BMW 330i - Is this dent easy to fix?

SaBBz · 30 Mar 2009 at 20:21

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:

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.

SaBBz · 30 Mar 2009 at 20:34

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.

SaBBz · 30 Mar 2009 at 20:51

Cheers Lewis, will have a look at that definitely

Need to put together a list of things to look for now!

SaBBz · 30 Mar 2009 at 21:40

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?

SaBBz · 30 Mar 2009 at 22:06

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?

SaBBz · 31 Mar 2009 at 18:51

Jez said:
That seems a little expensive given the age/mileage and the dent, even if it is totally mint the condition should not affect the price too much over shabbier examples, use this to your advantage and find a gem amongst the rubbish. Looks like a decent spec but there is some bartering to be had there in my opinion, it needs to be nearer £5k really.

Thanks for the reply.

I haven't really been able to find many others at this price point on PH/AT, though I did think the price was a bit high. Is there somewhere else I should also be looking?

SaBBz · 31 Mar 2009 at 20:28

Just spoken to the guy and found out that one of the parking sensors isn't working. Sometimes it's fine but other times it doesn't work at all. Is this a common problem?

He said he bought a replacement sensor but hasn't fitted it yet.

Is there anything else major I should look out for?

Thanks.

SaBBz · 1 Apr 2009 at 18:41

Yeah to be fair I don't mind spending an extra £500 for a really nice example, but also don't want to get 'ripped off'. I need one in 3 weeks as the clutch on my Primera has gone and I'm driving to Cornwall for work then. Might be tempted to get a hire car to take down so I can make sure I don't jump for a car to make sure I've got one.

SaBBz · 3 Apr 2009 at 09:15

With respect to the parking sensor, are they easy to change? I would have thought if they guy already bought a spare and it was easy to fit he'd have fitted it himself.

SaBBz · 4 Apr 2009 at 13:26

[TW]Fox;13811838 said:
Not sure about E46, on the E39 2 are easy 2 are hard. Probably similar on the E46.

Do you know which 2 are the hard ones to change?

Thanks.

SaBBz · 5 Apr 2009 at 11:50

Well the car wasn't very well looked after so decided to give it a miss. It had curbed alloys and a few dents around the place. The guy had a fully stamped service book but only the last invoice from BMW. Just didn't seem like he cared about the car much which isn't what I want from a seller!

SaBBz · 5 Apr 2009 at 11:55

If that was the case then I guess if he cared about the car he wouldn't have let her use it

SaBBz · 5 Apr 2009 at 16:40

Muffin` said:
That was probably in one day

Nah he said the wheels were done before he got it and he has had it about 2 years, which didn't fill me with confidence.

SaBBz · 5 Apr 2009 at 20:15

NickXX said:
They're all easy to change on the e46 and all the same colour.

Thanks for the info Nick. Not too sure whether it was just one of them that was broken to be honest, as it just made a long beep when putting the car into reverse and then none of them worked!

SaBBz · 5 Apr 2009 at 20:24

Ah ok, that's good to know!

You finished at BPP now by the way? I have my finals in November!

SaBBz · 5 Apr 2009 at 20:47

Nope, I'm part qualified now so just the final 3 left! Hope the job market picks up for when you become time qualified (if you aren't already)

SaBBz · 10 Apr 2009 at 16:46

I've just been to look at another one and was wondering whether the orange engine management light should stay on when the key is turned 2 clicks? Once the engine is turned on it's fine.

Thanks.

SaBBz · 10 Apr 2009 at 18:11

Cool, thanks Olly. Think I'm going to go for it for £6.5k, 2002 with speaker upgrade, xenons, electric sunroof, rear blind etc, and it also has a decent private plate on it which was put on it when it was first bought. Only has 72k on the clock (with full bmw service history) but I'm not bothered about the mileage at all, was just looking at the condition of the car. The car's only had 2 owners and the last owner has had it for 3.5 years and seems like he's looked after it well.

I know 6.5k is a bit over the odds but I'm not bothered spending a bit extra due to the condition of the car.

SaBBz · 10 Apr 2009 at 18:17

[TW]Fox;13859256 said:
Sounds like the needle in the haystack. If the condition is outstanding, then go for it.

I had to travel 170 miles each way to view the car which my gf's dad said was crazy. Very glad I went to see it now! Thanks for all the help via msn Fox, and sorry I went for the 3 over the 5 in the end but there just weren't any 5s about!