E46 316

guil

Hi I'm looking at one of the above, it's 1.9 automatic. What are they like reliability wise and anything in particular to look out for? Would it be hard on petrol being an automatic or are they ok?

Idbatterim

the thing will have the acceleration of a bike... the earlier E46's, you are looking at suspension, coolant system, engine gaskets etc. What year is the car and what is the budget?

guil

It's a 00 looking for €1000 but if say he will take less. I'm looking for something around €1300. Don't really mind what it is once it has 4 doors and under 2 litre.

Idbatterim

Id go for the E39 520i if I were you. Just an incomparable car, you could go for the older 2L 6 cylinder engine, with 150bhp...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520-e39-automatic/6842784

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=95193 2.2L engine

is there any reason in particular you want the 316?

YbFocus

316's are soul destroying in fairness. They give a fair bit of head gasket trouble too as Idbatterim has said.

guil

No real desire for a BMW over anything else. That one in particular is close and a friend of a work colleague owns it and treats it like a baby.

Idbatterim

Id honestly probably avoid bm's at that price range, I mean its cheap enough that if it gives any problems, it wont cost the earth, but they 316 are just such appalling value for money compared to the 5 series, if you are at the 1.9L, it puts out 105 bhp, the 2L 520 puts out 150bhp so you get decent value of of the tax and the car is different league to the 316...

guil

Yeah like I said the only appeal to it was word of mouth and how close the seller is really. I have 3 kids at 10, 7 and 3 so once I can get them in I don't really mind what car it is and ideally I would like it to be 2 litre or less.

JC01

316s are an awful car, as has been said if you wer set on a Beemer look at a 520i or an e36 318is, but I'd be very wary of any BM that comes in at that budget.

obezyana

I had a 316 in that year your looking at it was a grand car but as said it's not exactly the most joyful thing to drive, the cooling system is a definite thing that would need attention if it hasn't been overhauled already.

I would def go for the E39 over the 316. After I got rid of the 316 I got a 2.5ltr 323 which for me is worth having even tho the stupid tax on it is nuts. I'd never have a 4 pot Beemer again as you would easily pick up a good 6 pot for small money.

bazz26

On a tight budget I'd tend to look at something Japanese, the Honda Accord would be something I'd be looking at in this price range:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord/6834964


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord/6883228

Moneymaker

I got a 525i 01 for 1400 around a month ago. It's an absolute joy to drive. Does about 28mpg and it's plenty pacy.

320 or 520 would be suitable also.

Avoid the 316.

Idbatterim

op the below is located in Kildare and has the older 2L engine...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520i/5861496