Worth fixing after so much investing?

arleitiss

Hey, so I was unfortunate enough to buy a very very bad E46 a year ago, from visual side it all seemed ok and well, works, drives.

After some time I found out Headgasket was blown (yet there was not much smoke or any oil color changes), the radiator had a leak, some of the radiator hoses were worn, thermostat was gone and rear springs were broken.

After driving it or 5 hours straight, I noticed it started overheating, so I brought it to garage where they quoted me 2000 Euros for fixing:

Two rear tyres
Rear springs,
New radiator,
Headgasket
Chain tensioner,
Thermostat,
Hoses,
Water pump.

All done and fixed, (This is where I really should've just got rid of the car before agreeing to get it fixed, but oh well)

I probably agreed to fix everything just because the car had just passed NCT.

Half a year later, the MAF goes, so another ~250 euro for the part.

Drove for a year without a single problem, now up to NCT:
Steering rods,
Front suspension (arms etc..),
Sway bar,
Headlight alignment,
Also as it turns out: The engine management light + airbag light was taped over with black tape by previous owner.

So another 760 euro to fix,
Now I passed NCT, so far invested: around ~3000 Euros.
NCT till next November now.

And to make things even "better": I find out after full ECU scan that the car was clocked, so instead of 124k miles it has 190k miles.

Engine started making noises and as it turns out it's chain + "Maybe" pistons + Crankshaft bearings which will cost a lot to fix, so mechanics just suggested that they can source low mileage engine and just do the engine swap.

I was quoted around 1500 Euros (engine + labour + servicing).

So I am really stuck, kind of invested a lot into it, yet makes me think how much will go into it? I bought car for 1400 btw.

Is it worth it? is there any point going back?

I was considering just get rid of it, but I don't want to go to anything lower than 1.9 now, and not higher (I am still 20 and my insurance will **** me up if I go up even more)

Henry Ford III

Get rid. It's a clapped out money pit.

L-M

Get rid asap.

djimi

Its a €1400 car thats already cost you €4500 in total, and you want to know if you should spend another €1500 on it?

Id cut my losses now; thats crazy money to be spending. Its cost you three times as much to repair as it has to buy. Walk away.

thecomedian

Get rid of it.

boatbuilder

If you could do the work yourself it would save a lot, otherwise get rid of it and get an easier to maintain car if such a thing exists!

boatbuilder

If you could do the work yourself it would save a lot, otherwise get rid of it and get an easier to maintain car if such a thing exists!

Alanstrainor

Get rid, absolutely not worth the hassle and cost :eek:

arleitiss

Yeah but that engine now, the max I could get out of it is probably 900 Euros, no?

L-M

Its probably worthless, but it's by no means worth spending any money on.

arleitiss

I am wondering, could I get rid of it for around 1300, then just buy 318i 2003/2004 with adding the money that I wound spend for new engine?

mickdw

Perhaps its worth buying a similar car if
You have space to keep the current one.
As I see it, you're car is worth little so maybe keeping it for spares might make sense as you at least know what's good and what's not in this car

arleitiss

mickdw wrote: »

Perhaps its worth buying a similar car if to
You have space to keep the current one.
As I see it, you're car is worth little so maybe keeping it for spares might make sense as you at least know what's good and what's not in this car

That's the problem, I don't have space for two cars, I would probably sell this car for parts if I had another space, but I live in city center and I need to pay quite a high money for parking spot, and once I take out some elements off it the rest can be stolen easily.

mickdw

arleitiss wrote: »

That's the problem, I don't have space for two cars, I would probably sell this car for parts if I had another space, but I live in city center and I need to pay quite a high money for parking spot, and once I take out some elements off it the rest can be stolen easily.

That's that out so. Donedeal for small money so.

Stheno

arleitiss wrote: »

I am wondering, could I get rid of it for around 1300, then just buy 318i 2003/2004 with adding the money that I wound spend for new engine?

You won't get anywhere near €1300 for it with it needing a new engine

arleitiss

Stheno wrote: »

You won't get anywhere near €1300 for it with it needing a new engine

Is there any point selling it then?

visual

Sell it as is for small money with the 1.5k you had planned on spending on repairs that's close on 2k towards a decent car.

Clockers should be shot the hole car is 190k miles car in reality and at end of its life.

