Running a 330i up to 120k miles

[Dino D]

Hi,

I'm considering used 330i's with about 50k on the clock. I do 30k pa and would probaby keep the car until 120k miles.

Anyone had one for that sort of mileage?
What are running/servicing costs like (apart from fuel)?
Do you think it will need major work after 100k miles. I've heard of suspension issues.

Thanks.

[baz1985]

Vanos will come into play at 100k+ if you're unlucky, suspension wise- bushes, front ball joints, rear top mounts, springs all E46 issues. MAF can also play up. Accel cable too.

Fuel mine does 13.7mpg on trash, 22mpg m'way, 19mpg overall. (Auto)

At 30k a year....you might aswell buy one with 100k already on it; it'll save you some depreciation.

[Dino D]

baz1985 said:

Vanos will come into play at 100k+ if you're unlucky, suspension wise- bushes, front ball joints, rear top mounts, springs all E46 issues. MAF can also play up. Accel cable too. Fuel mine does 13.7mpg on trash, 22mpg m'way, 19mpg overall. (Auto) At 30k a year....you might aswell buy one with 100k already on it; it'll save you some depreciation.

This doesn't inspire with confidence. Sounds expensive....I guess I should sell at 90k miles then?

[Vee]

baz1985 said:

Accel cable too.

I thought they were drive by wire ?

baz1985 said:

Fuel mine does 13.7mpg on trash, 22mpg m'way, 19mpg overall. (Auto)

Don't let this bother you. Baz has an auto.
If you do 30k pa its probably all motorway. My manual returns 30-32mpg.

I now do around 20k pa and need to swap my Golf V6 for a 4 door car.
I've done the whole petrol v diesel debate and a 330 diesel is so much more expensive I'm now going down the 330 petrol route. It will take 50k miles before the diesel recovers the premium and starts to pay off.

[Dino D]

Vee said:

I've done the whole petrol v diesel debate and a 330 diesel is so much more expensive I'm now going down the 330 petrol route. It will take 50k miles before the diesel recovers the premium and starts to pay off.

I will be converting it to LPG anyway so consumption is no problem. With lpg at 40p a litre and assuming a consumption of 21mpg it still costs only 9 p a mile versus 10p a mile for a 320d at 40mpg.

What I'm more interested in is any reliability issues and major bills.

I've seen a very nice 2001 pre facelift 330i sport with 57k on the clock for only £10,5k from a small dealer. It is one owner with full main dealer history. Does this sound too cheap?

[x5x3]

My 330 auto is at 110,000, average comsumption is 27.8mpg.

No problems or issues to date - fingers crossed!

[Deutscher]

Think about a 528i.

The wife's has done 165,000 and still runs like a dream. These cars are good for 200k+.

[Andrew D]

Dino D said:

This doesn't inspire with confidence. Sounds expensive....I guess I should sell at 90k miles then?

30k miles a year will hammer the resale value, and if you get one with 50k and get rid once it's hit 90k (only a year or 15 months later) you'll be at risk of taking a fairly major hit on equity, because the auctions is the only place a car with 90k on will be heading.

Not that's it's a bad idea to get one, just get one that's got a lot on already, that way you can get a fairly new model (that's done 30k a year for a couple of years already, so the interior etc. is still in good nick) for quite low money and you insulate yourself against a big equity drop.

There's no point paying extra for a low mileage example if you know for a certainty it won't stay that way for long (if you know what I mean).

[Dino D]

Andrew D said:

Dino D said: This doesn't inspire with confidence. Sounds expensive....I guess I should sell at 90k miles then? 30k miles a year will hammer the resale value, and if you get one with 50k and get rid once it's hit 90k (only a year or 15 months later) you'll be at risk of taking a fairly major hit on equity, because the auctions is the only place a car with 90k on will be heading. Not that's it's a bad idea to get one, just get one that's got a lot on already, that way you can get a fairly new model (that's done 30k a year for a couple of years already, so the interior etc. is still in good nick) for quite low money and you insulate yourself against a big equity drop. There's no point paying extra for a low mileage example if you know for a certainty it won't stay that way for long (if you know what I mean).

God point about depreciation but I am wary of buying something with 90-100k on the clock and driving to 160k. That's what I've done with my current car and the repair bills are killing me never mind the hassle of it being off the road...

[adom]

I bought my E46 328 with 92k miles on the clock and at about 7 years old. The car is solid, interior in great nick and apart from some pretty scuffed wheels, looks in very good shape overall. Just done 103k now and returning an overall average of 30mpg.

In the 6 months I've had the car I've had to replace a wheel bearing, front suspension bushes and ball joints, throttle cable and front brake pads. Apart from that it has been spot on, and these aren't majorly expensive things to put right if you use a decent independant.

[daver]

My E46 330i Touring has now done 90k.

Normal things in the past couple of years; bushes etc. I've also had two new camshaft sensors (apparently current spec much better than original ones) and a PAS pump. I bought mine for £14k two years ago with 64k on the clock. Compared to the depreciation of buying and running a new 330 over the same period, I reckon I'm up on the deal.

[Robertb]

My 2002 330Ci SSG is up to 83k miles. I have owned it from new, and all it has needed apart from routine servicing is an ABS sensor and a park distance sensor, both happily done before the w'ty ran out!

It returns 32-34 mpg most of the time on my commute, never less than 30 even if I drive like a nutter (within reason as the law and common sense allows!) Services tend to come around every 15k miles and cost anything between £100-£300 at a main stealer. Get the work done at a good indy and it will not cost a fortune to run. Seems to use a bit of oil, and generally requires a litre between services but it always has.

It is very comfy on the m'way, but great fun on the twisties. Fab car, get one that's been well fettled and it will serve you well. I intend to keep mine for as long as I can as due to the miles it simply isn't worth selling and I love it!

[Dino D]

Well I've put a deposit down on amnual 330i sport with 50k on the clock and with full main dealer history. Picking it up in a week or, just getting the finance sorted out... can't wait to get it!!!

[Robertb]

Enjoy- you'll love it!