100k+ miles E46 320D; Worth a punt?

Rowley Birkin QC · 01-08-2011 5:50pm #1

Currently driving a small engined petrol car and looking to change to a diesel as I'm doing the Cork-Dublin run twice a week and commuting to work in Dublin during the week aswell.

Not looking to spend big money but would like something reasonably interesting and nice to drive. No interest in Golfs or Passats. I've a few 00/01 E46 320D's on my radar coming in or around €2500. They all have over 100,000 miles done. I had a read back over some threads and the issue with swirl flaps would appear to be the big risk along with turbo failure.

Has anyone here bought or own something similar? Any and all advice is welcome.

This is the kind of thing I'm looking at. Mileage, to my mind, is pretty high but if it has been looked after well I'd imagine it would be ok.

Cheers.

PaulKK · 01-08-2011 7:38pm

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

Currently driving a small engined petrol car and looking to change to a diesel as I'm doing the Cork-Dublin run twice a week and commuting to work in Dublin during the week aswell.

Not looking to spend big money but would like something reasonably interesting and nice to drive. No interest in Golfs or Passats. I've a few 00/01 E46 320D's on my radar coming in or around €2500. They all have over 100,000 miles done. I had a read back over some threads and the issue with swirl flaps would appear to be the big risk along with turbo failure.

Has anyone here bought or own something similar? Any and all advice is welcome.

This is the kind of thing I'm looking at. Mileage, to my mind, is pretty high but if it has been looked after well I'd imagine it would be ok.

Cheers.

The ones you refer to should be quite reliable, the pre-facelift 320d did not have swirl flaps and are less prone to turbo failure (once the crankcase breather is changed).

The 02/03 ones were the ones that were slightly problematic.

Nissan doctor · 01-08-2011 7:58pm

I'd say people on here will be afraid to give their honest opinion of those cars lest they get set upon as usual:rolleyes:

johnos1984 · 01-08-2011 8:16pm

OP AFAIK they become expensive to maintain as the age/mileage climbs.

All cars do but the issue with BMW is the parts are expensive.

Not for me and I drive a high mileage Passat but then again I'm not a fan of them as I associate them with twats who got money and skangerised them.

Whats your budget and needs?

@NissanDoc.......do you want to talk about earlier :pac:

coolbeans · 01-08-2011 8:23pm

On a diesel BMW with 100k+ (miles) I'd wanna be seeing lots of receipts for maintenance and servicing. Maintenance gets very expensive, very quickly at the turn of the century on these. I've seen two 320d's parked up for good with 113,000 and 100,000 miles respectively. They probably weren't looked after to be fair but from what I've seen they don't take abuse at all well.

Nissan doctor · 01-08-2011 8:28pm

johnos1984 wrote: »

@NissanDoc.......do you want to talk about earlier :pac:

:P

No I'll just keep repairing them, sure if it wasn't for cars from a certain country, vhich I vill not mention, I'd be out of a job!:D

PaulKK · 01-08-2011 8:29pm

coolbeans wrote: »

I've seen two 320d's parked up for good with 113,000 and 100,000 miles respectively. They probably weren't looked after to be fair but from what I've seen they don't take abuse at all well.

Yet the one the OP linked has 165k miles on it..
There are plenty on donedeal with those kind of miles on them too.

As with anything, if you look after it properly, it will serve you well.

Mr Benevolent · 01-08-2011 8:30pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

:P

No I'll just keep repairing them, sure if it wasn't for cars from a certain country, vhich I vill not mention, I'd be out of a job!:D

And your most reliable countries?

Nissan doctor · 01-08-2011 8:35pm

Confab wrote: »

And your most reliable countries?

Cars built in Japan are still the most reliable. But unfortunatly almost none of the 'japanese' cars we get here are actually made there anymore:(

Rowley Birkin QC · 01-08-2011 8:42pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I'd say people on here will be afraid to give their honest opinion of those cars lest they get set upon as usual:rolleyes:

johnos1984 wrote: »

Not for me and I drive a high mileage Passat but then again I'm not a fan of them as I associate them with twats who got money and skangerised them.

Whats your budget and needs?

