Should I go for a e46 318i???

[Tigger]

Hey Guys

I can get my hands on a e46 318i with 150k on clock with FSH from family friend with a 1 year warranty from dealer who's books he does.

Very good price, much better than the ones on Gumtree and lower km's.

Now Gizmo has told me that it might be a mistake, they are not the most reliable motors... but to get a 320i is not possible due to old finance issues...


So to get to the point, is it really such bad a motor that I sould not take it at all?

Im not scared of a lil working on the car, remember i had a E30 and E36 with loads of km's on and had to do things on it constantly...

So what do you guys think???

Thx

 

[Gizmo]

You know what I think already...

 

[Dippies]

I would trust what gizmo said in your previous thread. End of story.

 

[RAArmstrong]

I would trust what gizmo said in your previous thread. End of story.

:+1:

 

[herr bmw]

gizmo has a lot of knowledge on the older generation bmw,and works on them daily as its his bussiness and if he told me to avoid a certain model,i would listen

just my 2c:rollsmile:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

I would wait it out. Had the option of getting a facelift 318i, turned it down for a then 12 year old 328i. I don't regret it.

 

[CliftonH]

I'm clueless abt engines. But the people on this forum are very clued up. So trust the expects and listen to them. No is No.
Rather wait then spend all ur savings fixing it.
Also parts are not cheap.

Personally I would say wait and get a 320d. But that it just cause I'm a tractor freak. Lol.

So far I have listened to the people on this forum and never had any regrets. They truly look out for ur best interest.

Trust me.

 

[Yuben]

My bro in law has an E46 318i and has had more issues then my 330i. Yet mine is a year older. I say no.
U need a more powerful motor to pull that E46 body in my opinion.

 

[///Moose]

Is it a facelift or pre-facelift? Big difference in reliability...

---

Facelift - walk away and never look back
Pre-facelift - that motor is just run in and if well maintained you will have many happy miles

 

[Andy1GP]

I agree with Gizmo, stay away from this one. Get a 6 cylinder and you'll be much happier.

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Maybe the 318i drivers on the forum should chime in :fencelook:

The 318i is the equivalent of an E90 pre LCI 320i. Flame suit on.

 

[Gizmo]

The 318i is the equivalent of an E90 pre LCI 320i. Flame suit on.

Actually BMW replaced the crap N42 motor in 2004 with a more reliable N46 motor which is also found in the e90 320i pre lci.

 

[gerald5ive]

My dad had a e46 318i pre facelift. Took it up to 340 000kms if i recall correctly. He had to change the MAF, window mechanisms a few times, water bottle a few times, radiator fan and then eventually a bearing knock and then it was traded in.

 

[andrewbuch]

If its a facelift then stay away

the pre facelift with the M43 is much better in terms of reliability

I am currently on 179000km's and just did a 600km trip this weekend, consumption on the OBC shows 6.0L/100kms, with range showing 300kms till empty. I did about 100km's on the tank on friday in traffic/town driving as well.

 

[Peejay]

Diesel ftw. :thumbs:

 

[Nick]

MY dads EX e46 gave him endless problems.

 

[20vee]

Hi Guys/Dollz,

My tenant has a facelift individual 05 318i e46 with 150000km, he loves his car, services at BMW Midrand.

However with this being said, if the experts advise you stay away, listion to them.

Thank you.

 

[ChefDJ]

Diesel ftw. :thumbs:

:+1:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

The 318i is the equivalent of an E90 pre LCI 320i. Flame suit on.

Actually BMW replaced the crap N42 motor in 2004 with a more reliable N46 motor which is also found in the e90 320i pre lci.

Was more a reference to how underpowered they are for their bodies.

 

[ClassicB]

I had a pre-facelift 2000 318. My dad had it from Brand new, and I bought it from him at 160000km. Drove it to 302000km before trading it in on a 120d.

Only maintenance I did with the exception of regular services was a new radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, control arm bushes and a tensioner pully.

Still had original battery and clutch @ 302000km and 10years old at the time.