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E46 330i or 330d service and maintenance costs
- Thread starter Eben17
- Start date
NtandoN
///Member
Firstly, introduce yourself to the forum in the introduction thread.
Secondly, your question is very open ended and you will get a myriad of answers. Servicing and maintenance costs depend on if you DIY, take it to an indy or dealership. Any additional maintenance required depends on the mileage and condition of the vehicle. Good luck with your search :thumbs:
Secondly, your question is very open ended and you will get a myriad of answers. Servicing and maintenance costs depend on if you DIY, take it to an indy or dealership. Any additional maintenance required depends on the mileage and condition of the vehicle. Good luck with your search :thumbs:
msm
Well-known member
How long is a piece of string... 80% of your answer depends on the car you purchase independent of model. Both models, on average, are 15 years old - at that age, independent of milage you'll going to have spend a lot beyond basic maintenance to keep them in decent running condition, unless the previous owner spent quite a bit on preventative maintenance.
Both cars have decent engines, but again, at the age of these cars, suspension, gearboxes, cooling system, electronics, etc all need to be checked. A forum search will show you common issues, but again, take age into account.
Hence, my suggestion, is to find a car you're interested in purchasing and get it checked out properly by a decent workshop or someone who is very familiar with these cars - you need a physical inspection on the specific car. 330i vs 330d is really going to be much over muchness in terms of running costs... any major non-engine related item is going to negate any cost saving on either engine choice.
Personal preference though in the E46 range is the 330i and more enthusiasts on average maintain these models a bit better.
Both cars have decent engines, but again, at the age of these cars, suspension, gearboxes, cooling system, electronics, etc all need to be checked. A forum search will show you common issues, but again, take age into account.
Hence, my suggestion, is to find a car you're interested in purchasing and get it checked out properly by a decent workshop or someone who is very familiar with these cars - you need a physical inspection on the specific car. 330i vs 330d is really going to be much over muchness in terms of running costs... any major non-engine related item is going to negate any cost saving on either engine choice.
Personal preference though in the E46 range is the 330i and more enthusiasts on average maintain these models a bit better.
AdiS
Well-known member
As a general rule of thumb, I tell people to expect to spend R15-25k immediately after purchase to take care of the inevitable backlog of maintenance that the car will have on account of its age - and this would be on a car that has a "full service history".
Following on from that, about R10-20k per year, if you plan on keeping up with maintenance and keeping it reliable.
They are old cars, they will need consistent work if you want to avoid problems and breakdowns.
Following on from that, about R10-20k per year, if you plan on keeping up with maintenance and keeping it reliable.
They are old cars, they will need consistent work if you want to avoid problems and breakdowns.
Beemerbro
Member
I agree with Adis' figures
That will keep those cars running like new if you keep up regular maintenance esp preventative maintenance. Don't wait for things to break down cos they can cause collateral damage in other areas, raising costs. If you do preventative maintenance routinely you'll have peace of mind and assured reliability.
20K a year sounds like a lot but its nothing compared to an instalment on a new car
Best wishes:thumbs:
That will keep those cars running like new if you keep up regular maintenance esp preventative maintenance. Don't wait for things to break down cos they can cause collateral damage in other areas, raising costs. If you do preventative maintenance routinely you'll have peace of mind and assured reliability.
20K a year sounds like a lot but its nothing compared to an instalment on a new car
Best wishes:thumbs:
I will comment on the 330i (been there, done that, got the T shirt).
Agree with Adi, as soon as you get it, refresh the cooling system. 12 to 15k.
Radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, hoses.
Then inspect your ccv/ pcv for possible air leaks. Budget 5 to 6k to replace it together with the 4 hoses if needed. (Misfire on cold start up, progressively getting worse when it is really cold outside).
Also, at that age, ask whether the Disa valve has been replaced already. If not, 5.5k from the agents and 10 minutes DIY.
Oil change you can easily DIY, 6,5l oil and a filter will set you back about R800,00 if you do it yourself. Can't remember what I paid for an air filter, but it wasn't a fortune at all.
Spark plugs were about R80,00 odd each.
Agree with Adi, as soon as you get it, refresh the cooling system. 12 to 15k.
Radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, hoses.
Then inspect your ccv/ pcv for possible air leaks. Budget 5 to 6k to replace it together with the 4 hoses if needed. (Misfire on cold start up, progressively getting worse when it is really cold outside).
Also, at that age, ask whether the Disa valve has been replaced already. If not, 5.5k from the agents and 10 minutes DIY.
Oil change you can easily DIY, 6,5l oil and a filter will set you back about R800,00 if you do it yourself. Can't remember what I paid for an air filter, but it wasn't a fortune at all.
Spark plugs were about R80,00 odd each.
TBP88
Well-known member
@AdiS has the most experience on these.
As others said it depends on how much you're willing to drop. You could quite easily spend R70k buying the car and then another R70k fixing all sorts of things, brakes, cooling, engine/gearbox mountings, potentially smaller brackets and bumper mounts, suspension bits, interior refresh.
If you're willing to spend that sort of money getting things sorted then I'd expect the running costs to be well lower than 10-20k p/a. My Z4M went through a pretty thorough initial maintenance phase where I spent well over 50k (I think it all came out to around the 75k mark incl labour). Subsequent costs have been approximately 5-10k p/a. With my current service costing about double that on account of needing new brake discs (Z4M discs are 4k each - I'd assume 330 discs are substantially less).
As others said it depends on how much you're willing to drop. You could quite easily spend R70k buying the car and then another R70k fixing all sorts of things, brakes, cooling, engine/gearbox mountings, potentially smaller brackets and bumper mounts, suspension bits, interior refresh.
If you're willing to spend that sort of money getting things sorted then I'd expect the running costs to be well lower than 10-20k p/a. My Z4M went through a pretty thorough initial maintenance phase where I spent well over 50k (I think it all came out to around the 75k mark incl labour). Subsequent costs have been approximately 5-10k p/a. With my current service costing about double that on account of needing new brake discs (Z4M discs are 4k each - I'd assume 330 discs are substantially less).
Jeremy.d
Active member
Read this thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=85892
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