BMW E46 320d Buying Advice Needed

[dyllindd]

Hi Guys,

So after driving through the most part of JHB today, I have found a 2002/3 320d at Right Cars in Northriding that I am interested in. It is white in color and has 205000km on the clock with a full service history. The previous one owner actually kept servicing it at BMW even after the motorplan had expired. The car is really immaculate and I couldnt believe how clean and neat it is on the inside. There arent really any major problems so I need to ask:

What should I look for on this car?
Are there any telltale signs of potential problems to come?
The car pulls well, didnt feel any turbo lag. Didnt hear any turbo whistling. There are no funny rattles, it doesn't smoke. Problem is they want R65000 for it but my budget is set at R60000.

Do you guys think I should offer R60,000 cash? I mean this car just looks so good :inlove:.

Here is the link: http://www.rightcars.co.za/viewVehiclePop.php?VID=828801

P.S. I felt so at home behind the wheel

The only other option is a 2003 Mercedes C180k with 160k km and an SRS warning light with two malfunctions:yuck::thumbdo::argh:

 

[Demontec]

looks good man but what was wrong with this one below?
lower mileage, looks like it has the sport pack and within your budget

http://www.rightcars.co.za/viewVehiclePop.php?VID=803802

 

[///Moose]

Plz double check mileage with BMW and Cois on this one, I've heard some horror stories bout this dealership stocking vehicles that's had a "haircut" done

 

[dyllindd]

looks good man but what was wrong with this one below?
lower mileage, looks like it has the sport pack and within your budget

http://www.rightcars.co.za/viewVehiclePop.php?VID=803802

I initially went to view that one. It has a lot of cosmetic issues. Scratches and the paint on the hood is chipping. Its an auto and the interior is in good nick but it doesn't pull as good to me as the manual ons does. Also, the blue one's rails at the top of the windows are loose. I fixed this on my old E46 and its an easy fix but the White 320d just looks so much better.

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Plz double check mileage with BMW and Cois on this one, I've heard some horror stories bout this dealership stocking vehicles that's had a "haircut" done

Will do so. Will get the VIN when I go and view the car again.

 

[Demontec]

looks good man but what was wrong with this one below?
lower mileage, looks like it has the sport pack and within your budget

http://www.rightcars.co.za/viewVehiclePop.php?VID=803802

I initially went to view that one. It has a lot of cosmetic issues. Scratches and the paint on the hood is chipping. Its an auto and the interior is in good nick but it doesn't pull as good to me as the manual ons does. Also, the blue one's rails at the top of the windows are loose. I fixed this on my old E46 and its an easy fix but the White 320d just looks so much better.

All the luck bud..looks brilliant in the pics I'm sure in the flesh too
I suppose at that mileage the first thing would be to check if the turbo was replaced and get the full history from Bmw as it was serviced there.

Might as well check those mileages out though if you're seriously considering...doubt anyone would fake 200k odd mileage but you never know these days

 

[dyllindd]

Do you have to replace turbo as preventative maintenace? Also where would I go to have the swirlflaps done or can I do it myself?

 

[DieselFan]

You don't have to replace a turbo as preventative maintenance but it can cause problems when it does blow.

You can do swirl flaps yourself. If you are quite good at DIY.

 

[dyllindd]

Ok nevermind guys. The dealer didnt want to do a deal. I offered R60k cash and the price is R65k. Said that they would lose too much money. The service history is in fact only until 99000km and after that nothing. Only a slip to say that the EGR Valve was replaced in June. When I started the car up today, you could hear the faintest whistle from the turbo. Is this normal or not? There is also a spot on top of the engine where the plastic has two holes burned into them and the side is distorted from heat. I managed to get the original owner of the car's details but seeing as the dealer wont do a deal it doesn't really matter anymore. Looks like I'll be forced into buying a tazz or picanto or something.

Just wish my parents weren't so fussy. I have to buy from a dealer:yuck:

 

[DieselFan]

Personally I would not buy a car missing 100 000kms of service history. For all you know the cars sone 300k kms.

 

[dyllindd]

Personally I would not buy a car missing 100 000kms of service history. For all you know the cars sone 300k kms.

I totally agree but seems like Im not finding anything good.

 

[DieselFan]

Go check gumtree. E46 330ds can be had from 50k to 90k

 

[dyllindd]

My budget is set in stone at R60k.

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Go check gumtree. E46 330ds can be had from 50k to 90k

Most of the insurance companies do not even want to insure me on a 330d. They say I'm too young and it's regarded as a high performance car as it has a turbo on.