e46 with awd and a 5 speed

"Slant6" (slant-6) 06/20/2015 at 20:36 • Filed to: None

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Good idea?

http://www.weaverbrothersvolvo.com/used/BMW/2003-…

I know the dealer has had this since at least March. I wouldn’t pay the 8k. Is $6500-$7000 NP? I’m trying to sell the truck and buy this as a car for a few years.

My dad is also buying a new xc90 from them so maybe that can be thrown into negotiations?

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 20:42

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Damn thats impressive condition for an 03 and 100k+ miles.

CB > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 20:42

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Looks solid, mileage is decent. I’d say give it a shot.

Slant6 > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 06/20/2015 at 20:44

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one owner

whoarder is tellurium > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 20:46

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Would buy and do comprehensive maintenance on to keep it solid.

Shoot, just that interior color alone... hnnnggg

Slant6 > whoarder is tellurium 06/20/2015 at 20:47

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what do you suggest for comprehensive maintenance?

911e46z06 > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 20:53

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Very good idea. Almost as good an idea as RWD and 5-speed.

whoarder is tellurium > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 20:56

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If there isn’t any documentation on maintenance:

All fluids, including Front/Rear diff, transmission and transfercase fluid changes (AWD). Spark plugs. Checks for leaks, suspension inspection/parts replacement, brakes check. Hopefully the clutch is still good.

AKA its a German car.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 20:58

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Looks like a solid car. AWD would probably help greatly up in Boone. Also, the color combo oozes class in my opinion.

AM3R shamefully returns > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 21:00

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$8k is too much, but go for it. Clean car, my cousin daily drivers her auto AWD in the same color combo, 148k with nothing serious. That's driving from NoVa to DC, where potholes like to eat away at suspensions too.

Slant6 > 911e46z06 06/20/2015 at 21:03

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my parents won’t let me have rwd but awd with rear bias is ok.

N51fanatic > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 21:11

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too bad no sport package, those seats :(

Party-vi > whoarder is tellurium 06/20/2015 at 21:12

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howyougonnaforgetthewaterpump

Slant6 > N51fanatic 06/20/2015 at 21:12

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what does the sport package contain?

Party-vi > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 21:13

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Plugs, water pump, and all fluids. And probably an HVAC final stage resistor. Then you’ll be in top shape. It’s probably worth $6,500 - $7,500.

Slant6 > Party-vi 06/20/2015 at 21:16

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I’m pretty excited. This car seems like fun and sounds surprisingly reliable.

N51fanatic > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 21:18

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17” Wheels, sports suspension, sport steering wheel and sport seats

whoarder is tellurium > Party-vi 06/20/2015 at 21:18

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Run it till she ‘splodes... like the cooling fan on the E38.

Dont forget the radiator sometime too. BMW plastic is worst plastic.

Slant6 > N51fanatic 06/20/2015 at 21:31

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That looks sublime.

sellphones2493 > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 21:34

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My mom took her 2003 325xi Manual (silver over black leatherette) with 76k in for trade on an A5 for $7,000... in 2009 . Granted, it did have two accidents on it, but that was 6 years ago!

I’d say 6 is the max I’d pay for it - maybe $6,500

Slant6 > sellphones2493 06/20/2015 at 21:40

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Thanks! I’ll be sure to negotiate. I’m hoping that since my dad is buying a new car from them they’ll be negotiable. I think they want it off the lot.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > whoarder is tellurium 06/20/2015 at 21:56

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thats how you get a warped head. preventative replacement at 75k miles at least for the cooling system(pump, radiator, expansion tank). you could probably do the hoses and thermostat at 150k intervals(and maybe the 3rd gen OEM water pump, they seem to come out at 75k pretty clean), but the pressurized plastic stuff needs regular replacement.

911e46z06 > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 22:12

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In that case, yes, still a very good idea. About as good as you can do. Maybe look around for a WRX.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 22:59

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Buying this car is like going to the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo that’s in Toronto every November. The entrance fee is only $20... but you’ll spend another $100 trying all the different wines and gourmet food.

So like the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo, the purchase price of this BMW is only a price of admission. You’ll spend many times that after... though over a longer period of time.

It’s only a good idea if you can afford to keep the thing maintained. I suggest having a maintenance and repair budget of $200-$300/month. And that doesn’t include gasoline, insurance, registration fees or depreciation/finance charges.

