Purchasing a E46 318Ci. First time BMW owner need some wise advice! =)

[wingzee]

Hi all, time has finally arrived for me to get my first UDM. was contemplating for an E90 last year but the hard-earned $ has all gone to another man's important commitment - house.My current budget allows me for a E46 and just recently viewed a 2004 318Ci. Yet to test driven the car but here are some points which I gathered upon viewing the car earlier today.1. 2004 CBU unit from Auto Bavaria, 2nd owner (purchased in 2010)2. Current milleage is 105k3. Car been serviced at DTM Benz @ Kota Damansara all these while4. ATF for gearbox has never been replaced5. Car running on Castrol mineral and oil change @ every 8k kms6. Parts current owner has replaced: Valve/Oil seals, Fuel pump, water pump and A-pillar interior wrappingOwner claims that engine mounting, absorbers, gearbox and bushes are still in good condition overall.Apart from some minor scratches, the car's exterior paint is still in very good condition. Interior-wise well taken cared off as well.Car is running on stock 17" with Dunlop rubbers and HID auto-levelling works perfectly.The only issue claimed by owner is sunroof fabric is coming off.Owner is willing to sent car for diagnostic once deposit been paid and confirmed. (According to owner, Ingress is charging RM250 per diagnostic. Anyone can confirm?)Best price given is RM99,000.Need some advice on what else to look for the test drive session expected later this week and comment on the price.Recently viewed a 2004 330Ci and price is RM108k but annual roadtax of RM2.1k is abit on the high side.

 

[bmw7833]

Buy this one.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?43846-BMW-330ci-E46-UK-Spec

 

[vixxx]

i agree with bmw7833...just buy and drive

 

[giantdan]

Feel the price is a bit high. I saw a similar e46 318ci mfc 2004 silver colour selling at asking price Rm89k at a car trader inCheras.

 

[giantdan]

2004 is face lift model.

 

[gendong]

....... the hard-earned $ has all gone to another man's important commitment - house.......

Thought the wife is the most important commitment? hehehe

on a serious note, do strongly suggest you take up bro bmw7833's recommendation (bro badrul880's ride)..... you'll not regret it. i'm sure you'll workout the roadtax thing.

happy hunting anyway....

 

[riken]

Feel the price is a bit high. I saw a similar e46 318ci mfc 2004 silver colour selling at asking price Rm89k at a car trader inCheras.

I think I bought that one but bro badrul880's car is a good bargain.

 

[anaksarawak]

If I have the budget I will go for badrul880's 330CI ... You will love the power! It worth every cent of roadtax you paid for.

 

[wingzee]

wow it seems like out of all the posts, all are recommending badrul's 330Ci. the budget is abit tight at the moment for a 2k annual roadtax but might consider that. been stalking the forum for some time and did read about 318Ci being underpowered but as a daily car is 330Ci a good option?

 

[EuJax]

Hi wingzee,

A few things to share,

1. The price for the car is a little high, although condition should be the main thing to consider when it comes to an old car. Just a gauge for you, my dad sold his e46 318i year 2004 at just rm 98k, in 2009. So at rm99k today, better make sure the condition is really tip top, in the sense that many things have been replaced and not just well taken care by words, all parts have its life span.

2. This car should be running on a 4cylinder 2.0 valvetronic engine, n42b20 if I remember correctly, and it has a reputation of sludge if not well taken care which results in consuming engine oil, loss of power and eventually in need of total overhaul, costly.

3. A 330i or Ci is definitely a much better drive and what BMW is suppose to feel like, do take into considerations. The roadtax, just cut out a few cups of starbucks or a pair of Armani jeans, you are good. After all, driving a real machine is more macho then wearing a pair of expensive jeans. (just my humble opinion and example, do not mean you exactly)


And a special note, that car was new by auto Bavaria which means the first 2 years it had warranty by AB, thus very likely to be abused by them since they insist a service interval of 20000km, which is the main reason it killed most of this engine, including my dad's. I hope our painful experience can be avoided by anyone intending to buy this series. Most owners got mislead at that time. I am not saying this particular car have such problem, but chances are since the guy you are buying from now is a second owner. Hard to track what had been done in the first hand.

BMWs are very nice car to drive, provided well taken care, and I meant WELL TAKEN CARE. Not scaring you away, just hope you will be more careful and choose the right one. Happy hunting.





Regards

 

[wingzee]

Dear all,

Appreciate all the valuable comments and opinions given. Will be checking out a 325i and 330i tomorrow at used car dealership (both 2004 model priced around RM90k) and a 320i by a direct owner (2004, RM82k). Anything particular I should look out for?

 

[wingzee]

Just submitted loan application for a 2004 E46 325i.

Came across the ad on Mudah and tested the car at a used car dealer in Serdang last weekend.

Brought the ride for diagnostic and checks by Jason @ Optimum Autoworks this morning and all is good!

Fingers-crossed that I would be able to get the ride by end of this week! Plans for upgrades for the ride already in the pipeline!

 

[anaksarawak]

Congrats bro...

 

[Herbert]

Wingzee,

Congrats for your new ride. Don't mind sharing with us what's the price you paid?

 

[coffee]

wingzee,

Is this the one you bought?

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+325i+E46+LOOK+M+SPORT+FACELIFT+04+LOCAL-14571013.htm

Love the colour of the car!

 

[EuJax]

Congrats there...and enjoy your udm

Jason of Optimum is a good guy.

 

[wingzee]

Thanks for the posts, guys! Paid RM88k for the ride. Is it a good offer? It's a mid-2004 Exclusive edition. Cosmetically the car is in great condition, interior is surprisingly new for a car that has been through 174,000 kms and no error codes detected during diagnostic test at Optimum.

The only issue is slight leaking at power steering rack according to Jason. The total costs for initial service plus overhaul of the rack will costs RM2-3k which I am fine for a car this age.

Will be getting the the M3 SMG steering with paddle shift and slip ring from eBay but wondering who should I approach for installation? Any idea on the costs of workmanship?

The next item to be replaced will be the double-din touchscreen HU /w GPS.

 

[bmw7833]

Thanks for the posts, guys! Paid RM88k for the ride. Is it a good offer? It's a mid-2004 Exclusive edition. Cosmetically the car is in great condition, interior is surprisingly new for a car that has been through 174,000 kms and no error codes detected during diagnostic test at Optimum.

The only issue is slight leaking at power steering rack according to Jason. The total costs for initial service plus overhaul of the rack will costs RM2-3k which I am fine for a car this age.

Will be getting the the M3 SMG steering with paddle shift and slip ring from eBay but wondering who should I approach for installation? Any idea on the costs of workmanship?

The next item to be replaced will be the double-din touchscreen HU /w GPS.

Join us as OM bro then u can get the steering fix for free by our sifu.

I have the HU for u, PM me if interested..

 

[wingzee]

Join us as OM bro then u can get the steering fix for free by our sifu.

I have the HU for u, PM me if interested..

Seriously I can get it fix for free? I already got the form ready to be submitted to Herbert once I got my ride anyway.

I have emailed you a couple of days back on the HU, bro. Haha.

 

[bmw7833]

Seriously I can get it fix for free? I already got the form ready to be submitted to Herbert once I got my ride anyway.

I have emailed you a couple of days back on the HU, bro. Haha.

Ohh..diff name in email so never realized..

Bring the money and form with car to OTT this Friday then thing can be fix up if u meet with the sifu.