Це відео не доступне.
Перепрошуємо.
What to look for when buying a BMW E46 3 Series 99-04 A detailed Step by Step Purchasing Guide
Вставка
- Опубліковано 14 сер 2024
- GO TO MY WEBSITE AND BMW FORUM !!!
www.nathansbmw...
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR NEXT CAR PARTS FROM MY AMAZON STORE
www.amazon.com...
What to look for when buying a BMW E46 3 Series 99-04 A detailed Step by Step Purchasing Guide
/ nathansdiygarage
/ nathansdiygarage
/ nathandiygarage
Send stuff to my PO box for products you want reviewed or for a shout out on the channel,
Nathans DIY Garage
PO BOX 115
Altenburg MO
63732 For Business Contact :
Nathan's BMW Workshop
Po Box 115 Altenburg Mo 63732
nathan.youtube@yahoo.com
I just bought a 264,000 mile 2003 325i black for only $600 runs and drives quite well, cold a/c, working cruise control, interior is a little beat up but overall good shape, all windows work, only light on dash is brake pad wear, driven 1500 miles already
Where is it now
do you know how long e46 lasts?
@@infern1491 😅
How's that car doing now? Lol
Here in Costa Rica where I live a 163,000 Km (100,000 Mi) 325 Ci costs $10,000! Plus all the issues that will grieve the owner in the future!
What about leaks?
Checking a used car for leaks should be the no.1 priority.
Get underneath the car and give it a good inspection.
If you can't, then park the car on a dry piece of ground, leave the engine running for 10-15mins giving it a few revs. Reverse the car back a bit and check the spot where you were for any signs of leakage.
ALWAYS do a computer diagnostic (if available) to see if the *Check Engine* is deleted... If it's deleted, the previous owner must be hiding some big damage...
How you do that
@@kamil198916 then they better have documentation
@@kamil198916 definitely you’ll see some codes cause most of these shops not doing there job well
This isn't a video about buying a BMW, this is something you're gonna do for EVERY used car..... Everything you check here is what I check on every car....
Jeff Ridge yes it is, he covered a lot of BMW specific issues 🤨
Lol
Nathan only buys BMWs so he doesn’t know about buying anything else
"If you are not mechanical do not buy a BMW", I love it. Very true, but for those who love to tinker and drive...Thank you for your videos so I can tinker. You do a great job.
Jeffery Doyon WTF the M52 Engine and M54 are one of those best engines ever built
It's really not all that difficult of a car to work with. Compared to the 300zx I used to have its a piece of cake.
That's just a myth because people that buy BMW are the type of suckers to pay $1,000 to the dealership to have a window motors changed.
Davis Macylerie yeah. The brakes is another fine example of that. They want about 1-1200k for a brake job and it's so easy peasy to do. I did my fronts in less than 2 hours in my driveway.
@92FairladyZ yeah try computer diagnostic, vanos issues. You'll have to take it to a mechanic for that. You need to be trained to work on these cars properly but for simple maintenance it's fine to do yourself
This Guy is Good man .....
"No accident, woman owner only and oil changed on time. Great all around car!"
😂😂
A lot of Women don't know much bout car maintenance, they just drive till it stutters or breaks .
In my experience women are the ones who go through with all the work a shop recommends. So I would probably trust a car owned by a woman. And that all the maintenance is up to date
@@Sci-Mon1 I saw a car parked at a car shop with a fixing price of 4000$. The reason? Woman stopped a gas station and poured diesel into a gasoline car
@@-Muhammad_Ali- that’s definitely an isolated incident.
Your videos are a lifesaver. One of my favorite channels to watch 👍🏻
Thank you i really appreciate you and everyone watching.
I agree! I watch every new video and always find myself going back to the older videos to learn something new.
