Soon to be BMW Owner

[Evanjade1990]

Hi Guys

i really need some help and i hope i do not cause any emotion.

i am contemplating buying an e46 318i. car details as follows:
143000km
asking price is R63 500
2002 year
manual
leather interior
sun roof

car is completely standard. with exception to the M stickers and badge. lol

i have heard from other people that buying a bmw second hand is a bad idea because its going to give endless problems and that parts are extremely expensive. i have always loved the E46 model and would like to own one.

please let me know what you thoughts are. positive or even negative.:rollsmile:

 

[Donovan2412]

Ask the owner if the valve stem seals have been done.

I'd also strongly suggest an alternative to the 318, Perhaps a 320d (Economical) or 325i/328i/330i (Power)

---

Hi Guys

i have heard from other people that buying a bmw second hand is a bad idea because its going to give endless problems and that parts are extremely expensive.

Endless problems only if you neglect and don't service them regularly.

Parts for the newer ones are expensive, the E46 isn't too bad.

 

[Evanjade1990]

Thanks @Donovan2412

if they havent been done then?? lower the price or walk away. i would love the 330i but my foot is very heavy. and i already have a record for speeding. lol

i also hear that the turbo for the 320 is not reliable and hard to find.

sorry if this seems like a dumb question but i know absolutely nothing about BMW's

i have been a volkSWAGen driver (excuse the swag thing i couldn't help myself)

 

[ChefDJ]

i really need some help and i hope i do not cause any emotion.

You're just saying this because you're new and saw someone get banned today :roflol:

Don't be scared. Post away :rollsmile:

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Donovan2412]

Thanks @Donovan2412

if they havent been done then?? lower the price or walk away. i would love the 330i but my foot is very heavy. and i already have a record for speeding. lol

i also hear that the turbo for the 320 is not reliable and hard to find.

sorry if this seems like a dumb question but i know absolutely nothing about BMW's

i have been a volkSWAGen driver (excuse the swag thing i couldn't help myself)

Not walk away, perhaps make 100% sure it's not smoking. I think the 318 is one of the cars affected. The valve stem seals will need to be done sometime (I speak under correction)

Link for rough cost to fix - http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=74058 (Note this is a special)

Also the turbo is subject to how the previous owner drove the car and service history. If the turbo were to fail most times it can be reconditioned although this is costly.

 

[Evanjade1990]

Appreciate the help @donovan2412.

any other suggestions that i should check for?

---

i really need some help and i hope i do not cause any emotion.

You're just saying this because you're new and saw someone get banned today :roflol:

Don't be scared. Post away :rollsmile:

Welcome to the forum.

@ChefDJ you know how experience car guys can get when the newbies ask questions.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

If you can, rather avoid the 318i. The N42 motors tend to be problematic, and combined with an auto box, they heavy on fuel, and very sluggish.
Rather spend a bit more and get one of the 6 cylinder models.

By turbo, I assume you referring to the 320d. The facelift models are far better than pre-facelift. A lot of the turbo problems was fixed by then.

Do your homework thoroughly, as these cars are getting a bit old now.

 

[Marchant-320d]

Go for a 320d facelift had mine now for 3 years and the total cost I spent on repairs only is standing at about 5k for 3 years excluding services.