Granted a lot of E46's have been brought down the Halfords route but a lot have been used as motorway machines and well looked after too.

Budget is minuscule tbh, €2400 max. There will be no standing rainy day fund either which is making me wonder if I should change at all. At the moment I'm running a 1.3 petrol Toyota that I maintain myself but is pretty terrible for motorway cruising, absolutely bulletproof reliability wise but getting a bit old now and I've found a buyer that will purchase at a decent price.

Needs are not complicated either. I'm working in Dublin but home-place is in Cork. Like to get home as many weekends as possible meaning an average 10 day period is about 400+ miles. Play a bit of golf and would value something with a bit of :cool: over something that's eminently sensible.

coolbeans wrote: »

On a diesel BMW with 100k+ (miles) I'd wanna be seeing lots of receipts for maintenance and servicing. Maintenance gets very expensive, very quickly at the turn of the century on these. I've seen two 320d's parked up for good with 113,000 and 100,000 miles respectively. They probably weren't looked after to be fair but from what I've seen they don't take abuse at all well.

That's what's drawing me to the ad I quoted above tbh. It's high mileage but one type of logic means that a lot of the major work between the 100-150k mark will already have been carried out on it.

Nforce · 01-08-2011 8:45pm

I bought my '01 320d when it was 3 years old with 115k miles on the clock. To date I've replaced the complete suspension/wishbones/bushings,brake discs and pads,solid brake lines, cat convertor, aircon "hedgehog" resistor, drivers electric window regulator,main ignition key,sump,oil level sensor,a couple of parking sensors,MAF,the turbo was rebuilt 2k ago (at 168k miles) after it disintegrated...ohh..and a few set's of tyres!

Car was/is well cared for and receives an oil and filter change every 6k miles (Castrol Edge), with air filter,pollen filter,diesel filter and crankcase breather every second service.

johnos1984 · 01-08-2011 8:45pm

OP at that budget I'd go for a petrol E46 tbh, your mileage isn't massive......and I hate to say this but maybe something more sensible if you have no rainy day fund would be advisable until such time as you can afford to run and repair a good car.

If you go petrol your money can go further and the cars are generally simpler and easier to maintain.

Nissan doctor · 01-08-2011 8:48pm

If you have no money aside for a rainy day as you you say then I would seriously consider other options as with that mileage, if anything major fails it will likely be expensive to sort.

What about a VAG with the older 1.9tdi engine, passat, octavia etc? They are a good engine for high mileage and good economy.

(see I can compliment when its due):P

01-08-2011 8:48pm

Better chance of landing a decent Rover 75 or Peugeot 406 HDi to be honest with your budget, that 320 you linked to seems to be rough enough, most at that price will be, ones that aren't will have even more miles. Mightn't satisfy your ideas of what you want though, in saying that if you consider an early e46 320 diesel as a nice drive, who knows :pac:

johnos1984 · 01-08-2011 8:50pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Better chance of landing a decent Rover 75 or Peugeot 406 HDi to be honest with your budget

+1

Far better choices.........or an Avensis D4D

Rowley Birkin QC · 01-08-2011 9:04pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Better chance of landing a decent Rover 75 or Peugeot 406 HDi to be honest with your budget, that 320 you linked to seems to be rough enough, most at that price will be, ones that aren't will have even more miles. Mightn't satisfy your ideas of what you want though, in saying that if you consider an early e46 320 diesel as a nice drive, who knows :pac:

Not really but have to start somewhere! TBH I've just started my first "proper" job and I'm proabably a bit too eager to jack in the car I had in college for something else. Will bide my time and buy something in a few months when the car fund has been added to a bit!

Nissan doctor wrote: »

If you have no money aside for a rainy day as you you say then I would seriously consider other options as with that mileage, if anything major fails it will likely be expensive to sort.

What about a VAG with the older 1.9tdi engine, passat, octavia etc? They are a good engine for high mileage and good economy.

No interest tbh

johnos1984 wrote: »

OP at that budget I'd go for a petrol E46 tbh, your mileage isn't massive......and I hate to say this but maybe something more sensible if you have no rainy day fund would be advisable until such time as you can afford to run and repair a good car.