Much respect for warning non mechanically inclined folk to stay away from E46. I have two E46s and I agree. People know I'm a used car enthusiast and have several brands. But I always say get a Toyota if you want economical, reliable, low maintenance, A to B commuter/transportation. I'm down to recommending Camrys and Corollas; or Avalons and Siennas depending on passenger needs. The SUVs have a significantly higher cost of operation including gas consumption; the RAV4 is almost an exception if you just gotta have AWD and don't want an AWD Sienna. I joked the other day that the modern BMW's are like the Jaguars of the seventies: own two, drop one off at the shop when you pick up the other!
you didn't mention my favorite check the rear wheel bearings. I do it by taking the car in a tight circle slowly turn one circle or more to the right and one to the left this will amplify a noisy wheel bearing. They are a pain to replace.
these things are all very cheap and easy to repair. You cand do them yourself with a bit of knowledge. The real things you should check are the frame at the rear because it cracks sometimes. The cooling system because if it wasnt maintained properly it can cook the engine real quick. I bought my 00 coupe from a guy who ran it with a blown head gasket and I had to get a new engine. Suspension bits brakes etc are things that are gonna go on any car.
New engine was cheap?
dont these come with sensor that will tell you if your engine is overheating? obviously the first time you notice any overheating you should not drive the car anymore after that because its clear indication somethings wrong with the cooling system. second the blown head gasket alone will not instantly kill your car and also depending on how its blown you can use car for long long time before any major catastrophic failure happens in engine
I have an BMW e46 sedan, and im no mechanic. However if you have the money, you can get it fixed by BMW and the smaller things you can easily fix yourself. I brought a product for like under 5$, that made all my hard plastic turn into new black plastic and the car looked brand new. Things like lights you can easily do yourself, one screw the the indicators are off. One of the mest cars ever made! it's awesome and cheap. Just promise me one thing, never pimp it, stay original.
What product did you buy for the plastic?
Great video! Appreciate you educating those of us interested in driving these machines. Love how you always say, "if you're not planning to work on one of these yourself don't buy one". I know multiple people who have had one and complain about getting them repaired. I consider myself an average DIY'er and haven't had any issues working on mine yet. You're channel is a HUGE help! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
Agreed! Many timebombs will get you: 1. Sunroof pan drain tubes get disconnected and drains water down the pillers. 2. DISA valve 3. VCG and OFHG 4. Window regulators 5. Upgrade the entire CCV. 6. Control arm bushings 7. Coolant expansion tank will crack unexpectedly. 8. SAP check valve. 9. Fuel pump. All these will bite you if not maintained.
But I love the BMW's from this era, easy to fix and fun to drive. I like the colour of this one, is it orient blue? And it appears to have sport package. If I had time I would get another one and upgrade it with ZHP door sills, M3 steering wheels, angel eyes, BBK, CAI and coilovers.
Thanks Nathan I did get a car an E46 from my nephew who had some woodhead's working on it and I ended up buying a motor from Bavarian Motors in California and they delivered it up to Duluth Minn. for $2,000 for 63,000 mile motor and they did guarantee it for 2 years unlimited miles. I did wonder if they were lying about the mileage but once I took off the intake and seen that the plastic lines which I replaced we're in good condition I realize that they didn't lie to me. I'm used to working on GM's and changing the motor on this car was quite the learning experience and a chore. It was nice to be able to look at different videos that helped me with some things, but you're right if you ain't mechanically inclined don't buy an E46 or any BMW. I've done almost everything to mine and I really like it. Thanks for the heads up.
500 - 2000 $ , yep not anymore. 2019 & these things have a cult following or something, price is going up!
Berlios Andre 🤙🏼thanks for the comment! Found one today for $3200! Super stoked!
I just got my hands on one for $1k from a family friend (mechanical engineer). Brand New tires, super clean garage kept, no one ever sat in the back seat and only 100k miles. Apparently he bought a dual motor Tesla lol
Gelums 🙌🏼 score 🤙🏼🤙🏼
Lehua From Kailua 3500 vert got last month
Isaiah Collins 👊🏼🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 awesome! Have fun!
I love this video so much... I own a 99 328i and I have some of these problems, sadly. glad to say most of the problems I have are easy fixable
CHECK FOR LEAKS UNDER THE CAR!!!! Oil filter housing and oil pan gasket WILL leak at one point!
Carlos Mejia can’t just check for leaks under the car because of the undertray. Either take off the undertray, or check through the top of the engine bay
@@MrBillDaBear oh it’ll leak through the tray if it’s big enough don’t ask how I know😂
I was going to get a 320i until I saw this. Decided is200, want a car, not a headache
Great Video Nathan. I love my E46. And you are totally correct when you say don't buy a BMW if you don't work on your own car. The one year I have had my E46, i have had to replace the ABS sensors, brakes, lower coolant hose, DISA O-ring and many more things. BMW's are awesome cars when they have nothing wrong with them but can be a maintenance nightmare for someone who doesn't work on their own cars.
