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Hi daughter looking at a 2004 E46 BMW 320d se model 150bhp tourer, full BMW history one owner 65k - any issues with the model? Anything to look out for?
She is going to use it for commuting, 100 mile round trip per day and needs it for biking at weekend.
Cheers
Yup, last car was exactly that. Great car just check the intake swirl flaps have been removed as the fitted ones can be ingested by the engine with bad results.
I had to replace the mass flow sensor for the aircon (common fault-no ventilation working) which was a bit of a pain but YouTube and a couple of hours sorted that.
Check wheel arches for rust.
Check suspension bushings as they're prone to wear (I guess like any car).
Think that's it!
Small boot/load space, but otherwise, many consider it a good car...
Had a 2005.
Swirl flaps as mentioned, about £250 at an indi
Rust on the rear wheel arches
rear springs.. I had to have them both replaced
Check the split window in the boot. If it's stiff the hinge is on its way out and that's a pain!
As above:
Swirl flaps
lollipop bushes (front suspension) - easiest way is to jack it up and see if the wheel has horizontal play
Arches for rust
Air intake Rubber condition under the hood - if it's not been done then it'll need doing soon (£30 DIY)
Also check if it falls under the passenger airbag recall, BMW should be able to confirm this and whether it's been done if the owner/garage doesn't know.
E46s are solid well made cars though, I've had my 330ci for 6 years now - it barely moves but I know I just need to inflate the tyres back up to pressure (Bmw alloys are crap) turn it on and go.
Thanks folks
Mikertroid plus 1, all that stuff! My 04 320d touring was bought in '10 at 77k, sold in '15 at 170k and still right as rain, I wish I had kept it!
Not quite the same but similar era - 2001 320td Compact, used for 80 miles/day commute. Currently on 194k miles and going strong despite starting to look a bit shabby.
I did the swirl flaps when I bought it back in 2013, the blanks are cheap and it's DIYable if you're reasonably competent. I did the glow plugs at the same time as a precaution. I think I blocked the EGR too but I can't remember now.
The only real problems I've had are a failed fuel pump that required sudden joining of the RAC, and a split exhaust cat flexi that filled the car with fumes when stationary or moving slowly. Parts for both available from ECP and fitted at home. The new cat was a bit rubbish and doesn't quite fit 100% but it's near enough and has done about 30k miles now (and passed two MOTs) so I CBA doing anything about it.
For my mostly motorway commute I don't think it's ever done less than 55mpg over a full week, has done 60mpg a few times, and one week when the weather was hot and I paid attention to hypermiling it managed 69.2mpg. Those are actual figures from brimming the tank on my way home every Friday, not the OBC. The OBC is ridiculously optimistic on mine 😆
I keep thinking about changing it, but it's so reliable and cheap I just can't justify it ! I like BMWs.
We have two E46s, both now very high mileage but no major problems. Replaced the swirl flaps in one of them. My Indy mechanic and the MOT bloke reckons they're more reliable than the more recent models, less to go wrong. 175000 and 200000 they've done. I'm not into cars so not bothered about replacing them till they blow up but it ain't happening. I do use the expensive diesel and that seems to help.