely to go wrong.

Something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

See my post above.

I'm making my life even more difficult by insisting on a manual, however.

[MajorMantra]

I'd be tempted by the Alfa but there are just too many known issues, and the only engine option for me would be the 2.2 JTS which appears to be neither frugal nor quick. Pretty though!

[MajorMantra]

Monty Python said:

Even cheaper:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

On my radar!

[MajorMantra]

Longnose said:

I thought this one looks OK, quite tempted myself.
https://goo.gl/9Z9GKb

That's the car I was refused permission to view!

[MajorMantra]

SebringMan said:

Without being funny if someone wanted to jack my car up I'd be a little funny about them doing it too. I'd happily take it to get it onto a ramp for them, but not for them to poke about etc. But maybe I am just weird. I'm still surprised I let someone drive a car I am selling for my parents when he had no concept of clutch control. Parking a car while slipping the clutch at 3k (no, I am not joking!) anyone? I was very nearly ready to tell him to sod off! If I can park a car without using the accelerator once 3k to park a car is absurd in the same spot unless he's trying to create a bargaining chip.

That's fair enough, but all I did was ask. His last reply arrived about half an hour after mine, and given that he told me not to come immediately after I asked about looking under the car (like a minute later) and that the ad is still live, I assume it hadn't actually sold at that point.





Whatever, there are other cars, no big deal.

Edited by MajorMantra on Wednesday 26th April 20:27

[MajorMantra]

Cheapstraitsix said:

Possibly a bit ambitiously price but looks clean of a 325i will suffice?

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=174...

Had to wait 4 months a looked after 330i 6speed Touring to come on sale, mileage was a bit higher then I would of liked at 133k. However it's been faultless.

Quite liking that. Am awaiting account activation to message the seller...

I had a very brief test drive in a 2007 Mondeo 2.5t today. Impressive car, but I was disappointed by the interior - nice seats, but some really cheap and nasty looking plastic too.

[MajorMantra]

SebringMan said:

Which spec were you looking at and which? I didn't find the plastics *that* bad even compared to my E46 and newer BMWs (well, the 3 series). The interior certainly wear better ;both of our 2.5Ts have more miles than both the E46s I know (my M3 and a mate's 328i) and I know what looks less tired inside.

The new Astras inside however, now they are dreadful inside!

2007 2.5 Titanium X (so a Mk4). Maybe my expectations were too high, but the silver plastic buttons everywhere looked like something off a cheap hi-fi. I'm still wondering if I should go for it because it's an awful lot of car (rapid, loads of kit...) but it didn't feel very special at all to me inside.

[MajorMantra]

HugoFastmann said:

Herein lies the problem with a Mondeo. Lacklustre but value for money.

In fairness to it, the controls were pretty good and the seats seemed really nice (on a short test drive at least). It was a quantum leap ahead of my old Mk1 Focus, but it didn't give me the fizz.