advice on buying a BMW 3 series

Brendan1704

hey
Thinking of buying a bmw e46 3 series as i have dreamed for for years.

im only 20 and but do have my full liscence 2 years and nearly 3 years NCB in my own name.

ive always had petrol cars from a 98 1ltr VW polo when i was 17 to a 99 1.4 litre ford focus when i was 18 to a 05 1.3 ltr mitsubishi lancer when i was 19.
i work i work hard for the last few years and anytime i wasnt in school or college i was working and cars is about all i spend money on.
I was thinking of switching to diesel this time as i do drive a gud bit every year but it is debatable if it is worth the extra cost initially in buying a diesel car and the higher road tax every year so i am also considering petrol. i have been convinced against the 320d by friends though as they are supposed to be unreliable and they are well known for blowing turbos which is expensive and which i couldnt afford so im not prepared to take that chance.

So the obvious option is to go for a 316i or 318i.
i willing to spend arround €5000 but could be convinced to go a bit more for something special.
im looking for 1 between 03-05, saloon preferably (i dont like the look of the compact), must have NCT, traction control, preferably cruise control, sumway decent alloys, and <100k miles.

im looking for any suggestions from owners or anyone of things to look out for when buying, and problems with these cars and just any advice in general that would be useful when buying this car.

i cannot afford too much problems as im spending most of my savings from working the last few years. any advice would be greatly appreciated

DublinDilbert

Don't spend all your money on any second hand car, get one a couple of years older and keep a few grand for servicing /repairs/rainy day.

You'll get a 00 318i for a couple of grand, no point spending all your money on an 04 for practically the same car. The older m43 engine is a fairly solid engine.

They'll all need work on the suspension and cooling system as they approach 100,000km.

SpannerMonkey

for the most responses of people who have owned them try asking here

www.bmw-driver.net/forum

bazz26

DublinDilbert wrote: »

Don't spend all your money on any second hand car, get one a couple of years older and keep a few grand for servicing /repairs/rainy day.

You'll get a 00 318i for a couple of grand, no point spending all your money on an 04 for practically the same car. The older m43 engine is a fairly solid engine.

They'll all need work on the suspension and cooling system as they approach 100,000km.

1.8/2.0 litre 316i/318i from 2001 are more powerful and economical than the 1.9 litre found in the pre facelifted 316i/318i though.

I'd look for something like this:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201101200772852
or this
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201048200385009

PS A little outside of budget but a bit younger, higher spec and fresh NCT:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201045200197384

Brendan1704

thanks for the replies
ya i was only looking at the facelift models. engines changes at that time.
i was thinking something like these.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1555207
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1741048

bazz26

Brendan1704 wrote: »

thanks for the replies
ya i was only looking at the facelift models. engines changes at that time.
i was thinking something like these.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1555207
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1741048

Of those two I would go with the silver one, looks cleaner than the other one and cheaper too.

ants09

Hi Brendan

nice choice of cars

if you were getting a E46 bmw i would get it hook up to a bmw diagnostic's computer to see if any problems with the engine i know it will cost you but could save you in the future.

problems with E46's are that engine coils can go, cam shaft and crank shaft sensors, rocket cover gaskets are know to leak oil and timing chains can strech on them

on the plus side they are lovely cars to drive every confortable and you can get 33mpg in town or 47mpg on motorways but will drink petrol if you have a heavy foot and cost around 70 to 80 euro's to fill up the tank

servicing is every 15k miles and cost around 150 for a inspection 1 and 250 for a inspection 2 from a independent specialist.