Pitfalls of 10-15yr old higher milage 2hnd BMW?

[Gizmo]

1500-3000 depending on yard and how they feel that day...No drilling, use all pre-existing holes.

 

[Blueskys]

1500-3000 depending on yard and how they feel that day...No drilling, use all pre-existing holes.

Is the vehicle's wiring harness also factory setup to be plug n play with towbar wiring, no splicing needed?

 

[Gizmo]

If you remove it from a smashed vehicle then you make sure to get the entire towbar harness including the part of the wire where it taps into on the body harness. That way it's easy to rewire into your car as you tap into the same colour wires.

My buddy was looking to fit a detachable towbar to his touring and we picked an OEM one up at a local yard for R1500 off a 318i sedan.
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=64526

 

[Blueskys]

Guys tell me how bad is the 318i, low mileage 2005 model going for R50k, nice blue aswell:
https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-ba...es-stationwagon-e46/1001998861700910039402209

What is the case with the 318i, does it have a 1.8L engine, is that the engine that has endless overheating problems?

 

[Gizmo]

Just don't. That has way more mileage than indicated.

 

[Blueskys]

Just don't. That has way more mileage than indicated.

The drivers seat still looks pretty good in the pics, that's normally a give away.

Out of interest sake, what issues do the 318i give and what size is it in the touring, seems it can be 1.8 or 2L?

 

[Gizmo]

Look at the bolster. It's worn through. It's a 2.0lt

Search common problems n46.

 

[Blueskys]

Look at the bolster. It's worn through. It's a 2.0lt

Search common problems n46.

You can't see the bolster properly in the pic, that funny edge you can just see could easily be the edge catching the sunlight not a tear, rest of the seat looks pretty good, lower exit edge looks good?

 

[Blueskys]

If anyone is looking for a Touring there's a great deal going on one in Edenvale JHB with the exact spec we've concluded is the one to get : 325i/Manual/Colour not black!:
https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-ba...ouring-stationwagon/1002082832710911240869609

2001 BMW 325i Touring just on 250,000km one owner for the last 11yrs and asking R45,000 - Winner.

I'm in George so a bit far but the paint still looks great, it would appear it's from the kind of seller that would have maintained it fairly well, not one of those driven into the ground and now letting it go because the vehicle is trashed kind of deals.

Sunroof
Towbar (steelrite)
2 new tyres
Really good space
Good towing vehicle

I have been the owner for almost 11 years. Used on many long trips.
Reason for selling: Upgraded to a 4x4 as I want to be a bit more adventurous.

---

Another one in Hatfield for R69,000 neg, newer and lower mileage, seller is maybe a little optimistic on the price but it is white and ain't nothing better than solid white!

These are the best 2 examples I've seen on Gumtree thus far(since I started this thread I have been keeping an eye on them) of E46 325i manual.

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/hatfield/2005-bmw-325-i-touring/1002077219330910002573709

2005 BMW 325i Touring

Very good condition, service history, aircon, powersteer,towbar,mags,electr windows,all leather, radio/cd,sunroof,smash&grab,accident free, very sporty, safe and lots of power,good tires,start and go

Price negotiable

 

[Weskus330d]

High mileage on a BMW should not be a death sentence.
I got 2008 LCi 330d manual, only had to replace the pulley and
waterpump. My car is a daily and I travel a lot for work.
Currently on 248xxx km, and it still drives like "new".
In the end if your lucky you get a good car or lemon, and low mileage
don't guarantee a good car....

 

[individj]

you can actually be a lot better off buying a 15 year old bmw than a newer car out of warranty to be honest. I have to sort a dog box out of warranty and its not fun.

 

[Blueskys]

you can actually be a lot better off buying a 15 year old bmw than a newer car out of warranty to be honest. I have to sort a dog box out of warranty and its not fun.

Just read this now, that's a good point, late model BMW just out of warranty can be an extremely expensive pita to repair.

I've also noticed the older you go the greater the availability of aftermarket spares and knowledge about how to fix them. Late model vehicles often all you can do is bend over and let a BMW dealership have it's way with you, either only on parts or sometimes its also the labour which only they currently have the tools or know how for.

 

[evnmopwr]

Go for the E46 325i touring. the M54B25 are solid motors

Intown driving i get about 10.1l

Mine has almost 300k on the clocks and still Goes.
The E46 is much easier to work on than the E90's and Parts are fairly cheaper