E46 Tales

[rudolphc83]

Interesting stories I am seeing here. I bought my first Beemer 5 years ago. It was an E46 330D Exclusive with 300k mileage on it that I bought for R55k. It was still rock solid with no mechanical issues I could find off hand. Guess I was lucky, but also stupid. Sold it for an E53 X5, biggest mistake ever. X5 gave me endless problems and cost me in the region of R50k just to keep it going for two years. I recently managed to get rid of the X5 and got myself an E46 320d. Needs a bit of work, but mostly suspension consumables, it has 270k km on it so some things are due replacement. But the motor is running beautifully and it drives like a dream concidering the age.

Total bill:

E46 330D : R55k + maintenance & service: R5k
E53 X5: Straight swop for 330d : Repairs 50k
E46 320D: Sold E53 for R50k, bought 320d for R45k
Repairs so far: R2k for service, need to replace intercooler
(Anyone now of one for a good price in PTA?)

My personal experience, if my E46 allows me the pleasure I will drive it till my dying day :smilebounce:

 

[DoctorJ]

I bought my 2001 330i auto around July last year. At the time the car had 114 000km on the clock.

Part of the deal included Roadworthy and the car failed that due to a small oil leak. Seller sent it to the dealers to fix, and chucked in a service too.

Picked the car up and saw the bill for around 12k or so. Raised eyebrows, he told me they suggested he refresh the cooling system, so he did so. All part of the purchase and no extra cost to me.

Car had a slight miss first thing in the morning and after some great advice from Fordkoppie, I had the PCV and 4 breather pipes replaced. This was about 5k, and the car was fine.

Last week I heard a terrible screeching noise, and had two tensioners, 3 pulleys and 2 belts replaced. This came to about 3.5k.

So in the last 8 or so months, I spent about 9k on maintenance/ repairs.

She will need another service in the next 2 months or so.

So all in all, very happy, and minimal expenses for the last 20k km.

 

[Tinuva]

I have had it good and bad.

1) Bought E46 318i on 142k mileage at R57k in 2014. In the first 6 months only did a service.
In the 6 months after that, valve-stem seals, wheel bearing and alignment.
From there I did more work, including some suspension refreshments and sump gasket and breaks.
Total cost over 3 and a bit years, still under R100k but probably not far off, but considering how long I have had it, good buy and I knew nothing about BMWs at the time. I am consider selling this one though.

2) Bought E46 330i on 92k mileage for R130k in 2017 (the one in the signature). It was absolutely mint, even drove it down from Durbs to Cape Town right after buying it. This car then needed a new ET (was still original) and thermstat was stuck open and then the accident, so at this point a super expensive car, after 1 year of ownership. This is now kinda a project car, while its mechanically great and running, still working on fixing the accident damaged items, and I will never get my money back on it with the history, so will keep it forever.

3) Bought E46 330i on 200k mileage for R75k last month. In the first month the alternator stopped working, was probably the bearings but replaced it with a Bosch. Then while taking out the alternator the oil housing bracket broke, so that needs to be replaced. Car also had original ET _and_ the thermostat was stuck open. So another 15k. Still under R100k ownership cost, but lets see how it goes.

Still have all 3, so their history with me is not over yet. I am surprised at how well the N42 is holding its own, and what a different type of ride it gives. The first 330i however is still my favorite of all 3.

 

[Preshen14]

Interesting Thread,

Need to draw up an expense list for mine. Never thought of doing that.

 

[Waseem 333i]

I paid R90k for my one. Spent R50 on its first repair within 3 months. It was good for a while then all hell broke loose. I haven't counted (I am not one for keeping service records) but I think I am in another R90k maybe more on repairs.

 

[SylisM]

I paid R90k for my one. Spent R50 on its first repair within 3 months. It was good for a while then all hell broke loose. I haven't counted (I am not one for keeping service records) but I think I am in another R90k maybe more on repairs.

Eina :thumbdo:

 

[Preshen14]

I paid R90k for my one. Spent R50 on its first repair within 3 months. It was good for a while then all hell broke loose. I haven't counted (I am not one for keeping service records) but I think I am in another R90k maybe more on repairs.

Damn, What was/is wrong with the car? What model?

 

[Waseem 333i]

330d. I converted to manual. The turbo packed up twice. The heat exchanger, coolant hoses, alternator, damper pulley, some other small things. Recently the diff started leaking and i had a lady crash into the back. Its small damage but still. I have done a ton of work and I still have more to do. Rear trailing arm bushes, steering rack, control arms and shocks. The car will then be 100%. Its still one amazing car to drive.

 

[Wes]

330d. I converted to manual. The turbo packed up twice. The heat exchanger, coolant hoses, alternator, damper pulley, some other small things. Recently the diff started leaking and i had a lady crash into the back. Its small damage but still. I have done a ton of work and I still have more to do. Rear trailing arm bushes, steering rack, control arms and shocks. The car will then be 100%. Its still one amazing car to drive.

You've possibly had the worst luck I've ever seen with a single car.

