Help me decide e46 318i - New member

DeanoBlado

DeanoBlado

Member
Hi guys

So i went through the posts on this forum regarding the e46 but still can't make up my mind.

I am in the market for a 318i and I want some advise weather it is a good purchase.
You always here people say don't buy a second hand BMW because it will cost you a arm and a leg when something goes wrong. I really like this car. what is your view point on this car?

I have found one at a car dealer and it seems very clean.
Specs: 318i 2004 model
125K on the clock, FSH very clean. Asking price 105K

Is this a good deal?

Thanks
 
///Marksman

///Marksman

New member
Welcome

I personally dont think its a big problem at all.

My best advice is to take your time and look around, surely there are a few availible in your price range. Have a look at all of them, narrow them down and be very picky. if theres anything you dont like or find dodgy, then walk away. Theres PLENTY on the used market.

If you find something u like, send it out for a PPI before even thinking of committing. A little due diligence will go a long long way and possibily save you $$$

Btw its a great car, are you a first time buyer?
 
Nic_s

Nic_s

///Member
Welcome.

Have you read this: http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=55

It gives you a good idea what to look out for when buying a E46. Make some notes and go through the service history of the car your interested in.

My E30 has been costing me a lot, but after being into cars for a while you start to hear horror stories about all types of cars being extremely expensive. Lexus here in Somerset West asks R500 an hour. Toyota asks R430 an hour. It's not just BMW that's expensive anymore (This is something my family refuse to understand).

I say... if your going to have any of expensive everyday cars that's on the market, better it be something you will always enjoy :thumbsup:
 
DeanoBlado

DeanoBlado

Member
Thanks, i have been searching for a while now. This will be my second car as my first was written of when someone tailgated me from behind.

@ daVinci - whats a PPI? Inspection? How do i go about asking a dealer for this?

Thanks i'll have a look at the link provided.

Nic_s said:
Welcome.

Have you read this: http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=55

It gives you a good idea what to look out for when buying a E46. Make some notes and go through the service history of the car your interested in.

My E30 has been costing me a lot, but after being into cars for a while you start to hear horror stories about all types of cars being extremely expensive. Lexus here in Somerset West asks R500 an hour. Toyota asks R430 an hour. It's not just BMW that's expensive anymore (This is something my family refuse to understand).

I say... if your going to have any of expensive everyday cars that's on the market, better it be something you will always enjoy :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Does the service book tell you what has been replaced? things like bushings etc?
 
///Marksman

///Marksman

New member
Pre Purchase inspection - which can be done at any bmw dealer or even AA, or perhaps a couple RMI approved places
 
DeanoBlado

DeanoBlado

Member
DiVinci said:
Pre Purchase inspection - which can be done at any bmw dealer or even AA, or perhaps a couple RMI approved places
Click to expand...

Will this be for my cost? Do i just ask the dealer? I went to a bmw dealer and asked them to give me a call once they receive one. But no luck so far. I would prefer buying one from a BMW dealer.
 
Z

zaleonardz

Well-known member
Deano,

Welcome man and good luck with the purchase.

Dont bother buying one from BMW directly, for your year model that your looking at BMW cannot sell you the vehicle out of their stock as they are not allowed too, they have to give any car of such nature over to the trade to sell. The best that they will do is pass over a lead, or they will sell it to you, but you will receive no backup, and you will have no legal recourse against the brand if something goes wrong.

What you can do though, and what I would do is go to a really good mechanic, one that specializes in Beemers, perhaps a tuner, and pay them R600 to go thru the car top to bottom, what area are you in, because you can easily get some recommendations here on the site of who to go to.

BMW will do an inspection, will charge you around 1,200 to 1,500 and will not spend 30 minutes on that car in my view.

Get the history as to what has been replaced, and compare that list to known failures on the E46, things like control arm bushings, fuel pumps bla bla bla.

I also agree with the others take your time in the purchase, BMW does on occasion, as every other dealers build friday cars, which are very difficualt to diagnose if something keeps going wrong, and these cars are money pits of note.

Also try and get a manual if possible.

Dont let me put you off though, it can be done, and they are fantastic cars, just buy the right one.
 
///Marksman

///Marksman

New member
zaleonardz said:
BMW will do an inspection, will charge you around 1,200 to 1,500 and will not spend 30 minutes on that car in my view.
Click to expand...

So true, probably the worst advice i could give - going to a bmw dealer:cursin:

Dealers seem to mark everything up by 5000% and u get an added bonus of half the service you require
 
Z

zaleonardz

Well-known member
You can go to Savspeed, RGM...

Here is a nice cars as well, havnt looked at them, but I know the dealer, they do not sell crap
BMW 3 SERIES 318i M (E46) INDIVIDUAL F/L 2004 WHITE 144000km R119,950.00
BMW 3 SERIES 320 INDIVIDUAL 2005 SILVER 117400km R139,950.00 *

Good luck man.
 
