discussion My Potential Buy- 5 speed Manual E46 330i

rodga

Well-known member
Nice, seller says its a 2002 while the official bmw website says its a 2001/10 car.

Why is the roof painted black (n)
Probably only landed in Dec and sold and registered in January 2002.

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rodga

Well-known member
Try and get it for R85k. There is only one E46 330i that is worth 120-200k, and that is the one @AdiS sold to another forum member. The reason that car could ask that high a price, there is a detailed forum thread on all the extra money that was spent on the car, from suspension to brand new steering wheel and a-pillars and that car was in real mint condition.

The mileage is not the problem.

The BIG problem of the car you talk about, is summed up in the one sentence, unless its typed wrong:

That means, that car either must have had lots of maintenance done by the 2nd owner, or it will need another R15-20k to bring it up to a good standard, aka it has a huge maintenance back log. Normal maintenance means oil intervals were kept by. Which is not enough for these cars. They will keep on running yes, but man they are so much better with a whole suspension refresh, cooling system refresh, and all the filters and brakes etc.
At least double this maintenance budget unless u going aftermarket parts.

Just priced a power steering pump for my e46 330d last week. At 11k they can keep it lol. Luckily I didn't need one.

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///Avi

///Member
Ask him to provide his preventative maintenance records. If he doesn’t have those then you are in for maybe another R20k-R30k.

-vacuum lines
-cooling system
-suspension refresh (shocks are surprisingly pricey, control arms, tie-rods, bushes)
-clutch, guibo and diff
-engine mounts

It is priced far above what is good value for money but if R150k all in sounds good then consider it.

The E46 330i is well built, E46s in general. These cars have a premium drive even after 20years. I’ve had one and it really is such a composed vehicle. I had mine at the coast and the power was reasonable too.

Just go into a possible purchase with your eyes open.
 

Zee87

New member
Ask him to provide his preventative maintenance records. If he doesn’t have those then you are in for maybe another R20k-R30k.

-vacuum lines
-cooling system
-suspension refresh (shocks are surprisingly pricey, control arms, tie-rods, bushes)
-clutch, guibo and diff
-engine mounts

It is priced far above what is good value for money but if R150k all in sounds good then consider it.

The E46 330i is well built, E46s in general. These cars have a premium drive even after 20years. I’ve had one and it really is such a composed vehicle. I had mine at the coast and the power was reasonable too.

Just go into a possible purchase with your eyes open.

Ok i will ask him. I think R150k is a bit much for me. I will try to bring him down to 95k

It is such a beautiful car. I have driven one before. I’m getting the impression from the guys here that maybe these vehicles are more in line with collectors/restorers interests? As a first time bmw owner looking for a good sporty drive in a practical family car with reasonable maintenance costs, am I better off walking away and getting e90 320d??


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Tinuva

Staff & Webmaster
Staff member
Ok i will ask him. I think R150k is a bit much for me. I will try to bring him down to 95k

It is such a beautiful car. I have driven one before. I’m getting the impression from the guys here that maybe these vehicles are more in line with collectors/restorers interests? As a first time bmw owner looking for a good sporty drive in a practical family car with reasonable maintenance costs, am I better off walking away and getting e90 320d??


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If a family car is what you want, go find a newer X3. Like the one @KPM3_30 has. In fact, he has both a e46 330 and the x3. You will get a much better answer from him. Though I think his X3 will be out of your budget.
 

Riaad

Events Organiser
As a first time bmw owner looking for a good sporty drive in a practical family car with reasonable maintenance costs, am I better off walking away and getting e90 320d??
Yep.

you will struggle for space with the e46 as family car.

e90 320d would suit your needs much better...
If your budget can extend to a 330d...then you would be happy with your purchase
 

///Avi

///Member
This car is now marked for R100k on Facebook marketplace.

A large gap in service history but I would say it is a much better price now. The mileage may still be doctored but it actually does seem neat.
 

Zee87

New member
This car is now marked for R100k on Facebook marketplace.

A large gap in service history but I would say it is a much better price now. The mileage may still be doctored but it actually does seem neat.

Yeah I saw he dropped the price as well. When I spoke to the owner he said he is the 3rd owner. He bought the car from a friend of his. He got it when it was on 160 000kms - and up to now, he hasn't spend a cent on it only the tyres on the car needs replacing.

He said since since he has had the car, the yellow oil light comes on after you start the car for about 4 seconds then it goes off and said the oil pressure censor needs to be replaced. But the previous owner told him not to waste his time and money. He says that thing freaks out on all the e46 330i and not even BMW can get it right? Is this true?


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Tinuva

Staff & Webmaster
Staff member
Yeah I saw he dropped the price as well. When I spoke to the owner he said he is the 3rd owner. He bought the car from a friend of his. He got it when it was on 160 000kms - and up to now, he hasn't spend a cent on it only the tyres on the car needs replacing.

He said since since he has had the car, the yellow oil light comes on after you start the car for about 4 seconds then it goes off and said the oil pressure censor needs to be replaced. But the previous owner told him not to waste his time and money. He says that thing freaks out on all the e46 330i and not even BMW can get it right? Is this true?


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I have 2x e46 330i cars where these sensors work fine still.

It is expensive to replace, recommendation is to replace that sensor when there is an oil leak on the sump gasket. 2 jobs in one, or do the gasket anyways if you do the sensor

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Zee87

New member
I have 2x e46 330i cars where these sensors work fine still.

It is expensive to replace, recommendation is to replace that sensor when there is an oil leak on the sump gasket. 2 jobs in one, or do the gasket anyways if you do the sensor

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Around how much we talking?


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