BMW E46 320i Pre-Facelift: A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2024 1:48 pm
BMW E46 320i Pre-Facelift: The Full Buying Guide
a) BMW E46 320i Pre-Facelift Engine Specifications and Maintenance:
a) BMW E46 320i Pre-Facelift Engine Specifications and Maintenance:
- 2.0L M52TU engine, producing 150 bhp at 5900 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm
- Double VANOS system: Listen for rattling noise at idle, indicating worn seals
- Timing chain should last 150,000+ miles; listen for rattling noise at startup indicating stretch
- Use only 5W-30 or 0W-40 fully synthetic oil; capacity is 6.5 liters including filter
- Oil change interval: every 10,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first
- Check for oil leaks: valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and VANOS solenoid seals
- Inspect radiator for leaks, especially lower corners; replacement cost £250-£300
- Check plastic coolant expansion tank for cracks; replace if older than 7 years, cost £50-£70
- Water pump failure common after 60,000 miles; listen for rumbling noise from front of engine
- Thermostat typically fails around 80,000 miles; check for consistent temperature gauge reading
- Full cooling system overhaul recommended every 60,000-80,000 miles, costing £500-£700
- Examine entire exhaust for rust, focusing on middle section and back box
- Listen for exhaust leaks, particularly at manifold joints and flex pipe
- Catalytic converter failure common after 100,000 miles; check for rattling noise and loss of power
- Full exhaust system replacement (excluding manifold) costs £600-£800 at an independent garage
- Check front control arm bushes for play: grasp wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock positions and rock
- Inspect rear trailing arm bushes for cracks or deterioration
- Test power steering: should be smooth with no whining; whining indicates low fluid or pump failure
- Front shock absorbers typically last 60,000-80,000 miles; test by bouncing each corner of the car
- Full suspension refresh (bushes, shocks, springs) costs £1000-£1200 at a specialist
- Front: 300mm discs, Rear: 294mm discs
- Check disc thickness: minimum 28mm front, 20mm rear
- Inspect for even pad wear; minimum pad thickness is 3mm
- Ensure brake fluid has been changed every 2 years; dark color indicates overdue change
- ABS sensor failures common; each sensor costs £80-£100 to replace
- Full brake service (discs and pads all round) costs £400-£500 at an independent garage
- Manual: 5-speed ZF. Check for smooth shifts, no crunching especially in 2nd gear
- Automatic: 5-speed GM 5L40-E. Ensure no slipping or harsh shifts, particularly from 2nd to 3rd
- Transmission fluid change recommended every 60,000 miles, costs £150-£200
- Listen for whining noise in manual gearbox, indicating bearing wear
- Check for leaks at bell housing and differential seals
- Major automatic transmission repairs can be costly:
- Valve body replacement: £900-£1300
- Full rebuild: £1800-£2800
- Replacement with reconditioned unit: £2200-£3200 - Signs of automatic transmission issues:
- Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive
- Slipping gears or sudden jerks during acceleration
- Unusual noises (whining, humming) when in gear
- Transmission fluid leaks or burning smell
- Test all electrical components: windows, mirrors, sunroof, wipers, lights
- Check for airbag warning lights; faulty seat occupancy sensor common, costs £200-£300 to fix
- Ensure DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) light goes off after startup
- Test cooling fan operation: should activate when engine is warm and A/C is on
- Dim pixels in instrument cluster common; repair costs £100-£150
- Check for battery drain issues; faulty boot wiring loom can cause this
- Inspect rear wheel arches and sills for rust, particularly behind plastic trim
- Check for even panel gaps: should be 4-5mm consistently
- Look for stone chips on bonnet and front bumper; signs of rust indicate poor previous repairs
- Check sunroof drains for blockages; water in footwells indicates blocked drains
- Inspect windscreen for chips or cracks; replacement costs £200-£300
- Check door bottoms and boot seal area for early signs of corrosion
- Check driver's seat bolster for wear; leather re-coloring costs around £150
- Ensure all dashboard lights illuminate on startup and then go off
- Test climate control in all settings; weak airflow indicates blocked pollen filter
- Verify electric seat adjustments work smoothly if fitted
- Inspect headlining for sagging, particularly around sunroof
- Check for wear on steering wheel, gear knob, and handbrake lever
- Look for stamps from BMW dealers or recognized specialists
- Verify mileage against MOT history (check online) and service records
- Timing chain tensioner should have been updated on early models (pre-2001)
- Major service should occur every 30,000 miles, including spark plug replacement
