BMW 330i - Is this dent easy to fix?

SaBBz

SaBBz

SaBBz

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I'm considering buying an E46 330i Sport, but the one I'm going to look at has a slight dent in the rear as can be seen here:

330i.jpg


Would this dent be easy to rectify? I understand that it is on the plastic bumper and the paint has not cracked.

Also did the facelift come in on a 51 plate?

Thanks.
 
ive seen stuff like that be removed.

have you seen the car in question ? is this all thats wrong with it ? as this makes you think what else the previous owner did with the car.
 
If that dents has been left there for a long period of time then you're chances of getting it perfect again are nil. However there is a good chance if it's relatively fresh. It should easy out with some pressure from the inside with a chisel handle or similar and a hot air gun on the outside. Need to be extremely careful with the heat though as the paint can bubble quite easily. Boiling water may also just about work. Again depends on how long that ding has been left like that.
 
MrLOL said:
have you seen the car in question ? is this all thats wrong with it ? as this makes you think what else the previous owner did with the car.
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I shouldn't think a bump like that is anything to worry about. Bumps are easily picked up if the car has been used day to day for the past 8 years - probably just a parking dent.
 
is it thought ?

thats my point. Unless you've seen the car you cant tell as photos can hide a number of things.

If he's seen the car and thats all thats wrong then fine, but the fact it has internet photos makes me think he's just looking at an internet advert and hasnt seen the car.
 
I haven't seen it yet, planning on going this weekend. It's up for £6,250 which I think is a little high, though it does have xenons, harmon kardon sound system and electric sunroof (which is an option strangely enough!). Has 108k on it which is around the mileage I'm looking at.
 
Check the sunroof works SaBBz - not sure if it's an issue on these but it's worth testing it in all directions, as sometimes they just don't get touched and consequently seize, or slow, up.

Good chance to look for any signs of water ingress, not that there should be any I'd hope, with it being relatively young! :)
 
i'd say that was on the expensive side considering my boss has recently sold his 2001 (Y) 320i Ci Convertible for £6k, though the one you're looking at has the bigger engine so that may counteract the price, i dunno.
 
SaBBz said:
I haven't seen it yet, planning on going this weekend. It's up for £6,250 which I think is a little high, though it does have xenons, harmon kardon sound system and electric sunroof (which is an option strangely enough!). Has 108k on it which is around the mileage I'm looking at.
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One VERY important area is to check the diff carrier mounts to the car under the rear as this is an 01 car. The issue may be ok on this car but at at least varify it. If you're on your own listen for any clunks of shifty grind/crunching sounds as the transmission takes up. This problem is the same as per z3's, zm3's, e46 compacts etc up to circa 2001/2002 registered cars.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948066992482

It is tall money. I'd try not to insult the seller, but go at 5.5k and see where it goes. See the car first in any circumstance and make no decisions without hearing it at the very least and possibly driving it, or have the seller drive it with you, press ALL the buttons etc inside with it running. Look at the undertray, is it wet ? Wheels all circular shaped ? Condensation inside at all ? Air con fully working ? Everything! Tyres good? Stops straight and true? Doesn't wallow? Gearchange sweet? No funny noises anywhere when driven? Boot is dry? Front TCA bushes all good? Engine clean and fully serviced? Dash binnacle all good? ABS light not on? Check the ABS!!

Satisfy yourself on as much as you reasonably can.
And only then make offers.
 
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Fido McNasty said:
press ALL the buttons etc inside with it running.
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Haha - this is a good one to remember. I went and looked at an E430, sat in it and fiddled for about 30 seconds. Owner leant in and goes "Yea, lovely car this, everything works".

Turned to him and went "Actually........" - had almost immediately found 6 functions (seats/aircon/mirrors) that weren't working!

Shut him up pretty damn well :p
 
Thanks Fox, doesn't seem too bad for the worst case fixing cost.

The diff carrier mounts video looks a bit dodgy though! Do you know when they fixed the problem?
 
BMW were repairing the torn subframe issue free of charge.

Can't beleive how cheap these cars are now. I'd have said £6k seems fair if its a total minter but perhaps I'm out of touch? When buying these I'd be less concerned about getting a bargain and more concerned about getting a pristine car. Far too many of them are owned by morons now.
 
Did the facelift come in on the 51 plate?

Also what changed on the facelift model? It seems to me that the indicators changed along with the lenses on the lights and the front sport bumper. Did some of the interior change as well?
 
Yup - that is a facelift model. Upswept front headlamps, different rear lights, different front and rear bumpers, different steering wheel.
 
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