So, I am selling the scoob as i have had my fun with it and want something sensible for a year or so, i also want to put more money into my DJ-ing and music production equipment so a cheaper car is the answer.

I have been looking at the earlyish 320 or 318 coupes as i think its the only car i would compromise for as it looks good and the interior seems good for the money i'd be spending.

For around 3-4 grand you can get one in a nice condition but sometimes (more often than not) the miles can be over 70,000.

OK so i could get lucky and get one with less, but my question is, how do they're engines last ? My dad used to have an E30 316i that had 120 k on the clock which was mechanically fine, probably due to being well serviced. The only faults it had were electrical, or bits corroding (like the brake lines, these almost went which could have been fun ) i imagine the faults it had were only due to age?

Does anybody have experience with E46 3 series? there is a fair few for sale with over 100,000 miles which also seem to be in good nick so my guess is that if well cared for they can last to quite high mileage?

Are there any common faults to look out for?

The spec i would be going for is either a 318 Ci or a 320 Ci. I'm only interested in Manual.

 

A good mate of mine had a 2002 318ci and it was absolute gash. Really crap interior, very bland looking by all accounts inside and out. Also my lardy 147 with a tiny 1.6 engine was just as quick.

He had a good few electrical problems with it too.

 

Not bothered about speed at all. After all speed = money .

I don't think they are too bad inside? Compared to that of a classic Impreza?

 

you're not wrong there!

If it was me as much as i hate everything VAG, i'd be looking at a Golf as I like a good cabin.

Actually thats a lie i'd be looking at this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1601805.htm

 

They're not bad, but i hate the interior of those cars. My mate has one. It seems to rinse the petrol as well. Having said that my mates is only a 2 litre but he drives like a cvnt.

It's apparent that we have complete opposite taste in cars

 

Do not get the 318, it has arguably one of bmw's worst ever made engines in it! (coded n42) get the 2.0 by all means, six cylinder 2.2. Not epic fast but so so so much more reliable!!

 

Thank you sir, this is the advice i am after. I would preferably have the 320 as its a slightly bigger engine but still cheaper to insure, I would only have gone for the 318 if that is all that was available. Looks like I've now made my choice.

Do you know of any common faults ?

 

Common faults..........

1, Front suspension wishbone bushes are quite weak.
2, Cam and crank sensors can go (modified versions now available)
3, window regulators can make a "ping" noise when going up/down. Usually due to the regulator cables becoming weak and making noise.
4, front anti roill bars can corrode and make creaking noises over bumps
5, the radiators can "bow" over age at the bottom. Will need a new rad to sort this fault. (nissen versions are cheap and just as good as bmw)

Othwerwise the cars are very robust.
P.s i do diagnostic and servicing if you need it (london based though!!)

Hope that helps you bud
Regards
Matt

 

Rear springs snap on the E46s - usually find the bottom coil inside the cup has snapped

 

+1 forgot about that one.

 

Cheers guys I'll keep an eye out. and Matt I'm in haywards heath, near brighton, so may be a bit out the way but if i buy a car from london that needs a service then i'll let you know.

 

No problemo buddy.

 

I have had 2 e46 bm's and both had massive problems with electrical faults, they are full of electrical fault's, but nice cars. Go for a diesel version much better and just as fast plus better on mpg. 320d are good.

 

Electrical faults?? What happened kurt? Not seen many with any real electrcal issues throughout the whole of my career (appart from the odd unit, alternator, or battery which can be expected of cars as they age)

 

My 330ci had air bag issues with the loom, plus also issues with dash fault lights and xneons........... oh my god them head lights were the problem with my life for about 2months. Then my 330d had interior light problems. kept coming on and off all the time. I changed all the door switches and various other bits and never found out what it was. I gave it to 3 auto electricans and none of them could find out what was wrong with it. And also the ring that goes behind the steering wheel went and the horn stayed on untill i disconnected it when i got home. There was other stuff too, but not hugh things. Maybe i was unlucky with them, i had an e36 m3 which was good as gold.

 

Airbag issues aren't unheard of on bmws. The passenger seat occupancy sensors go. The xenon lights are a rare one! they are usually very robust! Think you had a bad experience, shame you didn't know me back then, i'd have sorted it for you. E36s were about a million times worse built than E46s, so having a good 36 M3 is a very good thing!!! hehehehe!

 

Most of it has been covered

Pas Pipes
Brake Reaction Bushes
Window Regs and motors
Oil separators
Occupency Matts and the wiring that goes with it
Heater resistors
Expansion tanks
Top hoses
Thermostat and housing
Cam and crank sensors
Airbag slip rings
Track Rods
Vibration Dampers (bottom crank pulley)

BTW i work there

Oh and timing chain guides