2005 E46 BMW 320cd M Sport

Gavman84

Hi Guys my brother is looking to buy this car: http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-CD-M/201106201222565/advert?channel=CARS
Its a 2005 E46 model just wondering are the turbo issues sorted on them by 2005 and the swril flaps? What should he look out for or ask has been done? He is getting a 2 year warrenty on it and says lowest they will take is 13.5 is that a good price(cash buyer)? Im not sure what the service history is ill ask him to check I know coolant system can be weak point too on them?
Thanks in advance
Gavman

Satanta

Mixed reports on here

http://www.cbg.ie/reader_reviews/UserReviewsSummary.aspx?modelid=11773

teelinboy

Hi Gavman

I have had one of these cars (same age and spec) for 3 years now and love it. I did a lot of research before I bought it and am reasonably sure the problems with the turbo and swirl flaps were dealt with by modifications made by BMW in late 2004. I have had no trouble with my car at all and really like the way it drives, though the big wheels can cause a bit of tramlining on country roads and the ride is firm because of the sports suspension.

If your brother does purchase, service history is very important - this car will probably be due a major service around 80000 miles (if it has not already had one). This is not as expensive as it used to be at the main dealer nowadays under the 'Value Service' scheme (fixed price) which this car would qualify for.

Other important things that need to be done;

Replace the turbo breather (oil separater) even though it is supposed to be a life-long filter (even the BMW dealer advised me to do so) - it is this filter getting blocked up that can blow the turbo. Make sure that the EGR (exhaust gas return) isnt partially blocked or restricted either - it doesnt need to be removed or bypassed - just kept clean. Change the oil and oil filter midway between oil services. Find out the last time the air filter was changed - these can get really dirty and affect performance. These cars use long-life oil which means oil service intervals are about 18000 miles - these long service intervals are suspected as being part of the turbo problem. Make sure to use OEM filters and good oil like Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel fully synthetic - it is expensive but oil is the life blood of the engine, never ever skimp on it.

I have had no problems with coolant system. You might have to change the battery at some point though for a heavy duty one as there are a lot of electronics on the car. Tyres on the back are brutes (225 x 35 18's) so are expensive also but you can buy Falken 452's on camskill.co.uk at a reasonable price and they are great all round tyres on this car - many BMW drivers use them. Depending on the driving style of the previous owner the discs may need replacing around 80000 miles as well.

Price is good if the car is in very good shape.

Hope this helps

PaulKK

teelinboy wrote: »

I have had no problems with coolant system. You might have to change the battery at some point though for a heavy duty one as there are a lot of electronics on the car. Tyres on the back are brutes (255 x 35 18's) so are expensive also but you can buy Falken 452's on camskill.co.uk at a reasonable price and they are great all round tyres on this car - many BMW drivers use them. Depending on the driving style of the previous owner the discs may need replacing around 80000 miles as well.

Price is good if the car is in very good shape.

Hope this helps

FYP

Idbatterim

the below is a nice example!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-CD-M/201047200368715/advert?channel=CARS

the msports in black with the black grills look unreal!

I think the asking price is a bit OTT! The spec is great however, you can get an 04 for alot cheaper. If you really want in maybe go in, offer them 12. Do you do alot of mileage OP and how long do you intend on keeping it?

Gavman84

Hi Thats a nice car alright idbatterim but I dont think he wants to deal with VRT and wants a warranty. Its the brother is looking to buy im advising him!! He does feck all mileage to be honest mainly in Dub and down to Cork every so often. Thanks for the info teelinboy iv passed it along anyway. Told him get it checked out regardless anyway warrenty or not. Think he wants 05 as last car was 04.
Any other advice guys?
Gavman

Tragedy

If he does feck all mileage, buy a petrol E46 couple for an awful lot less?

Gavman84

Hey Tradgedy
His last car was a diesel too so he wants another one he says. Also he doesnt want to go over 2 litre for tax and insurance reasons which would mean a 318ci which isnt meant to be great 4 cyclinder and all that! What power is in a 318i he wants something with a bit of power he coming from Focus Tdci Sport 115ps?
Thanks
Gavman

PaulKK

Gavman84 wrote: »

Hey Tradgedy
His last car was a diesel too so he wants another one he says. Also he doesnt want to go over 2 litre for tax and insurance reasons which would mean a 318ci which isnt meant to be great 4 cyclinder and all that! What power is in a 318i he wants something with a bit of power he coming from Focus Tdci Sport 115ps?
Thanks
Gavman

Post facelift E46 318i is a 2.0L 140bhp

AmberAmber

Hi OP !:)
i saw that car yesterday my self ! looked great i thought , I just drove off the junction and that car smiled at me I am sure !!!! so i drove in for a look .

I have an E36 316i my self so looking to go up a few years !
I went in to the desk to check about the milage and thought 60k was ok for it.
I did not want to hang about for the hard sell so did not wait for the sales guy or the garage owner . I would go for it my self but its a red one i realy want !!
any idea what all the white scratches on the driver door handle on the inside are about ?

Gavman84

Hey Amber
I have not seen the car myself not sure what the scratches could be from sounds odd could be from a watch or something maybe. There doesn't seem to be many M Sport 318 ci cars from dealers about either.
Gavman

Idbatterim

Imola red on the m sport beemers looks fantastic...

Idbatterim

op take a look at the below, it isnt an msport, and doesnt mention mileage...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1909358

AmberAmber

i have always been a fan of the red mtec BMW /msport BMW, and it looks well in white too, but never had much interest in any other colour but after seeing the gun metal gray one the other day the OP brother is interested in , I must say it has changed my mind alright.
but that silver one on done deal just does not do it for me !

Having the leather M stearing wheal and gear stick and black carbon trim and leather seats and msport set up is for some and not for others .
its not easy to find at that quality and milage, so i do hope the lad gets that car at a good price and i hope i see him driving around with a big silly grin on his face ,cos i am sitting on the fence about it 'cos its not red !!

L-M

Idbatterim wrote: »

op take a look at the below, it isnt an msport, and doesnt mention mileage...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1909358

I spotted that awhile ago too. My brother bought a 05 black one with 86k on it and pai 10.5k.

I'd only assume that that one has 110k++

Gavman84

Hi thanks for all the advice everyone, anyway brother is going to look at the car tomorrow and all going well he is going to buy it he said. Have to say the gun metal gray suits the car I really like it too. He really wants an msport and from a dealer so that one on donedeal is no good. Looking at price i say must be high miles on it.
Brother only plans to keep car for 2 years so with 2 year warranty should be safe enough. I may take it off his hands at that stage myself be time to change my car by then I reckon! Ill update if he does buy anyway.
Gavman

JerCotter7

PaulKK wrote: »

Post facelift E46 318i is a 2.0L 140bhp

141bhp from 2004-2005
148bhp from 2005-2007

Never seen a 2007 though so I'm guessing thats for America or wikipedia is full of ****

Nevermind. Seen you said 318i which never continued to 2006.

Gavman84

Hi all the brother bought the car at the weekend anyway its a very nice car alright. Had a quick drive of it and all seems fine. He is delighted with anyway! Thanks for the advice anyway.
Gavman

AmberAmber

I was driving to cork city on saturday afternoon about 5pm , took a spin about macroom to see all the local news crews and the TDs :P!!

think i might have seen your Bro' pass through ,
was behind him for a few miles until he dropped a gear and over took a car with a dogbox tralor , lucky lad the Blue gatso van was looking the other way :eek:!!
if it was him !:D:D:D and he was gone .........