E46 BMW 320d

[Ono'rach]

Morning guys.

I do really high mileage every month and would like a nice, comfortable and economical car to spend the hours in.

I've been looking on carfind and autotrader at the e46 BMW 320d, which have come down in prices quite a bit over the years.

I know that they will inevitably have high mileage, so my questions are:

1) Stupid car to buy? Will the maintenance costs bankrupt me?

2) How much would servicing and parts be approximately? I wouldn't bother taking it to BMW themselves, but there seems to be a fair amount of BMW specialist garages around.

3) Does anybody own or has owned one before? What kind of economy could I hope to get?

4) Are they generally reliable? I seem to remember hearing something about turbo problems, but I think it might have been on the early, pre-facelift (100kw) models?

I am looking at the facelift model (110kw).

Thanks!

 

[Creature]

Hi,

I would say rather spend your money elsewhere. Have heard some stories about the turbos etc. No 1st hand experience with the car, but yeah. Maybe try a newer smaller engined petrol vehicle. New small engine petrol cars give good consumption figures and won't cost you an arm and a legg if something goes wrong.

 

[@udiS3]

A turbocharger is a serviceable part and replacing can be anywhere between
50000kms - 350000kms depending on how the turbocharger was looked after.

This you should expect with any turbo'ed car...

Also look at setting aside money for diesel injectors as the quality
of diesel fuel may have an impact on these...

The 320d diesel motor will give excellent consumption but replacing
certain components through wear and tear can be rather expensive
if the vehicle is out of motor plan.

Morning guys.

I do really high mileage every month and would like a nice, comfortable and economical car to spend the hours in.

I've been looking on carfind and autotrader at the e46 BMW 320d, which have come down in prices quite a bit over the years.

I know that they will inevitably have high mileage, so my questions are:

1) Stupid car to buy? Will the maintenance costs bankrupt me?

2) How much would servicing and parts be approximately? I wouldn't bother taking it to BMW themselves, but there seems to be a fair amount of BMW specialist garages around.

3) Does anybody own or has owned one before? What kind of economy could I hope to get?

4) Are they generally reliable? I seem to remember hearing something about turbo problems, but I think it might have been on the early, pre-facelift (100kw) models?

I am looking at the facelift model (110kw).

Thanks!

 

[SaiyanZ]

My friend had one and sold it after less than 2 years. Think the turbo started giving some issues. Nice torque though.

 

[Ono'rach]

Hi,

I would say rather spend your money elsewhere. Have heard some stories about the turbos etc. No 1st hand experience with the car, but yeah. Maybe try a newer smaller engined petrol vehicle. New small engine petrol cars give good consumption figures and won't cost you an arm and a legg if something goes wrong.

A turbocharger is a serviceable part and replacing can be anywhere between
50000kms - 350000kms depending on how the turbocharger was looked after.

This you should expect with any turbo'ed car...

Also look at setting aside money for diesel injectors as the quality
of diesel fuel may have an impact on these...

The 320d diesel motor will give excellent consumption but replacing
certain components through wear and tear can be rather expensive
if the vehicle is out of motor plan.

Thanks for your input, its appreciated

My friend had one and sold it after less than 2 years. Think the turbo started giving some issues. Nice torque though.

Thanks. Do you know what year his model was?

 

[Brawler]

A colleague had a 2003 320d and it probably cost him his job, he had a job requiring use of his car everyday and first it was turbo, then injectors, bought a 2nd hand engine from JHB and then his mech couldn't get it to work.. It had just over 100 000km on it.

I wouldn't.

 

[D3x!]

Ono I wouldn't, a guy at work bought one and is still having endless issues, of course you may find great ones but the risk is too high IMO.

Rather look at so something else, what's the budget and can throw some suggestions.

 

[Ono'rach]

A colleague had a 2003 320d and it probably cost him his job, he had a job requiring use of his car everyday and first it was turbo, then injectors, bought a 2nd hand engine from JHB and then his mech couldn't get it to work.. It had just over 100 000km on it.

I wouldn't.

Ono I wouldn't, a guy at work bought one and is still having endless issues, of course you may find great ones but the risk is too high IMO.

Rather look at so something else, what's the budget and can throw some suggestions.

Hmmmm, okay thanks guys, I appreciate the personal input. The last thing I want or need is something that's going to bankrupt me!

