Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

[Daytona]

Am thinking of buying this E46 318Ci

Asking $75,800
25-Sep-2003
Mileage 82,000 km
OMV: $47,000
COE: $31889

Used BMW 318CIA Cabriolet Car for Sale from Singapore, - sgCarMart

1) Even though, I am driving an E46 Sedan, I heard that the gearbox is subject to wear and tear and failure is about 120k km.

2) Convertible roof is not potential problem.

3) of course, thirdly, this selling price is reasonable???

 

[cabrio_ken]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

no.. my e46 320 convertible went all the way to 210,000km nothing fail, just a gear box oil change and install a oil cooler.

my personal best experience

 

[jerms]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

i am also thinking of getting a e46 318ci and planning to keep the car for COE renewal, any pitfalls or advise from the very experienced bmw owners here?

what is the hidden cost to maintain the car?

thanks everyone!

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

once the car hits about 100,000km, there are some things that will fail, only a matter of time...

one of them is the expansion tank. whilst you're at it, might as well check the radiator and hoses for cracks, etc.

also time to change bushes on the front & rear control arms.

change the differential and gearbox oils.

check the dampers and springs, and also the mounts. mounts are notorious for failing - change to uprated mounts, will last a lifetime.

also change the engine mounts. might have gone hard.

might sound like it's lot, but 100k is a lot, but changing these will give you peace of mind for a long time.

if in doubt, bring the car to rodney from R2D for a once over. he's the resident E46 specialist.

 

[sunrise]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

Well, make sure that the roof mechanism works smoothly and the roof itself is in good condition. Other than that, the underlying mechanicals are similar to the sedan. another thing to bear in mind is the extra weight of the cabrio (150kg to 200kg), so a 4 cylinder model might be underpowered.

 

[jerms]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

once the car hits about 100,000km, there are some things that will fail, only a matter of time...

one of them is the expansion tank. whilst you're at it, might as well check the radiator and hoses for cracks, etc.

also time to change bushes on the front & rear control arms.

change the differential and gearbox oils.

check the dampers and springs, and also the mounts. mounts are notorious for failing - change to uprated mounts, will last a lifetime.

also change the engine mounts. might have gone hard.

might sound like it's lot, but 100k is a lot, but changing these will give you peace of mind for a long time.

if in doubt, bring the car to rodney from R2D for a once over. he's the resident E46 specialist.

thank you for your reply.

if one is to go through wif all these how much repair cost is it going to be.. of course not going back to PML.

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

the stuff isn't expensive. most of them are small ticket items. might as well change them all at one go - saves you on labour costs.

the big ticket item here are the springs and dampers. depends on your objectives - daily drive comfort or occasional trackday. try to look out for those on sale in the forum, but no hurry as you may not need to change them immediately.

and one most important thing i forgot - you brakes. change fluid and preferably to steel hoses.

 

[jerms]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

the stuff isn't expensive. most of them are small ticket items. might as well change them all at one go - saves you on labour costs.

the big ticket item here are the springs and dampers. depends on your objectives - daily drive comfort or occasional trackday. try to look out for those on sale in the forum, but no hurry as you may not need to change them immediately.

and one most important thing i forgot - you brakes. change fluid and preferably to steel hoses.

are you currently driving a e46 or ex owner? really good advice... as for shocks and dampers i will go for daily drive comfort and not for track use.. the car going to be just for daily zipping ard and not for track or wack ard driving.

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

all these things are small ticket items, not more than a couple of hundred dollars each. most of them are much less.

might as well change them all at one go as it will save you on labour costs. most of them are inter-related - cooling system, suspension system, oils, etc. so replacing them one by one separately would be quite tedious and not make sense.

the only big ticket items are the dampers and springs. depends on your objective - daily drive comfort or occasional trackday. even then, you have lots of time as you might not need to change them immediately. scout around and wait for somebody to sell on the forum.

one most important thing i forgot to mention. change you brake fluid and hoses, preferably to steel braided ones.

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

hehe, currently driving one myself... and enjoying it immensely...

 

[jerms]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

haha.. then your the MAN to talk to! how much do you think is a good price to pay for a E46? i am looking at a 2003 or 2004 model.. want to settle at least 2/3 of the car price and the rest pay by installment. also.. i read that the fuel comsumption is ard 8km per L rite? also how much are you paying for insurance? i dun want to waste too much $$ if its not needed.. must spend wisely oso.. esp times like this.

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

depends on which engine you're talking about... 318 / 320 / 325 / 330? the bigger the engine, the more it will cost, but your omv will also be higher.

some people prefer 6-pots (smoother engine), but depends on your budget. only the 318 is 4-pot.

try to get the latest e46 you can find. should be with SFQ or SFR plates. last batch of e46 will come with m-sport fittings - springs and dampers, m-tech bodykit, m-tech steering, m-sport seats, m-sport rims - basically all the goodies you will want. omv also higher.

FC depends on how you drive. 8km per litre is a myth. i have only managed 9L at best, and that's with a lot of highway driving. average is about 10+km/L.

 

[jerms]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

i am actually looking for the 318. 4 pot for me good enough. tried to add you on msn if you dun mind.. easier to talk

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

no prob

 

[Kiske]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

there's quite a few hidden costs of maintaining the cabrio, probably total add up will be around the region of 3-4k after u change all the wear n tear parts.

furthermore, make sure ur roof mechanism is not moving too slowly or jerking
because if it is, u're in for giving a big red packet to the workshop..

 

[niteblu]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

i am actually looking for the 318. 4 pot for me good enough. tried to add you on msn if you dun mind.. easier to talk

No shame looking for the 318.
It's actually a misnomer - since it's a 1995cc car.
The current E90 320i engine is based on the E46 318i

Plus, the N42B18 won the Int'l Engine of the Year in 2001. (1.4-1.8L Cat)
The one found in the 318i is the upsized version, N42B20.

It's a got a slightly rough idle at startup (think diesel)
but with both Valvetronic and Double Vanos.
It's a tech wonder.

I've both the 4potter & 6potter in my house.
And (at the risk of being flamed)

My done up 4pot is actually more fun to drive than the stock 6pot.





0.02c

 

[jinooi]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

+10 :woottt:

My done up 4pot is actually more fun to drive than the stock 6pot.

 

[C3P0]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

i read that the fuel comsumption is ard 8km per L rite? also how much are you paying for insurance?

Hi jerms,
My FC is 8km/L. Almost 95% city driving. If more highway driving, say 70%, can reach 10km/L.
Insurance for 318 is around $560. Go to LTA website and there is a formula table there that helps you to calculate.

My done up 4pot is actually more fun to drive than the stock 6pot.

+1. That's why I hesitate to sell my car.

and one most important thing i forgot - you brakes. change fluid and preferably to steel hoses.

All must be careful, this is not normal wear and tear, this is mod virus! jin very dangerous carrier! :nehnehhh:

 

[jerms]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

thanks everyone for your advice.. also want to say sorry for hijacking the thread.

I might get a 318 cabrio in june but quite worried abt the leaking roof. maybe a coupe will work as well.

 

[Daytona]

Re: Help: Buying this E46 Convertible

Thank you for all the inputs, guys!!!.....
After reading thru the post, I shall stick to my 4 years old E46 318 SE .....
Honestly, it's been serving me very well......
My previous E36 was with me for 9 years..(Mileage: 230k km)..

Hence, the saying goes….
Once a bimmer, will always be a bimmer…..

Jerms, hope you will find your bimmer soon....Cheers!!!