Mark_

im looking for a car slightly bigger than my mk4 golf as it too small as a family car.
im looking into either audi a4 estates or bmw 325 or 330.

something like this one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p

i dont really know much about bmw's so what should i be looking out for on these cars with this sort of miledge?

do they have cam chains or belts?
if they are chains do they require maintance or replacing?

any info at all would be great.

shauns

only issue i have with mine is people instantly assume your a twat

Mark_

lol, thats funny mate.

Mark_

what miledge has yours got fella?

shauns

mines only done 60k but i ve got a transit thats done a 160k with no major issues so surely a beemer is gonna be safe at that milage!

shauns

does look like a nice car your looking at though, have you not thought about a diesel one?

Mark_

i have but my budget is limited to 4k or just over,
also the mrs wants one that looks exactly as that 1 does, lol

Roosie

iTrader: (8)

I have a E46 330d
Best car ive ever owned
48mpg 210bhp and reliable!!!!!!

bmwsean

engines are bullet proof, front wishbone outer balljoint wear as do the wishbone rear bushes and theyre not overly cheap to buy as they are alloy and you have to replace the whole wishbone. rear coil springs are common for breaking, trailing arm bushes wear, rear metal brake pipes corrode, apart from that theyre pretty good.

dont let these bits put you off buying one, as they are wear and tear items, i work on god nose how many of these a week so i see these bits all the time....go for it! high mileage is about 250k on these things ace engines, timing chains never need doing never seen any probs with them, hope this helps

Mark_

cheers mate, fantastic stuff, exactly what im looking for.

do you think the one above is priced fairly?

bmwsean

yeah seems fairly prices, not really up on prices i just fix them, facelift model 46 too, seems like a good buy to me

Mark_

what about clutches, do they last well, what sort of miledge do these need doing?
sorry for all the questions bud

bmwsean

clutchs last ages on these, not really sure on mileage a good 80-100k id of thought depending on the driver obviously

Mark_

ok cool, cheers for the advice fella. much appreciated.

Dangerous Malcolm..

They're bloody good cars, mileage isn't an issue as long as they've been looked after! Clutches are totally dependant on use and abuse by previous owners, and if it's on the original then budget for a replacement in the near future. Having the engine and gearbox facing the right way it's a straightforward job on these, and on me old E36 I had a new clutch and starter fitted for Ł200 all in!

Mark_

cheers Mal,
its good to hear positive comments as im treading onto new territory, ive not owned a bmw before

Roosie

iTrader: (8)

im on 210k miles on my original clutch still going

Dangerous Malcolm..

Just go straight for an E39 530 sport, soooooooooo much car for the money!

I've got a 525 sport right now!

Ginge !

that one in the link has the Msport bumper on it instead of the earlier one

great cars,,,, im thinking of taking the plunge and getting another BMW,, just cause my last one i used for 2 years and all i needed was a clutch,,, done one ring trip in it too and its now on 175k miles,,,,,, used to beable to sit at 130mph whilst chatting on my mobile,,, though i was also done by the old bill for talking on my mobile in this car too pmsl

BMW for a daily drive is a good idea,, E46 is the best option and get one with a 6 cylinder engine and you will enjoy driving again !!!

Mark_

525 is too big for me mate,
the mrs has to drive it aswell. 3series is perfect for our needs

Ginge !

christ you live not far from me mate, autotrader links show up your postcode mate,, just a hint for ya

Mark_

i didnt know that, cheers for that

Ginge !

happy to help,,,,, i see you live near "the white house"

Mark_

yeah mate, i can see it from mine, lol

i take it you know it well then?

oh and i changed the post code to my mums place now just down the road

mikelomax

i have a 2001 330d cracking car, very quick, great mpg and its a sport so looks the nuts. mine will be for sale soon at 5.5k which is very cheap for a 330d.

regards
mike

Dangerous Malcolm..

I know what you're saying, I was looking for an E46 328 at the time, but after seeing mine I was convinced! Parking sensors as standard make it sooooooooo easy.......

Mark_

thing is Mal my parking permit goes up when the engine size increases.
islington council are robbing gits like that.

a friend of mine just let a 540 go for cheap. Brad off of here bought it

Mark_

sounds nice mate however my budget just wont stretch that far.

be intrested to see some pics if you have some handy?

danneth

mate has a 535d prob the best all round car ive been/drove in

Dangerous Malcolm..

I remember seeing that thread, he practically stole it didn't he!!!

You won't go wrong with a 3 series, even the 318's are good cars, but you NEED a silky 6 cylinder, they howl like a banshee......

Ginge !

ive lived round here most of my life mate, my old man drink in there when arsenal are playing to meet hes mates,,, still does now but then walk over to the new stadium which is ironic as he lives on the other side of holloway road

Mark_

ive lived there most my life too fella,
was on woodberry downs when i was younger but moved to highbury as my mrs is from that area.
her dad lives on aubert park right next to emirates

Ginge !

you seen what they done to the estate now,,,,, they knocking em all down !!

Mark_

yep, my mum still lives on there, moved her down a few blocks and knocked her old flat down,
proper dive. glad i moved out when i was 16.

shauns

my mate just bought a 740i and its fucking huge!! but for 2k its a hell of a lot of car and has left me wanting one

utternutter

if you know anyone with a e39 sport im after a swap with my e46 320d

Roscco

How about this one ??
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p

Should meet your criteria

Or this Avant, 87k, full spec but a grand dearer


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p

Matt-G

I've got a 2004 E46 325i as my daily. Had it from 20K miles to the 93K it's on now. The only thing that has gone in that time (other than wear and tear stuff like tyres, brake pads etc) is the steering rack started to leak which i'm led to belive is relativeley common. BMW replaced it FOC even though the car was out of warranty but I had a quote for a re-con one just in case which was only Ł250 so not too bad. Very nice car to drive.

Caprigirl

Got to agree there , mines was a wonderull car