Step one: Don't buy a beaten up BMW like the one in the vid, it will be cheap to buy but it WILL be expensive to maintain and no, you won't look all bad-ass and classy in a 15 years old car with a $300 set of headlights from eBay. I personally own an e46 with 186.000 miles, not a single leak, in 3 years of ownership never left me stranded. Maybe my car is special or maybe I just do my homework and I maintain it properly. If you want a car that you have to think only about putting gas and once in a while a $19.99 engine oil change go for a Civic, a Corolla, or an Accent. Maybe I sound rude, but it's the plain true.
I'd say you're right about everything except the classy part. It's quite a timeless vehicle, my e46 gets lots of looks.
mleindek I spent 4500 on my e46 and have had no problems at all, manual of course
I'm a 19 year old who loves cars as a hobby. I'm not a mechanic or anything but I would to learn to work on my own car. My first car is a 99 manual civic that I still own. I know the basics of how a car works but other than oil changes and changing brakes I have no experience as a mechanic or with tools for that matter.
I love the e46 and while I love all cars BMW's are my favourite. I love the way they look and after driving one myself I fell in love. I'd definitely try to work on it myself but I'm not a mechanic and would be relying on the internet for help but I'd for sure try to learn. If I sell my civic I would have enough for a fairly clean one in my area, should I go for it?
PS Sangha Better to stay with the civic. Buying special tools is a pain, and it'll be easier to learn how how fix a civic. Don't buy a bmw it's guaranteed to be more of a money pit eventually.
mleindek mines a 2000 323i and it’s at 245k miles, original engine and tranny no major issues.
I owned a 2006 325Ci M-Sport Special Edn coupe in Monaco Bluefor many years and during my time of ownership I had to repair the cooling system, window regulators. satnav reader, refit the aircon vents and rear view mirror as these were coming loose, suspension, bushing, VANOS and the heat shield under the hood. Not sure if the sedan requires similar maintanence. All in all, the E46 coupe is an amazing car as long as you keep up with servicing and maintanence.
great video, I love my e46 and work on it when i can. One thing I noticed on most e46s are rusted looking sideview mirrors.
+Mattyew You mean the blue fog or tint?
Nathan's DIY Garage yeah, the circumference of my mirrors has a rusty ring, and i noticed it on other models. living in canada where we salt the roads.
+Nathan's DIY Garage what's with the blue tint?
the window tint is black it just looks different in the video
Gee I hope you got that wreck for free , it's a parts car that one. I am picking up a sweet 2000 e46 149,000 klms , straight burgundy colour this Monday but to your credit sir I did everything you recommended and I found a coolant link under the car after taking it for a test drive and it was a hose that runs from the radiator to the engine , it's fixed now plus I asked them put in a new radiator as well . I checked all electrics and a left side electric window motor was toast so that's fixed also . Parts are super cheap over here in Australia s they were a big seller so there is now a abundance of parts . So thanks for the detailed tips
Yes parts are crazy cheap here thanks to china, you can buy alot of stuff for $100
Lol I now feel like I'm a mechanic and I'm off to change the breaks on my car. True story... UA-cam has given me that much confidence. Now I just need someone to post a DIY facelift or boon job and life will be perfect.
Lol boon job or boob job
John Rabaste' lol boob job. My phone tried to give me a boon job again so I guess spell check has never seen any boobies.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
just stuff with tissues (y)
happycrickets take spelling lessons too;before working on yer BRAKES!
The e46 is the pinnacle of bmw engineering. Anything later and youll need a computer technician to fix things that go out.
@@Salt-Upon-Wounds he is right though, e90s were already very technologically inclined. It is how the car industry has been developing over time🤷🏼♂️
@@Salt-Upon-Wounds he’s right my f10 has needed coded and reprogrammed about 10 times now for random electrical issues for that reason another e46 will be in my garage soon never had mechanical issues with my bmws cause I actually do the maintenance but man the electronics on them are awful
thanks man i have a 323ci 2000 bmw and i have no mechanic knowledge i also had a 328ci 2000 bmw
Check for oil leaks and diff oil leaks. Check the CV boots and axles. Check the back springs, they crack around the bottom of the springs.