You won’t spend $200-$300 every month on maintenance and repairs... but on an older car like this, you can go for several months and then wham, you get an expensive repair.

Also before you buy, I suggest you test every feature the car has and also get the car on a lift and inspect it underneath or have your own mechanic do that for you.

Slant6 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 06/20/2015 at 23:28

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I’ll have it looked over. I also drove a $400 Saab for 2 years so I know a bit about older Europeans and maintenance. I’ve already priced out some parts and they seem reasonable. Insurance might be an issue. Gas shouldn’t as my truck and the Saab both average about 22mpg and this is supposed to do much better.

Registration fees are under $100 here in nc for a title transfer and I plan on paying in cash so no finance charges.

Isn’t the Gourmet food and wine expo worth it? I mean you get what you pay for.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Slant6 06/20/2015 at 23:43

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Well I enjoy the gourmet food and wine expo. I like seeing well dressed people get sloshed. And I like trying some interesting food and trying some very expensive wines by the glass... something you wouldn’t normally be able to do because some of the stuff is only available in high end restaurants by the bottle or directly through the agent by the case. And buying it from the agent doesn’t mean it will be cheap either.

And I’m just mentioning what I did about the BMW because I’ve seen other people jump into BMW ownership and not fully understanding what they were signing up for... who then make things worse by trying to “save” by skimping on maintenance.

I watched one mostly-broke friend get a “great deal” on a used BMW (which I strongly advised him not to get) of similar vintage with “nothing wrong and in perfect condition” and for a similar price to the one you’re considering.

Well within 2 years, that BMW became a worthless, run-down POS with a blown engine.

People like this friend of mine are better off with a Lexus or an Acura... or even a Buick.

Slant6 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 06/20/2015 at 23:55

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My philosophy about car maintenance is pretty straight forward. I change all fluids and filters at their correct intervals, check for and address leaks as they happen, replace parts as they break (most part replacement repairs can be done at home) and when I feel the work is too difficult for me and my craftsman tool set I call up my local indy specialty shop and give them the business.

Is anything else required for BMW ownership? My grandparents have owned a 525 since 1995 and he has a good relationship with the local BMW indy shop. I plan on using them when necessary.

I hear the 2.5s are reliable if you keep up with them. I heard the same about the 2.3 in my Saab, which has been reliable for the 30,000 miles I’ve owned it.

What did your friend do to blow the engine? Disregard all service?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Slant6 06/21/2015 at 00:09

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I’m not entirely sure. I’m guessing he was possibly using places like Mr Lube for cheap oil changes or skipping oil changes. Or it could be the thing developed a coolant leak and he ignored it and the thing overheated and died one day. And he’s a sales guy... so he drives a lot.

Not long before it died, he wanted to sell the car to me for a “great deal”... but I’m not interested in BMWs with automatic transmissions or cars that aren’t wagons or hatchbacks... Every car I’ve owned has had a manual transmission and has either been a wagon or a hatchback.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Slant6 06/21/2015 at 00:52

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Great car. Aside from normal maintenance, maybe water pump, thermostat, coolant expansion reservoir, DISA valve, intake boot, LCA bushings. Really nothing crazy that I know of but I’m no BMW expert.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/21/2015 at 16:14

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That looks pretty nice. When my father lived here, he traded in his 2006 XC90 Ocean Race for a 2008 S60 T5 at Weaver Brothers. Such great cars, and they are a good company.

Also, will you be at the meet next week?

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/21/2015 at 18:57

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Maybe. I’ll see how this deal goes.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/21/2015 at 20:20

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Ooh I am excited

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/21/2015 at 20:39

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I am too. Hopefully I can sell the truck tomorrow and get the BMW dealer to check this out for me. Then buy it. Then enjoy it. I know awd is slower but it’s still fast enough and less likely to crash. And it might help in Boone.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/22/2015 at 00:25

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It looks to be in great shape. Is the Tacoma for sale on Craigslist? I know this will sound a bit wrong, but sometimes, speed isn't everything. Being safe is also quite important. And very few things are more safe than an awd BMW with a manual transmission.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/22/2015 at 00:34

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It is. I drove the Tacoma. It’s slow. This should be plenty safe.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/22/2015 at 00:38

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I see many e46’s around the area with faded paint (casually remembers the four 325i’s in my school parking lot with faded paint, and “Vineyard Vines,” whales on the rear windshield.), and the paint on this one seems to be in extremely good shape.