Advice on e46 328CI please?

[csl]

I have the chance to buy one of these on a V plate(2000).
What tends to go wrong and what should i be aware of?
Basically,are they any good?

TIA

[darkchild]

E46s were fantastic when new and under warranty but can be money pits as they enter their council phase. They're still a reasonably desirable car but that doesn't mean they've had desirable owners! Lots of evidence of regular maintenance is a must.

Problems for coupes of this vintage are numerous with the well documented rear subframe mount issues being one of the worst. BMW used to repair this as goodwill but I doubt they do anymore as the earliest coupes are now 11 years old. Front wings like to rust as do the rear arches. Air-conditioning can be troublesome - condensers, hedgehog resistor etc. Broken door handles are common. Make sure the rubber door trims are in good nick - they're about £250 each to replace. The felt part can also come away but I managed to stick mine back with a bit of adhesive. I've read reports of the electric windows causing problems but I've never had any issues myself on my 2001 318ci. Control arms are a regular casualty and maintenance item. Make sure the cooling system is absolutely spot on - M52s don't take kindly to being cooked. If its an auto, ignore the sealed for life b0ll0cks and get the filter and gearbox oil changed every 60K.

A well maintained and sorted example is a superb thing to drive but IMO they're a bit more fragile than the previous generation E36. The interior is fantastic and they still look very modern but as with most newer cars there is more to go wrong and everything is just disposable. They're also quite obviously built to a cost - matt paint finish in the boot shut lines, carpets that are worse that both E30s and E36s. They're probably no worse that a lot of newer cars but I think my E46 has had more unscheduled maintenance in 18 months that my old E30s and E36s had in 10 years! Buy a good one though and you won't regret it.

[Blitz]

Thats what I've noticed. The newer BMW's engine bay is matt finish as well.

[bss325i]

Ive just bought one, a 2000 328Ci manual with 217000miles one the clock!!

It has the usual E46 wear and tear items like control arm bushes, door seals, and an ABS sensor BUT engine,box and diff are still whisper quiet with no fluid leaks or signs of ever having any! Not even a whisp of smoke from the exhaust either! Every electrical item works and the A/C still blows ice cold!

Boot floor and front wings in perfect condition as well!

This will be my third E46, the previous two being low mileage convertibles, a 2000 330Ci and a 2003 Alpina B3S.

Another thing quite common on E46's to watch out for and can be expensive labour wise to put right is front to rear brake pipes. People bodge them with copper stuff taking short cuts by routing them all over the shop but to do propperly requires the tank and rear axel out!.

[BMJG]

I have come across front wings rot bad and quick and diff if trouble as loads were recalled as they ripped out of the floor

[csl]

Thanks guys. I may just go and have a look.Sounds like its been looked after, from the info i have.I shall see!

[Andyboy]

Essential E46 maintenance......

Front arch liners out, wire brush and Waxoyl the inner arch lips.
Clean the rear arch lips out
Check the bottom of the rad - they 'bow' downwards and most 98-3004 E46's will be about ready for a new one as the Behr rads were not very robust. It's also worth changing the water pump as well, or at least removing it to have a look.
I like E46's but they're not particularly robust.

[bpowell555]

So full service history is a must then

[csl]

Thanks for all the advice but i missed it.........god dam awkward shift patterns!