Budget is around, kind of just over R100 000. Another car I was considering was the previous shape Fiesta 1.6 tdci diesel. A friend had one and it was quite nice and very economical. Those can be had with less than 100000km for around R100000...

 

[Brawler]

maybe not a BMW but seeing as you mentioned Ford take a gander at the Fago 1.4tdci - R130k and it includes all the the mandatory features imo such as aircon, abs, airbags, etc. If you look after that engine it will last you a long time, will not need to worry about how the idiot before you drove the diesel, which is the biggest problem with TDi. I am sure you can find a demo for R110 or so.

http://www.carmag.co.za/article/ford-figo-14-tdci-ambiente-2010-10-11

here is a brand new one for R120k http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...and-New-Ford-Figo-1-4-TDCI-W0QQAdIdZ281445096

 

[volstruis]

Hmmmm, okay thanks guys, I appreciate the personal input. The last thing I want or need is something that's going to bankrupt me!

Budget is around, kind of just over R100 000. Another car I was considering was the previous shape Fiesta 1.6 tdci diesel. A friend had one and it was quite nice and very economical. Those can be had with less than 100000km for around R100000...

I bought my the 1.4 trend today 2007 with yes 30k km on the clock.
A/C P/S Airbags FHS with Ford for R79 000 all and all with registration and extended warrenty R88k.
Look arround check stuff like this
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201115187590888
its no longer available was sold 3 days ago but still just do some looking around 1st.
As there are nice bargains on these fiesta's now as new ones are out and they are AWESOME bang for buck and very reliable.

 

[Ono'rach]

maybe not a BMW but seeing as you mentioned Ford take a gander at the Fago 1.4tdci - R130k and it includes all the the mandatory features imo such as aircon, abs, airbags, etc. If you look after that engine it will last you a long time, will not need to worry about how the idiot before you drove the diesel, which is the biggest problem with TDi. I am sure you can find a demo for R110 or so.

http://www.carmag.co.za/article/ford-figo-14-tdci-ambiente-2010-10-11

here is a brand new one for R120k http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...and-New-Ford-Figo-1-4-TDCI-W0QQAdIdZ281445096

Thanks very much for the suggestion Brawler! The road test seems very positive. I will most certainly check one out.

I bought my the 1.4 trend today 2007 with yes 30k km on the clock.
A/C P/S Airbags FHS with Ford for R79 000 all and all with registration and extended warrenty R88k.
Look arround check stuff like this
http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201115187590888
its no longer available was sold 3 days ago but still just do some looking around 1st.
As there are nice bargains on these fiesta's now as new ones are out and they are AWESOME bang for buck and very reliable.

Awesome I think you get some good car for your cash with these little Fiestas. Maybe I should check out the 1.6 petrol and diesel.

Enjoy the new car!

 

[volstruis]

I have a 2008 1.6 XLT bantam it gives +- 14km per liter. On a tank its about 600-650 depending how you drive. I have pushed to 730km on a tank but got got stuck 2 hours next to the road.
Wonder what the Fiesta will give. Happy car searching and best of luck

 

[Voicy]

Hmmmm, okay thanks guys, I appreciate the personal input. The last thing I want or need is something that's going to bankrupt me!

Budget is around, kind of just over R100 000. Another car I was considering was the previous shape Fiesta 1.6 tdci diesel. A friend had one and it was quite nice and very economical. Those can be had with less than 100000km for around R100000...

Hey bud, back in '07 I was looking at the same cars ... BMW and Fiesta ... I eventually settled on a Corsa 1.8 GSi for R100k with 24,000km on the clock. It's served me well and although I love the shape of the BMW, I've had to pay VERY little on services and wear&tear on this car.

I've simply had too many mates warn me against buying one of those BMW's out of motorplan. They're EPIC cars, but the reason everyone sells them for so cheap is exactly the motorplan.

 

[Ono'rach]

Hey bud, back in '07 I was looking at the same cars ... BMW and Fiesta ... I eventually settled on a Corsa 1.8 GSi for R100k with 24,000km on the clock. It's served me well and although I love the shape of the BMW, I've had to pay VERY little on services and wear&tear on this car.

I've simply had too many mates warn me against buying one of those BMW's out of motorplan. They're EPIC cars, but the reason everyone sells them for so cheap is exactly the motorplan.

