Advise needed...buying a used e46 FL

[ACGREY]

Hi Everyone.

I need to get a decent 2nd hand Automatic car for my fiancée. I'm not too keen on Spending R75 - R100k on a Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

I would far rather consider buying an e46 FL. She won't be doing much traveling. 20km per day round trip to work (Heavy traffic though) and shopping or whatever she gets up to on the weekends. Not really too worried over fuel consumption, so Diesel will not have to be my first option. I just want to get something reliable and safe for her. AA and roadside assistance will be taken out for her.

I'll be working out of the country for 3 months and I just cannot bring myself to let her drive my e90 Dynamic Edition 320d. (Carbon parts are just too expensive to replace). And she only recently started driving so bumps and scratches will happen. For-sure. (I hope she doesn't read this....)

Any advise, models or buying tips to take note of?

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After shopping around a little I notice the e90 pre-facelifts have come down in value. So a 2005 - 2007 e90 might also be a good idea.

 

[DieselFan]

Get her an early model e90 320d. Just check the car out thoroughly if diesels aren't looked after it can be costly.

 

[sash]

its preference here.., i would rather get a well taken cared for E46 F/L than a e90 Pre f/l at the bottom of the price range.

I dont like buying other peoples problems and unless you getting a good deal on a high mileage e90, or you know the owner, better yet, somebody well known on the forum, i would stay away.

 

[AdiS]

You will need to be patient to find a clean e46. I would stay away from the e46 320d, and the automatic gearboxes are known to fail.

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I know its a pre-FL, but what about this:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=59380

 

[ACGREY]

Thank you.

I didn't even know about the for sale section...:fishwack:

The idea is for her to get use to driving a 3 series and then in a year when I upgrade mine she can get my current car.

I love the E46. Every time I shop around I find myself looking at the M-Sport's.

Will keep shopping. Does anyone know if these aftermarket warrantee companies are worthwhile?

 

[tee2002]

Hi shash I have got an e46 330i if you interested

 

[LPM320]

The amount of joy your e46 will bring you depends alot on the previous owner and maintenance already done.

A neglected e46 can become a money pit of note really quickly, while a well cared for one will provide you with many reliable kilometers.

Patience is the key, as the e46's are getting on age wise.

Try to avoid the e46 318i F/L as reliabilty seems to be a hit and miss situation with those.

 

[Nikhil]

As an indication on how hard a clean E46 is to find, I test drove 12 before I purchased mine, and even tho it was well cared for it still had its minor problems. :thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

Scratch that I actually replaced most of the parts for no reason :fishwack:

 

[KarshS]

Coz you not the prof for nix.....