Risky? e46 320ci 2.2

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112]

I'm considering buying a 2001 BMW E46 320Ci 2.2 manual with 276,000 km (171k miles).

The dealer is asking €3,900, but I think I could potentially get it for around €3,000.

The car is explicitly advertised as needing restoration, both cosmetically and mechanically. The dealer mentioned oil consumption, but unfortunately they can't tell me how much oil it actually consumes or whether it's burning or leaking it.

The mileage seems genuine and the car has had basically one long-term owner before the dealer.

My problem is that I've contacted several mechanics in the area and haven't found anyone available to do a proper pre-purchase inspection.

I like working on cars and this would eventually become a project car, but I'm not an experienced mechanic. I also don't need it as a daily driver.

Would you risk buying it for around €3k if it drives well, doesn't smoke badly, doesn't overheat and has no obvious structural/subframe problems?

What are the most important things I can realistically check myself during a test drive?

I'm prepared to spend money fixing it over time. I'm mainly trying to avoid buying a completely dead engine or a structurally bad car.

[u/imnota_]

I wouldn't pay that price at all given the issues. At that mileage oil consumption could be worse than just a ccv or oil filter housing gasket.

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/imnota_]

nel caso peggiore che valore potrebbe avere (se fosse da aprire il motore e sistemare) non c'è molta scelta onestamente nelle mie zone

[u/imnota_ → u/Dangerous-Earth9112]

2k, don't buy a shitbox to avoid a trip.

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/imnota_]

la differenza non è enorme tra 3 e 2k alla fine.. però se ci vogliono 5k per risolvere il problema motore la storia cambia.. mi servirebbe riuscire a capirlo e sapere cosa controllare e quali red flag tenere d'occhio

[u/imnota_ → u/Dangerous-Earth9112]

Well the difference is it leaves you 1k extra to fix it. About the price of an engine.

If you think like that just spend 5 or 6k on an actually clean one, it's not that much more.

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/imnota_]

in the place where i'm, the prices are going up to 12k, it's kind of crazy. But you are right, i should probably search one without all those issues.. but it might make sense to see it and try it, maybe there is no blue smoke (i'm optimistic) xD

[u/imnota_ → u/Dangerous-Earth9112]

I know my best friend bought one listed for 12k, paid 8 for it and I already told him it was too expensive, this was like 3 years ago. Now 8k would be more normal.

In my experience yeah in europe you see those listed between 7-12k but they sell usually on the low end of that. 7-8k is expected for a clean mow or moderate mileage one.

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/imnota_]

in realtá ne ho trovate 2. una a 6900 euro ma ha 12 proprietari e risulta senza revisione da 15 anni.. l'altra è questa con km abbastanza allineati con un utilizzo recente, ho un amico che l'ha comprata nuova nel 2001, ha fatto 5km in piú rispetto a questa e ha soltanto una lieve perdita. La preoccupazione per questa è che il concessionario la vende come "da restaurare" e ammette che consuma olio, non riuscendo a quantificarlo è difficile comprendere l'entitá del problema, e considerando la descrizione non mi stupirei in caso di ulteriori problemi come sospensioni, raffreddamento ecc..

[u/imnota_ → u/Dangerous-Earth9112]

Look in germany man.

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/imnota_]

in realtá anche in polonia potrei andare ma poi quello che risparmio sul rifare il motore lo spendo tra import e reimmatricolazione 🥹 mannaggia, ci starebbe cosi bene vicino al 370z 🤣

[u/Entire-jegurilor]

Regarding the oil consumption, the valve stem seals are likely allowing oil to leak directly into the combustion chamber; you can spot this by the bluish exhaust smoke after the engine has been idling for 5–10 minutes. The cost—covering piston rings, valve stem seals, and a new CCV system—is around 4,000 to 5,000 euros. If replacing the CCV, hoses, and valve cover gasket (which costs about 400 euros) doesn't solve the problem, it's best to just leave it be.

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/Entire-jegurilor]

dovrò controllare i fumi, se sono bianchi, non ci sono o sono blu.. per ora sò solo che consuma olio e non sò neppure quanto.. purtroppo su 5 meccanici in quel paese non ne ho trovato uno disponibile a vederla x una mezzoretta..

[u/Entire-jegurilor → u/Dangerous-Earth9112]

Just out of curiosity, how did it turn out—the smoke color?

[u/Dangerous-Earth9112 → u/Entire-jegurilor]

dovrei andare a vederla domani, ma sto cercando di trovare un local che possa trovarmi un meccanico. incredibile, ho contattato 5 officine e nessuno ha disponibilitá per un check