Yes or No?

[Jandre]

Hey fellas.

Help me decide please. Yes or No?

I just had a look at a 2001 E46 330i.

My heart says yes, my mind says no.

Yes: 2001 e46 330i in Steel Grey, with light dove grey leather

No: Steptronic.

Yes: Well looked after with FSh from Auric Auto

No: 241 000 km

Yes: R65 000,00 from a BMW dealership, meaning I don't have to dump my ass in debt.

No: Because it is not something that they have on their showroom, they couldn't care less, and will not even run the car through their workshop to have it checked out. Basically it is Voetstoots.

It is a good, solid car in a good condition, but I am not sure about the auto box, especially at that mileage.

 

[fastguy]

Hi,

have you taken it for a test run?

 

[Sankekur]

I'd say yes purly because its a 330i

 

[freerider]

65k???? :shocked:

 

[Jandre]

No, they said I am welcome to drive the car anytime, but I know myself. Getting behind the wheel, and all logical thinking will go out the door.

---

65k???? :shocked:

Yes Sir.

 

[Sankekur]

Also I am sure there is someone here on the forum that can help you with the auto to manual convertion.

 

[Twinz]

No.....for all the reasons you gave:wave:

 

[akash]

Take it for a test drive with the windows open (so you can hear if there's something not right) R65K sounds to good to be true. :nono:

 

[Sankekur]

R65k seems about right for that kind of mileage in my opinion.

 

[Jandre]

I forgot to mention.

My wife will be using the car daily. At least 2 000km a month.

Funny enough, but 65k is the going rate for that model with such mileage.

I started the car and let it idle for a bit, blipping the throttle, checking for exhaust gasses. She is perfectly quite, and sounds every bit like a 330i should.

 

[P1000]

If you buy this car, budget for expensive repairs, just in case. Check that it has a ZF box. if jatco or GM, steer very clear. If it does not have FSH, steer clear. Then keep in mind of what you will need to replace: cooling system incl waterpump, thermostat and thermostat housing. Make sure you have cash for a new engine or gearbox, if necessary (say ~R25k). Mountings, bushes, all sorts of rubber parts and pipes. If you have that in place, then you can go for it, if not, fogetaboutit.

 

[Jandre]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention.

Another no.

NOOO!!!!! - I have just been through something similiar with The POFS (for the last year and a half), and now I want to do it all over again.

I think I have just made up my own mind.

 

[ruaangrobler]

Yup, no sounds about right. If you want a 330i, there's much lower mileage available for just over R100K. I think that'll be worth the wait and the save. Especially since your wife will be driving it. You don't want to leave her with issues.

and Yes, for that mileage on a steptronic, the price isn't exactly awe inspiring - in my opinion.

Listen to your mind, it's smarter than your heart (believe it or not). That said, if we all did that we'd be driving Kias or Chevy Sparks.:mmm:

Imagine how bleak a chevy Spark fan forum must be.

 

[Jandre]

I can see it now, we will all gather around the Chevy Spark, with a beer in each hand, shirts barely covering our boeppens, and look in awe as one of the guys start respraying his flaked steel rim with a can of Duco.

 

[zaleonardz]

Well...

Its not quite the same as the POFS, the POFS has had its motor opened, sharp contrast, hows your E34 running, what did you pay for her ?

I would if I was you take Rick with you, and go spend 2 hours on saturday with the car. Set yourself a time period of two hours, and nothing before that, you go over that car with every nook and cranny.

Take a diagnostics computer with (sure rick will be able to help). Drop the car on a lift, inspect control arms the whole bang shoot, if BMW wont give you a lift, go rent one from speedies or something....

Look for tool marks on the tappid covers, look for silicone usage, oil leaks. Go pull a copy of the service invoices.

Do not dismiss a car because its cheap, there is great value to be had.. you do not have to spend 400k on a car, I have learnt this the hard way.

If the 330 is not good, then walk away....

Also keep in mind, BMW will not touch the car due to internal policy, it is out of spec, and their operating guidelines prohibit them from declaring this car as a "pre-owned" which is why they are being hardegat....

 

[Jandre]

@ LZ.. The e34 is running like a bat out of hell dude. With 288 000km on the clock, and a serviced auto box, I am more than happy.

Actually thinking of taking her for the trip to Hartenbos early next month. That will be an easy 1000km over the weekend.

 

[moranor@axis]

well ill have a 5 speed box and 3.07 diff for sale soon if you want to take the steptronic out...

 

[rick540]

Jandre

Leonard is totally right, just because it is cheap does not mean it's a bad deal, or is going to break, or that there is even a single thing wrong with it. Many people just get nervous when their cars start going over 200000Km and look at buying something new.

Your average modern car when looked after properly is good for 500000Km

If you like PM me and we will make a time to go and inspect the car thoroughly. ( I even still have the details of the 20 point check the agents do) and a few of my own asessment tricks up my sleeve.

When I buy cars, I don't care if they have a million Km and are 97 years old, as long as the oil has been changed and engine and chassis hasn't been fsked with by morons with the wrong spanners and is missing half it's nuts and bolts, the odds are very good it's not a lemon.

 

[zaleonardz]

She will do that 1,000km with a smile I am sure

 

[andrewbuch]

Take rick with My old E30, had 336K Km when we bought it, sold it with 380k KM, and it did not even use oil between services. It was looked after well from new. FSH and all. So if this car has a proper FSH and all and it passes Ricks tests then why not go for it..