Prospective e46 owner

[Saosin]

Hi guys,

Newbie here needs help in buying a used e46.

Was researching on the e46 when i stumbled onto this forum. So many useful info here.

But i would like to seek advise frm you guys esp e46 owners/ex-owners. I'm considering to get one with recently renewed COE.

Is it gd enough to test drive the car without hoisting it up to look at the undercarriage? If there's an oil leak or any leaks, wouldn't it be obvious after the test drive?


How's the maintenance of the e46 like? Items likely to need replacement after 180k km?

Your inputs are much appreciated. Hopefully can get my hands on one real soon!

 

[ac323]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Hi saosin,

if you are buying without loan then is worth it as interest rate for coe car are 4.5 to 5%......whereas used car are 2.68%....why not get a 05 or 06 E46 (new FL model)

About COE car the usual wear tear parts are either repaired by previous owner or about to give way soon........so you may wanna check with the dealer history of the car before you may your purchase........

Common issues are: Gear box (150km to 200km), air-con (cooling coil or compressor), power steering........

Definitely a test drive is a must.........

Happy hunting..........

cheers

 

[kim_pioneer]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Hey bro,

Welcome aboard

While I am not technically savvy like bro AC323, my 2 cents worth are as below:

1. Don't go for COE car. Not worth the interest rates demage

2. Try to get one that is no more than 6 yo.

3. Test the ride like hell, and if you are not technically sound, bring along your mechanic

4. If you think the deal sounds too good, then maybe its too good to be true.

5. Be ready for maintianance. Better apportion a sum for initial overhual

Got quite a lot of E46ers, just continue to post and catch their attention. This way, more insights can be shared

Enjoy shopping

Cheers

 

[ckbernard]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Hi Saosin
I recently bought an E46. I have no comments on whether you should get a COE car or less than 6 years old or more than 15 years old car as i think thats really up to how much you want to trade off the price of the car v how new it is.
What i can reccomend though is that if you find a car you like, send it for inspection (not STA) maybe with your workshop (someone you trust) and they can tell you not only on the condition of the car but how much its going to cost you for inital repairs, how long certain things are going to last before they fall off the car etc etc.
If you would like reccomendations, there are alot of good workshops mentioned in this forum and I am using one of them. If you would like to know more let me know.

 

[niteblu]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Hi guys,

Newbie here needs help in buying a used e46.

Was researching on the e46 when i stumbled onto this forum. So many useful info here.

But i would like to seek advise frm you guys esp e46 owners/ex-owners. I'm considering to get one with recently renewed COE.

Is it gd enough to test drive the car without hoisting it up to look at the undercarriage? If there's an oil leak or any leaks, wouldn't it be obvious after the test drive?


How's the maintenance of the e46 like? Items likely to need replacement after 180k km?

Your inputs are much appreciated. Hopefully can get my hands on one real soon!

i just put up a thread on Renewed COE BMWs.
Have a look.


http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/singapore-bmw-prices-used-bmw-buying-selling-your-bmw/33617-renewed-coe-bmws-good-bargains.html

Might shed some light on the pricing of COE BMWs.
And the real "value" you think you're getting.
But maybe not.

 

[Saosin]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Hey guys

thanks for the inputs. Guess i'll just go over to that thread to check it out.

 

[Saosin]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Hi Saosin
I recently bought an E46. I have no comments on whether you should get a COE car or less than 6 years old or more than 15 years old car as i think thats really up to how much you want to trade off the price of the car v how new it is.
What i can reccomend though is that if you find a car you like, send it for inspection (not STA) maybe with your workshop (someone you trust) and they can tell you not only on the condition of the car but how much its going to cost you for inital repairs, how long certain things are going to last before they fall off the car etc etc.
If you would like reccomendations, there are alot of good workshops mentioned in this forum and I am using one of them. If you would like to know more let me know.

Did you buy from dealer? If so, pray tell, which one you went to? PM welcomed.

 

[ckbernard]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Did you buy from dealer? If so, pray tell, which one you went to? PM welcomed.

Strangely enough, i found this one the old fashioned way. Saturday's newspapers, classifieds.
If you're interested to know more let me know.

 

[phil]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

E46, best car I've ever owned, miss it dearly.

 

[Mockngbrd]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

buy another one in aussie. cheaper den sg

 

[jinooi]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

yeah phil, with the same kind of money, you'd be able to get yourself a used CSL...

 

[Saosin]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

Strangely enough, i found this one the old fashioned way. Saturday's newspapers, classifieds.
If you're interested to know more let me know.

I see. Is that your ride in the avatar? How much you bought? Which year is it?

Yes, i would like to know more esp on how you assess the condition of the e46.

 

[ckbernard]

Re: Prospective e46 owner

I see. Is that your ride in the avatar? How much you bought? Which year is it?

Yes, i would like to know more esp on how you assess the condition of the e46.

Yes thats my ride... after makeover. PM you on other info.