L-M

arleitiss wrote: »

Is there any point selling it then?

Yeah, you'll get more than if you scrapped it.

If you live anywhere near Mullingar, it might be worth throwing into the auction.

arleitiss

visual wrote: »

Sell it as is for small money with the 1.5k you had planned on spending on repairs that's close on 2k towards a decent car.

Clockers should be shot the hole car is 190k miles car in reality and at end of its life.

Yeah, found out about it recently when mechanics did full scan of ECU

Cleveland Hot Pocket

visual wrote: »

Sell it as is for small money with the 1.5k you had planned on spending on repairs that's close on 2k towards a decent car.

Clockers should be shot the hole car is 190k miles car in reality and at end of its life.

Why is 190k end of life?
My pickup and my 425k mile carina beg to differ!

power pants

arleitiss wrote: »

I am wondering, could I get rid of it for around 1300, then just buy 318i 2003/2004 with adding the money that I wound spend for new engine?

probably end up being another banger

visual

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Why is 190k end of life?
My pickup and my 425k mile carina beg to differ!

If you look hard enough you will find 500k example for nearly every model car. But we all know thats not typical as most cars don't even manage 200k k before being scrapped

What if he throws in another engine and 6 months later a big ticket item like gear box or rear axle rears its ugly head.

arleitiss

visual wrote: »

If you look hard enough you will find 500k example for nearly every model car. But we all know thats not typical as most cars don't even manage 200k k before being scrapped

What if he throws in another engine and 6 months later a big ticket item like gear box or rear axle rears its ugly head.

Well, I am changing car next year, around next November, getting myself E92 3 series most likely or 325i and will leave old car to parents, so that's mainly the reason why I am not sure if I should just invest into it and fix it up then give it away to parents or sell it to someone for cheap while it has lots of new stuff installed in it.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

visual wrote: »

If you look hard enough you will find 500k example for nearly every model car. But we all know thats not typical as most cars don't even manage 200k k before being scrapped

What if he throws in another engine and 6 months later a big ticket item like gear box or rear axle rears its ugly head.

My carina is at 422k miles, still on original engine, gearbox & clutch.

Most cars get scrapped because of this stupid mentality that cars die after 100k miles.
People want rid to keep up with the jones's next door and get a newer reg plate.

Scortho

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

My carina is at 422k miles, still on original engine, gearbox & clutch.

Most cars get scrapped because of this stupid mentality that cars die after 100k miles.
People want rid to keep up with the jones's next door and get a newer reg plate.

I know the 156 v6 that we broke for parts had 90k miles on it. The reason for breaking was that it was worth more in parts, than to do a belt on it.

Henry Ford III

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

...Most cars get scrapped because of this stupid mentality that cars die after 100k miles.
People want rid to keep up with the jones's next door and get a newer reg plate.

In this case the car is beyond economic repair.

OP you'd be doing your parents no favour by giving them this car.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Scortho wrote: »

I know the 156 v6 that we broke for parts had 90k miles on it. The reason for breaking was that it was worth more in parts, than to do a belt on it.

Henry Ford III wrote: »

In this case the car is beyond economic repair.

OP you'd be doing your parents no favour by giving them this car.

In fairness it is probably more related to scortho's post above.
I know I scrapped my trusty fiesta over a 500 quid clutch. Hardly wallet busting, i wish I had kept it now!

Alanstrainor

Talk about going off topic lads...

OP that's not a car that is worth giving to your folks. It has all kinds of trouble and even after putting in another 1500 I would bet it still won't be straight. 1500 will be a run around for sure. Just don't buy a BMW!

arleitiss

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Talk about going off topic lads...

OP that's not a car that is worth giving to your folks. It has all kinds of trouble and even after putting in another 1500 I would bet it still won't be straight. 1500 will be a run around for sure. Just don't buy a BMW!

I like them bmw's, I will just never buy an older than 2008 again, from 4 brands I drove or tried before: Opel Corsa, Opel Astra, Audi A4 and this e46, this was most enjoyable.

listermint

arleitiss wrote: »

I like them bmw's, I will just never buy an older than 2008 again, from 4 brands I drove or tried before: Opel Corsa, Opel Astra, Audi A4 and this e46, this was most enjoyable.

I assume 2008 is because of tax, because if it is because of reliability then unfortunately the reg game doesnt work like that.

