[Ghosty]

So my Sister totalled her Accord, and now is shopping for another car. Anything in the $8k to $14k range, depending on mileage, year, condition, etc. Obviously for $14k she can get something super nice. She mentioned a BMW. I told her to stick with a E46 3-series sedan or coupe (1998-2006?) for her price-range.

She has a couple "car guy" friends that have told her that generation is plagued with some electrical issues? Is that true? What exactly? News to me. I don't want her to get an older one, and then have all kinds of problems and high miles, etc. Even though they're much cheaper.

She's also looking at Mercedes C240 sedan, Nissan Altima coupe, Acura RSX, Honda Prelude, Infinity G35, Nissan 350z (yes I was shocked, lol), Volvo S40/S60, Hyundai Tiburon, etc.

[Bottoz]

I'm not sure about the 3 series, but I wil say that I really liked my Altima Sedan 3.5 years ago. Decent power, 5 speed and good on gas. I was getting 25-ish in town. Low 30's on the highway. Never had a problem, mechanical or electrical.

[JackM]

I think they are good cars, but take a very close look at the engine oil pan. They are known to leak around the oil filter housing and/or the oil pan gasket. It's easy and cheap to repair the oil filter housing, but it can be around a $900 bill to fix the oil pan, especially if it's AWD.

Some have come up with a trick to replacing the oil pan gasket without pulling everything out from under the car. It's a risky thing to do as you have to cut the gasket. It reduces the labor hours to 2, though, if you go that route. I guess, so far, 2 people have done the 'cut gasket' deal and it worked with no leaks.

[Ghosty]

She's in Seattle, so unfortunately I can't drive or check out any of these, which SUCKS! I'll definitely have her have it checked out by a mechanic if she goes with anything European especially. Jap cars under 100k that drive perfect, are less of a worry for us. Thanks for the tips.

I still can't find anything on this "electrical issue" that plagues E46 generation...

[whiteSc3]

What about a GS or IS sedan?

[NewbombTurk]

Ghosty,

Call the shop tomorrow. I have a good friend in Wash state that is a dealer and a BMW srv shop. He's a great guy.

303-825-5700
Doug

[NewbombTurk]

JackM, on 23 May 2012 - 05:07 PM, said:

I think they are good cars, but take a very close look at the engine oil pan. They are known to leak around the oil filter housing and/or the oil pan gasket. It's easy and cheap to repair the oil filter housing, but it can be around a $900 bill to fix the oil pan, especially if it's AWD.

Some have come up with a trick to replacing the oil pan gasket without pulling everything out from under the car. It's a risky thing to do as you have to cut the gasket. It reduces the labor hours to 2, though, if you go that route. I guess, so far, 2 people have done the 'cut gasket' deal and it worked with no leaks.

We see 300 oil stand gaskets to every 1 oil pan gasket. It's EASILY the most misdiagnosed item on those cars. Once a week we get a car in for a est on a pan gasket from another shop only to find the oil stand and vanos line leaking.

[JackM]

NewbombTurk, on 23 May 2012 - 08:28 PM, said:

We see 300 oil stand gaskets to every 1 oil pan gasket. It's EASILY the most misdiagnosed item on those cars. Once a week we get a car in for a est on a pan gasket from another shop only to find the oil stand and vanos line leaking.

Agreed, but they are starting to rack up miles now and it seems like there are more cases of oil pan gaskets failing. It's funny you mention people always misdiagnose them, because we have a 2002 3series coming in for a pan gasket diagnosed by someone else, lol! I asked him twice if he was absolutely sure it was the pan gasket and he says yes. I'm sure once he drops it off we will find it's something else, as always. What I like is when a customer comes in with a misdiagnosis from another shop and they get pissed at us when we tell them that wasn't the problem. I know for a fact that this person is going to be upset at us when I tell him that is not the problem after he drops it off.

[NewbombTurk]

JackM, on 23 May 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

Agreed, but they are starting to rack up miles now and it seems like there are more cases of oil pan gaskets failing. It's funny you mention people always misdiagnose them, because we have a 2002 3series coming in for a pan gasket diagnosed by someone else, lol! I asked him twice if he was absolutely sure it was the pan gasket and he says yes. I'm sure once he drops it off we will find it's something else, as always. What I like is when a customer comes in with a misdiagnosis from another shop and they get pissed at us when we tell them that wasn't the problem. I know for a fact that this person is going to be upset at us when I tell him that is not the problem after he drops it off.

We get that from time to time. All I ask is why did they choose to get a second or third opinion.... After that I politely tell them that in this industry there is approx. 5% of the public that can't be made happy. And you Sir have the distinction of being one of those people.... Have a great day. :toothygrin:

[NewbombTurk]

Ghosty the whole "elec problems" issue stem from the window regulators failing and the fuel pumps dieing. Since the they have elec windows its a "elec problem" and since people continue to run low on fuel the pumps will continue to fail. :coolthumbsup:

[no-coast-punk]

I'll chime in with the crowd that says that the E46's are damn solid cars. They have a few random issues every now and again, but so do most cars these days.

The biggest issue I've seen is with the VANOS assembly (BMW's variable cam system). Can get kind of expensive. Have her listen for rattling or stumbling at idle.

[03CADDY]

What about an Acura TSX, TL or even better an RL? All can be had in that price range. My RL has been rock solid - I have put about 17k miles on it in 6 months and it was in the shop for 6 weeks for an accident. Otherwise I have just had a couple oil changes. I drove to Steamboat last week and avg'd 27 mpg and Breck yesterday - 27.4 - not bad for awd.

Those TSXs are nice and so is the TL - both can be found in those prices ranges for 05s - 06s.

Or take the money and lease a 3 series. I can atest that those german cars can be expensive at times. I'd only get one under warranty again.

[no-coast-punk]

Because not driving Fail Wheel Drive is fucking worth it.

[Ghosty]

She really wants an RSX now, and has looked at a few. But yeah, I've thrown out all kinds of options including some of the ones you mentioned Revan. Thanks guys, I'll let ya know what she ends up with!...

(She's fickle like me, ONLY wants black or white, lol, so that doesn't help)

[Bottoz]

F'n women... always concerned with looks, rather than guts.

[Ghosty]

She almost jumped on a black convertible 3-series, very nice. But then was worried about leaks since it rains everyday in Seattle...

[no-coast-punk]

.... it also rains a lot in Germany. They have that shit figured out.

There is a maintenance item that involves putting a lubricant/preservative thing on all the moving/rubber parts on the convertible tops. As long as they have been maintained properly those tops don't have issues.