- Inspect brake fluid for regular changes (every 2 years)
- Check for documented cooling system overhaul around 60,000-80,000 miles
- Pre-Facelift models have amber indicator lenses front and rear
- Headlights have separate high beam reflector
- Earlier style interior trim uses more plastic compared to LCI models
- Pre-Facelift models have a different front bumper design with round fog lights
- Check production date on VIN plate to confirm Pre-Facelift status (before September 2001)
- VANOS seals fail causing rough idle and poor performance; repair costs £500-£700
- Crankcase ventilation valve failure leads to oil leaks and rough running; replacement costs £100-£150
- Window regulators prone to failure, especially front doors; each regulator costs £150-£200 to replace
- Radiator plastic end tanks crack; full replacement needed, costs £250-£300
- ABS module failure can occur; repair or replacement costs £500-£800
- Cold start: Listen for timing chain rattle, should subside within 5 seconds
- Check for smooth acceleration through all gears, no hesitation or misfires
- Test brakes for even stopping power and no pulling to one side
- Drive over rough roads to check for suspension knocks or rattles
- Ensure temperature gauge stays steady at 12 o'clock position during drive
- Verify smooth operation of VANOS system across entire rev range
- Check for any unusual vibrations, especially at higher speeds
- Verify full V5C document is present and matches car details
- Check for outstanding finance using online HPI check (costs about £20)
- Ensure all previous MOT certificates are available; check for advisories
- Verify service book entries match mileage progression
- Check for any outstanding recalls, particularly for airbag systems
- Confirm insurance group (32) for accurate insurance quotes
- Popular upgrades include ECU remap (adds 15-20 bhp), costing £300-£400
- Aftermarket exhausts common; ensure cat-back systems to maintain emissions compliance
- Check for non-standard suspension; lowering springs can affect ride quality
- Verify any engine modifications are properly documented for insurance purposes
- Be cautious of cars with extensive modifications; they may indicate hard use
- More refined than contemporary Audi A4 1.8T or Mercedes C200K
- Better handling but 10-15% higher maintenance costs compared to Ford Mondeo ST220
- Fuel economy: expect 28-32 mpg combined, compared to 26-30 mpg for Mercedes C200K
- Higher prestige factor but potentially costlier to maintain than mainstream brands
- Stronger residual values compared to non-premium competitors of the same era
- Annual service: £200-£300 at independent specialists, £350-£450 at BMW dealers
- Major service (every 30,000 miles): £400-£500 at independent, £600-£700 at dealers
- Timing chain replacement (if needed): £800-£1000 at independent specialist
- Budget £500-£700 annually for maintenance and repairs on a well-used example
- Cooling system overhaul (recommended every 60,000-80,000 miles): £500-£700
- Brake fluid change (every 2 years): £60-£80
- Automatic transmission fluid change (every 60,000 miles): £150-£200
- Suspension refresh (around 100,000 miles): £800-£1000
- Unexpected repairs: Budget an additional £500-£1000 per year for older vehicles
- Potential major expenses:
- VANOS repair: £500-£700
- Automatic transmission rebuild: £1500-£2500
- Engine rebuild (rare but possible): £3000-£5000 - Consider setting aside 10-15% of the car's value annually for maintenance and repairs
- Good availability of both OEM and aftermarket parts
- Example prices:
- Oil filter: £8-£12 (Mann or Bosch), £15-£20 (OEM BMW)
- Air filter: £15-£20 (Mann or Bosch), £25-£30 (OEM BMW)
- Brake pads (front): £30-£40 (Pagid or Brembo), £60-£70 (OEM BMW)
- Shock absorbers (pair, front): £100-£120 (Bilstein), £180-£200 (OEM BMW)
- Alternator: £150-£200 (Bosch), £300-£350 (OEM BMW)
- Water pump: £50-£70 (FEBI), £100-£120 (OEM BMW) - Consider joining owners' clubs for access to group buys and specialist suppliers
- Some electronic components (e.g., ECU) only available from BMW, costing £800-£1000
- Aftermarket performance parts widely available but may affect warranty and insurance
- As of 2023, average asking prices:
- Under 80,000 miles, excellent condition: £3,000-£5,000
- 80,000-120,000 miles, good condition: £2,000-£3,500
- Over 120,000 miles, fair condition: £1,500-£2,500 - Exceptional low-mileage examples (under 50,000 miles) can fetch £6,000-£7,000
- Expect 5-10% annual depreciation, less for well-maintained, low-mileage examples
- Cars in the South East and London typically command 10-15% higher prices
- Coupe and Convertible models generally fetch 15-20% more than equivalent Saloons
- Sport models with M-Sport packages can command a 10-15% premium
- Factors affecting value: full service history, recent major repairs completed, original paint, no accident history
- Future classic potential may stabilize values for well-kept examples