I have a 03 E46 close to 250k and it still runs like a champ just keep up with the maintenance and the car will run you till the end of the world.
You forgot to mention this:
1. Have your VIN, call your BMW dealer and give them your VIN so they can see if front driver and passenger airbags are changed or not because E46-E39 cars are affected by this. The airbag company TAKATA had factory fault/design with shoot metal pieces to the driver’s and passenger’s face when activated. Instant 200km/h straight to your face.
2. For manual transmissions only, put any gear in, try move the gear knob sideways if it moves a lot it means your gear knob rubber bushings are tired and needs a permanent vacation. Control the clutch if it slips or not.
3. Oil consumption. If you drive like my grandma, ignore this. If you wanna drive like a maniac which we all do, if the cabin start stink burnt oil you know the piston rings needs replacement. PUT M52 rings on your M54 engines, much stronger than M54 piston rings.
4. For AT only, torque converter could slip.
5. Vacuum leak.
6. Check VANOS, watch closely how the car acts under 3.5k rpm. If it’s lazy and the owner says he didn’t touch it, you need to replace your VANOS.
7. It’s always good to do a PC diagnostic control if you have hidden fault codes.
Keep doing videos
On the trim: you can use a heat gun/ hair dryer to really restore color
I guess I got lucky with my E46. It's a 2000 323i with the usual "no reverse" issue, but other than that, there is no other mechanical problem. This car was owned by one person for 16 years until the reverse issue happened and I picked it up for only $850! I bought the car knowing full well that the reverse drum was bad and I am going to get it fixed, but I have driven this car roughly 1500 miles like it is and for a 16 year old car, this thing is awesome! The first few times I drove it, it felt a little sluggish, like it weighed 10,000 lbs. It had absolutely no pickup whatsoever... until I cleaned gunk out of the engine, cleaned the fuel system, put in some good oil, changed the spark plugs, etc. Now it feels very quick and light. It really doesn't feel like the same car at all. The engine and transmission are both very, very smooth and even at 100 MPH, this car feels like it's riding on glass. The paint and plastics on this car held up very well, too. It has no leaks, it's not smoking, and it gets great gas mileage. I am glad my E46 doesn't have all of the problems you described, but at least now I know what to look for. When these cars are well cared for, they are great to own. I guess when they are passed down through 4 or more owners, they tend to get a little beat up.
Hello yes these cars only get like this if they do not have proper maintenance , your trans will need a new reverse drum more than likely, it is about $75 to fix that and you will need to take the trans out to do so.
+Nathan's DIY Garage I have wanted an E46 since they came out. I just love the body style. I plan on playing with this car. I didn't buy it to be a daily driver, but even if I kept it like it is, it's worth every penny. $850 for car with one little issue... can't beat that.
Richard Hunting Correct and once you get under $1000 you can look around a few details, parts are cheap if you buy of ebay or amazon, cheaper than most other makes and models.
Of course. It's 15+ years old. I only paid $850 for it so I am not complaining. It is still a bad ass little car. I sold it though... made a nice profit.
I sold it for close to $3000 so I made a little more than $2000 profit on a car that I drove one time and changed the oil on. Not bad for a days "work."
Everything about this is so true. When you said maybe one window may not work, I laughed so hard. One of my windows isn't working right. Darn plastic pieces.
If you want one, make sure it's been built in 2005 (last year of production), which tend to have much less problems.
2006 last year of E46.....convertibles!
Another TIP, if u buy cheap, it is not a good buy. Careful owners would not part with their pride and joy for mobile phone money. If it is well maintained, expect to pay more (but save in the long run). Whatever you spend (whether to pay for the car or fix it up) u will be paying for a premium car. So do yourselves a favour and get a good one from the get go. You do not want to be the sucker that spent the value of a good condition car only to end up with a fixed crappy one. (Speaking from experience) .
Great, Video helped alot thinking about buying one of theses now
this video is exactly what I need
8:10 you have to leave a remark, i have an e46 and the thing with the radiator isn't a leak, it's intentionally let out, because when you service it you'll always have that white bubbly stuff that you need to let out, but it's lighter than antifreeze water mix, so you turn your radiator cap a half turn to a full turn (2 is max) just to let it out... And a leakage would be if you spot antifreeze drop silhouettes anywhere else on the radiator.
