Is a sub 1k mile BMW E46 more trouble than it's worth?
Discussion
I have been offered a car by a neighbour which I 'think' is an E46 BMW.
Details are scant but will have the model/year/pictures etc tomorrow. I have driven past their place but the car in question is hidden at the back of the covered drive.
They are reasonably well off and said they just want to make some room on the drive for other cars. Not sure on the story on this car so far apart from it is blue and BMW, but think I remember seeing an E46 tucked in the back.
The interesting thing is apparently it is on less than 1k KM - so virtually unused. Yet to be confirmed but if this is the case then could be equally interesting and troublesome!
Any thoughts on how difficult a car this old and low mileage will be to recommission?
Worth mentioning the car is not in the UK, but a much warmer climate (still RHD).
Details are scant but will have the model/year/pictures etc tomorrow. I have driven past their place but the car in question is hidden at the back of the covered drive.
They are reasonably well off and said they just want to make some room on the drive for other cars. Not sure on the story on this car so far apart from it is blue and BMW, but think I remember seeing an E46 tucked in the back.
The interesting thing is apparently it is on less than 1k KM - so virtually unused. Yet to be confirmed but if this is the case then could be equally interesting and troublesome!
Any thoughts on how difficult a car this old and low mileage will be to recommission?
Worth mentioning the car is not in the UK, but a much warmer climate (still RHD).
Edited by Joelonghair on Sunday 11th February 23:29
And there was me thinking this five-year-old 2,247 mile F32 440i was an oddball!
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202311133912347...
How on earth does an "ordinary" car accumulate so little mileage?
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202311133912347...
How on earth does an "ordinary" car accumulate so little mileage?
No idea, but my hunch is the husband has passed a while ago as I only see the lady who lives there and her daughter.
They have a few BMW's on the drive and apparently she has gotten tired of shifting them around.
I probably won't go for it as the price could buy a much nicer and newer Honda / Toyota etc (high import taxes on European cars) but still interested to have a poke about.
They have a few BMW's on the drive and apparently she has gotten tired of shifting them around.
I probably won't go for it as the price could buy a much nicer and newer Honda / Toyota etc (high import taxes on European cars) but still interested to have a poke about.
If it is an E46 even the last of them will be close to 20 years old, or more likely over 20.
It'll need all sorts of perishable bits replaced like suspension bushes, flexi brake pipes, drive belts, probably engine gaskets - the list goes on. But could still be a great car if the price was right (depending on the model).
It'll need all sorts of perishable bits replaced like suspension bushes, flexi brake pipes, drive belts, probably engine gaskets - the list goes on. But could still be a great car if the price was right (depending on the model).
Yeah I wasn't super clear.
I meant RHD!
The car is in Thailand. I am there often enough to have a house in Bangkok and the car was offered by a neighbour there.
Used cars are expensive, think double or more of UK prices, but most run Honda's or Toyota's.
Any European car is deemed pretty exotic.
Just thinking out loud really, untill I see exactly what it is and what condition it is in.
I meant RHD!
The car is in Thailand. I am there often enough to have a house in Bangkok and the car was offered by a neighbour there.
Used cars are expensive, think double or more of UK prices, but most run Honda's or Toyota's.
Any European car is deemed pretty exotic.
Just thinking out loud really, untill I see exactly what it is and what condition it is in.
Edited by Joelonghair on Sunday 11th February 23:30
Thailand is obviously warmer than the UK but what are the humidity levels like and how might they affect a car over time? Also, I guess you're in Thailand and intending to stay there. I can't imagine purchasing this car at a "bargain" price and then having to recommission it and ship it to the UK would be all that much of a bargain in the end!
Mr Tidy said:
If it is an E46 even the last of them will be close to 20 years old, or more likely over 20.
It'll need all sorts of perishable bits replaced like suspension bushes, flexi brake pipes, drive belts, probably engine gaskets - the list goes on. But could still be a great car if the price was right (depending on the model).
All of those are "maybe's" rather than certainties. It tends to be heat cycles, especially in a cold country that speed up seals and hoses going.It'll need all sorts of perishable bits replaced like suspension bushes, flexi brake pipes, drive belts, probably engine gaskets - the list goes on. But could still be a great car if the price was right (depending on the model).
New battery, check the brakes aren't seized, air in the tyres, replace the oil, either turn it over by hand of pull the fuel pump fuse or leads, crank it over a few times and then fuse/leads back in/on and give it a go.
Watch some of the Late Brake Show barn find videos to get an idea of how little is sometimes needed to get much older cars going again.
nunpuncher said:
Mr Tidy said:
If it is an E46 even the last of them will be close to 20 years old, or more likely over 20.
It'll need all sorts of perishable bits replaced like suspension bushes, flexi brake pipes, drive belts, probably engine gaskets - the list goes on. But could still be a great car if the price was right (depending on the model).
All of those are "maybe's" rather than certainties. It tends to be heat cycles, especially in a cold country that speed up seals and hoses going.It'll need all sorts of perishable bits replaced like suspension bushes, flexi brake pipes, drive belts, probably engine gaskets - the list goes on. But could still be a great car if the price was right (depending on the model).
New battery, check the brakes aren't seized, air in the tyres, replace the oil, either turn it over by hand of pull the fuel pump fuse or leads, crank it over a few times and then fuse/leads back in/on and give it a go.
Watch some of the Late Brake Show barn find videos to get an idea of how little is sometimes needed to get much older cars going again.
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