Please help,Looking for a reliable car

Justdrew

Member
Good day Fanatics, I need your help. I'm looking for a reliable car for day to day usage. I've been on Gumtree & Olx, and came across a few doggy sellers.
I have a small budget of R40k, i know its not allot to get something great, but I was hoping to find a good deal on a E46 or?
If you have an old e46 that you want to get rid of,please think of me :rollsmile:
Cheers.
 

Clint@MMS AUTO

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
moranor@axis said:
A 40K E46 will be very broken i would not advise this if you want a reliable car

+1000

You will end up spending another 40K on just maintenance. Now days anything for 40k will require work.
 

AdiS

Well-known member
johndoe said:
moranor@axis said:
A 40K E46 will be very broken i would not advise this if you want a reliable car

+1000

You will end up spending another 40K on just maintenance. Now days anything for 40k will require work.

Cannot reiterate these sentiments enough!
 
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png
 

AdiS

Well-known member
Sabretooth tiger said:
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png

A good option.
 

Justdrew

Member
AdiS said:
Sabretooth tiger said:
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png

A good option.

Thank you for all the valuable advice.
I understand that for that price, not much is available.
What about if I look at E36?
 

Donovan2412

///Member
Justdrew said:
AdiS said:
Sabretooth tiger said:
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png

A good option.

Thank you for all the valuable advice.
I understand that for that price, not much is available.
What about if I look at E36?

You will find e36 for under 40K

They will require work though.

Mines done at least 10K km with me and not a hiccup yet.
 
Justdrew said:
AdiS said:
Sabretooth tiger said:
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png

A good option.

Thank you for all the valuable advice.
I understand that for that price, not much is available.
What about if I look at E36?

If you not in a hurry, you will find one, it will need work though. You might get lucky, and it wont need much work, or you might get unlucky, and it will need work you might not see coming.
I suggest you put up a maintenance fund on top of your R40k budget.
 

Justdrew

Member
Sabretooth tiger said:
Justdrew said:
AdiS said:
Sabretooth tiger said:
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png

A good option.

Thank you for all the valuable advice.
I understand that for that price, not much is available.
What about if I look at E36?

If you not in a hurry, you will find one, it will need work though. You might get lucky, and it wont need much work, or you might get unlucky, and it will need work you might not see coming.
I suggest you put up a maintenance fund on top of your R40k budget.

I understand, a friend just send me pictures of this car
Its a 1995 model, auto with about 287k on the clock, full service history
He wants about R38k for her

e36_1_5568156866.jpg
e36_2_1954019637.jpg
e36_3_4068967327.jpg
e36_4_1829999177.jpg
 

Justdrew

Member
Justdrew said:
Sabretooth tiger said:
Justdrew said:
AdiS said:
Sabretooth tiger said:
If its a daily you want, cheap on fuel and cheap to run. I saw this.
Maybe worth checking out. Not much out there for R40k

screenshot_2016-05-12-13-31-21_7373058237.png

A good option.

Thank you for all the valuable advice.
I understand that for that price, not much is available.
What about if I look at E36?

If you not in a hurry, you will find one, it will need work though. You might get lucky, and it wont need much work, or you might get unlucky, and it will need work you might not see coming.
I suggest you put up a maintenance fund on top of your R40k budget.

I understand, a friend just send me pictures of this car
Its a 1995 model, auto with about 287k on the clock, full service history
He wants about R38k for her

e36_1_5568156866.jpg
e36_2_1954019637.jpg
e36_3_4068967327.jpg
e36_4_1829999177.jpg

Guys, I came across this 318ti 2004, 18000km on the clock with full service history. Car looks clean and drives well
318ti_2250541807.jpg
318ti__8393747294.jpg
 

TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
Honestly I recently looked at getting something to go to the shops with, dump gardening supplies and plants into and possibly use in bad weather (M5 is interesting in wet weather)

Under R50K I found mostly scams and garbage. Old cars and bakkies needing WAY too much overdue maintenance or repairs to be viable vs. buying something newer at R75 or R100K. Very high mileage, very poor paint and interiors (even beyond what you would expect when paying between R40 and 50K). Be VERY careful at this price point IMHO, unless it is something special where spending some cash off the bat can be justified.

