danj 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Hi all, I'm looking at purchasing my first BMW and had a few questions. Price: 15~20k Model: E46; 323, 325, 328 or 330, undecided as to what body style (estate / coupe / sedan) Year: 98-02 Mechanically is there any difference between the estate, coupe and sedan E46's? Would I be wise to avoid any of the models / vehicle years that i've listed above, any ones that had particularly high maintenance requirements? Any of those models that are worth going for over another model? Where in Christchurch is a good place to get a pre purch inspection done, and can anyone make recommendations for a service center? Anything I should watch out for, or any other advice you guys/girls have is appreciated! Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
laadeelaa 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Get a 330! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danj 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 They seem to be in short supply in the price range I'm looking at I should also mention that I do a lot of k's, so reliability and comfort are high on the priority list. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=202986660 Not quite an E46 but I am sure you won't be disappointed As I mentioned earlier on here, quite possibly will be sold soon but you never know. As for pre-purchase inspection I would recommend "Hampton Honda" (they use to be BMW specialists, ask for Jason, as he knows his sh*t) or the expensive option would be BMW on Manchester street. You could always get the AA to do it too I guess. I have other options and quite a few good BMW mechanics I can pass you onto, just flick me a PM. Edited February 17, 2009 by crazyarab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Get a motorsport. So many nice options. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simke 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Personally I'd go for a 328 or 330 coupe. And if you're after comfort, get one with leather seats... well worth it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JiB 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 We have a NZ New E46 328i sedan that's under your price range They're very nice to drive, but yeah, I'd go for 325i or above, otherwise gutless to drive :S Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeddy 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 BMW Chch do a 2-3 page check of the car for $160 odd iirc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30plz 1 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Get an E30. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 4 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Get an E30.Hahaha, Its almost as though your not joking!! Good one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) Hahaha, Its almost as though your not joking!! Good one! E30 in that price range would be bloody nice Edited February 17, 2009 by crazyarab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cale 36 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Hahaha, Its almost as though your not joking!! Good one! He's not Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 I heard e30 m3's were worth 15 to 20.... Woops Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyarab 6 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 I heard e30 m3's were worth 15 to 20.... Woops Can of worms anyone? Back on topic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wobbly47 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Get an E30. Nah you want a 540i..........you want a 540i, you want a 540i you want a 540i welcome to the board, no matter what you get as I'm finding out they are a great toy/sorry car Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30plz 1 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Never. E30 or nothing. Sorry back OT. 330 coupe sounds like a good buy.... .... If there was no E30s left in the world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwolf 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 Do it once do it right. E39 540i. Love mine to bits even if she is using a lot of tyre lately. Probably a driver problem rather than a car though. Seriously though it just eats up long distances like you wouldn't believe. It isn't the cheapest to run but then if you want cheap then GTFO and buy a daihatsu. Don't go any higher on the mags than a 17" (I've gone 19" but they are just too aggressive and you lose some of that beautiful comfort - though she's awesome through the corners). Look for the S-EDC button at the bottom of the radio - it'll be beside the window blind and the DSC. Which leads to my next point. Get DSC. It has saved my ass once or twice and if you wanna be a wally you can press it and it goes away. If you do go 540i. Get a warranty with it. I would recommend this for any car. Take it to a BMW dealer to get inspected as they know the things to look for. You yourself can look at some basic things like: check the top tanks (or in this case the side tanks) of the radiator to make sure they don't look brittle as this is rumoured to be a weak point on these cars. Especially around the inlet/outlets. Do get it in Fjordgrau Metallic for no other reason than it's better than sex. Check that the oil filter (mounted to the right of the engine where the battery sits in a Japanese car) is secured correctly and doesn't move. Then visually check that the oil filter seal hasn't been pinched. Ask to see service history. I have a full history on mine and it's really good peace of mind. If you take it for a drive and you think it's sluggish, knock the gearstick to the left (leave it there don't shift it up or down) and gun it. If it's still feels sluggish, check the speedo you'll pack yourself when you see how fast you are actually going Check each gear by using the tiptronic. 