Generally, E46 is one of best cars BMW ever built and it is still up to date and could outperform many modern cars with its handling, comfort and reliability. However, as it is not new car, there are certain things you will probably face/ need to fix. Read BUYERS GUIDE
Parts for E46 are widely available, as well as DIY guides. Most of works can ( and should!) be done by yourself with set of base tools and no lift required. M54 3L engine is truly ''last of the mohicans'' of naturally-aspirated engines which was engineered with pride and built to last.
Mileage is relative thing, and general condition of car usually more important than just a digit on odometer.

For that particular car, there are M3 rims (not sure if 19 inch fit non-M fenders, so maybe it is 18' replica? Somebody correct me ) and M-tech II front bumper installed, all of that is not stock, just FYI. Doesn't mean car is bad though.
I cannot say if that price is reasonable for such car in Macedonia.
Is there any chance you could lift a car and inspect it for rust/ leaks/ subframe tears, etc? Condition of breaks/ discks as well as tires is important for price negotiation in case you need to replace them soon.

 

or that particular car, there are M3 rims (not sure if 19 inch fit non-M fenders, so maybe it is 18' replica? Somebody correct me ) and M-tech II front bumper installed, all of that is not stock, just FYI. Doesn't mean car is bad though.
I cannot say if that price is reasonable for such car in Macedonia.
Is there any chance you could lift a car and inspect it for rust/ leaks/ subframe tears, etc? Condition of breaks/ discks as well as tires is important for price negotiation in case you need to replace them soon.

The M Packet odes include the M Tech II bumper, but since that car doesn't have the matching rear bumper or side skirts it's likely that that's a replica bumper.

OP, that's not an M Packet car nor is it a ZHP as that was a North America only package that incorporated the M Packet goodies and added some slight performance.

These cars are great, provided that you can work on them yourself. Do you have tools and a space to do so? Are you mechanically inclined?

 

E46 is a great car, one of the top 2 or 3 in my opinion from BMW. However if you are not adept at tackling problems yourself and getting your hands slightly cut move onto a Japanese car.

If you like to work on cars.... cheers!

 

+1. I'd also mention having some additional funds set aside to buy parts if you enjoy working on cars because you will need to work on an E46 for maintenance items. If you don't want to work on the car and have someone else do it instead, then an E46 will likely be too expensive for you to maintain. Good luck with your decision and first car purchase.

 

No. I wouldn't say it's a great first car.
They aren't great on gas, they are fast enough to get into trouble and not fast enough to impress anyone.

The biggest thing is they WILL cost much more than a typical economy car in maintenance.
The e46 can be a reliable car, but it absolutely requires proper maintenance to do that. Expect to change the entire cooling system as soon as you buy it, fluids, plugs, change valve cover gaskets, likely some suspension bushings etc..
A $2600euro car, make sure you have at least another 2000 in your account for when things break. And that is only if you plan to do all the work yourself.

 

A general rule to follow is avoid cars with cheap light modifications and decals, unless those decals happen to say Alpina.

 

I would stay away from a car with that many decals. PO probably spent more money on those decals then on maintenance, which will bite you in the ass later on

 

Depends on who owned it, a well kept E46 is always your best bet. Just make sure its had its oil changes and cooling system done on time so it doesn't crack the cylinder head or strip the bolts that the head connects to the block. Love my 325i facelift, great car I got with 94k miles. Currently has 112k miles. Also check window regulators. There are so many things, just do a basics check along with a PPI from a reputable indy bmw specialist. Hope this helps. -Jordan

 

Yes yes i know me and my mechanic friend will check all of that out,

 

Oh boy. I didn't even look at the ad until now.
No under car photos, no engine bay photos. No list of what has been done to the car.
Decals = likely not someone who put maintenance first. I would not buy that car.

 

Yes i know but im going to inspect everything before i buy it with my mechanic friend,

 

An E46 is just not the car for a first owner 18yo. I just stopped my 19yo son from buying one myself.

If you want something to play with and learn mechanics on, sure, but you'll need a daily driver car as well as the E46.

Seriously mate, for your first car just get a Japanese or Korean car. I've got a little Kia for the wife, and the thing has done 200k since new with only basic servicing. Never broke down, uses bugger all fuel.

 

Just got a little hyundai for the wife she needs reilability

 

An E46 is just not the car for a first owner 18yo. I just stopped my 19yo son from buying one myself.

If you want something to play with and learn mechanics on, sure, but you'll need a daily driver car as well as the E46.

Seriously mate, for your first car just get a Japanese or Korean car. I've got a little Kia for the wife, and the thing has done 200k since new with only basic servicing. Never broke down, uses bugger all fuel.

