130k to spend

[1lum1nat1]

Hello gents

Some of you might remember I was looking @ an E46 325ti a few days ago, but left that idea because I saw an Audi A3 2.0 I was interested in, but the owner is starting to get on my nerves due the time he's taking to organize the sale (been a week now).

I'm only starting working next year & my salary will be small, so I won't be able to maintain a vehicle if it's going to cost me an arm & a leg. I'm also not a do it yourself engine overhauler, so bear in mind, anything that breaks will have to be repaired by someone else - meaning - I need something reliable.

If you had 130k to spend today, what will you get, but keep in mind the above please?


EDIT: Another thing. I don't really want something with alot of km's on the ODO. +-100k will still be fine.

I saw a 2001 330d the other day with 130k on the clock (a bit too much for my liking) for R130k, is this a fair price? Will i shoot myself in the foot by going for an older diesel?

 

[freerider]

get a very neat 98 316i for +-R50k and put the rest into a high risk high return portfolio with Allan Gray :thumbsup:

 

[moe_182]

You can have my MINT condition 02 330ci with FSH n no FLAWS @ all

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Jandre]

These days they all cost money to maitain. I am with freerider. Dont spend it all. Keep some in reserve.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Thanks for the offer Moe, she's still looking sweet, but I'm not a cabriolet kind of guy. Sorry. - just for interest sake, how many km's does that 330 have on it?

Well, I do have some in reserve, I know cars cost money to maintain, but I don't want something to break like a turbo & then have to fork out 20k to fix it. I've been saving for a bloody long time to get me a decent car, mommy & daddy won't be buying, I'm paying myself. So when I get in her I want to be proud & be able to hear that 6 pot

 

[Twinz]

1lum1nat1: Good thinking :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[1lum1nat1]

Guys

What will you be willing to pay for a 2002 330i with 108k on the clock? I saw one in Bloem (where I'm situated)from a dealer for R130k. Are there any known issues with these models?

What should be changed @ the mayor services & when should they be done? Do these use runflats?

 

[Hellas]

I'm with the others on the reserve plan. Look at insurance and services to keep yoursel financially secure.

 

[freerider]

better to get the facelift, it has a 6 spd gearbox.

They do not use runflats, common problems are exactly the same as any other e46.

expansion tank
water pump failure
control arm bushings

 

[1lum1nat1]

Insurance won't cost me too much (+-R500), it would be on my parent's name, I'm still going to study part-time so I won't have to open my own policy @ the insurer.

My salary will be small for the first year but will increase @ a good rate. I'm going to do my CASA articles, so I would think I'll be in a good financial position in the near future.

I won't be putting alot of km's on it in a year, I doubt I'll get close to 10k a year.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Sorry for the double post.

Any specific reason why I should go for the 6-speed facelift?

When do these things usually get troublesome expansion tank, water pump failure, control arm bushings?

 

[freerider]

coolant system is very hard to say, some break some dont.

Control arms is going to be about every 50k kms or so.

You need to drive the 5 and 6spd versions back to back and feel for yourself, I find the 6spd box much better in terms of ratios and drivability, but I suppose its all personal taste really.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Well, I guess anything will be better than my fiance's Micra

I saw a 2003 330i with 82k on the clock for R125000, but it's a problem to go see the car since it's in Joburg.

How much does the control arms cost to replace? Are there any signs of the water pump breaking anytime soon?

EDIT: When did the BMW's come with runflats?

 

[Jandre]

I paid 2000 for lower control arms the other day on my E 36. Expect to pay similar money on the E 46.

As far as I know, the runflats were only introduced on the 3 series when they launched the E90.

 

[freerider]

The e90 was the first 3 series with runflats.

Control arm bushings will set you back about R2.5k fitted, and if you need to replace control arms (if the ball joint is worn) then it will cost you about R7k

There is no surefire way of knowing with the coolant system, lots of guys in the states reckon that you should do preventative maintenance at 60k miles (100k kms) prevention will cost you a hell of a lot less in the long run.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Hmm, thanks for all the info gents, really appreciate it.

 

[freerider]

No worries :thumbsup:

 

[weiburwu]

i think to save money in the long term ,,go for bmw will always be the best choice.

 

[Gizmo]

I can vouch for the 330i, I bought a 2002 330i with 148 000km in the junkmail, private sale for R100k. Then spent around R10k building it up to a full sportpack, 6 speed and all...
So I have a sportpack for R110k, not bad...Did I mension I average 9.4lt/100km and get 650km per tank, every tank...

The 330i is a brilliant car, its got alot of torque and power so there is no need to floor it, thats why I get good fuel economy out of her. BTW, 330i's only got a 6 speed box from late '03, anything older has the 5 speed box.

I have done the preventative maintenance by replacing the lower control arm bushings, water pump and idler pulleys on the front of the motor. It doesn't cost the earth to maintain, unlike anything with an ///M badge... I paid R1600 for the pair of bushings, R350 for the water pump and about R700 for all the pulleys.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Thanks for the info Gizmo.

TBH, I'm not a racer, so I won't be driving the crap out of the car. I seriously doubt getting a 330i would change that, since I drive pretty much the same way with the future inlaws' XJ8.

What does a service cost for the 330i?