4th is hard to check to it's full capacity (due to legal reasons) - so is 5th for that matter. Things to be careful of once you have 540i: Don't hit wildlife. Thus far I am 0/3. One dent between right headlight and grill. One replaced high beam bulb in right front headlight. One broken front splitter. Bird, bird, Possum (this was especially a bad idea). Don't expect it to be like your 1989 2.0L non turbo front wheel drive celica. It has 2x the power, 2x the torque at half the rpm. It also carries 14% more smoosh factor. Don't be worried about petrol. Sure it costs alot but then you never needed that kidney anyway. And children can fetch a nice price on the market. Also if this is a problem - buy a daihatsu. Don't get into the car with any sharp pointy bits that might scratch the leather. Leather is god. Don't take corners as fast as you did in your previous car... for a while. While the car will handle it fine, you may find that leather doesn't grip like cloth, especially when you just spent 15-30 minutes polishing it. Children. They make a hell of a mess in the car. This isn't worth your time and effort to try to tell them to behave. It has a giant trunk though should you find the need to carry them. You could probably fit a whole sports team in there with room for the sports gear. I've told you absolutely everything bad about the car I can think of. Keeping up all night thinking about where you are going to go tomorrow is normal. Don't fight it. Resistance is futile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danj 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2009 Nah you want a 540i..........you want a 540i, you want a 540i you want a 540i welcome to the board, no matter what you get as I'm finding out they are a great toy/sorry car So I ended up spending less than half what I budgeted for... and got a 1994 e34 540iA SE, NZ new, full service history @ BMW it's whole life. Body work needs a good cut and polish (it's been parked outside for a good few years now), and it has a few key marks and other scrapes, but overall it's in pretty good knick. Pics to come! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Creaver 55 Report post Posted March 18, 2009 Good stuff, cant wait to see the pics Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jordyboy2 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2009 Sounds good dude Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lucan 196 Report post Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) Welcome bro, any BMWs is best...you pick whatever you like But the 330i Coupe, Black = Sex E.g. : 1st pic found on google... Things to be careful of once you have 540i: Don't hit wildlife. Thus far I am 0/3. One dent between right headlight and grill. One replaced high beam bulb in right front headlight. One broken front splitter. Bird, bird, Possum (this was especially a bad idea). Don't expect it to be like your 1989 2.0L non turbo front wheel drive celica. It has 2x the power, 2x the torque at half the rpm. It also carries 14% more smoosh factor. Don't be worried about petrol. Sure it costs alot but then you never needed that kidney anyway. And children can fetch a nice price on the market. Also ounted to the right of the engine where the battery sits in a Japanese car) is secured correctly and doesn't move. Then visually check that the oil filter seal hasn't been pinched. Ask to see service if this is a problem - buy a daihatsu. Don't get into the car with any sharp pointy bits that might scratch the leather. Leather is god. Don't take corners as fast as you did in your previous car... for a while. While the car will handle it fine, you may find that leather doesn't grip like cloth, especially when you just spent 15-30 minutes polishing it. Children. They make a hell of a mess in the car. This isn't worth your time and effort to try to tell them to behave. It has a giant trunk though should you find the need to carry them. You could probably fit a whole sports team in there with room for the sports gear. I've told you absolutely everything bad about the car I can think of. Keeping up all night thinking about where you are going to go tomorrow is normal. Don't fight it. Resistance is futile. hahah brilliant Edited March 18, 2009 by Blackie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soarer260@hotmail.com 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2009 So I ended up spending less than half what I budgeted for... and got a 1994 e34 540iA SE, NZ new, full service history @ BMW it's whole life. Body work needs a good cut and polish (it's been parked outside for a good few years now), and it has a few key marks and other scrapes, but overall it's in pretty good knick. Pics to come! Nice, I look forward to seeing pictures too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted March 21, 2009 an often overlooked advantage of leather(bar the pointy bits) is that it comes clean with a wipe so icecream etc is not a big issue(unless it goes on the carpets(so mats are a GOOD idea.Nice to see another E34! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soarer260@hotmail.com 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2009 an often overlooked advantage of leather(bar the pointy bits) is that it comes clean with a wipe so icecream etc is not a big issue(unless it goes on the carpets(so mats are a GOOD idea.Nice to see another E34! I would have to agree with you on that one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danj 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2009 an often overlooked advantage of leather(bar the pointy bits) is that it comes clean with a wipe so icecream etc is not a big issue(unless it goes on the carpets(so mats are a GOOD idea.Nice to see another E34!yeah i'm really liking the leather.Sorry guys i've been really busy, haven't had time to polish and wax it before taking proper photo's, so here's the only picture I have of it at the moment. Question: My e34 has what appear to be clear plastic headlight covers over the headlights (not shown in picture obviously..), are these required? I don't really like the look of them so would quite like to ditch them... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