If you go petrol your money can go further and the cars are generally simpler and easier to maintain.

Nforce wrote: »

I bought my '01 320d when it was 3 years old with 115k miles on the clock. To date I've replaced the complete suspension/wishbones/bushings,brake discs and pads,solid brake lines, cat convertor, aircon "hedgehog" resistor, drivers electric window regulator,main ignition key,sump,oil level sensor,a couple of parking sensors,MAF,the turbo was rebuilt 2k ago (at 168k miles) after it disintegrated...ohh..and a few set's of tyres!

:eek::eek::eek:

Ok I think these responses have cemented the idea that was in the back of my mind anyway; I'd be taking a pretty big gamble and walking away from a car that has been utterly reliable and I know inside out at this stage. Will do the few small jobs that are calling on the car that I have now and wait until I have a bit more disposable income put aside before changing.

Cheers.

Nforce · 01-08-2011 9:27pm

I forgot to mention that I had carried many of these repairs myself in the past which meant that the costs were kept well down,although lately,due to health reasons I can no longer carry out work on the vehicle myself.

coolbeans · 01-08-2011 9:44pm

Wow, when I saw Nforce's itemised replacement list I let out a big gasp! My sister's BF had one and did much of what you did to it but to see everything written down puts a new perspective on it.
To the OP, as you say, a lot of the necessary work has doubtless been done on the motor you linked to so it'd be a safer bet than one with just over the 100k on it but, as Nissan Doc said, it'll not be a risk free investment.

JJJJNR · 01-08-2011 9:53pm

IMO The whole point of going for a higher mileage car would be, if you looked hard enough and picked one up which already has the majority of work done on it like nforce's, its going to last another 150k easy.

VolvoMan · 02-08-2011 1:12am

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

Play a bit of golf and would value something with a bit of :cool: over something that's eminently sensible.

A 320d would appear 'eminently sensible' to me.

guyfo · 02-08-2011 1:53am

i drive a 03 bm 320d m-sport with 140k miles on it and i have to say its a truly fantastic car. All these lads saying toyota's etc obviously don't like driving. A German quality car will always be head and shoulders above the rest. The quality of the interior is fantastic (no jap-crap generally flimsy plastics) and that is where you will spend your time. They look great and they handle fantastic. I get 48mpg (despite living in the middle of nowhere on twisty roads) average out of mine i would say 55 is possible as they really come into there own on the motorway. I have never had to replace one thing on it (a friend of mine has one from new 01 with 350k miles and not a thing went wrong but he did look after it) I wouldnt bat an eye at any other cars as generally if its not a bm, audi, merc, volvo, vw or even lexus i generally see it as someone who doesn like cars. Once you drive a premium car no matter what it cost you or what age it is you cant really go back

Nissan doctor · 02-08-2011 10:07am

guyfo wrote: »

i drive a 03 bm 320d m-sport with 140k miles on it and i have to say its a truly fantastic car. All these lads saying toyota's etc obviously don't like driving. A German quality car will always be head and shoulders above the rest. The quality of the interior is fantastic (no jap-crap generally flimsy plastics) and that is where you will spend your time. They look great and they handle fantastic. I get 48mpg (despite living in the middle of nowhere on twisty roads) average out of mine i would say 55 is possible as they really come into there own on the motorway. I have never had to replace one thing on it (a friend of mine has one from new 01 with 350k miles and not a thing went wrong but he did look after it) I wouldnt bat an eye at any other cars as generally if its not a bm, audi, merc, volvo, vw or even lexus i generally see it as someone who doesn like cars. Once you drive a premium car no matter what it cost you or what age it is you cant really go back

I rest my case.

02-08-2011 10:26am

guyfo wrote: »

............... i generally see it as someone who doesn like cars................

