E46 Pre Purchase Inspection

[Wambi]

I have never owned a BMW but I am planning to buy a 2002/3/4 E46 3 series, preferably 318. I have read thousands of posts on this forum but i cant seem to find some of the answers I am looking for.

I have read how the cooling system is a major issue for all E46 so i have already conceded that after purchase i must replace the cooling system just for my own peace of mind, can anyone help me with where to get good parts at a fair price to do this? and which parts exactly to start with in this cooling system?

And where would you advise me to buy the basic service parts and consumables and what would the average cost be? (regardless of what the previous owner will say when he recently serviced the car I would rather do that myself also)

and from your experience what would you say is the average annual spend on maintaining an E46 after all the above has been done if it is being used as ones everyday car?

Thank you

---

I have never owned a BMW but I am planning to buy a 2002/3/4 E46 3 series, preferably 318. I have read thousands of posts on this forum but i cant seem to find some of the answers I am looking for.

I have read how the cooling system is a major issue for all E46 so i have already conceded that after purchase i must replace the cooling system just for my own peace of mind, can anyone help me with where to get good parts at a fair price to do this? and which parts exactly to start with in this cooling system?

And where would you advise me to buy the basic service parts and consumables and what would the average cost be? (regardless of what the previous owner will say when he recently serviced the car I would rather do that myself also)

and from your experience what would you say is the average annual spend on maintaining an E46 after all the above has been done if it is being used as ones everyday car?

Thank you

Forgot to add, who would you recommend to conduct a Pre Purchase inspection and what is their average rate?

 

[AdiS]

Im glad you have done your research, but most of the online knowledge is US-centric, where they did not get the 318i. For this reason, it would not have been pointed out to you that the 4-cylinder E46's are the least reliable, and therefore I would suggest that you plan on buying a 6 cylinder (320i, 325i, 330i). I would also suggest that you buy the bigger engined models, as the fuel consumption and maintenance is basically identical.

Now that that is cleared up, all the online information now becomes relevant.

Cooling System
Yes it is a weakpoint, and although it might last a long time, you really dont want to risk overheating the car. The engines are all aluminium, and its VERY easy to warp the head or even the block if it overheats.

It is simply far less risky to bite the bullet, and replace the cooling system in advance. In order of most to least important:

Expansion Tank + Cap (R1k BMW)
Waterpump (R1700 BMW)
Upper and lower radiator pipes (you can get aftermarket if you want to save)
Thermostat (behr/wahler from Goldwagen)
Temp Sensor / Radiator fan switch - you can get away with replacing the o-ring on this as it tends to leak - part number is 13.62.1.743.299
Radiator - Behr radiator R2000

The other thing you want to do is change the oil and filter every 10 000km instead of the factory 2 years / 25 000km intervals. Just do it.

In Cape Town, the following shops can do a pre-purchase inspection:

Brilliant Mechanical Workshop
SVG Autoworks
Mike Bridge
Garage 808

But remember, these inspections are not fool-proof. YOu should rely on your own observations when viewing and test driving.

Other things that might need doing:

Valve Cover gasket + Oil Filter Housing Gasket (these leak oil)
Fuel Filter (these are usually never replaced by the agents in normal servicing)
Window Regulator mechanisms
Front lower control arm bushings (a weak point in the suspension)
Clutch (if manual)

You should also do the following immediately after purchase:
Coolant flush (combine this with cooling system overhaul)
Power steering flush
Gearbox Oil

I'd recommend staying away from automatics. Unfortunately BMW does not recommend ever changing the fluid, and thus none of them have had this done. The gearboxes don't last, and the repair bill is in the order of R25k.

I am insane when it comes to maintenance, but I would say you need at least R10k immediately to do cooling + fluids + anything else outstanding. Remember, when you buy a car with "full service history", it only means that the car had the absolute minimum done. You ALWAYS inherit a maintenance backlog of wear items that might not have been absolutely necessary to replace, but really, they need to be done.

Overtime other things might fail over time:
Fuel Pump
Alternator voltage regulator
Power steering Pump
DISA
Suspension will wear out

 

[Straight six]

In the process you can go to any Radiator place e.g Silverton to do a pressure test, that will assist in checking leaks and so on....it's minimal cost but worth it

Waterpump buy OEM (at the dealer)

Oil & Oil filter buy at the dealer (because they actually can be cheaper than Midas

Goldwagen stocks all the other parts....

Honestly speaking it does not cost an arm & a leg to keep these cars running well

All the best

 

[TBP88]

Just to add - If you're in JHB and aren't uber motoring aware, maybe talk to Gizmo about checking cars out for you - he did so for me. Added to that, check up on his threads - he regularly works on members cars and is something of an E46 knowledge basket (read his recent thread about a 325-330 engine swap, to get a vague idea of the mans capacity).

 

[CK4LIFE]

Control Arms can be a pain too...

 

[GPGrobler]

VANOS seals/service.

 

[Wambi]

thank you all for the replies. I didnt consider the 320i cause of the bigger engine but then again reliability matters more than engine size.

---

Im glad you have done your research, but most of the online knowledge is US-centric, where they did not get the 318i. For this reason, it would not have been pointed out to you that the 4-cylinder E46's are the least reliable, and therefore I would suggest that you plan on buying a 6 cylinder (320i, 325i, 330i). I would also suggest that you buy the bigger engined models, as the fuel consumption and maintenance is basically identical.

Now that that is cleared up, all the online information now becomes relevant.

Cooling System
Yes it is a weakpoint, and although it might last a long time, you really dont want to risk overheating the car. The engines are all aluminium, and its VERY easy to warp the head or even the block if it overheats.