I've had a few E46 - watch for bad wheel bearings (growling sound at driving), and a cheap-check for trac-control; check your alignment: ASC needs good alignment, and may throw false wheel-speed-sensor error...start there!
Great review with sound advice for the Automotive novice who never twisted a wrench, thanks for educating me on the next Bimmer 330ci Im buying. A big help.
+Eric Gilbert I am glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching.
Very knowledgable and great tips for buying a car or inspecting your own car thank you much
I just bought a 2003 530i that is actually in really good shape. Its solid underneath and no knocks or pings. You are right on 2 things (Thanks) - the ABS light is on and scanner says its a bad sensor. It does leak a little oil but nothing major. Going to put it on a rack and see what is ailing it. Thanks for the tips :-)
I learned about your channel by watching the 50sKid. saw one video and instantly subscribed. Your vids are awesome. I have a 2009 328i and watching vids like this has given me the confidence to perform maintenance on the cars we love
Cool, I have a few n54 videos up, similar on your n52 e90, thanks for the sub
Thanks Nathan!!! appreciate the shout out. I'm going to put out about your awesome channel.
Thanks I appreciate that
now as an e46 323i owner let me explain the issues.
This is for the motor:
1. check for leaks. It is old BMW of course it will leak but try to figure where is it leaking from.
2. keep the engine in neutral around 3500rpm and if you hear a little rattle it is from the VANOS (not a big deal), or the DISA valve
3. as he says look for smoke
4. after a bit of driving squeeze the radiator hoses, if they are like stone it is not good, but if they are a bit hard but you still can touch your fingers through the hose, its good
This is for the suspension:
5. the front suspension is weak so it will "want to leave the car". Most common thing is the arm because they are aluminium but also can be a bushing(leaking liquids f*ck up the rubber) or bearing
6. check halfshafts becaouse these cars are well known hooligans and they can easyli break them
7. check steering rack for leaks
8. if the rear axle "wants to leave the car", check if the chasis is broken or rusty, or differential bushings
This is for the transmission:
9. check the gearbox and differential for leaks
10. check the clutch if it slipps too high
11. try shifting all gears
12. listen the differential for humming noise
These are the technical problems you should look for. I have 3 advices:
1. ALWAYS use original parts
2. The first thing to do after you buy this shitbox is changing engine oil, thermostat and water pump
3. if you cant repair you car by yourself, dont buy e46
Nathan, I own both an E39 and an E46. Common problem on the E46 (mine has it too with only 70,000 miles) is the faded rear package tray. These go from being colored black to appearing purple in little time from the sun. These can easily be dyed black again. Other big one inside is the pillars... the fabric has a tendency to come off the pillars. If lucky you can re-glue the fabric with some spray adhesive. Lastly is the common missing rain gutter as they have a habit of falling off. Great video... I'm subscribed.
+Nick M Hello yes there are for sure a few more problems that i didnt cover in the video, thanks for subscribing.
Hey Nathan just picked up a 99 e46 5sd sedan. Seller said it tends to overheat.....pop the hood no fan wtf??? So I got it cheap 4new tires and a 5spd to put in my e36. Drove it 41 miles on back country roads , drives great. Only got hot at the 1 stoplight. Good progress on your shop buddy. Happy Easter.
Thank you for your explanation. ccc
Here in Brazil is so dificult to check a valious car....They change the miles etc...
U can also use heat gun and heat those faded trim pieces on bumpers, doors , and the windshield cowl plastics to restore them to like new. Tried it on my friends e36 we were amazed. Maybe try it yourself and make a quick video on that?
my e46 328 died with 227,357mi and never left me stranded until the day it died. LONG LIVE THE BIMMER!!! By the way, youre not checking the subframe of a sport e46 when you go look at a car from a private owner. They sit way too low, just drive it hard around a corner and listen for creaks and pops from the rear once the body rolls back.
BEST UA-cam post EVER. Thanks for information (and examples using a PoS car). I'm sick of sales ads that are blatant lies, a contradiction to the car on sale. It seems the most common probs are the airbag light and the e46 GM5 module. A tip: apart from what the oil looks like, smell it too. Burnt oil is bad oil. Please consider subtitles. 10:41 "no pool in the oil"? Great vid, love your practical risk-based approach.
