2001 E46 320i: What to look for?

[JS-BMW]

Friends of the family have to opportunity to pick up a 2001 320i Manual with 114,000km from one of their family members for R42,000.

Any suggestions on what you should look out for on these pre-facelift models? I had a look at the car and it does seem in a really good condition, tyres are close to having to be replaced, front disks will need replacing when the current pads are finished, the engine belt seems a bit worn to me (small cracks), rear shocks may be a bit worn as I did hear a noise from the rear (struggled to replicate it consistently though so difficult to pintpoint) but apart from that nothing else jumped out at me.

I would really appreciate any input from knowledgeables on the forum!

 

[DieselFan]

Not familiar with the engine but the typical e46 cooling system gives problems. Control arm bushes are probably gone if they haven't already been replaced. E46s are great cars though

 

[KarshS]

What DieselFan Said.

Strong motors. Cooling system, CABs. When you get the car put in a new expansion tank regardless what the owner says.

I sold mine on about 200 k km and i only had cooling system issue. By the time i sold it the clutch was also on its way out but thats normal for a car with that mileage

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Oh when replacing clutch you will probably need to replace the flywheel as well.

Gizmo knows these cars in and out. Give him a shout

 

[JS-BMW]

Thanks for the info guys, appreciate it.

 

[Maljan]

From owning a 2001 325i since 2002 (now at 270 000 km), I can add a few pointers.

As already said, the cooling system is rubbish. It will fail again and again. Everything fails - expansion tank, radiator, thermostat, waterpump, the lot. Or mechanics will talk you into replacing the whole lot to maximize their profits, anyway.

Check that all the windows go up and down. The electric windows mechanisms on the E46 are also known not to last. Unfortunately it is down to bad design and there is no cure. The replacement will also break. In a car this age, one or more of the windows have probably already been worked on. Ask the owner about it.

And the power steering pump will go as well. Unless the car has the upgraded one. It cost me more than R5 00 to be able to know about that upgraded pump. By the way, do not fall for the BMW dealer trying to sell you a new hydraulic pipe when it happens. The existing one can be modified to fit.

The alternators are not the best. I have replaced the bearings and the voltage regulator. But this is normal wear and tear, I suppose. On the subject normal wear, be careful what brand of replacement kit you choose. You might just have to do the job again two years down the road. Ask me how I know that.

 

[JS-BMW]

Ask me how I know that.

Thanks, how do you know that? :rollsmile:

 

[Maljan]

Ask me how I know that.

Thanks, how do you know that?

Replace clutch. Was lucky as the very expensive dual mass flywheel was still OK. According to the mechanic, sometimes they need to be replaced.

Two and a bit years later, my wife ground to a halt in a traffic jam with an unholy stink coming from under the bonnet. When I went to rescue her, the car was drivable again but the smell stayed. Took it to another mechanic, paid for another clutch kit plus labour. Never got to the bottom of why it happened.