[kaijones34]

Going to look at this for my niece today. She is going to be a senior in high school and is needing something to get her there and possibly move her to college next year.

http://hickory.craigslist.org/cto/4592097472.html

From the description and pictures, it seems to be in good shape. I'd say he is priced a little high, might go in and offer $3,800 and see what he comes back with. I'd say $4000 would be very good, but $4200 might get the deal done as well. His cash in hand price was $4500. I got pictures of the rear seat and cargo area from him and the condition is the same as the front. He has someone looking at it today at 6, so we are going to try and get down there and see it before they do.

Anyone that is more familiar with the E46 touring models have any input?

[Saintor]

She will be in a lot of hassles with a 167000miles 13 yo BMW. Do her a favor and recommend the newest/good condition 4000$ Honda/Toyota/Nissan/Mitsu she can find.

[e90Cam]

Don't know much about e46 touring models but 167000 miles + could be troublesome in the near future.

for $4000 as a budget maybe try other vehicles that can provide longer durability and better reliability? (Nissan Altima, Hyundais are pretty cheap, Maxda 3, or even Honda Civic (Civic as a last option))

I'm sure your niece wouldn't mind what car she gets, however if you want to get a BMW for her, drop the price to what you said ($3500) I wouldn't go any higher than $4000 if you really like the car. Make sure to get warranty somewhere.

Best of luck

[kaijones34]

Really? My M50 and M52 engines were bulletproof. The 528i had 247,000 miles when I traded it in, and the only part replaced was the ignition master cylinder. But, I've never had any experience with an M54 or E46, so I'm not sure what specific things to look for.

[Taran.J]

Sportwgn just told me not to take this car seriously lol. But like above going jdm is not a bad idea in terms of reliability. But if she can afford the insurance and issues that occur with any European car power to her!

[brewnami]

You can potentially run into any issues with a car with 167K miles. But, as long as the oil was changed regularly and it appears to be taken care of, I wouldn't worry about it. It looks clean and those cars can last well over 200K miles. Everyone on this forum hates BMWs with over 50K miles it seems, but at the end of the day, not everyone wants to buy a new BMW when the value will drop 50% in 4 years and not everyone's mommy and daddy buys them 30K+ cars.

[kaijones34]

Some additional information: The current owner bought it 4 years ago with 123k on it. Has changed oil and filters every 5k. Water pump, hoses, and belts replaced 18 months ago. There was a small power steering pump hose leak when he got it. He is going to replace it before he sells. I may also look like a 2004 Eclipse with 103k today as well. My thoughts are that the E46 was more likely to be driven by an adult, responsible driver for most of it's life. The Eclipse crowd in this area seem to think they are super cars and drive them to death. I'll have to see the Eclipse after the BMW if we don't get it today...but I know so little about an Eclipse it makes me nervous haha.

[BMRSEB]

Originally Posted by brewnami

You can potentially run into any issues with a car with 167K miles. But, as long as the oil was changed regularly and it appears to be taken care of, I wouldn't worry about it. It looks clean and those cars can last well over 200K miles. Everyone on this forum hates BMWs with over 50K miles it seems, but at the end of the day, not everyone wants to buy a new BMW when the value will drop 50% in 4 years and not everyone's mommy and daddy buys them 30K+ cars.

+1.. I had many a BMW with 100K miles and even sold a few with 160K+ miiles. I am a DIY whenever possible though.. I say if you area decent DIY'er give it a good once over, all fluids changed, suspension not needing any immediate attention, cooling addressed, etc..

However, if you're not a DIY, I would suggest as mentioned a Honda, Toyota, Mazda, etc... No point in having your precious dealing with the quirks these cars have.. G/L...

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by brewnami

You can potentially run into any issues with a car with 167K miles. But, as long as the oil was changed regularly and it appears to be taken care of, I wouldn't worry about it.

You should. It is usually everything else than the engine that fails. At 167000 miles it never stop.

4000$ sounds a cheap amount.... how misleading. Does she have 2000-2500$ more per year to keep it running?

[e90Cam]

If you think the car is perfect for her than go for it! Who are we to tell you not to buy it, were all just giving our own opinions on it and at the end of the day it comes to how well the previous owner(s) treated the machine. My personal encounters with Eclipse, 9 times out of 10 they are beaten daily, I would try to avoid it imo.

Just take a look at what other choices you have in terms of cars, and you'll be fine. + we have similar profile pics

[westchester335i]

The eclipse is a garbage of a car and I would avoid that at all costs. A corolla, civic, M3, RSX, TSX would be better.

If the BMW does not work out look into the RSX. They are reliable, get good MPG and OK looking cars.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by kaijones34

Some additional information: The current owner bought it 4 years ago with 123k on it. Has changed oil and filters every 5k. Water pump, hoses, and belts replaced 18 months ago. There was a small power steering pump hose leak when he got it. He is going to replace it before he sells. I may also look like a 2004 Eclipse with 103k today as well. My thoughts are that the E46 was more likely to be driven by an adult, responsible driver for most of it's life. The Eclipse crowd in this area seem to think they are super cars and drive them to death. I'll have to see the Eclipse after the BMW if we don't get it today...but I know so little about an Eclipse it makes me nervous haha.