Great video. Helped me a lot. I can do some things myself. I know the maintenance is what breaks people on bmw. And neglecting it. I have had motorcycles my whole life so I understand a bit what I am up against as far as maintenance.
I’m just watching this to see if I made a good buy or not
This one you are looking at looks not well maintained and a little ruff (dents left quarter panel). I am no mechanic and I have owned 2 3-series BMWs. Nathan's right, these cars are higher maintenance then your normal car. They are a lot of fun to drive and quite sporty for the women. I would recommend if you aren't a mechanic, you should have a maintenance fund of $1500-$2000 a year depending how much you drive and finding a good mechanic. BMW dealerships are a total ripoff and I avoid them as much as possible. Most of them care only about how much they can up sale on service.
One flaw that Nathan mentioned is about buying a new car. That's probably the worst advise that you can give someone unless of course you can pay cash for it. New automobiles drop value like a rock and people every day have more loan then what the cars worth. Slightly used (3-4 years old) automobiles with a warranty might be a better option.
My baby is a love hate..i love her til she need tlc..she well maintained but it fell on me.. Thanks for video my next car buying experience will be better. I need a new rack and pinion and just did the fuel pump
Just grabbed a 2000 328CI b4 I watched video, amazingly only needs control arms and basic shocks and struts motor sounds good clutch is great but still gunna replace the water tank it is a known common prob
I have passed my 2003 Original owner M54 E53 manual on to my son...along with links to Nathan's DIY garage!
...forgot to mention I have "learned him" the wonder of a OBDC Creator C310+ and a battery booster which was included in the transaction
The reason something seems to good to be true usualy is because it is to good to be true. Any german car thats for sale for a couple of hundred dollars (or euros) will have problems, and probably alot of them. A good E46 still goes for 3000 euros where im from.
I really appreciate your video, very well done and very informative! TOO bad I didn't watch this before I bought 2003 325i AT 2.5L previous owner pulled few scam on me by 1) clearing codes for Service Engine light...light came ON 4-6 days after I bought it for $3750. Codes then were bank1/bank2 lean. Also had dash light, circle with broken lines around. Asked guy about light...u guessed it, he says "not sure, u can check manual". Dumb me didn't check manual...all 4 disc brake pads super worn down to 1.5mm dealer would change the brakes for $1,100 I did it myself for $180. ALSO tires were very low on tread, but that's expected.
So yeah, because I'm a car guy, I can deal with and fix this car except not lower ball joints it also needs. If I had watched your video I would not have bought this 325i!
Thanks again for your video, people should watch it carefully before buying used BMW. Take care, Eric, Portland Oregon
7:26 This car had a crash, just look through the kidneys. The steel has deformated.
But it's interior is very nice, and except from the small crash, it's in quite good condition.
You trolling? Then every e46 is front crashed the same way :D
@@mtsyo8165 im glad somebody commented on this because i was just about to... thats literal bmw design LOL
I like the way you just tell the truth.
very chill voice, nicely explained!
Does not need control arms. Needs control arm bushings.
Everything you named that's " 99% not working/ broken " on my 02 E46 is perfect shape and is creeping on 200K
Btw they make a 325i coupe the Ci comes in sedan and is the AWD model not just the coupe guys.
I can’t wait to get mine it’s gonna be my first car
So true to everything. May be if you can add how to test and possible solutions to bad power door locks, such as power door won’t lock and unlock etc
Dude that's crazy . I bought mine and my whole ball join is or arm is out on the passenger side makes a smacking noise when I make turns going over 50 lol
might as well just do a set of control arms on both sides
cali suburbGoon you do turns at 50 mph damn bruh you crazy 😂
Tyres tell so much about how the previous owner dealt with maintenance. The only contact a car has with the road and someone puts 4 pieces of shite on then it pretty much tells you what they did with every other repair or issue.....on the cheap. I walk away when I see cheap tyres. Has never failed me when buying
I got a short list buy one with maintenance record and expect electrical component failures they happen but most issues are easy to repair and parts are cheap
What about clutch fan ?
And any leak around valve cover gasket ?
