05 3 Series, yes or no?

ulinbac

Hi Guys,

About 3 months ago I bought an 04 Honda Accord, 2.2. Diesel. Recently found out that its f****d (manifold and gearbox on the way out) so went back to the garage and got my money back, but now have no car (borrowing one atm).

I'm looking at an 05 3 series instead. Is there any bad traits this car has, or anything specific that I should look out for?

Thanks in advance

Leonard Hofstadter

ABS modules, swirl flaps (which will write off the engine if they get injested into the engine) and turbos are known weak spots.

The good news is that the ABS module is now relatively inexpensive to put right, the swirl flaps can be removed for a relatively small cost, and the turbo failure is down to (lack of) maintenance, get the crankcase breather thingy changed, and it won't leave you down.

Once the swirl flaps are removed, they're a reliable car but they need to be serviced on time all the time (personally I'd ignore the on board computer's service guidelines and get the oil changed every 12,000 miles / 20,000 km - that will certainly help with the longevity of the turbo) and get the crankcase breather unit changed!

bazz26

Is it an E46 or E90 3 Series as both were sold in 2005?

The E90 is the newer model and the intake manifold was redesigned to fix the swirl flaps issue, actually I have never heard of an E90 injesting it's swirl flaps.

Make sure the car has a good service history especially around oil changes and that the turbo breather filter has been replaced frequently. I would also have it replaced with the newer redesigned vortex shaped filter which improves chances of the turbo blowing.

Jimbob 83

E90 320d is boring inside tbh and feels awfully small

bazz26

Depends on the spec of the car. High spec ones look very nice naturally but most bog ES/SE ones are bland enough. They are not a big car but they are similar is size to an A4 of similar vintage.

Attached is the interior of my E90.

frankz

ulinbac wrote: »

Hi Guys,

About 3 months ago I bought an 04 Honda Accord, 2.2. Diesel. Recently found out that its f****d (manifold and gearbox on the way out) so went back to the garage and got my money back, but now have no car (borrowing one atm).

I'm looking at an 05 3 series instead. Is there any bad traits this car has, or anything specific that I should look out for?

Thanks in advance

As others said is it an e46 or e90 - 2005 was the first year of the e90 so if going for a 2005 would be nice to have the newer model, that said some of the 2005 e46 were runout models so might have higher spec.

Had a 2004 e46, bought it at 92,000 miles sold it at 198,000 miles - changed oil every 12,000miles and crankcase breather filter every 3rd service, (even tho garage said once it had the new style filter there was no need) never did anything with swirl flaps, never had any bother with it, great car imho. The e46 can get some bad press on various sites but there is loads of good ones out there.

Bazz's one above has the idrive which is a real advantage if you can find one with it, also big plus when selling (business and professional (wider screen and other extras) are the two spec levels, Bazz's has the business screen)

challengemaster

frankz wrote: »

Had a 2004 e46, bought it at 92,000 miles sold it at 198,000 miles - changed oil every 12,000miles and crankcase breather filter every 3rd service, (even tho garage said once it had the new style filter there was no need) never did anything with swirl flaps, never had any bother with it, great car imho. The e46 can get some bad press on various sites but there is loads of good ones out there.

Garage was right, the vortex style is a plastic oil seperator, it can't clog up like the paper filters so there's no need to change it, it's a waste of money.

As for flaps, you're as well off to blank them. Mine were perfect when they were removed @~130,000 miles, a guy that was in at the same time having his done (bought the car a week prior), 1 flap was missing completely and another was twisted and set to go.

sawfish

I think this is the e46 model, but anyway see the photos attached which might give you some things to look out for.

ulinbac

Thanks for the info/advice, much appreciated.

Going for the E90 2.0 petrol, like this one http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/E90-I-SE/7813391646791780/advert?channel=CARS , but not this exact car.

After previous trouble, going to get the AA to do a run down prior to buying it. Is the AA check any good?

Would ye buy private or always go with a garage? Will give myself 3/4 weeks of viewing, testing etc. before purchasing.

carbon nanotube

dont get a one with 'them' seats.

them rear clusters are awful, the newer shape is much nicer.

_sheep

Anyone mind giving their opinion on this:

http://www.fahyandryan.ie/index.php?go=car_detail&id=157

Anything I should look out for - is the milage too high and should I just look elsewhere? (sorry to hijack thread, didnt want to open a new one for a similar question)