Hi fellas ,
Is good to check the vanos and if all gears are ok ,just need a friend who drove a care like this to check if some of the Horse powers are not out 😀,this engine is thirsty for petrol and lubricants but is a great car ,take care for rust.For first car is too much ,is better to learn the rear wheel drive with a smaller engine ,that is my opinion but If You like it ,buy it ✌

 

The biggest thing is they WILL cost much more than a typical economy car in maintenance.

...and time, too. A friend found a bugeye Subaru (he likes the looks) and I've been helping him work on it.

It's SO MUCH EASIER to get to things, it's all right there, and there aren't all THAT many things.


Personal choice, of course, but if it's a 'learning to work on cars' car, and you can take public
transit to work, sure, why not?

If it's a 'This car has to get my kid to school, my wife to work, and I need to take the goats to market in it'
then buy a Toyota. Or Honda.

t

 

a 20 yr old BMW is not a good car unless you know all the history on it. even then it’s expensive.

besides, there has to be another car with more stickers on it than that around lol

 

Depends on who's going to own the car???

Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

 

I think a e46 is a great 1st car. might Want to pay a shop to inspect it before purchase. you could fix most problems with zero experience as long as you research. jap cars are obviously more reliable and makes more sense, but you’ll be glad you got the Bmw every time you drive it.

 

Yes yes i know my dads friend is a mechanic and he knows a lot about BMWS and hes gonna inspect it with me before i buy the car

 

If you like it and nothing major comes up, take it

 

OP...please be careful with your emotions...they've already made the decision for you, but you need to look at a car dispassionately...objectively...

You want a first car. You want it to start and not consume your life and/or money. If you have means and a backup car to get parts, and are emotionally intact from covid, then you have 'my' blessing, not that you need it!

But, it's likely not going to be a great car for you and it might turn you off bmws forever. It is a 20 year old car--you will be rebuilding it. If you are planning on working on the car yourself, I like the opinion above to have $2,000 usd extra for the first year, but it could be more easily.

Rust hides and then invades. Why are the owners selling the car? Are they idiots or wealthy?

If you want a reliable ride...not to have to change plans because of a car. Guys are complaining about the decals...and I agree. It is a sign. A bigger 'sign' is the blue headlights. The PO cared about how it looks on the outside; I'd wager he spent less time maintaining, or if he did mechanical things, he did some 'hacking'--the wrong things.

Honda, Toyota, Kia... spend less money on a reliable car for the next couple of years so you can focus on driving--stay here and read up on the e46 and buy one in a couple of years--save money and profit!

 

lol true. Life is too short to enjoy a car you love. But I understand what you guys are saying. I've been there with the coolant leaks when I got my 325i with 94k miles. Good thing is the motor is still going and never overheated. Amazing car I can say for being my first german car after my dads Pontiac Trans Am WS6.

 

It is not a bulletproof engine, but it is an engine that is capable of turning a massive number of miles. Enough so that a buying a used engine with 150k is a completely reasonable proposition.

The overheating problem is a non-issue if you maintain the cooling system. If you don't, and it pops, and you don't stop immediately, it will fail.

But if you change the cooling system at 100-125k, and then at 200-250k, it really won't happen.

The rest is real work. But huge amounts of it can be done at the same time. I reached a conclusion that if the e46 is 150k or higher you just do it all - cooling, complete intake, starter, Vanos seals, DISA if bad membrane, all of the gaskets, all the steering lines, shocks, struts, control arms and all the bushings including both flex discs and the shifter ones. It is 3 weekends worth of work and $3-4k, and you end up a car that you can just drive and have a ton of fun with (yeah, you will get some random crap like bad actuators or regulators, but the car will still be fun).

If you "fix things when they break" you will definitely save money in the short term, but you will be fixing stuff all the time which is just no fun.

 

It is not a bulletproof engine...

Agreed.

I reached a conclusion that if the e46 is 150k or higher you just do it all - cooling, complete intake, starter, Vanos seals, DISA if bad membrane, all of the gaskets, all the steering lines, shocks, struts, control arms and all the bushings including both flex discs and the shifter ones. It is 3 weekends worth of work and $3-$4k

how many hours of working you calculated are in these combined 3 weekends?

 

Mines been great other than the cooling system. Idk others may have had a bad run due to inglect.

 

I wouldn't buy any BMW for my kids first car nor would I give them any of the ones I've made reliable.... and I use reliable loosely here because you have to be proactive and fix things on a bmw before they need fixing for it to be reliable.

I own them because they are fun to drive and because I can fix or replace anything that goes wrong myself. I definatley don't own them because they are practical. They are the exact opposite of practical. They literally just devour all my discretionary income.

They serve two purposes for me. They keep me busy because I enjoy wrenching and they make my wife and I feel good when we drive them.