Need help buying a car! Used BMW edition

"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
08/28/2015 at 22:49 • Filed to: None

So, I’m looking for a new car and I’ve found two potential candidates. Both are early 2000’s BMW’s and I’m semi-concerned about maintenance but I’m fairly handy and my uncle-in-law is a mechanic so I’m not worried about not having the tools.

The first is a 2003 E39 540i M-sport 6MT with 131k miles on it for $8K.

The other is a 2005 E46 330i ZHP Auto with 72k miles on it for $12K.

If it were your money, which would you be more comfortable buying for a daily driver and why?

M3 GTR for your time

DISCUSSION (16)

MLGCarGuy > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/28/2015 at 23:00

I’m probably going to get hate for saying this, but I would recommend the 330i over the 540i - the mileage on the 540i is probably the prime mileage for things to start breaking.

My neighbor has a 330i E90 and so far I think the motor has been pretty reliable. Not sure about electronics though.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/28/2015 at 23:04

ZHP autos are not that fun but the E39 has vanos issues. Each one is a catch 22 but I’d get the e39.

iSureWilll > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/28/2015 at 23:15

I would pick the e39. The e90 I think would have too many potential electronic failures that no amount of mechanical ability can fix cheaply.

The e39’s major issues will probably be the valley pan gasket (10hrs labor and about $50 in parts unless you’re also doing the water pump), the water cooled alternator ($500), and typical stuff like radiator, thermostat, etc. go drive the E39 and you’ll be in love. Those things are so much fun to drive with the 6MT.

TL/DR E39’s problems will include more labor and the E90’s problems will most likely be electronic failures.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > iSureWilll
08/28/2015 at 23:17

it’s an E46 ZHP, does that change your answer?

iSureWilll > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/28/2015 at 23:20

Well.... The N54 (I think that’s right) I’m not too familiar with. I’m more of an M50/52 guy so I can’t really comment on them. The E46 was fairly reliable from what I saw. I worked on BMWs from about ‘82-’03 for a couple of years around 2007.

I would probably still pick the e39 based on price. You'll save $4k right off the top. Does the e39 have any maint records?

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > iSureWilll
08/28/2015 at 23:30

The Carfax says it was in an accident at 80k miles but it doesn’t say what was replaced or what kind of accident. It’s gone another 50k miles since so I’m not sure what to make of that. I’m not really sure what maintenance to be double checking for other than cooling system serivce

Cash Rewards > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)
08/28/2015 at 23:38

I thought vanos was only on the m5, not the 540?

iSureWilll > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/28/2015 at 23:49

There’s not much other than that really. I think the E39 would be more fun and insurance should be cheaper. Do what feels best for you and either one will be great.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Cash Rewards
08/28/2015 at 23:57

S62 M5 engine has its vanos issues too. M62TU suffered from vanos noise, timing chain guide failure (applicable to the S62 except that it has duplex chains I think).

Dunnik > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/29/2015 at 00:03

You’re buying a 10 year old+ BMW and you’re only “semi-concerned” about maintenance?

I think you should upgrade that to “concerned”.

Or possibly, “very concerned.”

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Dunnik
08/29/2015 at 00:14

Semi-concerned is referring to the level of difficulty in repairs not necessarily the frequency in which they occur lol. It’s honestly the big thing that keeps me away from the E39 M5 for now, I kinda want to learn my BMW chops on the 540i and then find a good M5 to replace it with in a few years.

AM3R shamefully returns > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/29/2015 at 01:15

E46 auto is really nothing to write home about.. If it were manual it would be an easy choice. Take the 6MT 540i, it’s a more special car and it’s a ton of fun to drive. You’ll enjoy driving it so much you won’t mind working on it lol. There’s one near me with 130k for $8500, it hasn’t sold for a while so if you’d be willing to travel i’d bet closer to $6k would snag it.

Sneaky Pete > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/29/2015 at 01:43

If you buy either, please keep us updated on how it works out for you.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/29/2015 at 02:51

I wouldn’t pick either of those two. I would pick a 6 cyl 3-series with a manual.

But if I had to pick from either of those two, I would go with the 330i with the slushbox. And the reason is parts/service is better/easier on a 3-series withthe I6 and the car has lower mileage. Having said that, if I was DD’ing it, I would budget $300/month for repairs and maintenance. Won’t necessarily spend that. But it’s good to have the money if something expensive breaks.

petebmwm > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/29/2015 at 08:21

the e46, the v8 is going to need alot in a short ammount of time, timing chain rails, tensioners, chains if they’re stretched, valley pan gaskets, etc.... the v8’s are tough on maintenance

E92M3 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/29/2015 at 10:28

As a previous E46 owner I say get the E46. They’re easy to work on, and they are the right size. I miss mine...