1INSANEGTO

iTrader: (13)

Anyone had one? This is the 2001 BMW 330I with the sports package. I am looking at getting something better then the Mazda 6 I have now. So if you have had the car post up any issues you have had. The goods and the bad,.

jaysan

iTrader: (8)

pricey parts

1INSANEGTO

iTrader: (13)

Not really I checked ebay and the aftermarket and replacement parts are pretty cheap

chevy0128

on my 325i the parts were very expensive

1INSANEGTO

iTrader: (13)

I would check ebay then

Ryanm86

iTrader: (12)

I am selling mine but it has been a great car, I love it

the_hunted

My buddie just picked one up a month ago, and he loves it. His is an 01 with 78k. It was garaged kept its whole life. He gets like 450 to a tank, that is mostly city driving and a few trips down to austin from killeen. The bad, I am about to replace a power steering pump in it for him, and a few misc items. But he expected this buying a used car. I really enjoy cruzing around in it. Not a bad car for the price he paid.

GulfM3

iTrader: (14)

I have a 02 M3 which, not quite the same but shares
most of the body and electrical.
The door locks are known for acting up, something in the central locking system goes bad but there is a DIY write up on how to resolder it and fix it.
The sub frames are weak and results in the rear trailing arm starting to tear away from the frame, there is a class action law suit concerning this.
The gaskets in the VANOS system (bmw's vtech) deteriorate and cause a loss in power, throughout the rpm range, but there are replacement kits to fix this.
All in all I love my M3, it's about as fast as a stock ls1 f body, but the ride, handling and interior features are much nicer.
Don't but the 330 thinking it's going to be 100% problem free, because they all have their issues, but they aren't too difficult to work on.
I'm not going to post it publicly but there is a great forum for e46 BMW's pm me if you want to know the site.

1INSANEGTO

iTrader: (13)

This one has 96K miles and is flawless so I hope all the bugs are worked out. If I do get her then I plan to replace the control arms, bushings and throw some new struts and shocks on her. I would be picking it up for $10k which is not bad. Seems there is a aftermarket for headers and even a supercharger if i got froggy which is great I just want a nice good priced beater.

Here is some pics. I am comming into town this weekend to look at her

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

I have an 04 330I ZHP and love it. Here's a pic:



Parts are not bad and can be had at good prices. Stay away from ebay parts as they are usually junk and here are a few places you can go:

www.bavauto.com
www.realoem.com

also, the best thing you can do is join bimmerfest.com as this is one of the best forums and will give you tons of advice as like with LS1tech. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

1INSANEGTO

iTrader: (13)

Thanks man. These cars look so clean

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

BTW - This guy is selling one one here as well:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-cla...iful-blue.html

clean car and good price!!! FYI - I have the auto in mine and the 6-sp manual is very sought after by bimmer guys.

1INSANEGTO

iTrader: (13)

No probs with the no reverse issue with the auto's?

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

That was an issue with the 2001-2002 but it seemed to be hit or miss. I havn't had any issues as the 04's really didn't have any problems with that. Go to the forum and ask some ?'s!!!

lo_jack

iTrader: (27)

96k? I'd want to see some records. Like now.

I have an X5 with the 3.0 and I can tell you right now the 5 things that will fail on that motor between 60-80k. At 90+...it's all questionable. Really there isn't anything wrong with the motor per se, but they put some crap parts into a lot of those engines for a while, and their PCV system is one giant replaceable part nightmare.

If you do not know for a fact they are new, I would immediately upon taking delivery change:

waterpump
Tstat
oil separator and all hoses
most of the coolant hoses, esp the lower one with the sensor in it
the overflow tank

potentially the idle air control valve
check the valve cover gaskets - take the plastic shield off and run your finger around the circumference of the valve cover. Also check for residue sitting on the little heat shields over the exhaust manifolds.

I'd take it on a test drive longer than 30 miles, to see if you get any codes from the speed sensors.

The early wiring harnesses for the 6 on the X5 were garbage and caused EML, ABS and various other lights for no reason up to 2004; I don't know if that is the case for this chassis but if it's the same motor then you might want to check and see if others had that issue. I changed my engine wiring harness to an 04+ version for that reason.

Get under the car and look for oil leaks. The pan gaskets on those leak frequently, and on top of normal consumption those motors can eat a lot of oil.

The high pressure power steering hose is probably rubber hooked together with metal links. Check it out, it is probably leaking.

Lastly if that is a VANOS engine, and I think it is, the seals on your VANOS unit are probably done. You can rebuild the unit for about $70 with new seals but a new unit is like $700. It operates the cam timing, and is oil pressure based. You will get bad mileage and junky throttle response especially across the cam switch if those seals are worn. The factory units are some rubber that doesn't do well with heat, and they plasticize pretty quickly and get hard, thereby not sealing much.

I see you already know the suspension is all replaceable wear parts, and those have to go.

My X5 has 110 and I have replaced everything I just mentioned, because it all failed. Most of it was at around 70, and I think you will find that is typical. If it had all that stuff replaced and you have records, then buy it now. If not...get ready.

If you are familiar with the I6 and have access to parts - and you cannot just Ebay everything, though sometimes you might get lucky - you will be fine.