What's the worse that can happen?

[Cavcraft]

With this...

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-BMW-320D-SE- ... 3a62cf4d13

 

..assuming description is correct it doesn't seem bad value despite the mileage. Are these a bag of shit, is the economy any good or are petrol versions a better bet?

Ta in advance etc.

[CIH]

No idea about the engine stuff but they snap rear springs. They also can have problems with the rear subframe mounts breaking away and go through front compliance bushes. Grab a front wheel spoke and see if the wheel can be rocked back. If so, or if the steering feels loose = fooked bushes.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

These are a great drive, I drove one in about 2002/3 and thought it was absolutley knockout, gave me some faith that not all moderns were completely horrific to drive.

[r.welfare]

That is very cheap and I wouldn't be concerned about mileage if it's been well-maintained.

 

They can chew up swirl flaps which can kill the engine but, given the mileage I wouldn't be too worried. You can remove them and fit blanking plates.

[Albert Ross]

Same "engine" as the Freeloader and Rover 75. Injectors are FOOKING expensive, and high pressure pumps can fail prematurely.... Also watch for frequent fuel filter changes. If not carried out, the other 2 faults rear their heads. They also do this even IF the filter has been subject to scheduled maintenance.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

chew up swirl flaps

 

Hee hee!!!!!

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Same "engine" as the Freeloader and Rover 75. Injectors are FOOKING expensive, and high pressure pumps can fail prematurely.... Also watch for frequent fuel filter changes. If not carried out, the other 2 faults rear their heads. They also do this even IF the filter has been subject to scheduled maintenance.

 

I think early 320Ds have the same engine but with a distributor injection pump - it's the same Bosch VP44 fitted to Vauxhall DTis, failtacular.

[Guest]

Cavette, why do you keep buying some of the worst possible examples of cars out there? It's a ropey-sounding 3-series with nearly 200K on the clock! You could get some right kit for £1500, in a few months that thing will be sat on someone's drive with most of the engine in the boot. Leave it alone!

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

They're not too bad. It's one of the last 136bhp pre facelift cars and they don't have either common rail with megabucks pumps/injectors or those bastard swirl flaps. Still prone to a turbo, so if it's not been changed it's going to want one soon.

 

A mate of mine has an 03 plate one with half the miles for £3250 so that one's not especially cheap. I bought a Touring one of these new (well, ex demo) on the W plate and yes, it was very nice. Not overly quick but good enough and it did 45 mpg.

 

This one is not cheap enough. If it were a grand or £1200 then maybe. There's no mention of a fully stamped book, and the airbag light (occupancy sensor in the seat) and drivers window are both pain in the arse fixes.

[Cavcraft]

Hey, I like shit examples of rubbish cars. I sold the Pisshat to get an economical hatchback or estate and I got a 3 litre Omega saloon. But I now have one and half large(ish) to burn on something and I fancy an E46.

 

Seen quite a few E46 models with non-working electric windows and airbag lights on so assume they're common problems?

[Negative Creep]

Who was it on here who recently said if you can only afford the cheapest example of a particular model you shouldn't be looking at them at all?

[warren t claim]

Hey, I like shit examples of rubbish cars. I sold the Pisshat to get an economical hatchback or estate and I got a 3 litre Omega saloon. But I now have one and half large(ish) to burn on something and I fancy an XJR

 

EFA

[Cavcraft]

LOLZERS. Just been looking at that and trying to pretend I didn't see it.