E46 325i - Opinions?

[Daevanam]

Hi,

Recently had my Cooper S stolen and torn apart. The insurance company paid me out and i've come across a E46 325i (2003) with 127km on the clock. Thought i'd just ask all the pro's opinion on the car and the engine and what you'd pay for that.

Also, what should I be looking for in terms of common problems with the car?

Thanks guys :=):

 

[Doomsdaya]

Doesn't answer all the questions but its a start.....

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=27373

 

[chrisc]

It uses considerably more petrol than the mini. If nothing goes wrong it isn't expensive to maintain. I would avoid dealers and use a garage where you know the owner. Most garages have diagnostic devices today anyway.

If it is a private sale, then R 130k is a fair price.

Just make sure everything works. Check underneath for oil leaks. Look at the discs to see they are not worn, check the colour of the brake fluid to see it has been changed recently. From 100km/hr, apply the brakes firmly (but not a panic stop), make sure there is no shuddering

 

[Yuvan]

Personally i like the E46 325 but only the 325Ci version, if it has to be a 4dr, in my opinion get the 330i, im sure it will be much more enjoyable.

Just my opinions, it boils down to your preference and budget!

 

[Daevanam]

I'd kill for a 325ci but i've been struggling to find one with decent mileage that isn't an auto.

How much less economical would this be cause the Cooper wasn't very economical either.

 

[moranor@axis]

you probably looking at about 9-10l/100km on a 325i

 

[Daevanam]

That's fairly similar to the Cooper so i'm pretty comfortable with that

The particular car i'm looking at is priced at R100k from a lady who doesn't drive it any more. I'm just waiting for the full service history from BMW and other then that, the exterior is very clean, as is the interior. I've got a mate who is a mechanic who is going to look at it with me tomorrow. Hopefully he can pick up any faults.

When i looked i didn't see any oil leaks or anything of that nature. I took it for a drive and it felt fine to me, but hey, better have a pro look at it.

 

[Ricky318i]

normal E46 problems:

Control arm bushings
ignition coils on <2002
blower motor stops working (final stage resistor)
window regulator failures

you know, the usual.

 

[tito1]

My 5cents worth: if the car was driven only now and then, your cooling system flush and inspection (especially waterpump and the water pipe running next to the cylinder head under the intake) would be worth it as well as the tyres for possible flat spots due to prolonged garaging. Otherwise this would be a very nice e46 to own (especially since you might get the electrical front seats as well)

 

[SP33DYV]

you probably looking at about 9-10l/100km on a 325i

If you drive short distances in traffic like me, you're looking at 11-12l/100km. I get 7.8l/100km on the open road though. This is a great buy for R100k. :thumbs:

 

[Inactive]

Ive just bought a 2002 individual around a month ago to play with. I have had to do, both back window regulators, final stage resistor on aircon, service which I did myself (and reset service indicator), replaced the tape deck with a CD player, front park and number plate globes and lower control arm bushes, oh and I removed the tow bar. Im doing the rear pads and discs and hopefullyt a de-cat this weekend before hopefully hitting Swartkops on Sunday to see how she goes.
Its a great sounding motor although not that quick and is very comfortable. I paid R57k for it and she had around 135000kms on her.
If you find one you like do most of the work on it yourself. You will be amazed at how much you can save.

 

[samman325]

Sounds like a good car at a good price.

I own a 2001 325i and it is an absolute pleasure to own and drive. It currently has 397 000km's on the clock. The engine is still untouched and perfectly sound and smooth with no oil usage or leaks.

Items replaced to date:
regular wear and tear items (brakes, tyres, service parts, etc)
1 x radiator
1 x water pump
1 x power steering pump
2 x rear diff bush
1 x front diff bush
1 x radiator expansion tank
1 x fuel pump
1 x clutch and pressure plate (replaced original clutch after 395 000km's)
2 x window regulators

No other major components have been touched. Obviously need to do suspension bushes at this mileage but otherwise its been trouble free motoring all the way! Think i've been lucky not to have experienced many of the "common faults".

Fuel consumption ranges between 7.4 and 7.6 km/100km which equates to approximately 700km's per tank.

My personal opinion... the perfect balance of power, reliability and economy.

 

[Daevanam]

I had a mate of mine do a check and see what he thinks of the car and we found afew minor repairs that the owner of the car has agreed to do.

Headlights need to be fixed.
Balancing and alignment.
Brakes skimmed and new pads.
Minor sump valve leak fixed.

I'm predicting the window regulators will fail soonish. Any idea on how much a new one would cost?

I'm going to phone BMW and get a full print out of the service history and go through it carefully.

Unfortunately I'm not the most mechanically minded person but could you give me a rough estimate on how much a water pump would cost and how long it would take me to install?

Thanks so much for the info guys. Typical BMWFanatics with their help. Always a pleasure

 

[Inactive]

I'm predicting the window regulators will fail soonish. Any idea on how much a new one would cost?

I paid R900 from Beemo for the right hand one and two weeks later bought the same exact thing for R750 from a guy in Rustenburg called Mohammed (forget his shops name). He was the only one to be able to help me on a Sunday.

 

[tarintino]

I have a 325i touring and I LOVE it but I wouldnt mind a extra bit of grunt under the bonnet - pull away in 1st with your foot down and you are into the limiter in a second but 2nd takes some time to hit the power band between 4500 and 6000rpm - however the 325i is a great cruiser, I often do long trips and cruise very comfortably in 5th up fairly steep terrain and not to mention the torque when pulling a fully laden trailer - over a ton including trailer weight and she pulled it easily.