BMW 316

glic71rods46t0

Hi

I am looking at a 2004 bmw 316 tomorrow (its a 1.8 petrol). Is there any common problems with this model? Any help greatly appreciated

Nissan doctor

Depending on mileage and service history some can be money pits.

Suspension bushes, cooling issues/head gasket isues, oil leaks are all common.

mondeo

Ye defo watch out for oil leaks. My poor friend got lumbered with a 318i some months back from a dealer leaking oil front and back, engine and diff. I'd walk away from any hint of an oil leak.

Sheeps

http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW_E46#What_should_I_look_out_for.3F

check out that link

mickob16

Sorry dont want to appear as completely negative but that car has to be one of the worst ever produced.Had one as a replacement car for a couple of weeks and hated every time i had to get into it.

Its completely dead when you put the foot down:mad:
Drinks petrol like its free:mad:

Irishrossoblu

I bought a 2002 E46 316 in 2009. Before I bought it I enquired about it on boards and other places. I always got the same response ie 'really slow' 'get a 318' 'terrible car' 'worst BMW ever' 'no go when you put your foot down' etc

I thought it was a great car to be honest. I sold it 3 month ago cos I left the country, but up til then I had no problems with it. The 1.8 engine was great, and it had all the power I wanted. So dont always listen to the nay-sayers.

Fishtits

Fencer, if its been looked after its a gem, look for genuine service history.

The naysayers will moan about lack of power etc... B*llocks IMHO, its a 1.8 petrol, it does exactly what it says on the tin, its well capable of town & country driving, is quite capable of overtaking other cars and will realistically return mid to upper 30's in MPG when driven by anyone half civilised.

That engine was prone to headgasket failure in earlier guises (E36 90's), I assume they've sorted that issue by '04.

Ball joints etc are common to any car.

Get a good one, keep it maintained by someone competent, it will do 200K miles without so much as a rattle no problem.

If you're the tyre screeching donut burning type, buy a Honda or some such...

R.O.R

Father in Law had a 2003 316i (rebadged by the original driver as a 318i, but don't think that effects the performance). He put around 80,000 miles on the clock in 5 years and the only issue outside of normal servicing / tyres was the Airbag light coming on, and that was a simple reset with a computer.

I drove it a couple of times and it was better than the new 316's with the 1.6 engine. Wasn't horrificly slow.

It's now giving great service to a friend of Mrs. R.O.R's for almost 2 years at this stage, without any issues.

Ardennes1944

i presume your talking about 100kph driving when you are saying it will return mid to high 30's in mpg?

jclally

Bought one in December and love it,but just spent a grand getting an oil leak fixed

mickob16

If your coming from a 1.4 then yes 1.8 is more than enough but i wouldnt be too confident about overtaking in this.Unless your going downhill with a stiff breeze!!

glic71rods46t0

Thanks everyone for the replies/comments.
Went to see the car today - was happy enough with it, seemed to be reasonably clean and it had no signs of oil leaks. It drove nice as well but there was a slight knocking noise when I taking off from stationery. I dont know what it might be. Any ideas?

Ardennes1944

drop links?

Irishrossoblu

50s3od9vmhp1z4 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies/comments.
Went to see the car today - was happy enough with it, seemed to be reasonably clean and it had no signs of oil leaks. It drove nice as well but there was a slight knocking noise when I taking off from stationery. I dont know what it might be. Any ideas?

BMW E46 doors creak alot when moving. Could it have been that?

Sheeps

if its high enough mileage it could be the bushings

Dammer

Irishrossoblu wrote: »

BMW E46 doors creak alot when moving. Could it have been that?

Many e46 forums have commented on this problem.

Essentially it is the rubber seals on the door that contact the body when closed.

Quick fix is.... Don't laugh KY jelly rubbed alongside the door frame and rubber seals, or any water based lubricant. There was a fix you could get from BMW dealers years ago, but BMW stopped using/stocking it. It was called gummifledge or something along these lines.

But my 01 316i has given me 6 years of trouble free motoring, bar the bushes, which have been replaced only once.
Find yourself a good mech that knows BMW's and you'll never look back or change from the brand... My next car will be a BMW diesel.

Sheeps

im picking up my e46 320ci tomorrow

Anan1

Dammer wrote: »

There was a fix you could get from BMW dealers years ago, but BMW stopped using/stocking it. It was called gummifledge or something along these lines.

http://www.einszett.co.uk/Gummi-Pflege.php:)

KeelaCom

Another major fault that can occur with the E46 which hasn't been mentioned is the ASC control unit ( it controls the abs/anti lock braking system, when it goes the dash lights up like a Christmas tree with all braking related warning lights permanently on) - if that unit goes a new one could cost over 2k fitted...

Also the coolant expansion tank is prone to cracking.