Advice on value of 318i

[max lange]

Good day all

I'm contemplating selling my 2001 318i (E46), silver exclusive pack, its the pre-facelift model with 172K km. Has FSH and in what I believe still very good condition. Has some of the standard problems:
1. Airbag light stays on (think its the switch under the seat)
2. Oil level light (takes a while to go off) - switch in the sump
3. Fuel tank gauge over reads (sender unit on second tank should be replaced to sort) - found that out the hard way :rollsmile:
4. The inside cloth roof lining is coming loose

Recently replaced:
2013: Clutch and flywheel
2014: radiator hoses with those silly plastic bits
2014: Radiator

What is it worth, need to decide if I keep and ride until it falls to pieces or take the plunge and buy something newer.

Thanks

 

[Gizmo]

Rather the devil you know than the devil you don't. Those M43 8valve motors are the most reliable of the 4cyl models.

 

[zippy320]

3. Fuel tank gauge over reads (sender unit on second tank should be replaced to sort) - found that out the hard way ----- Which one is this?

I have a feeling that mine is doing the exact same thing sometimes its normal and sometimes its not.... Makes me happy at times when it over reads LoL And I did learn my lesson on this as well, Guage showed I had fuel , the tank had non , car spluttered to a stop.

As for value , I had a friend purchase a near MINT 1999 318i Automatic, I mean it was pristine . The car had around 56 000kms on it and it was silver in color with the exclusive package.

He paid about R56 000 for the car.

 

[Andy1GP]

I would guess it would be worth around R40k maybe more depending on condition, however I would keep it if I were you. It's worth more to you as a car opposed to money.

 

[max lange]

There are 2 fuel level sensor installed, one with the pump and another in the "second" tank, which is a fuel level sender only.

I'm going to have a look at it over the weekend, perhaps I can fix it.

Cheers

3. Fuel tank gauge over reads (sender unit on second tank should be replaced to sort) - found that out the hard way ----- Which one is this?

I have a feeling that mine is doing the exact same thing sometimes its normal and sometimes its not.... Makes me happy at times when it over reads LoL And I did learn my lesson on this as well, Guage showed I had fuel , the tank had non , car spluttered to a stop.

As for value , I had a friend purchase a near MINT 1999 318i Automatic, I mean it was pristine . The car had around 56 000kms on it and it was silver in color with the exclusive package.

He paid about R56 000 for the car.

 

[zippy320]

Thanks Max , Let us know how the repair on that sender goes. Im sure there are some here who would be interested in this.

Regarding the price. If your car is in really good condition im sure you could get more then R40 000 , I have seen some in terrible condition with various issues, here in Durban sell for more, I once saw a car that was two E46s welded together, I picked it up due to the shoddy paintwork and the odd welding on the underside! The guy wanted R36 000!

There are people out there looking for these cars especially in good condition.

Regards

There are 2 fuel level sensor installed, one with the pump and another in the "second" tank, which is a fuel level sender only.

I'm going to have a look at it over the weekend, perhaps I can fix it.

Cheers

3. Fuel tank gauge over reads (sender unit on second tank should be replaced to sort) - found that out the hard way ----- Which one is this?

I have a feeling that mine is doing the exact same thing sometimes its normal and sometimes its not.... Makes me happy at times when it over reads LoL And I did learn my lesson on this as well, Guage showed I had fuel , the tank had non , car spluttered to a stop.

As for value , I had a friend purchase a near MINT 1999 318i Automatic, I mean it was pristine . The car had around 56 000kms on it and it was silver in color with the exclusive package.

He paid about R56 000 for the car.

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Had an issue with the fuel level sensor too that I've yet to sort out, had just above empty and the car just died (in the middle of traffic), to make matters worse the battery died when I tried firing it up again.

 

[max lange]

I removed the fuel level sensor yesterday to have a look, using an OHM meter i could not get a constant reading when moving the float up and down. I therefore suspect that the pick-up strip is faulty. I tried lightly sanding it but made no difference. I guess I will need to replace the unit. BMW ask R1500 which is just stupid but I suppose it comes with a large jar of Vaseline.

Going to shop around a bit.

Cheers

 

[Peter@AEW]

You are wrong..........!
BMW never supply vaseline as they demand it that you take it like a man.