Please also check the fine print of some of these 'dealers'. Many show a price that is on the high side for a good example, yet they are in average or below average shape (my opinion). They say it is a wholesale price as is, usually not negotiable and then tack another 10-15K on in warranties, admin etc. if you want to finance (on more expensive, newer cars) or want any kind of recourse from a CPA perspective.

I've owned a very high mileage E36 before. If I could find a good one in the right spec and price I'd buy one. However I can also do work myself and can pay to have work done that I can't do myself. That has to be factored in if the ENTIRE budget is R40K. There was one that was being invoiced as I arrived at the dealership a week ago... such is the nature of looking for these kinds of cars. I wouldn't mind a Honda Ballade or Civic at that sort of price point from a reliability perspective but good examples of all brands are sold QUICKLY (few days) at that price point. Check out the forums and groups as well, not just gum and OLX

Heading to auction tomorrow to see if I can find anything. However a lot of cars go for close to what you would pay at a dealer anyway.
 

Justdrew

Member
Llew said:
Honestly I recently looked at getting something to go to the shops with, dump gardening supplies and plants into and possibly use in bad weather (M5 is interesting in wet weather)

Under R50K I found mostly scams and garbage. Old cars and bakkies needing WAY too much overdue maintenance or repairs to be viable vs. buying something newer at R75 or R100K. Very high mileage, very poor paint and interiors (even beyond what you would expect when paying between R40 and 50K). Be VERY careful at this price point IMHO, unless it is something special where spending some cash off the bat can be justified.

Please also check the fine print of some of these 'dealers'. Many show a price that is on the high side for a good example, yet they are in average or below average shape (my opinion). They say it is a wholesale price as is, usually not negotiable and then tack another 10-15K on in warranties, admin etc. if you want to finance (on more expensive, newer cars) or want any kind of recourse from a CPA perspective.

I've owned a very high mileage E36 before. If I could find a good one in the right spec and price I'd buy one. However I can also do work myself and can pay to have work done that I can't do myself. That has to be factored in if the ENTIRE budget is R40K. There was one that was being invoiced as I arrived at the dealership a week ago... such is the nature of looking for these kinds of cars. I wouldn't mind a Honda Ballade or Civic at that sort of price point from a reliability perspective but good examples of all brands are sold QUICKLY (few days) at that price point. Check out the forums and groups as well, not just gum and OLX

Heading to auction tomorrow to see if I can find anything. However a lot of cars go for close to what you would pay at a dealer anyway.

You raising some valid points, which I will keep in mind.
I looked at increasing my budget, but not too sure if the 318Ti are good engins. I will be buying cash. The dealer wants R65k for her.


I need to make decision, but I'm slightly scared to buy impulsively
below is a link of the add

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...nnesburg-fpa-776efa88dda545dca526bcacacda49a7
 

KevM

Active member
Only go for a bm if you can find one owned for a person who is a car fanatic. Dealers generall have junk at R40k.
 

AdiS

Well-known member
I wouldn't touch the 318ti. That engine is a nightmare. I agree with the above sentiment that a BMW should probably be avoided at that price point unless you are buying from a very credible owner who has gone above and beyond with maintenance. Otherwise the car WILL cost you money after purchase.
 

Justdrew

Member
I understand, as per the dealer, car belonged to his son and was well maintained with a full service history.
To think about it, I noticed some oil below the oil cap; on that silver plate that's sticking out on the lefthand side.Was told that it could be oil that spilled when the car was serviced, didn't make sense to me.
Sorry I'm not very technical or clued up with whats where in the engine bay.
 

Yuben

Senior Moderator
Staff member
A VW Polo is about one of the best options for R40k. Has ABS, airbags, and the usual aircon power steering central locking and in some cases electric windows. Very reliable, frugal on fuel and light on maintenance :chef:
 
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