E46 buying questions!

[E30Mark]

A mate is looking at buying a new car, he has seen this E46 318i SE 4 door saloon

Click for advert

Any comments on price etc? seem OK to me,

Anything to look out for if we did go and view it?

All comments appreciated

[doughboy]

A mate has recently bought a 330d E46.

Several problems so far, new instrument cluster, rear number plate lights full of water, wishbone rubbers. Those are just off the top of my head, but he's been told they're all common faults.

[daimlerman]

Dad,(he's 84 BTW) has a 'T' plate E46 318i in a similar colour. Water pump failure (in the south of France..) axle beam bushes and an airbag sensor(bit expensive..his words) his has now run about 110000miles.Claims 38mpg and the body and interior look almost like new.

[Ant]

good cars.

front TCA bushes common failure but new parts are modified to last a bit longer.

M43tu engines a bit rough but go well enought, like a headgasket around 100K and the diffs tend to break up @ 110 K ish, more often when big alloys are fitted.

all in all, E46 is a good car, few issues with DWA and ZKE modules but nomally down to water ingress.

I have 5 genuine thick and thin MV 18" if anyone fancies them BTW

[smithy318i]

dont early E46's have rust problems around the rear axle ?

also the later valvetronic engine is to be avoided on the 318i

[Heyho]

dont early E46's have rust problems around the rear axle ?

also the later valvetronic engine is to be avoided on the 318i

No rust probelms on the body - just the brake pipes that you have to look out for.

Common E46 probs include:

Rusty rear brake pipes.

The usual wishbone rubbers/ball joints/trailing arm bushes.

A few early ones have suffered ZKE failures (usually won't unlock)

Broken rear springs.

Airbag seat belt pre-tensioner looms - no worse than other models.

Don't be put off at all by the valvetronic engine - in fact they are far more reliable in general than the 2.0 or 3.0 diesel. The valvetronic/vanos setup hardly ever gives trouble.

[E30Mark]

Cheers guys, The car in question sold before he got to view it... anyway he's been to see a Audi A4 instead

I've tried to put him off buying the Audi he went to see, as the seller has made no effort what so ever in preparing it for sale. It's filthy, he said it had 6 months MOT when in fact it's only 6 weeks. Claims it has full dealer history, but he now can't find the service book etc. The list goes on!!

[dannyboy759]

Front brake discs is another issue im led to believe

[bss325i]

A common probem on Pre 2000 coupe's that was that the diff mount bracket could crack and come away from the floor pan.

[Andyboy]

The Valvetronic engine is not as tough as the old M43. But to be fair a lot of it is down to the stupid long service intervals when in real life, 10'000 miles between oil changes is plenty. The Valvetronic engine is okay but I've yet to drive one that feels vastly better than an M43 which is a very strong and fixable engine.

The E46 is basically a fatter, heavier E36 with more problems. Not a bad car but not DIY fixable if you have electronic issues. I'd almost say you're better off with a really late and really mint mega low miles E36. Audi A4's of the same late nineties vintage are pretty good.

[tari]

Tell him to get an e30!!!!!!

[ed325i]

I have 5 genuine thick and thin MV 18" if anyone fancies them BTW

Ant you have e mail

[Heyho]

A common probem on Pre 2000 coupe's that was that the diff mount bracket could crack and come away from the floor pan.

This does sometimes happen, but is pretty rare, and certainly not common.

Also, people seem to be put off by the valvetronic engine, maybe because it's a bit different, but also because it doesn't "feel" like a conventional engine to drive. I've seen plenty with intergalactic mileage, which are as sweet as the day they were made.

[SamiS]

A common probem on Pre 2000 coupe's that was that the diff mount bracket could crack and come away from the floor pan.

This only effects coupes, 323 upwards. I know, my cars just gone in for it!

Luckly, BMW know this is a manufacturing fault, so are fixing it 100% free. Would of cost £2500!

I've got a 323Ci, airbag light is a problem, fault can be many things. Rear trail arm bushes have gone. Propshaft donut has gone due to something leaking above it.

Bushes were £150.
Propshaft donut and selector seal £150.

It needs alignment after the bushes which they quotes £250 (:o) but as its in for the floorpanel issue, that includes one, so dont need to pay. wooo

[tomson]

My old dear's chews coil packs!

[tomski]

How do you know when the coil packs fail mate, my 330 Petrol has just started giving me trouble when starting. It has started everytime so far but its taking more and more turns before it will start.
Cheers Andrew

[tomson]

How do you know when the coil packs fail mate, my 330 Petrol has just started giving me trouble when starting. It has started everytime so far but its taking more and more turns before it will start.
Cheers Andrew

The engine will misfire.....