Always buy a car on condition and service history. Just because its shiney and it has 2010 on the front doesnt mean it was treated with the care and attention a 2004 enthusiasts car would have been.

Always speak with and bring someone who is competent with these models and you will be buying 'right'.

Also with most vehicles and BMWs especially, they need preventative maintenance. This does not mean waiting until the bills build up and the NCT fails that you replace all the bits. Items have a scheduled time to be changes and sticking to it as closely as you can will give you a better all round experience and will retain value in the vehicle come sale time.

arleitiss

listermint wrote: »

I assume 2008 is because of tax, because if it is because of reliability then unfortunately the reg game doesnt work like that.

Always buy a car on condition and service history. Just because its shiney and it has 2010 on the front doesnt mean it was treated with the care and attention a 2004 enthusiasts car would have been.

Always speak with and bring someone who is competent with these models and you will be buying 'right'.

Also with most vehicles and BMWs especially, they need preventative maintenance. This does not mean waiting until the bills build up and the NCT fails that you replace all the bits. Items have a scheduled time to be changes and sticking to it as closely as you can will give you a better all round experience and will retain value in the vehicle come sale time.

I uncovered this cars shady past only after mechanics looked at why it overheats, it was barely ever serviced they said at it's 190k miles.

I don't mind paying for repairs as I did for this one, I just really ****ed up with choosing this one which was too late to service to make it perfectly running had to replace lots of stuff (listed above).

I do realize that the reg doesn't make it for condition and reliability, mileage, owners, history does.

Tbh I wouldn't mind paying for 2009 that would be a bit more pricey than others but would have:
Decent mileage, it's service book always stamped by decent mechanic who did servicing every few thousand miles.

This E46 had: One key, no documents (except log book),
also when we arrived to mail box, I find out the fella who sold it to me has no license or insurance so I was dreading of driving with him, but oh well.

Oh well, learning on mistakes. I just can't wait for next November to change to something new. I guess I will fix it, I don't want to change to any other car as my insurance will most likely **** me up, if I get lower than 1.9, I pretty much lose out on insurance I paid for 1.9 because they will refund me about 100-200 euros, if I get higher than 1.9 then I have to pay more god knows how much.
At my age, the least thing I want to do is talk to m insurance, because I was refused by 7 insurers and only the ones agreed.

listermint

arleitiss wrote: »

I uncovered this cars shady past only after mechanics looked at why it overheats, it was barely ever serviced they said at it's 190k miles.

I don't mind paying for repairs as I did for this one, I just really ****ed up with choosing this one which was too late to service to make it perfectly running had to replace lots of stuff (listed above).

I do realize that the reg doesn't make it for condition and reliability, mileage, owners, history does.

Tbh I wouldn't mind paying for 2009 that would be a bit more pricey than others but would have:
Decent mileage, it's service book always stamped by decent mechanic who did servicing every few thousand miles.

This E46 had: One key, no documents (except log book),
also when we arrived to mail box, I find out the fella who sold it to me has no license or insurance so I was dreading of driving with him, but oh well.

Oh well, learning on mistakes. I just can't wait for next November to change to something new. I guess I will fix it, I don't want to change to any other car as my insurance will most likely **** me up, if I get lower than 1.9, I pretty much lose out on insurance I paid for 1.9 because they will refund me about 100-200 euros, if I get higher than 1.9 then I have to pay more god knows how much.
At my age, the least thing I want to do is talk to m insurance, because I was refused by 7 insurers and only the ones agreed.

This part in bold is why you have had to create this thread.

Whatever car you decide to buy next, please please bring a competent person with you. This car should never have been bought with no documents. You should have walked away.

obezyana

listermint wrote: »

This part in bold is why you have had to create this thread.

Whatever car you decide to buy next, please please bring a competent person with you. This car should never have been bought with no documents. You should have walked away.

To be fair not having any documents only the logbook is not really a reason to walk away from buying a car as not everybody keeps a documented service. I have bought 4 cars with only the logbook with the cars and none of them turned out to be bad cars. I think when buying a car its more about researching and knowing what you are buying so when you go look at the car you know what to look out for. Having an eye for what you are getting in to is most of the battle when purchasing a car altho it goes without saying if you can get a car with a service history then happy days but its definitely not essential.

