BMW E46....money pit?

deano

deano

deano

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Have been reading through threads on here regarding the E46....seems to be quite a lot of stuff to go wrong with one.

Cooling system,suspension,dash,AUX fan etc etc. I was a little unsure if this was for the whole range or just the specific models mentioned in the various threads on here.

Basically I have the chance of an E46 2 litre petrol on an 03 plate, with full BMW service history and one owner from new. It has covered 101000 miles. Is this likely to be a money pit? I understand that may be a potentially difficult question to answer.

I'm not in the know with BMW's never having one before and just starting to read up on them. People on here seem to love them generally :D

TIA
 
Dash? Not heard of that one myself.

320i is largely pointless. All the downsides of the 318i and the 330i (ie slow, AND with most of the thirst of the 330i).

An out of warranty BMW will always cost a fair amount to maintain and run, assuming you don't ***** out and let it gradually get worse and worse. Keeping my 330d in "great" (or as great as could be expected of a 9 year old 166,000 mile car) condition was an endless input of a few hundred here, a few hundred there, etc.

It is a fantastic car however. It always felt sure-footed, it was a smooth drive, and I always felt "at home" sat in it, right from day one.

I guess the key thing to remember is that the running costs are no different today than they were when it was a >£25,000 car, except you have no luxury of a warranty for if something does go bang.

They are as expensive as the brand premium dictates, and are not really a car to be run on a budget (as much as the ****** who own them seem to ignore this).
 
Funnily enough I've been thinking exactly the same thing.

I've decided on an E46 330D manual and had planned to arrange viewing and what not today but reading up on 330D and diesel in general not liking short journeys. My work is only a few miles away from home but I am going to be doing a lot more soon - how much more I'm not sure.

I don't think they are any more or less likely to throw up big bill than any other car. I think the petrol less so than diesel. It is a worry though. Heck, I'm even more concerned about buying this BM than at any time while buying either of my Imprezas!
 
[TW]Fox;19637944 said:
He said a 2 litre E46. The 320i is not the 2 litre E46, it's a 2.2, so he means a 2 liter E46 he's talking about the 318i.
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I was basing that on the common misconception that x20 denotes engine size, as was once historically correct.

EddScott said:
I've decided on an E46 330D manual and had planned to arrange viewing and what not today but reading up on 330D and diesel in general not liking short journeys. My work is only a few miles away from home but I am going to be doing a lot more soon - how much more I'm not sure.
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Mine mainly does short journeys (work is < 5mi from home), but does get to stretch it's legs numerous times a week. Certainly not had any problems that stem from short trips (had plenty of non 330d specific problems in general though :p)
 
we would not ***** out - lol and would keep up with the service history / servicing. It was the in-between bills I was potentially more worried about. The car currently looks extremely good for its age and would like to keep it that way. Was just concerned over the potential other costs, having said that have been quoted £550 for a clutch replacement which is £1500 cheaper that it was for the avensis :)

thanks
 
[TW]Fox;19637944 said:
He said a 2 litre E46. The 320i is not the 2 litre E46, it's a 2.2, so he means a 2 liter E46 he's talking about the 318i.
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I made that mistake thinking the 318 was a 1.8 when it is actually a 2 litre. its an ES model which I think got a few extras in 2003 from the original ES model from release.
 
EddScott said:
I don't think they are any more or less likely to throw up big bill than any other car.
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Yes, I heard its as hassle free and ownership proposition as, say, a Ford Mondeo or a Focus (diesel aside).

All the ones I've known obviously didnt get that memo, though.

Trust me - myself and others I know have enough invoices to prove that it is more likely to bill you than 'any other car', where 'any other car' is more normal Fords etc.
 
deano said:
I made that mistake thinking the 318 was a 1.8 when it is actually a 2 litre. its an ES model which I think got a few extras in 2003 from the original ES model from release.
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The ES is completely dire. It is absolute bottom of the range and totally poverty spec inside. They even removed the steering wheel buttons!
 
[TW]Fox;19637972 said:
Trust me - myself and others I know have enough invoices to prove that it is more likely to bill you than 'any other car', where 'any other car' is more normal Fords etc.
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Easily able to back that claim up :p Heck, I've got over £1000's worth of parts bills (not including labour costs) this year alone.

[TW]Fox;19637975 said:
The ES is completely dire. It is absolute bottom of the range and totally poverty spec inside. They even removed the steering wheel buttons!
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So true! I'd not bother with the ES, all the running costs of a nice one, without the creature comforts... lovely.
 
ok might give it a miss then price with 12months mot and tax was £3000 not sure if thats low enough for the poverty spec as you would put it?
 
So an E46 is actually a potential money pit then?

I'm sorry to compare BMW to Subaru but from experience having owned 2 Imprezas both cars were completely reliable - given the reputation of Imprezas for spitting out pistons and gears you'd think I'd have a folder full of repair bills.

I'd like to have something a little more civilised than another japanese car and would quite like to join the BMW club but by the sounds of it, the subs just aren't worth it.

EDIT - Paradigm, have you just been unlucky or are the bills you've had par for the course?
 
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They are a potential money pit, due to cost of servicing/repair/parts, typically (with mine at least), it's lots of little things that add up. Off the top of my head (barring things like consumables and routine maintenance):

  • I've had the PAS pump/pipework fail (could happen on any car, but isn't exactly cheap on the BMW)
  • I've had the Turbo fail (again, could happen on any Turbo of either fuel type)
  • I've had the radiator go (BMW favourite this one)
  • Window winding mechanisms typically snap (brittle plastic clips)
  • A/C compressor fail (again, could happen to any car with aircon, but pumps aren't cheap)
  • New intercooler
  • Two brake calipers
  • Headlight washer failure (leaking fluid quicker than it went in the washer bottle)
  • Central locking relays (expensive unless you can do the job yourself, I did)
Other than the turbo going, nothing was really that "expensive", but it all adds up. A lot of my failures will be due to either age or mileage, but depending on how well the car has been maintained in the past, they are all failures that could happen on any e46 diesel now.

To be fair, the guy I spoke to about my turbo was amazed that it had done 160,000 miles before failing (variable vanes got stuck, could have had it reconditioned, but needed the car ASAP). Most go well before that mileage.
 
paradigm said:
To be fair, the guy I spoke to about my turbo was amazed that it had done 160,000 miles before failing (variable vanes got stuck, could have had it reconditioned, but needed the car ASAP). Most go well before that mileage.
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Thanks. The 330D I'm liking right now has had a turbo replaced 12K ago - cost him £1200. It's also had bushes replaced and these swirl flap things removed. It seems to have been looked after. My only real issue is the service history may not be 100% hence my plans to call today rather than mail.

I do think fuel-wise I'd be better off with the diesel in case I do end up doing lots of miles. I can cope with the odd £1K bill (after service) but I'd be a bit miffed it was like an annual thing (keeping this for 3 year at least)

Theres a very good BMW indie about half an hour away that I would have looking after it.
 
I had one pipe split and needed a new battery in my E46. I think its luck of the draw :)
 
Id say no, ive got a 2003 320i se, its got 75k on the clock and ive had it just over 2 years, ive done an oil service on it, changed the front discs and pads and the front control arm bushes, did the brakes and bushes myself so in total ive spent about £250 in 2 years on it.

I've had a 330ci too which again never had any major problems
 
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