BMW 3-Series E46 (1998 - 2005) - 330d - thinking of buying

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Mon 7 Dec 2009 21:16
330d - thinking of buying - csgmart
I'm thinking of buying a 3 series (2004) 330d saloon. Car is automatic, full black leather, one owner and has done 106k miles. On sale at a dealer for £7990.

Is this a good price and what do I need to look out for? Are there any 'big' services due soon?
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Mon 7 Dec 2009 21:28
330d - thinking of buying - Falkirk Bairn

Is this a good price and what do I need to look out for? Are
there any 'big' services due soon?



BMW

Failing auto boxes after 60K / turbos are known to be problematic
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Mon 7 Dec 2009 21:58
330d - thinking of buying - piston power
Don't walk off run like hell.!
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Mon 7 Dec 2009 21:59
330d - thinking of buying - Bagpuss
Fabulous car. I had the same engine/ transmission in my last company car, a 530d automatic. It did 140,000 km in 3 years without any problems whatsoever. I'm not a big diesel fan, but these straight six BMW engines are addictive.
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Mon 7 Dec 2009 23:20
330d - thinking of buying - LikedDrivingOnce
Nice car, and the mileage wouldn't put me off (probably mostly on the Mway, anyway).

It looks overpriced by at least a grand though, if it is a private sale.
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Tue 8 Dec 2009 07:33
330d - thinking of buying - csgmart
It looks overpriced by at least a grand though if it is a private sale.

>>

It's a trade sale.

I would px a Mk5 Golf SE 1.9 TDi on 60k miles - full VWSH nice condition - against the BMW. I reckon the Golf is worth £6k - £6.5k trade in. Top up the rest with cash. Do you think they would drop on price by £500 to do the deal or am I being unrealistic? Obviously I'm going to try....
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Tue 8 Dec 2009 09:12
330d - thinking of buying - pd
A lot of E46 & E39 3.0d's with the right spec are currently going 1000-1500 over book at auction at the moment so anyone who thinks they'll find a cheap one is kidding themselves (unless it is wrong colour, spec or dodgy history).

BMW use standard ZF & GM autoboxes (I think GM in the diesel) so they are no more, or no less, reliable than a long list of cars using the same autoboxes.

Injectors can give trouble about 120k - check for any misfire or uneven running, as with any TD the turbo can be a weak spot. Also investigate swirl flaps - loads on the 'net.
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