Just be certain the suspension is in good shape if the struts, shocks, arms/bushings, have not been replaced. Check records for ATF flush in addition to all gasket replacements and other fluid flushes. She will also have to keep up on the regular oil changes in order to make it last. Good luck and skip the Eclipse as others have mentioned. Civic, Accord, Corolla, or Camry would be your alternatives.

[brewnami]

You are going to be fixing stuff with a greater frequency with any vehicle at around 167K miles. That's why it's $4,000 and not $40,000. My mom once bought a brand new Rav4 and had it dealer maintained the entire time she owned it. At 90K miles, there was a transmission issue that was going to cost $3,000 to fix. My friend's dad had the same problem on his 2007 Corola which he bought brand new. Out of warranty and not wanting to pay to fix that, she bought a BMW. 5 years later, its only needed a starter and a coil pack outside of regular maintenance. I think 99% of the advice on this forum is founded with zero experience. Unless someone can chime in with significant problems that THEY experienced when THEIR car had those miles, then our opinions are useless. I have driven multiple Audis with well over 100K miles and zero significant issues. Certainly not $2,500 per year worth of repairs.

Originally Posted by Saintor

You should. It is usually everything else than the engine that fails. At 167000 miles it never stop.

4000$ sounds a cheap amount.... how misleading. Does she have 2000-2500$ more per year to keep it running?

[kaijones34]

Originally Posted by e90Cam

+ we have similar profile pics

I noticed that! My plan was to give it a good looking over, drive it, and see if it seems the bushings are bad. If they are I'd assume the suspension parts haven't been replaced and I'll take it somewhere to have them do a PPI and give me any parts that need replacing soon to help knock the price down if everything else checks out.

Thanks for the opinions, everyone.

[ctuna]

I think the biggest worry providing if it has had regular oil changes
and there is no sludge inside the Engine is and auto trans failing if
it has one . Inspect under the oil cap for sludge.
Things that will probably be worn out cooling system , brakes , plugs
all fluids. If it hasn't had a new radiator and water pump I would get
those for peace of mind.

[wanna325i]

Had 03 MT 325i for last 8 years so i will let you know those auto box do have high rate of failure. And things have to look for...

1. Oil house filter gasket lead
2. Rear Main seal leak
3. Rear Top mount bushing
4. Headliner sagging
5. Windows regulator
6. Valves gasket
7. Front contorl arms bushing
8. Idler tensioner is not making any noise
9. Top and bottom coolant hose is new/good condition

[kunal_d]

Potential issues on the E46 were the cooling system, window regulators ,Control Arm bushings and Vanos seals. Overall, if the car was cared for with regular maintenance they are pretty reliable and can be a good purchase.

[upstatedoc]

Wouldn't be my first pick. Used Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4 etc.

[hockeyplayer]

Got to agree with many others here. With that budget/purchase price range might be better off getting a high mileage Honda or Toyota.

[XM_Rocks]

Mazda 3 hatch... timing chain, more fun to drive than Camcord and dead nuts reliable.

If that E46 has records and maintenance up to date it could be a great deal and relatively drama free or it could be a nightmare.

I have learned that if she doesn't care don't force a German bias on her... these older BMWs are finicky and need special loving compared to a oil change/brakes and wiper only experience you get from a Japanese car.

[E39lolz]

I came too late to the party - car seems to have been sold. OP, did you buy it? I had a 03 325xi for about 4 years before trading it in with 147k miles (got it as a CPO). It had little annoying quirks but still was reliable. Only major part that I changed was the fuel pump. I kept up with fluid changes, coolant parts and had it tuned up twice. M54's are reliable as I also had a e39 525i/5MT which was a pig but loved to rev the crap out of it. OP, if you did buy it and have verifiable service records, I say it's a win, depending on how the trans shifts and if (I would say probably not) it has ever had the fluid changed.

[kaijones34]

Originally Posted by E39lolz

I came too late to the party - car seems to have been sold. OP, did you buy it? I had a 03 325xi for about 4 years before trading it in with 147k miles (got it as a CPO). It had little annoying quirks but still was reliable. Only major part that I changed was the fuel pump. I kept up with fluid changes, coolant parts and had it tuned up twice. M54's are reliable as I also had a e39 525i/5MT which was a pig but loved to rev the crap out of it. OP, if you did buy it and have verifiable service records, I say it's a win, depending on how the trans shifts and if (I would say probably not) it has ever had the fluid changed.

We did get it. After a detail it will be as nice of a car from 2001 as you can find. Ran well. Almost new breaks and rotors. Parrot bluetooth and an iPod/Phone adapter (I hate Apple, but she has both so win). Got him to $4300 if we let him keep the bike rack. When he found out we would take it today he gave it to us at that price with the rack, so I'll be selling that soon if anyone is interested, PM me or keep an eye out for the post.

The only things I noticed besides small cosmetic issues, there is a vibration from the rear right wheel we noticed, but with how new the rotors are and from his information, I think it is the tire or wheel. Has a full sized spare, so easy fix. Found out the driver's side fog light is out, so I may buy her one in a few weeks and replace it. I highly doubt she will ever use them though.

Time will tell if it was the right choice, but my gut tells me it will be a great first car, and with dual front airbags and 4 side airbags it should be safe.

Thanks again all!