 

[Waseem 333i]

330d. I converted to manual. The turbo packed up twice. The heat exchanger, coolant hoses, alternator, damper pulley, some other small things. Recently the diff started leaking and i had a lady crash into the back. Its small damage but still. I have done a ton of work and I still have more to do. Rear trailing arm bushes, steering rack, control arms and shocks. The car will then be 100%. Its still one amazing car to drive.

You've possibly had the worst luck I've ever seen with a single car.

All niks fault. He put eyes lmao

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[SubLoaded]

330d. I converted to manual. The turbo packed up twice. The heat exchanger, coolant hoses, alternator, damper pulley, some other small things. Recently the diff started leaking and i had a lady crash into the back. Its small damage but still. I have done a ton of work and I still have more to do. Rear trailing arm bushes, steering rack, control arms and shocks. The car will then be 100%. Its still one amazing car to drive.

You've possibly had the worst luck I've ever seen with a single car.

Try 50k of repair bills and then writing the car off the very next week :hammerhead:

 

[Waseem 333i]

I paid R90k for my one. Spent R50 on its first repair within 3 months. It was good for a while then all hell broke loose. I haven't counted (I am not one for keeping service records) but I think I am in another R90k maybe more on repairs.

Damn, What was/is wrong with the car? What model?

Bud whatsapp me 0826715571. The pm is not going through

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[Preshen14]

So I worked out mine,

Paid R100k in October 2016

Maintenance = R6786
Upgrades = R12 950
Cosmetics = R2250

Total = R21 986.00

More maintenance Pending/Due in the coming months though.

 

[Dewald Basson]

I have a whole 5 year long thread dedicated to the love/hate relationship I have with my e46. :hammerhead:


Not sure how much I have spent on it but it must be close to 200k, excluding purchase price.

 

[VinceM]

I have a whole 5 year long thread dedicated to the love/hate relationship I have with my e46. :hammerhead:


Not sure how much I have spent on it but it must be close to 200k, excluding purchase price.

:sorry:

Sounds painful - hope you are keeping it to get your money's worth

 

[SylisM]

I have a whole 5 year long thread dedicated to the love/hate relationship I have with my e46. :hammerhead:


Not sure how much I have spent on it but it must be close to 200k, excluding purchase price.

Wow Mr B, I would not have thought your car cost you that much hey.

 

[Dewald Basson]

I have a whole 5 year long thread dedicated to the love/hate relationship I have with my e46. :hammerhead:


Not sure how much I have spent on it but it must be close to 200k, excluding purchase price.

Wow Mr B, I would not have thought your car cost you that much hey.

Not just maintenance, all the small things you buy add up.

The "little mods" etc etc.

I have also had bad luck with brakes, in 5 years I have had 4 sets of disc's on the front :roflol:

---

I have a whole 5 year long thread dedicated to the love/hate relationship I have with my e46. :hammerhead:


Not sure how much I have spent on it but it must be close to 200k, excluding purchase price.

:sorry:

Sounds painful - hope you are keeping it to get your money's worth

Doubt I will ever sell it, we will part ways when one of us dies :smilebounce:

 

[DoctorJ]

Let's add another R1 400,00 to my spend bill for a new window winding mechanism just yesterday.

Combined expenses for the month (first time in about 6 months) still less than a typical monthly repayment of an average car.

 

[Tris]

Interesting thread

I bought my 1 owner FSH E46 318 Auto with 159000 kms in July 2012 for 48k iirc , spent about 20k in maintenance, repairs and cosmetic upgrades

I parked the car as I bought another car as a daily in 2016

The car stayed in the garage for about 10 months and a sheikh in Abu Dhabi made me an offer I couldn't refuse:smilebounce:

Biggest mistake ever as I would have had a free owned car needing about 10k to get it in tip top condition

Will be on the lookout for another one quite soon

 

[abm333]

Very Intresting>

Here's mine:

I got my 02 325i Touring in 2007, mileage was high at 170km, but at a good Price R77K, and i was not too concerned, knowing the 325i engine being quite a toughie. Replaced battery next day :rage:R800, Control arms and lollipops R4or5k, bilstein street shocks R3k. since then just running costs:
- two sets of tyres (R2250 set 2 and R2800 set 1)
- two sets of front brake pads (R1000) and one set of rears (R600) febi bilstein, front disks (Alpha),
about 6 bulbs (R200)
- tappet cover gasket (R250)
- two window regulators (R395 each)
- two sets of plugs(R700 both sets)
- oil every 10 000km(+-R600 oil and filter)
- brake fluid flush (twice)

Ive decatted (R2500) recently and noticed tappet cover gasket leaking (R280 Ex vat) and PCV valve(still doing some research) or one of the breather pipes need replacing.

Also ceiling fabric starting to seperate, and rear hach window trigger not working (apparently needs a clean - you tube). Might or might not sort out

I took car for BMW recall airbags yesterday so that all nice and shiny. I do majority of the maintenance myself, so only Parts around R30K for 10 years. (total cost excl fuel R110K) Should be able to get back around R60K on the sale. Was absolute pleasure having this car, served us well, real part of the family. She still very comfortable to drive, regularly does family vacations with ease!:thumbs:

Shes sitting on 310Km and im getting her ready for the market as we replaced her with X5 diesel.