S

semaj

New member
Hi there,

About 3 months ago I bought myself a 2002 E46 318i Sportpack Facelift with 102000km on the clock for R80000. I did take a bit of a risk as I bought it privately without a professional inspection but it was a good price and the seller was in a hurry so I went for it. Since then I've had my mech have a look at it and he gave it a clean bill of health, all it needed was a service and some control arm bushings.

This is also my second car and I love it. it's not lightning quick but it has a fair bit of grunt especially compared to the pre-facelift model (88kw vs 105kw). People are always surprised at the amount of power when I give it some juice. The other cars I looked at in this price range were depressing, any E46 is phenomenal value for money.

One thing I've come to realise is that no car is cheap, except maybe a citi but who wants to drive one? My old golf 3 started costing me an arm and a leg after 150000kms and I dont want to mention our Polo where if the service bill was less than R5k we were surprised. The strange thing is that I dont mind spending money on my 318i that much because it feels like I'm getting something in return. In the past I always went for the cheapest option whereas now I'm asking my mech for the better quality stuff.

So I would say go for it but look around, I think anything above R100k is rather expensive.
 
DeanoBlado

DeanoBlado

Member
semaj said:
Hi there,

About 3 months ago I bought myself a 2002 E46 318i Sportpack Facelift with 102000km on the clock for R80000. I did take a bit of a risk as I bought it privately without a professional inspection but it was a good price and the seller was in a hurry so I went for it. Since then I've had my mech have a look at it and he gave it a clean bill of health, all it needed was a service and some control arm bushings.

This is also my second car and I love it. it's not lightning quick but it has a fair bit of grunt especially compared to the pre-facelift model (88kw vs 105kw). People are always surprised at the amount of power when I give it some juice. The other cars I looked at in this price range were depressing, any E46 is phenomenal value for money.

One thing I've come to realise is that no car is cheap, except maybe a citi but who wants to drive one? My old golf 3 started costing me an arm and a leg after 150000kms and I dont want to mention our Polo where if the service bill was less than R5k we were surprised. The strange thing is that I dont mind spending money on my 318i that much because it feels like I'm getting something in return. In the past I always went for the cheapest option whereas now I'm asking my mech for the better quality stuff.

So I would say go for it but look around, I think anything above R100k is rather expensive.
Click to expand...

Wow that sounds like you got a good deal. Ok i'll keep looking for those deals but my time is running out as i am without a car for 3 months now and it's getting rather urgent. I hate looking for cars now.

Thanks for all the help.

zaleonardz said:
You can go to Savspeed, RGM...

Here is a nice cars as well, havnt looked at them, but I know the dealer, they do not sell crap
BMW 3 SERIES 318i M (E46) INDIVIDUAL F/L 2004 WHITE 144000km R119,950.00
BMW 3 SERIES 320 INDIVIDUAL 2005 SILVER 117400km R139,950.00 *

Good luck man.
Click to expand...

Thats a bit out of my price range. I'm looking at +-100k
 
R

Ricky318i

Member
For 100k you have a wide selection of cars to choose from. There are some high spec 318i cars out there, my previous 318i had the Exclusive pack and Harman Kardon as extra's. My friend's one has a rear roller sun-blind and a sun roof + Excl.

So look till you find one with +/-100k km's on and nicely spec'd! I know there is out there. Also, go to your nearest BMW dealer and ask them if they have some nice cars that are not going to be sold as Premium selection. People trade their E46's in now for E90's and bmw can't sell cars older than 5 years as AUC's.

then also try carfind.co.za. It has a magnitude of cars.

Please get a manual. you won't be disappointed. but please check the clutch for slippage and shudders.

Please check the control arm bushings, if the blower motor reacts to inputs, seats, service booklet, windscreen (R2350), tires, warning lights illuminated and sounds when operating electric windows.
 
DeanoBlado

DeanoBlado

Member
Ricky318i said:
For 100k you have a wide selection of cars to choose from. There are some high spec 318i cars out there, my previous 318i had the Exclusive pack and Harman Kardon as extra's. My friend's one has a rear roller sun-blind and a sun roof + Excl.

So look till you find one with +/-100k km's on and nicely spec'd! I know there is out there. Also, go to your nearest BMW dealer and ask them if they have some nice cars that are not going to be sold as Premium selection. People trade their E46's in now for E90's and bmw can't sell cars older than 5 years as AUC's.

then also try carfind.co.za. It has a magnitude of cars.

Please get a manual. you won't be disappointed. but please check the clutch for slippage and shudders.

Please check the control arm bushings, if the blower motor reacts to inputs, seats, service booklet, windscreen (R2350), tires, warning lights illuminated and sounds when operating electric windows.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips, i already went to a BMW dealer in December but still no word.
 
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