BMW and M Power Owners

..Unless in the next 5 years some press article or two document the fact that it's crap, OR/AND a new piece of technology that is vastly superior comes along and makes it even more obsolete than it is. How likely is that to be ? remember satnavs 5 years ago? ;-)

Quite frankly, anyone with enough discernement and a small notion of techyness (and a smartphone handy) will realize that google nav is /vastly/ superior to the onboard pretty quickly, and that before buying a car.

The same could be said for the auto transmission. 9 out of 10 of X3s are sold with an auto transmission, therefore I should also get it, and feel like a lazy ass for the next 4 years "just so i can resell it better" ?

Personally, given your statement, I would hunt for the one /without/ the nav, and /without/ the auto transmission and I'd probably be willing to pay more second hand to get that one!
 
BusError said:
remember satnavs 5 years ago? ;-)
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Yup, still making a difference to resale value on 2007 BMW's...

Quite frankly, anyone with enough discernement and a small notion of techyness (and a smartphone handy) will realize that google nav is /vastly/ superior to the onboard pretty quickly, and that before buying a car.
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I take it you do realise the onboard Nav *is* integrated with Google, right? You can send directions to the car from Google Maps, for example. Google features and services feature quite heavily with the latest versions.

Personally, given your statement, I would hunt for the one /without/ the nav, and /without/ the auto transmission and I'd probably be willing to pay more second hand to get that one!
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You'll have no need to pay more to get it, thats for sure!
 
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I wont be buying a car without nav again .. The thought of a tom tom or even worse an iphone sitting in a dock makes me shudder ...
 
The new-ish engine has been fitted finally to my 330 CS. The garage have got their electrician in to check over the loom and plug to ensure everything is perfect, and they're currently waiting on some parts to arrive so they can give it a service before firing it up for the first time later on this afternoon. I'm a little nervous but fingers crossed we should be up and running :cool:

I was thinking of asking the garage to put some cheaper oil in there so I could flush it out in a week with some better quality oils - would this be the best way to do a 'flush' as such?
 
BusError said:
Quite frankly, anyone with enough discernement and a small notion of techyness (and a smartphone handy) will realize that google nav is /vastly/ superior to the onboard pretty quickly, and that before buying a car.
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What can Google Nav do that my recently updated BMW Nav can't?
 
How well does the E46 (specifically the 330) handle big miles? I'm talking around 140/150k with full service history.

I'm not averse to spending a bit of money on the right car should bits go wrong, but nothing too drastic like a massive bill or potential engine failure at that mileage.

Is the manual or the auto better suited to the car?
 
Ant84 said:
How well does the E46 (specifically the 330) handle big miles? I'm talking around 140/150k with full service history.
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These are 8-13 year old cars now so its age not mileage which is the biggest concern. Focus on finding a good car with a long term owner, excellent history and quality tyres as a hint as to how the owner has looked after it.

Is the manual or the auto better suited to the car?
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Depends what your tastes are. The autobox is another potential high cost failure point though.
 
@Ant84

The auto vs manual thing is entire subjective and not something anybody can give advice on. The Autobox in them is a nice one, a little slushy which makes for a nice smooth drive, but with fairly decent (for the era) tip control.

Drive both, some people (like myself) would ignore anything manual, others would do quite the opposite.

One thing to soften the worry re autobox failure on these now pretty old cars though, the boxes are really cheap used (but obviously not guaranteed past working on arrival from places like ebay). A friend also had his rebuilt for £500 on his 530i Auto so the failure cost isnt huge these days. Remember that a manual car may need a clutch which isnt a £20 job either.
 
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Thanks guys. The car in question is a 2003 330ci Sport in black with black leather, manual gearbox with 140k on the clock. It comes with all receipts, MOTs and full BMW service history at 14/15k intervals. I haven't been to see it yet but from the pictures it looks very tidy.

I've tried to see what tyres are on the car (all these years on OCUK Motors having an effect!) but no close ups unfortunately. It's had two owners from 2003, the last owner having owned the car since 2007. The wheels are 18 inch Style 72s IIRC so not sure just yet how much a set of decent tyres would set me back.

All in all I'm not too concerned about the mileage if these engines handle it well. I'm certainly willing to spend money on preventative maintenance so providing nothing nasty shows up I'm reasonably content with big miles.
 
Noooo what have you started! :(

In before "omgnotenoughpowerlol" brigade.

Actually this might prove quite useful, it's a 318Ci Sport and quite fun in the snow as I found out the first time 2 years ago. Anyway, I'm on the lookout this year for a 330Ci or better to part-ex for perhaps. It must be in the same or better condition than my car.

That last bit is why I've had this car for so long now, without paying comedy money there really doesn't seem to be any other E46 coupe on sale that is in the same condition as mine.

The only time I drive is when I want to drive and not because I have to so it would be nice to treat myself to something with a bit more power.
 
I have a 318Ci ES.

The 2 litre engine is enough, but would like to go bigger in the future as well. Insurance isn't too bad on them to be honest, I have had quotes from what I am on now, roughly £1200 3rd party fire & theft and this year it will be going down to £550 fully comp.

A couple more years and then will look at getting something.

Lovely cars though aren't they? First BMW I have owned, absolutely love it.

54 plate. Needs a tiny bit of work, new tyres, but other than that all is well.
 
Keep it stock then move on up :) Don't do what many do and put stick on tat on it with fake wheels and tints :(
 
Yeah it is pretty much standard. Sometimes I look at the standard alloys and shed a little tear, slightly ruins what is a beautiful car, but when they are really clean & shiny they look.. meh.

Only just done 62k in it, so mileage won't even hit 100k by the time I move on, only done around 6k in it in a year. Will go up slightly now as a longer commute, about 30 miles a day all in all.

Hopefully it lasts well and will make someone else very happy in the future too!.
 
Mine has only recently developed a small oil leak which is being seen to in a couple of weeks. Apart from that though, the usual maintenance and no other problems from it at all (other than the known E46 things that fail) in the 4 years of ownership. I'm on 95k now. bought at 42k.
 
I must say the ///M is safely tucked away on the ctek charger waiting for better weather conditions before it comes out. Not driving it without winter wheels/tyres in this weather and at £1.9k from BMW that might have to wait till next year!
 
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