It is simply far less risky to bite the bullet, and replace the cooling system in advance. In order of most to least important:

Expansion Tank + Cap (R1k BMW)
Waterpump (R1700 BMW)
Upper and lower radiator pipes (you can get aftermarket if you want to save)
Thermostat (behr/wahler from Goldwagen)
Temp Sensor / Radiator fan switch - you can get away with replacing the o-ring on this as it tends to leak - part number is 13.62.1.743.299
Radiator - Behr radiator R2000

The other thing you want to do is change the oil and filter every 10 000km instead of the factory 2 years / 25 000km intervals. Just do it.

In Cape Town, the following shops can do a pre-purchase inspection:

Brilliant Mechanical Workshop
SVG Autoworks
Mike Bridge
Garage 808

But remember, these inspections are not fool-proof. YOu should rely on your own observations when viewing and test driving.

Other things that might need doing:

Valve Cover gasket + Oil Filter Housing Gasket (these leak oil)
Fuel Filter (these are usually never replaced by the agents in normal servicing)
Window Regulator mechanisms
Front lower control arm bushings (a weak point in the suspension)
Clutch (if manual)

You should also do the following immediately after purchase:
Coolant flush (combine this with cooling system overhaul)
Power steering flush
Gearbox Oil

I'd recommend staying away from automatics. Unfortunately BMW does not recommend ever changing the fluid, and thus none of them have had this done. The gearboxes don't last, and the repair bill is in the order of R25k.

I am insane when it comes to maintenance, but I would say you need at least R10k immediately to do cooling + fluids + anything else outstanding. Remember, when you buy a car with "full service history", it only means that the car had the absolute minimum done. You ALWAYS inherit a maintenance backlog of wear items that might not have been absolutely necessary to replace, but really, they need to be done.

Overtime other things might fail over time:
Fuel Pump
Alternator voltage regulator
Power steering Pump
DISA
Suspension will wear out

Would you suggest a diesel or petrol engine with regards to reliability?
I must admit I do enjoy the sound of a diesel engine (grew up driving bukkies on a farm)

 

[AdiS]

I would stay away from the 320d, but there are plenty of people who love their 330d's. The petrol 6's are the simplest and most problem free i reckon.

 

[sash]

BMW is offering a free holiday inspection over this period, you should be able to take the car to the dealership and they can do that inspection for you.

 

[SMN325]

I owned a E46 318i from 2002 (new) till May 2013 and 280000kms (plus).
It was a great car to own, but you have to watch out for certain things.

I used it everyday and I serviced it at BMW till the end. It cost me R900 for a minor service and R2500 for a major service (every 80000kms).
Changed suspension components (control arms, etc) with BMW at 150000kms (7 years).
Changed the shocks once (after 150000kms). Do not use Gabriel.
Tyres lasted 80000kms (bridgestone ER300)
The interior trim clips are weak - buy a bunch of spare ones
BMW changed the clutch at 96000kms. I changed it again at 250000kms
The engine can be problematic with coil failures - Diesel Electric sells the OEM part for this.


I had no issues with the cooling system.

watch out for:
- failure of the belts - replace these for peace of mind
- Make sure the keys (both) and transponder are working well
- Check when was the last suspension overhaul/repair
- check for comments with BMW
- panel gaps and poor bodywork
- Door window rails condition
- Non standard replacement windscreen


Happy motoring

 

[Tjoppies]

have my 2001 E46 now for a month, LOVE the car, just LOVE it

did the following about 2 weeks after i got her - have not done cooling system yet, shop says the car is in "super condition"

price is far right next to each item

Carried Out Full Service 2.50 420.00 1,050.00
Service Parts & Liqui-Moly 5W30 Engine Oil 1.00 1,175.00 1,175.00
Replaced Pollen Filter & Cleaned Out
Ventilation System 0.50 420.00 210.00
Pollen filter 1.00 365.00 365.00
Liqui-Moly Engine Flush Additive 1.00 165.00 165.00
Liqui-Moly Fuel System Cleanser Additive 1.00 135.00 135.00
Replace tappet cover gasket and breather valve 1.00 420.00 420.00
Tappet cover gasket 1.00 510.00 510.00
Breather valve unit 1.00 725.00 725.00
Replaced Battery 0.20 420.00 84.00
Willard Battery 1.00 1,498.00 1,498.00
Replaced rear shocks 1.20 420.00 504.00
Rear shocks 2.00 795.00 1,590.00
Replaced stabilizer bar links 0.50 420.00 210.00
Description Quantity Unit Price Amount ZAR
Stabilizer bar links 2.00 295.00 590.00
Re-Torque Front Suspension Bolts 1.00 420.00 420.00
Carried Out Wheel Alignment 1.00 260.00 260.00
Number Plate Light Globe 1.00 38.00 38.00
Replaced windscreen washer motor 0.30 420.00 126.00
Windscreen washer motor 1.00 195.00 195.00
Added Windscreen Washer Cleanser Tablet to
System 1.00 45.00 45.00
Replaced Front Brake Pads 0.90 420.00 378.00
Front brake pads 1.00 695.00 695.00
Brake pad wear sensor 1.00 125.00 125.00
Bled Brake System + Dot 5.1 brake fluid 0.70 420.00 294.00
Consumables 1.00 150.00 150.00
Report:
Rear brake pads +/- 50% left.
Smoking on cold start up - To be monitored.
Oil leak to be monitored.
Subtotal 11,957.00
Total Sales Tax 14% 1,673.98
TOTAL ZAR 13,630.98

 

[Tinuva]

Interesting you also had to replace rear number plate light. I had to do that on both my E46s...(well still need to on the 330i, only got it a week ago)

 

[Wambi]

Thanks alot Tjoppies, where did you get all that work done?

and which E46 is it? engine spec.. will you be using the car as your daily car?