Buying a BMW E46

[jacoh]

Hi

I'm looking at buying a BMW E46. Anything from a 318i to a 325i, upto 130000 km and not more than R130000. I would just like to get some info on BMW as this will be my first BMW. I would be doing a lot of driving +- 3000 km to 5000km a month, is it worth it getting a BMW if I will be driving this much. How much is a service on the car and like replacing the brakes, or where can I look for prices on this. How is fuel economy and what should I look for when buying a 2nd hand BMW. Any advice or comment's please. :)

[BCO]

With the kind of mileage you're gonna be doing I'd stay away from a used beemer. It's gonna end up costing you a lot on servicing and maintenance.

[SlinkyMike]

^^bollox.

First: try search this has been covered before.

Second: you will be looking at a car thats about 1 year or 30 000km out of motorplan (BMW has a 5 year / 100 000km) motorplan - if at all possible try to stretch to one that still has some motorplan left and work an extension into your financing.

Other than that ask for the VIN number and check the car out at any BMW agent, they can give you a full history of that vehicle as long as you can provide the VIN.

[jacoh]

so what youre saying with the mileage i'm gonna do look for a car that still has a motorplan.

[SlinkyMike]

so what youre saying with the mileage i'm gonna do look for a car that still has a motorplan.

Yup, think it through, if you need to service every 20 odd thousand km's you'll cover that distance in a few months so in your case a motorplan is even more of a 'must have' than it usually is.

[BCO]

^^bollox.

First: try search this has been covered before.

Second: you will be looking at a car thats about 1 year or 30 000km out of motorplan (BMW has a 5 year / 100 000km) motorplan - if at all possible try to stretch to one that still has some motorplan left and work an extension into your financing.

Other than that ask for the VIN number and check the car out at any BMW agent, they can give you a full history of that vehicle as long as you can provide the VIN.

So why exactly is what I said bollocks, if you've just said yourself that he'll be servicing the car every few months.

[andres101]

the maintenance costs are not that high. With the newer BMW's you have to take it in quite often for minor things (like checking the brake fluid), even though there is nothing wrong with the car. Preventative maintenance...

Auto Atlantic's pricing has always been fair. My bill normally comes to about R1500 for a full service. That however includes something minor that always breaks (my car is 13 years old).

The things I like about BMW (Auto Atlantic) is that you always get your car back the same day, they never over charge you and you never have to take the car back because they didn't do their job properly. Some other people might argue, but this has been my experience.

Fuel consumption depends on driving habits and whether you sit in traffic. In my E36 325i I get 11-12km/L on the open road (140-160km/h) and 9-10km/L in traffic. If you drive 80km/h on the open road consumption goes to 16km/L.

I'm sure the fuel consumption on the newer cars will be even better.

My mother drives a E36 316i and she gets 14km/L.

[Skeptik]

the maintenance costs are not that high. With the newer BMW's you have to take it in quite often for minor things (like checking the brake fluid), even though there is nothing wrong with the car. Preventative maintenance...

Auto Atlantic's pricing has always been fair. My bill normally comes to about R1500 for a full service. That however includes something minor that always breaks (my car is 13 years old).

The things I like about BMW (Auto Atlantic) is that you always get your car back the same day, they never over charge you and you never have to take the car back because they didn't do their job properly. Some other people might argue, but this has been my experience.

Fuel consumption depends on driving habits and whether you sit in traffic. In my E36 325i I get 11-12km/L on the open road (140-160km/h) and 9-10km/L in traffic. If you drive 80km/h on the open road consumption goes to 16km/L.

I'm sure the fuel consumption on the newer cars will be even better.

My mother drives a E36 316i and she gets 14km/L.
I'm very much going to differ with you. Auto Atlantic don't seem a competent lot - I've had to return a car many many times for the same old problem. They tended to do the easiest patch up job when they should have looked deeper. On one occasion the results were potentially quite dangerous.

They also took some paint off with their sprayer after I requested them NOT to wash it. They did fix it, but only after trying to accuse me of bringing it in like that!

They also scratched my wheel rims with some tool - also denied that (well they tried :D) then offered to paint it over!

They gave me someone elses count at least twice and never gave me a loan car despite promises to do so - as well as a promise to give me a lift home ..

Unless a miracle has happened, I would say try further afield such as TygerValley where service generally is better.
==
jacoh
You won't get an E46 with a motorplan. The fees to renew it are horrendous and not worth it so most of them are out now - at least the ones you are looking at.

[jacoh]

the maintenance costs are not that high. With the newer BMW's you have to take it in quite often for minor things (like checking the brake fluid), even though there is nothing wrong with the car. Preventative maintenance...

Auto Atlantic's pricing has always been fair. My bill normally comes to about R1500 for a full service. That however includes something minor that always breaks (my car is 13 years old).

The things I like about BMW (Auto Atlantic) is that you always get your car back the same day, they never over charge you and you never have to take the car back because they didn't do their job properly. Some other people might argue, but this has been my experience.

Fuel consumption depends on driving habits and whether you sit in traffic. In my E36 325i I get 11-12km/L on the open road (140-160km/h) and 9-10km/L in traffic. If you drive 80km/h on the open road consumption goes to 16km/L.

I'm sure the fuel consumption on the newer cars will be even better.

My mother drives a E36 316i and she gets 14km/L.


Thanks for the reply. What I've heard is that you take the BMW in for an oil change every 15000km for about R700 to R1000 and a service every 30000km for about R2500 depends on what needs to be replaced. I live in KZN so will have to look for a place close by for a service. The main thing that is bothering me is will the car be able to handel the amount of driving.

[SlinkyMike]

The main thing that is bothering me is will the car be able to handel the amount of driving.[/I][/B]

Thats the last thing you need to worry about - they go on and on, even the oldies. :)

[jacoh]

Thanks mike. When I by one I will look for one still on motorplan. I don't mind paying for the services and running cost's. I just don't want expensive repairs every few month's.

[CALL_ME]

buy the e46 individual model

[jacoh]

I was looking at a 325i individual.