Is buying a 100,000 + mile E46 a bad idea?

[R1ckyB0bbyyy]

My budget has recently declined, I am in search of a car I can feel good about inside and out... the best I can for my budget. Certain cars may not COST so much, but when you see them on the road you think "Hey that's a nice car..." When you see an E46 3 Series on the road it says something about that persons taste I guess you could say... I am wondering however if buying a 100+ mile E46 is a bad idea. I want a nice car, but I also do not want headaches and problems... or something that is going to hammer my wallet. I understand regular maint is important but are there things that go wrong with these cars at a certain amount of miles? I know that there are sub-frame issues with this car... What is a good list of check ups to do? What to look, listen and feel for? I found a 2000 323ci Convertible, nice lookin' car... has 119,000 miles and they want $10,000 for it. I am not going to buy this particular one but this is just an example... seeing the car, it definately speaks as if it's worth more than ten thousand bucks if you saw someone driving one.

[Smilez]

well importfanatics has 154k miles he still running strong.

get a manual since the tranny are stronger.
control arms tend to fail, so do bushings
thermostat, water pump.

but your engine wont die :)

you shouldnt have to worry as long as the previous owner took good care of her.

[GraueEminenz]

I wouldn't do it. The repairs on these cars are expensive, anywhere from couple hundrerd into the thousands. I have put over 5000 bucks in repairs (over the course of three years) into my 145k e36, so be aware.
Plus you should want it for the performance, not for what other will think seeing you in it:shifty
So go test drive one and see if it's worth it for you to put money into it for repairs

[R1ckyB0bbyyy]

I don't think it is... they are not EXCITING performance wise for me unless it's an M or MAYBE a 330... but I'd rather have less performance and more "nice" to it with my budget the go and buy a Mustang GT...

[jeremye30]

BMWs are usually very reliable. Control arms(common on every 3 series), thermostat, water pump, window regulators(zip tie mod FTW) and you are good to go. Do the work yourself and it will not cost more than any other car.

[Smilez]

I wouldn't do it. The repairs on these cars are expensive, anywhere from couple hundrerd into the thousands. I have put over 5000 bucks in repairs (over the course of three years) into my 145k e36, so be aware.
Plus you should want it for the performance, not for what other will think seeing you in it:shifty
So go test drive one and see if it's worth it for you to put money into it for repairs

thats because you are a....

:devillook

so far only control arms have failed for me.

[TizSuperrQ]

BMWs are usually very reliable. Control arms(common on every 3 series), thermostat, water pump, window regulators(zip tie mod FTW) and you are good to go. Do the work yourself and it will not cost more than any other car.

+1 on doing things yourself and it will be the same cost of a regular car. If you plan on doing repairs at a shop or dealer, don't mean to burst your bubble, but your probably better of getting another car..

[f1fan99]

If your somewhat mechanically competent, and maybe more importantly, enjoy working on your car, than it's no sweat.

But if you hate working on your car, and have to pay someone to do everything it needs, then your setting yourself up for some potential frustration and expenses.

As someone else said, the engines are solid, but be prepared to be replacing wear items like sensors, regulators etc.

When they are right, they are great driving cars. Just wish it had more power. Piss poor bang for the buck on performance parts unfortunately.
Just gotta enjoy looking good instead :D

[ATLBMW]

i got 146 k on my 328i. the only problem i had was subframe but it was because im an idiot.i need to replace my bushings though

[beshannon]

Just my .02 having recently researched and bought my first BMW.

That one sounds high for the miles and model to me. I am not sure about your area but in my area there are a number of cars to choose from in that range with less miles.

[N8s 330xi]

I'm sitting at 125k right now. In the year I've owned it, I've rebuilt 3 of the axles, replaced control arms, cam position sensor, FSU. Everything but the cam and FSU work was done at a shop.
I really expected all of that work to be really expensive. However, grand total I think I've spent maybe $1300 on all of the repairs, and I know this car was owned by a mom that didn't know how to maintain a car. Considering the miles and the previous owner, this car has really held up.
Oh, and don't believe all of the crap about the step trans. I would've preferred a manual, but my trans is original and solid. Don't be afraid of it. If it drives well at high mileage now, chances are good it's not going to go bad.

[LukeP]

So is there many cases of auto's failing and thats why people say not to get them?

[Smilez]

there is not sure number. we here it here in there in this forum. But people usually come to a forum to help with their defects. I heard its less than 10%. im just under 100k not tranny problems :alright

knock on wood.

[Toxic0n]

Yeah, there are some common failures for e46 that you need to watch out for.

For some reason, my car developed this long list of "common" failures in the past 2 months
- 1 Window regulator
- Sunroof shade clips
- MPG gauge makes noises
- Thud in the rear when changing gears or depressing the clutch - probably rear diff bushing
- Front control arm bushings need to be replaced
- Rough idle on cold starts

All of these are supposed to be "common", my car has all of them for some reason. YMMV

[Critter7r]

I don't think it is... they are not EXCITING performance wise for me unless it's an M or MAYBE a 330... but I'd rather have less performance and more "nice" to it with my budget the go and buy a Mustang GT...


:confused

Color me confused.....but I'm thinking that the Mustang GT (I may have thrown up in my mouth a little just saying that) would be less "nice" and more performance. My '01 325Xi is no powerhouse, but I'd like to think it's "nicer" than a Mustang. Maybe "more refined" would be a better phrase.