Henry Ford III

arleitiss wrote: »

....This E46 had: One key, no documents (except log book)....

....I guess I will fix it, I don't want to change to any other car as my insurance will most likely **** me up....

One key and no service history suggests that you are either a very trusting sort or that you are pretty hopeless as a car buyer.

Why bother starting threads seeking advice and then ignoring good advice?

Scortho

Henry Ford III wrote: »

One key and no service history suggests that you are either a very trusting sort or that you are pretty hopeless as a car buyer.

Why bother starting threads seeking advice and then ignoring good advice?

My alfa came with one key and no service history....But the person I bought it off is well regarded as the man to go to for alfas in the south east.:p

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Henry Ford III wrote: »

One key and no service history suggests that you are either a very trusting sort or that you are pretty hopeless as a car buyer.

Why bother starting threads seeking advice and then ignoring good advice?

No, 1 key and no service history is pretty typical for most Irish cars past 8 or so years old.
At that age and price you buy on condition not on the number of keys etc

obezyana

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

No, 1 key and no service history is pretty typical for most Irish cars past 8 or so years old.
At that age and price you buy on condition not on the number of keys etc

Buying on year alone seems to be enough for most Irish people and som even get hooked in on buying a new plate diesel that they for the most part just dont need.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

obezyana wrote: »

Buying on year alone seems to be enough for most Irish people and som even get hooked in on buying a new plate diesel that they for the most part just dont need.

Lets see how well that works for all the small mileage daysuls in a couple of years!

power pants

The point is whether it had one key or not, op should have had someone that knew something about cars with him and chances are they would have ran a mile, head gasket and 101 things needing replacing.

It would be plain bonkers to carry on wasting money on it, what you have spent in the past is a sunk cost anyway. Spend another grand or 2 and you will still be pumping more money into it

Will end up being cheaper buying a 2 year old Bentley than that banger

AS for giving it to your parents, I doubt they would ever thank you for it

Id just put it up on DD and see what happens and next time get someone who knows something about cars when inspecting and not be sucked in by a 10 year old bmw badge

lomb

This is a great post that shows that if buying a car and it hasnt got verified mileage ie a record of miles every single year or two yearly if under the same owner(similar pattern odds are) then the car should be assumed to have twice the miles ie walk away. Anything with 190k miles thats not maintained money no object is a pile of junk.
About 75-85k miles is my limit on used, at 115-120 the car is failing from numerous points and at 130+ unless money is poured into it its scrap.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

lomb wrote: »

This is a great post that shows that if buying a car and it hasnt got verified mileage ie a record of miles every single year or two yearly if under the same owner(similar pattern odds are) then the car should be assumed to have twice the miles ie walk away. Anything with 190k miles thats not maintained money no object is a pile of junk.
About 75-85k miles is my limit on used, at 115-120 the car is failing from numerous points and at 130+ unless money is poured into it its scrap.

:rolleyes:
Typical paddy attitude there.
Many cars are capable of reaching that (not too stringent) total.


This kind of post reminds us why there are so many clocked cars!

Idbatterim

Op I take it, that its an early E46 i.e from 99-02? DO NOT purchase any car, but particularly a "luxury" car without having it checked out by a specialist prior to purchase, someone here mentioned brining someone with you, Id want it on a ramp and someone with diagnostic equipment also. These cars can be money pits, like my first 2000 E46 coupe was, like yours it passed the NCT first time no problem. My second one, that I am driving now, was purchased from an enthusiast, and the only thing that has failed in 2.5 years is the starter motor, I paid E30 for a refurbished bosch one on ebay! I have had it with Gary in chelmsford and Bloomfield, ask them to give it a once over when its in and they say nothing requires attention, I know the passenger side window regulator is on the way out (but as a wear and tear item, thats not too surprising after 93k miles) The below forum is very useful... Dont let this awful experience put you off BMW, but just take it as a lesson, a bloody expensive one unfortunately...

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/index.php

Honestly, OP, I find it amazing that you were immediately willing to pour €2,000 into a car that you just paid €1,500 for. If that were me it'd be back up on DoneDeal immediately (or I'd be driving it through the previous owners front window! :pac: ).

All that'd be holding a €1,500 BMW together is willpower.



I'm no car enthusiast, but theoretically, seen as you've put so many new parts into it, could they be stripped out and sold on (ie; would you get more money breaking it than you would selling it?)

