2009 BMW 3 Series 320i from Australia and New Zealand - Comments
2nd Mar 2025, 10:07
Final update: 138K km. I have traded in the car on an F30 LCI 2016 320i. The old car sprung a leak which was traced to the radiator - no problem, wear and tear. Because the oil consumption suddenly increased over the last 3 months to 1L/750 km (down from 1L/1,000 km over the last three years), and I was in a BMW independent specialist, I thought it would be right to get the valve stem seals sorted. But when they did a once-over on the car, the two front bump stops were cracked (I replaced the rear ones last year), and with my Warrant of Fitness due in May, they'd need to be dealt to (part is cheap, but the labour meant around NZ$700 total); the front brakes needed attention (last done around 3 years ago, so just about right) but to add to that the two front brake hoses had stone damage and best replaced. Then I remembered that in about 3,000 km, I would be needing two new run-flat tyres. So, the total of it all (including the valve stem seals replacement) would be nearly what the car is currently worth - the deposit on a much younger car.
I didn't want to sell it privately, knowing that the buyer would need to spend a reasonable amount to pass the WOF in May (bump stops, two ROF tyres, possibly the front brakes), so I traded it in instead.
Still loved the car - it has NEVER stranded me, never had a single ignition coil burn out, the engine was smooth (despite the increased oil usage, STILL hasn't been smoking!), the automatic gearbox was running as new. There was no rust, never, ever gave me issues. The most reliable car I've owned (all used, both German and Japanese). Everything was just really honest wear and tear. Had the issues come spread out, say the bump stops in 6 months and the brakes in another, I'd have kept it. Or, sold it privately, after fixing. It was a good car, after all. It will still have a long life ahead of it - only 138K km, though 16 years old. I still see the previous E46 cars running around.
The newer car has exactly the specs I was after - B48 engine, Luxury trim (not the M-Sport, which had expensive, staggered front-rear tyres and a harsh ride), it did not have the rear darkened windows, and the interior had tan leather (almost everything now is black). Came with 3 years free servicing too. I hope this car will be as good as my last one.
2nd Mar 2025, 10:07
Final update: 138K km. I have traded in the car on an F30 LCI 2016 320i. The old car sprung a leak which was traced to the radiator - no problem, wear and tear. Because the oil consumption suddenly increased over the last 3 months to 1L/750 km (down from 1L/1,000 km over the last three years), and I was in a BMW independent specialist, I thought it would be right to get the valve stem seals sorted. But when they did a once-over on the car, the two front bump stops were cracked (I replaced the rear ones last year), and with my Warrant of Fitness due in May, they'd need to be dealt to (part is cheap, but the labour meant around NZ$700 total); the front brakes needed attention (last done around 3 years ago, so just about right) but to add to that the two front brake hoses had stone damage and best replaced. Then I remembered that in about 3,000 km, I would be needing two new run-flat tyres. So, the total of it all (including the valve stem seals replacement) would be nearly what the car is currently worth - the deposit on a much younger car.
I didn't want to sell it privately, knowing that the buyer would need to spend a reasonable amount to pass the WOF in May (bump stops, two ROF tyres, possibly the front brakes), so I traded it in instead.
Still loved the car - it has NEVER stranded me, never had a single ignition coil burn out, the engine was smooth (despite the increased oil usage, STILL hasn't been smoking!), the automatic gearbox was running as new. There was no rust, never, ever gave me issues. The most reliable car I've owned (all used, both German and Japanese). Everything was just really honest wear and tear. Had the issues come spread out, say the bump stops in 6 months and the brakes in another, I'd have kept it. Or, sold it privately, after fixing. It was a good car, after all. It will still have a long life ahead of it - only 138K km, though 16 years old. I still see the previous E46 cars running around.
The newer car has exactly the specs I was after - B48 engine, Luxury trim (not the M-Sport, which had expensive, staggered front-rear tyres and a harsh ride), it did not have the rear darkened windows, and the interior had tan leather (almost everything now is black). Came with 3 years free servicing too. I hope this car will be as good as my last one.