Help me decide e46 318i - New member

[Hellas]

Startup, drive to the shop 2km away and return home. Keeping in mind that the MOST wear on an engine happens within 10-15km (or minutes if you idle it) from startup and with 'cold km's, the engine never gets time to heat up properly thus always running and picking up mileage with the worst possible wear.

I really don't want to scare you away here, if you can find out what the conditions was, then maybe it's not bad at all. I know a guy with a 2003 318i with less mileage than that, but he's a doctor and only drive the car once a month long distance to Cape Town. The rest of the time the car is parked off in a locked garage. In the case of a car that's been standing long, you might do a full service first and then check the rubber and perishable components like boots etc. But still, this is a newish car and you would not have problems with 'old car' symptoms.

Re the tapedeck: You might be lucky and pick one up at a scrapyard for R1k or more. Mags you can swap out for R4k at the most for secondhand factory mags.

 

[Ricky318i]

"cold kilometers" might be a term used to describe many kilometers driven short distances without letting the car warm up properly before you reach yor destination.

I like the car.

Manual, exclusive pack, beige leather, <100k km, sunroof and less than R100k. Isn't that what you wanted? :mmm:

 

[RR Booi]

Hi

I also recently purchased a 318. Really loving the car. To give you an indication its a special Edition , 2004 model, 110 000km with remainder of plan for the car , which helped alot cause Ive had to change :

Brakes
Diff Bush
Control arm bushes
Clutch

Price was within your range but car still being on plan helped ALOT. Consumtion is good and power decent. Basket of Parts (brakes , disks , shocks etc , ) as well as services not that much more expensive than my previous GOlf 4.

My advice is look aorund and dont be hasty , you will come across a good deal.

 

[Ricky318i]

For a car without motorplan, it might be best to just have an aftermarket front-loader fitted. Or even better, just get you a CD shuttle (and keep the front Casette player).

As for the mags: I don't have anything against them, but if you have money to throw at mags (which isn't broken) go ahead. Just make sure you can afford the tires. i.e.: not 18" +

---

Yes look around, but keep in mind that a 2003 318i with less than 100k km's is very rare. VERY.

Not saying go ahead and take that car, but just make sure whatever you buy is what you wanted. Not nice having an Exclusive pack when u actually wanted a Sports pack. or vice versa.

 

[DeanoBlado]

I spoke to the owner and the car had a 5year motorplan which expired 2 years ago then extended it with another 2 years whick expired in Dec hence the reason for selling I think. I will first do an equiry by BMW on the history of the car before taking it any further.


Just got back from a BMW dealer to go look at a Silver 318 Excl. Bit was too late the previous guy that was there bought the car.

Was very clean from what i could tell. But left my details for future trade ins.

 

[CHER GP]

if you've got a little extra cash, go straight for the e46 330i, make sure you get a sunroof with.

believe me you wont regret it.

you get power and the luxury for a little extra...

don't be disappointed if you didnt get this car, it happened so you can get yourself a 330 hehe

 

[Ricky318i]

Or at least a 320i. You'll never regret getting a six-pack.

 

[DeanoBlado]

I think i'll start small and work my way up. I only got used to the idea of owning a 318i now. maybe one day when i grow up.

by the way what's the difference other then the engine and Petrol consumption?

 

[///Marksman]

I think i'll start small and work my way up. I only got used to the idea of owning a 318i now. maybe one day when i grow up.

by the way what's the difference other then the engine and Petrol consumption?

the HUGE smile on your face

 

[CHER GP]

I think i'll start small and work my way up. I only got used to the idea of owning a 318i now. maybe one day when i grow up.

by the way what's the difference other then the engine and Petrol consumption?

between the 318 and 330? if you know the diff. in engines then its just the rims, interior (more features), overall look. bragging rights. you can tell the difference just by looking from far.

no seriously, go look at both of them in 1 day. or do yourself this favour, find a 318 and a 330, calculate the premiums on a set interest rate and see the difference.

set your standards HIGH deano.

 

[DeanoBlado]

I just had a look at the blue 318i on gumtree and i must say i was dissapointed. The bodywork had too many scratches an the front left mirror was broken.

No thanks:nono:

 

[semaj]

Thats a pity, it looked promising. Don't be too afraid of cosmetic/minor damage though as it can be a valuable bargaining point in a private sale. Knock off R5-10k with the damage and inconvenience as the reason and you might end up scoring.

 

[zaleonardz]

Also, private vehicles can easily be purchased using AA Finance, its when there is a trade in that you battle.

I will also say that the diff in money value between a 318 and a 330 is not much at all, you can find a nice 330 for your 100k if you go look, my dads partner did, and its much more of a car, and as we all know, every man really wants a six pack as pointed out by cher, unless you wanna go for an 8 pack

Also, scrap yard parts are pretty much the same in value, so there is no real premium in owning a 330 as compared to owning a 318.

Also keep in mind that the 318 might be slightly underpowered for the body, where as the 330 has plenty, meaning that if you compensate in driving style, you may almost break even or have a slight penalty, but its worth it.

Edit : Although finding a 330 manual may be interesting

 

[Ricky318i]

please keep in mind that the servicing cost cud be more. brakes more expensive and obviously more fuel.
six cylinders have the lights package and better suspension,less engine vibration and a more reliable engines.

 

[DeanoBlado]

No luck yet finding my BMW. I f you guys see anything, please let me know.

How do you know if the e46 has the new engine? Is it the model?

 

[Ricky318i]

all of the 2005 cars had the new N46

 

[semaj]

99 to Early 02 = M43TUB19 1.9L 88kw (Pre-facelift)
02-04 = N42B20 2.0L 105kw (Facelift)
04-05 = N46B20 2.0L 105kw (Facelift)

To make sure, I think the engine details are on one of the shock towers.

 

[speeddemon]

i agree with cher gp... go for the 330i and never look back!!!!!!!!
fuel consumption=worth every penny
like the guys said also; look around and be patient..that's what i did and found my baby 04 330i sportspack with 84000km on the clock.
i hope u find the rihgt one for you buddy.
good luck

 

[DeanoBlado]

So this weekend i had a look at a 318i Sport Pack. Overall good condition but 154K on the clock for 89000.

Do you think thats too much Kilos?

Cars got all the SP features, Sunroof, 17inch rims etc.

My only concirn on this car is the kilos.

 

[///Marksman]

personally if the car is in great shape I dont think those kilos are a serious prob, I could be wrong though...

When I had the 330, bought it for 116k with 175 000k's & sold it 8 months later with 207 000k's... no mechanical problems. Only issues were the control arm bushings and right window regulator, both common problems. There were also symptoms of vanos problems early on but nothing happened and btw the car lived @ 6500 rpm all day every day, and she just kept asking for more :excited:

so to answer ur question, i dont think thats too much, sure you can get a couple with less mileage but if all ur other boxes are ticked with this one... then take it!