Advise on Getting an E46

[jarance]

Thinking of getting an E46.Somebody recommend a car for me.Year : 2004 Registration: end 2004Model : 325i.colour: blueMaintained by : Previously by AB but warranty expired.1. So the question is how much should I pay for it?2. Any known issue for the model. eg high consumption of engine oil.3. Expected servicing cost or part to be changed.(yes road tax is about 2K+)As far as I know, the car is seldom driven. Have not seen the car yet but want to get the fact or info correct first before eyeing the car. Thanks in advance..

 

[infinityKL]

road tax 2k??? thats 3.0 i think.... 2.5 = 800+

 

[jarance]

road tax 2k??? thats 3.0 i think.... 2.5 = 800+

I thought I saw that amount on the registration card.. My eyesight is failing me. Will check it again...

sachseelan, some advise on owing a E46 would be appreciated. :wink:

 

[laneza]

e46 = lovely nice car...especially coupe

 

[jarance]

e46 = lovely nice car...especially coupe

yes but now family man lah.. need to carry kids lah..

 

[3er]

1. So the question is how much should I pay for it?

2. Any known issue for the model. eg high consumption of engine oil.

3. Expected servicing cost or part to be changed.

(yes road tax is about 2K+)

1. um, not too sure there. Maybe about RM130-140k? (depending on mileage and condition)

2. known issues: lower control arm and bush requires yearly change (thanks to the weak aluminium/rubber design and our poor road conditions - nothing you can do about it but take it as a maintenance thing). Doesnt consume engine oil if you get a good car. Lousy stock stereo set - most owners upgrade this. Any one of the 4 window lifters can break/fail at any time (do ya feel lucky?).

3. Regular oil service is about RM600 (full syn oil+filter), regular (every 1-2 year) items to change include lower control arm (RM1100) and bush (RM400). Tranny oil, coolant expansion tank, belts at about 50-80k kms schedule (have those been done by the previous owner? if so, you dont have to worry about them for another 80k kms).

Road tax is about RM890, not 2k. Petrol consumption is about 13L/100kms for me (mostly KL driving - in mixed traffic jams and short local highway sprints)

Basically if you get a good sample it is quite a solid car to last you for quite a while more. But if you get a lemon, you better ditch it quickly.

 

[viewfinder]

My personal bad experience with e46 (2 liter n42) are faulty ignition coils, lower control arm's ball joint, engine mount, power window cable system jam, oil leak and sludge build up. Sludge build up is the cause of oil leak in my case.

Look for engine oil leak signs around:
oil filter housing area;
area around the cylinder closest to driver;
the 2 (knock) sensors next to the cylinder furthest away from driver;
bottom of engine.

I don't know how to know below the valve cover compartment if there are sludge or not... can peek thru the engine oil filling hole or not? See my posting last year: E46 follow extended service schedule and one can get f*cked

If possible request for piston pressure compression test (sharing by another forumer on his e36) and radiator compression test to avoid potentially large repair bill.

Some people would consider replacing the gearbox oil and rear-diff oil despite being labeled life time. A.B. quoted g.b. oil replacement to be ~RM800.

 

[alxy]

road tax 2k??? thats 3.0 i think.... 2.5 = 800+

Yup...that's about right... I have both 325 and 530 so I should know

 

[jarance]

thanks for the information, 3er and viewfinder. Will definitely test the window function.

and closer inspection of the control arm and sign of oil leak. cheer...

alxy, RM800 for roadtax.. OK noted... thks..

 

[Crymson]

Roadtax should be RM890 - RM200 = RM690 now.

3er,
RM600 for engine oil service? In AB?

 

[kshapawi]

Roadtax should be RM890 - RM200 = RM690 now.

3er,
RM600 for engine oil service? In AB?

maybe minus another 625 for petrol rebet from pos office... so roadtax is around RM 65

 

[3er]

3er,
RM600 for engine oil service? In AB?

Correction:
From AB:
6.5L "Longlife" Synthetic engine oil (Shell Helix) - RM487.50
Oil Filter element - RM58.39
Air filter - RM106.10
Fuel filter - RM352.64
Microfilter with carbon - RM237.95
(* labour not included)


If you do it from your local workshop it will probably be about RM300-400 for an oil change (using Castrol synthetic oil) which includes OEM oil filter and labour.

 

[Crymson]

maybe minus another 625 for petrol rebet from pos office... so roadtax is around RM 65

Bro, mana ada rebet RM625 untuk kereta above 2.0cc. You either get:

Option 1 - for cars 2.0cc and below = RM625 rebate
eg, 316i, 318i 1.9, 318i 2.0

Option 2 - for cars above 2.0cc = RM200 roadtax discount/reduction
eg, 320i, 325i, 328i, 330i, E39 520i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 540i

 

[infinityKL]

mine E36 la bro...

 

[kshapawi]

Bro, mana ada rebet RM625 untuk kereta above 2.0cc. You either get:

Option 1 - for cars 2.0cc and below = RM625 rebate
eg, 316i, 318i 1.9, 318i 2.0

Option 2 - for cars above 2.0cc = RM200 roadtax discount/reduction
eg, 320i, 325i, 328i, 330i, E39 520i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 540i

Sorry...hehe I just took mine 625 this morning.

 

[kshapawi]

Bro, mana ada rebet RM625 untuk kereta above 2.0cc. You either get:

Option 1 - for cars 2.0cc and below = RM625 rebate
eg, 316i, 318i 1.9, 318i 2.0

Option 2 - for cars above 2.0cc = RM200 roadtax discount/reduction
eg, 320i, 325i, 328i, 330i, E39 520i, 525i, 528i, 530i, 540i

Sorry...hehe I just took mine 625 this morning.

 

[jarance]

mine E36 la bro...

time to upgrade? hee..hee:wink:..

 

[JoeYazid]

time to upgrade? hee..hee:wink:..

Unker ..... you should buy a 5 or 7 series la, you need more refinement things in life la .... your e36 either keep it or give it to me.
Anyway e46 still can DIY. ( that is actually you want to know )

 

[jarance]

Unker ..... you should buy a 5 or 7 series la, you need more refinement things in life la .... your e36 either keep it or give it to me.
Anyway e46 still can DIY. ( that is actually you want to know )

Bang.. me a bit old but still young at heart mah...

I prefer E46 as still can "meddle" with the car. Other newer model is designed for those who don't like to get their hand dirty.:stupid:

yeah.. I am keeping the E36 for my kid when they get their driving licence. :love:

ANyway.. don't have too much budget...

 

[ICEMAN 68]

unker jarance time to mod your E36 larrrr ... then only you'll look younger again ehhh .....

maybe to 6 cycl lorrrr ...