Hey Voicy.

Thanks man, appreciate your input! I think I need to pull my head out of the clouds a little and aim for something more sensible, such as the Figo...

 

[D3x!]

Hey Voicy.

Thanks man, appreciate your input! I think I need to pull my head out of the clouds a little and aim for something more sensible, such as the Figo...

Good man

 

[Timken]

I bought my audi a4 1.9 tdi 4 years ago, other than regular services, clutch and a problem with aircon, it has served me well, with. 5.1 l/100km on an open road. Cost me back than 99000.

One thing that puts me off the new bmw is the lack of a spare wheel. And no, not all of them come with run flats, whether they have a spare or not.

 

[D3x!]

I bought my audi a4 1.9 tdi 4 years ago, other than regular services, clutch and a problem with aircon, it has served me well, with. 5.1 l/100km on an open road. Cost me back than 99000.

One thing that puts me off the new bmw is the lack of a spare wheel. And no, not all of them come with run flats, whether they have a spare or not.

:wtf:

 

[Brawler]

I bought my audi a4 1.9 tdi 4 years ago, other than regular services, clutch and a problem with aircon, it has served me well, with. 5.1 l/100km on an open road. Cost me back than 99000.

One thing that puts me off the new bmw is the lack of a spare wheel. And no, not all of them come with run flats, whether they have a spare or not.

Is that even legal? AFAIK all BMW come with run flats, maybe some 2nd hand ones are sold without.

 

[SilverNodashi]

Morning guys.

I do really high mileage every month and would like a nice, comfortable and economical car to spend the hours in.

I've been looking on carfind and autotrader at the e46 BMW 320d, which have come down in prices quite a bit over the years.

I know that they will inevitably have high mileage, so my questions are:

This is a very nice car to drive, very comfortable and it has a lot of technical features. BUT, beemz are generally driven very hard by young yuppies. You're probably going to have to test-drive a few before you get a well looked after one. If you know a mechanic friend, take him with. otherwise take it to the AA for an inspection test.

Shop around a bit, bargains can still be found You'll also find the same car in a smaller town at a cheaper price. Don't buy in the city.

For the same money though I would rather buy a Mercedes Benz CDI - the 270 is very powerful and will give you more torque and power. It's probably going to be a bit lighter on fuel as well.

1) Stupid car to buy? Will the maintenance costs bankrupt me?

It won't bankrupt you, but beem spares are more expensive.

2) How much would servicing and parts be approximately? I wouldn't bother taking it to BMW themselves, but there seems to be a fair amount of BMW specialist garages around.

Your normal spares, oil filter / diesel filter / air filter / brake pads are about the same as an Audi's - maybe 15% more.

When you replace wheel bearings, you don't just replace the bearing - you replace the whole hub. Last time I checked they were between R1600 - R1900 per wheel. The timing belt is also not just a simply belt change, you change a lot more. BUT, beem motors are strong and last long. My uncle has an older 530 (I think) and the engine hasn't been opened yet with over 550,000 on the clock - he clocked 550,000 2 months ago. The gearbox is also strong and could probably run to 600K before needing to be reconditioned - but expect to pay about R20K - R40K on that.

3) Does anybody own or has owned one before? What kind of economy could I hope to get?

Depending on the condition of the engine when you get it, and how you drive, probably about 5L - 6L /100K

4) Are they generally reliable? I seem to remember hearing something about turbo problems, but I think it might have been on the early, pre-facelift (100kw) models?

They're very reliable. Turbos are serviceable / replaceable items on all cars. Most newer cars' turbos gets replaced on about 100,000KM, my 2.8 Colt's turbo has been running 180,000K since the last service and we only replaced the impeller. If you drive the car hard, then allow it to cool down a bit before you switch it off. just let it idle for 2 minutes or so when you get home & change the oil regularly. Make sure the intercooler isn't blocked (after-market spoilers) or dirty and it should last you quite long. My mom's TDI Jetta had one turbo replacement on about 320,000KM so far.

I am looking at the facelift model (110kw).

Thanks!

Nice car, if you get a good deal on well looked after car.

 

[FatBoySlim]

Just to warn you, there are other components that can easily empty your wallet. Had a catalytic converter go on an A4 Audi that was 5k out of motorplan in 2005, R23k later, if this was 6years ago, i would dread to know what it costs now.

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