But honesty these cars still bestvof what BMWs made e46, e39,e38 after that e60, e90 omg god help you on repair bills
this is insanely usefull thank you
Checking the Engine. Let us say I found a Nice looking E36, E46 for under $5000 and under 150k miles. How much should I pay a mechanic to inspect it for me and what in particular should he/she be checking on the car? Engine cylinder pressure? Trans, Clutch, Yes?
+JOHN PUBLIC There are not many mechanics that know these cars well enough to give you a good idea of the condition of the car, check everything out in the video and thats pretty much the list, no matter what though there will be stuff wrong with it.
It's Jan 2020 and cars like this one are back down to under $2k. With a little patience you can find them $800 - $1,200. I see them in better condition than this one for $1,500 - $2,500. So little money, so many deals! Garage queens can bring book value and up $3K -$6k. Dealers and collectors asking $8k plus.
I got a e46 with transmission issues and it is indeed missing the door seals and the sunroof isn't closing too well. Could it actually just be the fuses or CPU?
Just purchased a 99 e46 yesterday, for $4,499aud, 180,000kms, drives very well. So far no issues have been spotted or heard other than the throttle feels a bit 'sticky' any idea what might be causing that or is it just a bmw thing?
Congratz on you're car !
+TheBloker9 thanks! Couldn't be happier :) never thought I could love a car so much haha
I'm looking at the same one. How's it holding up four months later?? I'm okay at DIY but not great so I may just stick to my vw's.
I have the same thing on mine. But I think it's the transmission. Is yours an automatic?
Love these I’m on my third Beamer seems the door locks always f up but other than that it’s a fun fast car to drive
500-2000$ for a bmw e46? No wonder you get a bmw with lots of problems. My friends bought a e46 04 for 5,600€ and everything works fine and the car has been maintained well.
Finally I’ve found a e46 bimmer with the same wheels as mine!
Thanks, very helpful. I own a blue one like that, now I know what to keep an eye on to help keep it in better shape.
What do I do if the add reads "no tire kickers"?
real eyes realize real lies lmfao
DareMe Fiasco lol
real eyes realize real lies Kick their tires and then look at them right away. Make sure to grin too 😛
Probably means they got something to hide
It's interesting to watch this video in 2023, I think these cars are more expensive now than in 2015
I miss my e46. Good memorys
😎🤚🏻superb and perfect advice at the end !!! (too perfect) 👍🏻👍🏻
You said not to buy it if I don't know about cars, But what if I want to learn about them and learn about this car specifically? Is it still a good buy for some one who is just getting started?
If you show up and lock the e brake and pump my clutch I'm gonna end the sale right there. I doubt that's enough to make the sub frame click anyways.
Lot's of pro insight. thx.
don't forget to check the blinker fluid it's a must insta common issue with this E39 not so much with the E36😂 and don't forget to check the crumbs on the carpet make sure they're round
Love this it is really gonna help I'm stepping up my E39 to an E46 thx
This video actually helped me lots...Thanks
great video! I'm looking at an E46 and these are great tips. thanks!
Im somewhat mechanically inclined , picking one up tomorrow for $500 running needs lower control arms.
Everything breaks, obviously it depends on who treats them, the engine isn’t even that bad if taken good care of, but all those minor stuff will accumulate real quick, i got a e46 i was looking into buying that only has 100k miles on it but this is kinda making me not wanna buy it and i love the car
Would be great to see a guide like this for a e60. This one was great.
Beautiful and timeless car! Just need a pair of little fix in the looking... But the rest of it it's nice vehicle
Great video
THANKS FOR TH ADVICE AT THE END ..
Thanks Nathan. Yes, I like your video. Really helpful. I've just bought a 318i from 2000 . Now I will check the car a bit more in detail. Next time I might do it the other way around : )
+RockmannMusic The euro e46 318's have some timing chain guide issues and still have ccv issues, but overall are pretty good cars, lot of people that watch my videos have these cars but here in the U.S we do not
Good info. I learned a few things about my ci. Thank You!
Handy tips, really well done.
Thanks for the review. It will take a lot of TLC to bring this one back. The cooling system seems to have had a troubled life. What about past over heating issues resulting cracked heads? Do you usually do a compression check?
I was thinking of getting one but the list is loooooong of things that Will brake ill stick with my Volvo