Buying a 1999 BMW- what to look for

[Phillip-Mandy 0]

Hi there,

This is such a lovely service and its been very useful to me. My wife has been looking at buying a BMW for the last 4 weeks. We test drove the E 46 model with a 2.8L engine. Drove well. Seller has had it for 9 months and is looking to move to a wagon as kids are on the way

Car drives very good but seller has pointed out two issues- gearbox is jerky moving from 1st to 2nd when its cold. As it warms up it shifts well. It shifted smoothly when we drove it but being a Japanese import it has the Jatco gearbox. Seller has assured me that Caspar Transmissions have said this is common on this unit and it will not get worse but at 145K it needs a service soon

The other issue the seller told me about is that the ASC light comes on sometimes when driving. During the test drive this didn't happen but she told me it has happened before and she has stopped the car, turned it off again and lights have been cleared. Is this something to worry about as it could be a failed wheel sensor or steering angle sensor ( this is what the mechanics have told her). As she is changing the car she hasn't had this work done. How much is this likely to cost?

The pros of this particular car is that it has had in its service history

- cooling system overhauled incl. waterpump, expansion tank and all hoses done as preventative maintenance

- new radiator

- 4 newish tyres

- suspension arms and bushes replaced in last 12 months

- regular oil and filter changes

- tidy exterior

Cons

-ASC light

- Trans blowing up?

- Uncomfortable seats

So looks like quite a bit of work has been done already on the car but its just the ASC light which is holding me back

Also how are these cars in terms of reliability? Can we keep this to 200K or will there be some more electrical issues to come?

Phil

[BM WORLD 1283]

you should have a look at my 2000 nz new 323i

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-664667701.htm

has the much nicer ZF auto

ps. asc units or sensors can fail , sensors are easy enough to change

asc units can be replaced or repaired etc , sort of comon fault

[charles28 136]

I'd go for Brents, being a 2000, it will be able to get 12 Month Wof's once that new law comes in.

but a 1999 will not..

[Phillip-Mandy 0]

I'd go for Brents, being a 2000, it will be able to get 12 Month Wof's once that new law comes in.

but a 1999 wi

Thanks for the input guys- love the colour and leather seats with your one Brent

Looking for something with lower kms however. Any ballpark figure on replacement cost for sensor including labour

[BM WORLD 1283]

Thanks for the input guys- love the colour and leather seats with your one Brent

Looking for something with lower kms however. Any ballpark figure on replacement cost for sensor including labour

dont be to scared by the millage this one has been looked after has mostly dealer stamps all the way through in the service book and drives like its only done 100k's etc

always buy on condition not millage

2nd hand abs sensor fitted $90-100

thanks brent

maybe come and test drive this one so you have something to compare too....

021433600

papakura

but i would guess its most likely a asc control unit if its intermitant , but would need to be checked first etc,

[KwS 2425]

i cant be much help to you, but in my experience with jerky jatcos i would avoid like the plague. My old E36 had a jerky jatco which progressively got worse to the point where i couldnt trust it to pull across an intersection in a timely manner. Ended up converting it to manual.

As mentioned, KM doesnt mean a heck of a lot in NZ. I would much rather buy a higher KM example with a perfect service history and condition, than one with lower KM and issues/jatco.

[BM WORLD 1283]

also the e46 use a big old horrible GM trans not the jatco type like used in e36 's

and i sell and get asked for plenty of them from e46 owners , where as the zf's are much slower selling and seam to do a lot more miles before needing work