[bim323]

ii think its a hit or miss-- I have a 2000 323 and i has been good for the past 3 years. BUT in the last 10months ive spend tons of money(2000-3000) on stupid repairs. Ive replaced ecu, tb, idle control, maf, radiator, alternator, and hoses as well. The car has been a menace lately but im willing to put money into it b/c all of these things has only happened recently

[Barny328i]

Mine's a 00' 328i step. Bought mine w/ 96k for $9k, put in 10k already. I have no knowledge on fixing cars, I always pay somebody to do the work. I help fix up humans for a living. Knowing the upkeep on this car is pricy I bought a manual and w/ the help of fellow members here, I'm doing as much as I can. I recently replaced a valve cover, cost me just the $35 part and 3 hrs of my time. The best part is, the satisfaction of doing it myself and of course the money i saved. I love the looks of my car, my wife is even a lil' jealous cuz I keep telling her how sexy my car is.
So my advice, go for it!! The handling and performance is amazing.You'll never regret it.

[AdamBath]

i'm close to 130k, and my motor is strong as hell... its my bushings that are the weakest link :(

[N8s 330xi]

:confused

Color me confused.....but I'm thinking that the Mustang GT (I may have thrown up in my mouth a little just saying that) would be less "nice" and more performance. My '01 325Xi is no powerhouse, but I'd like to think it's "nicer" than a Mustang. Maybe "more refined" would be a better phrase.

DId somebody just imply that a mustang has.... performance...?!?!?!?

[Lezard]

Verts hold their value the best, so it's not a good idea to use them for comparisons as they will always be the most expensive. Coupes are typically more expensive than sedans.

I got a 323i(sedan) for 11k, and it only had 56,000 miles. So for your budget you should be able to get a car with very reasonable miles. You certainly can do better than 100k for $10k!

[pphil09]

I have a 2000 323i, and we have put 1800 into dealer repairs, that all, looking back on them, could've been done by a 16 year old. Trust me, I am. As with all cars, this car is going to have wear and tear items that are going to wear out. All of your major parts however, are built solidly, and if you do basic maintainance, keep up with your fluids, and are willing to put a few bucks into keeping your car driving like the ultimate driving machine, there is no reason you shouldn't expect at least 250k miles out of the car. That is assuming that the previous owner didn't neglect the basic service needs of any car, wether it be a bmw, audi, ford, vw, or geo...

[pphil09]

And my 2000 323i was $11,800 total with 106k miles...it was the best deal I could get in the entire pacific northwest.

So, that dosent sound too bad for a 323 convertible

[pphil09]

I wouldn't do it. The repairs on these cars are expensive, anywhere from couple hundrerd into the thousands. I have put over 5000 bucks in repairs (over the course of three years) into my 145k e36, so be aware.
Plus you should want it for the performance, not for what other will think seeing you in it:shifty
So go test drive one and see if it's worth it for you to put money into it for repairs
I rofled when I read your sig

[Critter7r]

DId somebody just imply that a mustang has.... performance...?!?!?!?



I know, I was cringing as I typed it.

But, I'm sure the GT would whup my 325 stoplight to stoplight, no?

[Zchild]

:woot: Dude, get a Pre-purchase inspection, if the Independent Service dude's recommends buying the bimmer, buy it... My E46 323i just crossed over 242,000 miles and is still running as suberbly as the day I purchased her, yeah, I've replaced all of the usual suspects and then some, but there's nothing out there that drives like a bimmer. Remember bimmers you drive; all others you aim. Just my two and a half cents worth. Happy Motoring...
:redspot

[Joey 325i]

Yeah, there are some common failures for e46 that you need to watch out for.

For some reason, my car developed this long list of "common" failures in the past 2 months
- 1 Window regulator
- Sunroof shade clips
- MPG gauge makes noises
- Thud in the rear when changing gears or depressing the clutch - probably rear diff bushing
- Front control arm bushings need to be replaced
- Rough idle on cold starts

All of these are supposed to be "common", my car has all of them for some reason. YMMV

Wow, you hit the nail on the head. It's almost like you were in MY car!

[Joey 325i]

What are the symptoms of control arms going out or about to go out?

[N8s 330xi]

What are the symptoms of control arms going out or about to go out?
Control issues:
hit brakes, car weaves side to side
clunking sound from from front, and weird steering
stuff like that.

[dsmith]

:woot: Dude, get a Pre-purchase inspection

Here's the only advise that matters. Make sure the PPI includes leakdown and compression tests on the motor. Like any car, if it's been well cared for (don't buy one without records showing the fluid change histories), it should last a long time, if not cared for, at 100k miles it's ready to eat your wallet.

Remember, rubber parts are mostly age dependent. So, about every 6-8 years BMW's need new rubber parts, bushings, hoses, intake boots, guibo, center support bearing, etc.

I would budget about $5k-10k for repairs (including wear items like tires and brakes) for the 120k-200k segment. I had a 3,5 and 7 series that all hit that mark. That's still way less than the depreciation on a new car.

I always say take your pick. You can pay depreciation or maintenance, but maintenance is almost always cheaper.

[ABAB]

I'm not particularly knowledgable regarding the mechanical side of things but what i do know is that you need a service history with that kind of mileage, that's just common sense.
Certain parts and service parts will fail, of course, as they will with any car but also we must remember what car you're talking about here, it's a BMW and there is a good reason they are both expensive when new and expensive second hand, they're built strong, reliable and to last. At the end of the day 100k is just a number anyway, the car knows no difference from 100k to say 75k or 135k. I have 2 BMWs and am definetly planning on at least doubling their current mileage (75k and 95k)
I have a friend who is a technician at BMW Manchester (UK) who looks after my servicing and he absolutely swears by BMW and AUDI for build quality and reliability.
Need that service history though.