God only knows. It depends how you drive and maintain it. You can write it off in 20 miles if you seriously rag the arse out of it.

 

+1 And get a good look underneath it before you buy.

 

There are members in here with 600,000+ miles. Honestly, the E46 will last a very long time as long as you care for it. Just as an example, if you live with your parents and you make $500 a month you'd be pretty good for maintaining most of the car. Since you'd be living with your parents, you're not paying rent. Be prepared to spend about $50 per week or one and a half weeks on gas. You should really enjoy the car and don't focus on getting the best mpg cause that's how you'll kill the engine. This car was designed to be driven hard. You'll make an investment in tools and that's about it. Parts range from $6+. If you're gonna pay a mechanic to fix the car, don't get it as you'll be broke quite quickly. If you work on the car, you save tonnssss of money. This car is actually pretty great for what you pay for especially after you do a "tune up"

 

329

 

How long are you willing to maintain one for is the real question.

 

^Bingo. DIY as much work as possible and budget about a grand a year for maintenance and it will stay on the road pretty much indefinitely.

 

I think the very high mileage examples are from the M52 engine which are know to go a very long time without burning oil. The M54 engine in the 330 has redesigned oil control rings that often causes the engine to start consuming oil anytime north of 100K miles. Personally we have 216K miles on our 328i (M52) and the engine continues to run as good as new with no oil consumption.

 

I've seen 325s and 330s on Craigslist with 260k miles

 

Due to your location check real carefully for rust.

My first e46 was driven where it snowed. When I got hit there was rust in the right rear quarter panel that I could not see. This car was seven years old.

I now live in Virginia and eight years into my replacement e46 there is no rust at all. This car is is also a 2002 and no signs of rust in 15 years.

 

Millage has zero affect on future costs.

It's all about body condition and preventative maintenance. I would rather drive an e46 with 200k+ miles with a intelligent owner who's done maintenance then buy a 75k mile car from an old lady with no maintenance records.

If cooling system, gaskets(OFHG, VCG, OPG) and mounts/bushings have been replaced then yearly costs should be low.

Other less common problems with:

DSC, ZF auto transmissions, CCV, DISA, CSB, subframe, wheel bearings, o2 sensors, FSR, fuel pump...

Some parts on the above list can leave you stranded and are very expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics

 

I have to disagree here. Assuming fair price points, a car with 75k vs 200k car are 2 totally different cars. Generally speaking, a car with 75k will not show like a car with 200k. Even if the car with 75k never had any parts replaced other than oil (because nothing technically broke or warranted replacement during the 75k), it does not make it a bad buy. You could argue the upfront costs on a low mileage car are higher than one that has been religiously maintained with 200k, but to say you'd take the 200k car is ludicrous. A car with 200k is a car with 200k and is more likely to cause you problems in the long run.

 

OP, just know that at that mileage, lots of things may need to be done initially.

I'd replace at least the therm, waterpump, ET...your radiator will leak within a couple of years so now would be a good time to do the whole system. Pulleys and belts and oil.

The PO probably hasn't done trans or dif fluid...being OCD, I, myself, did those when I got my '99 with 140,000 miles on it. Control arms, trans mounts, a nice cleaning of the TB and Idle control valve, a few tanks of Techron...plugs, valve cover gasket...

You'll have a number of things to do. But, I'm at 335,000 miles now. Engine, manual trans, and clutch...all original.

 

270K miles on my '01 330i - uses oil but I think the driveshaft is going. We believe that the car has the original clutch and flywheel as well. Bought it with 150K miles on the clock and for the last 4 years it was my DD and for work alone I drive 100 miles/day.

 

149 is nothing. if it's clean go for it. just know you will need an immediate 3k to get it up in decent running condition. with used e46, always budget extra 3k.

 

Cars do not live forever.....ever!........Higher end German cars are better built generally for longer time....It all depends on how you take care to preserve it!

 

The seller of my third E46 had another E46 beater (325iT) which had 265k miles (430k km)

 

I can tell you this I’ve own 5 e36 3 e46 1 34 1 e38 and a e60 and let me just say the newer the car the more there is to break . I never understand why BMW build their cars the way they do. I would definitely stick to a e36 and I do agree the old 6 was better . The interior of the e36 was build poorly. The e46 will be more money to keep . If you want reliability get a Honda . I have tons of problems with my 2 e46. The fastest way to kill these cars are letting the engine overheat . There’s so much factor in these cars not to overheat . Al the coolant hose are he’s in place by a tiny metal clip that can fal off anytime . I hate these damn cars but nothing rides like a Bmw over 70 mph

 

Hear you... and I don't disagree.