If you like cars so much why buy a 320d?

guyfo · 02-08-2011 11:20am

Well firstly it's an m-sport so it had a great 6 speed box, sports seats, lowered m-sport sports suspension and in my opinion a really aggressive look to it. It handles fantastically and the e46 was widely regarded as one of the best handling cars of it's time especially in sports trim. It's rwd like all good driving cars should be. I got the 320 because I need a car that is reliable and fuel efficient at the same time. I know I could get more performance for the money but also more problems. It's got decent performance, sheadloads of torque so it's brilliant at towing its not to hard to insure and it easily gets 50mpg so that is why I got an older 320d instead of some newer plain boring to look at as well as drive jap scrap. I hate how as soon as anyone mentions bm on these forums that everyone jumps to ridicule them as they are brilliant well built cars

Nissan doctor · 02-08-2011 11:29am

From my point of view, its not that they aren't decent cars or that they don't look good, because they do IMO, or even the reliability issue, as the BM is no less reliable then most other new common rail diesels.

Its the head up their own arse air of superiority that some owners have.

You are driving near enought the basic engined version of a car that is as common as muck and is it better then some cars?...of course it is, is it better then everything else on the road....rubbish.

Oh and I call bullsh1t on your mate doing 350k on a 320d without any issue. Even the best looked after ones are struggling past 150k without major trouble.

mondeo · 02-08-2011 11:42am

If you decide to go the petrol route, I know a lad selling a 00' petrol e46 with 94k on clock. Well looked after with Main dealer history. 2k would buy it.

02-08-2011 11:55am

guyfo wrote: »

........... as drive jap scrap. I hate how as soon as anyone mentions bm on these forums that everyone jumps to ridicule them as they are brilliant well built cars

yet you go on about jap scrap etc :rolleyes:
An e46 320d was in it's prime a rep mobile, it's now the muck savage car to have. I'm surprised you didn't get a 330d seems as your so much of a car enthusiast to he honest.

Rowley Birkin QC · 02-08-2011 12:22pm

mondeo wrote: »

If you decide to go the petrol route, I know a lad selling a 00' petrol e46 with 94k on clock. Well looked after with Main dealer history. 2k would buy it.

Any link to an ad?

coolbeans · 02-08-2011 12:53pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Oh and I call bullsh1t on your mate doing 350k on a 320d without any issue. Even the best looked after ones are struggling past 150k without major trouble.

I second that. In no way did it reach that mileage without major work.

guyfo · 02-08-2011 12:58pm

RoverJames wrote: »

yet you go on about jap scrap etc :rolleyes:
An e46 320d was in it's prime a rep mobile, it's now the muck savage car to have. I'm surprised you didn't get a 330d seems as your so much of a car enthusiast to he honest.

Im 20 there is no hope in hell i could afford to keep diesel in a 330d. Insurance would b 1k more so thats why i don't have one. I go on about jap scrap because everyone on here seems to push them or vws. like u said to get a rover 75 ffs. It seems the mentality here is that its ok to ridicule a bm but god forbid someone should stand up for one.

Yes they are very common but to me that would show they are a decent car especially seeing theres so many about and they weren't exactly cheap when they were new.

On second thought i think my friends car is a 320i. my bad. But i havnt had any problems in the last 15 months and mines got 143k on it

And yes I would class myself as a car enthusiast. Im 20 and so far ive drove, caterham, westfield and striker sports cars, escort, mini, bmw and subaru rally cars, celica gt4, mini autotest cars, a formula sheane and most recently an sls amg on the a1 ring. And i can say that handling wise the e46 is right up there.

W.Shakes-Beer · 02-08-2011 1:01pm

guyfo wrote: »

i drive a 03 bm 320d m-sport with 140k miles on it and i have to say its a truly fantastic car. All these lads saying toyota's etc obviously don't like driving. A German quality car will always be head and shoulders above the rest. The quality of the interior is fantastic (no jap-crap generally flimsy plastics) and that is where you will spend your time. They look great and they handle fantastic. I get 48mpg (despite living in the middle of nowhere on twisty roads) average out of mine i would say 55 is possible as they really come into there own on the motorway. I have never had to replace one thing on it (a friend of mine has one from new 01 with 350k miles and not a thing went wrong but he did look after it) I wouldnt bat an eye at any other cars as generally if its not a bm, audi, merc, volvo, vw or even lexus i generally see it as someone who doesn like cars. Once you drive a premium car no matter what it cost you or what age it is you cant really go back

Reinforces my dislike for BM's.

:pac:

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100k+ miles E46 320D; Worth a punt?

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