Idbatterim

Yeah I agree with the above post, another thread was started on this forum recently, the guy poured god knows what into the car and asked afterwards if this was the right thing to do! Also someone who just says go ahead to the garage, is going to get stung A LOT more than someone who might get the parts themselves from a motor factors or ebay, scrap yard etc, and can fit them themselves or knows someone who will do it very cheap... To be honest I am not surprised with the amount that failed on the car in question, on Irish roads with 190,000 miles. the combination of that mileage on irish roads, with a very sketchy service history is a killer combo on these cars...

listermint

obezyana wrote: »

To be fair not having any documents only the logbook is not really a reason to walk away from buying a car as not everybody keeps a documented service. I have bought 4 cars with only the logbook with the cars and none of them turned out to be bad cars. I think when buying a car its more about researching and knowing what you are buying so when you go look at the car you know what to look out for. Having an eye for what you are getting in to is most of the battle when purchasing a car altho it goes without saying if you can get a car with a service history then happy days but its definitely not essential.

to be fair, i wouldnt buy a car EVER that has no receipts no service book no nothing. Im sure it could turn out to be a decent car, but why in the hell would i personally take the chance. And best of luck when resale time comes around.

This is the reason why cars in the UK are in better nick for the most part than anything on the market here. They comprehend the need to keep the service history in order and keep record of it.

Im sorry mate, but i wouldnt of bought it and you wont catch me buying someones motor with nothing to show me bar a logbook. It displays to me that if they dont car to keep the documents together then how much do they car for the car.


And just to be clear, that doesnt mean it has to have dealer stamps all over it. But saving your dam receipts would be a good start .

Idbatterim

yeah the breaking it may be the best option, the only consolation you can take, is that it was "only" E1400. Also that 1.9 engine is so underpowered, the 2L are a much nicer drive and have adequate power, that engine can be bloody problematic too if not looked after properly. The straight 6's are far better and more reliable...

Cleveland Hot Pocket

listermint wrote: »

to be fair, i wouldnt buy a car EVER that has no receipts no service book no nothing. Im sure it could turn out to be a decent car, but why in the hell would i personally take the chance. And best of luck when resale time comes around.

This is the reason why cars in the UK are in better nick for the most part than anything on the market here. They comprehend the need to keep the service history in order and keep record of it.

Im sorry mate, but i wouldnt of bought it and you wont catch me buying someones motor with nothing to show me bar a logbook. It displays to me that if they dont car to keep the documents together then how much do they car for the car.

Most cars I bought had no service book/reciepts.

Unless you are looking at 5/6 yrs old or newer (and even then it is not a given) it is unlikely that you will get any SH

Even on my one owner carina, with 420k miles (when I got it, she's at 422 now) there was no history

listermint

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Most cars I bought had no service book/reciepts.

Unless you are looking at 5/6 yrs old or newer (and even then it is not a given) it is unlikely that you will get any SH

Even on my one owner carina, with 420k miles (when I got it, she's at 422 now) there was no history

Theres a subtle difference between the types of cars you are buying (carina) and the ones i would be looking at (highly strung straight 6's and V8s)

My advice doesnt apply to all cars tbh. I could go out and buy a micra or a swift or an almera in the morning with no service history to be seen and it would go for another 5 years.

I own an M3 right now, and you can be dam sure im not buying that without dockets.

Henry Ford III

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

..Most cars I bought had no service book/reciepts....

Every car I've sold had fsh with supporting docs.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

listermint wrote: »

Theres a subtle difference between the types of cars you are buying (carina) and the ones i would be looking at (highly strung straight 6's and V8s)

My advice doesnt apply to all cars tbh. I could go out and buy a micra or a swift or an almera in the morning with no service history to be seen and it would go for another 5 years.

I own an M3 right now, and you can be dam sure im not buying that without dockets.

AN m3 is a different beast to be fair.
But for example my v8 pickup came with c 175k miles and no fsh

Although my 535d came with (almost) FBMWSH.. and I would not have bought a twin turbo diesel without FSH

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Every car I've sold had fsh with supporting docs.

Every car I've sold had receipts/notes of all work I did to it, but not much from previous owners as I didnt get any.

Seriously guys, who buys a 10+yr old car in Ireland expecting an FSH?