Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Sydney Australia
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    2000 BMW 323Ci E46 Coupe

    Require buying advice E53

    Hi BMW fanatics!

    My wife and I are looking to upgrade and sell our E46 Coupe in exchange for a X5 E53. We have thoroughly enjoyed driving the coupe but require more room and 4x4 to access our property. So far we have inspected a 2004 model 4.4i and 3.0i of which we test drove the 8 cylinder. We will be looking at another 3.0i tomorrow and are considering the 3.0TD.
    My questions are:
    1: Which engine out of the 4.4i, 3.0i and 3.0TD are the most reliable and long living?
    2: What should I look for when inspecting these vehicles?
    3: What mileage should I consider maximum?

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Philsdelphia
    Posts
    455
    My Cars
    1986 e24 635csi, 1999 Saab 93, 1992 Saab 9000 turb
    Hands down buy the diesel. The 4.4 is a nightmare. Massive gas bill and the timing chain Runner issues well-documented through the BMW world. Second bet would be the three liter. A little less expensive to maintain than the diesel. My personal choice would probably end up being the higher spec version of either the 3 liter diesel or the 3 liter gasoline car. Maintenance was the alternator and idler arm pulley, passenger widow regulators. The panoramic roofs are nice but thousands to repair. I'd say get one with it, but use it very lightly.


    I miss mine.
    Last edited by danieljames; 04-01-2017 at 09:25 AM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Ca
    Posts
    6,981
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    Above all buy the 3 liter engine x5

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Sydney Australia
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    2000 BMW 323Ci E46 Coupe
    Thanks for your reply's,

    How many Km's/ miles did you get from your 3.0i? Would mid to high 100Tkms odo reading be too high to purchase?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    28
    Gfunjive you will get the most bank for your buck by acquiring MY 2006 (E53 production ended 8/06). When I purchased the 4.8iS I was looking for a ride with 7000 miles avg/year or less. There are plenty of 3.0i that fit your profile and with low mileage in the market. I recall a very old thread that highlighted all the specifics MX topics of E53. Will try to dig this up for you.


    Garage:
    E53 X5 4.4i M62 born 2003-03-04
    E90 325i N52 born 2006-03-28
    F30 328i N20 born 2012-09-06
    Using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Philsdelphia
    Posts
    455
    My Cars
    1986 e24 635csi, 1999 Saab 93, 1992 Saab 9000 turb
    What'd you get?

    Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Sydney Australia
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    2000 BMW 323Ci E46 Coupe
    Today we put a deposit on a 06 3.0d with 218tkm at our local BMW dealership. The dealer tried to sell us a 5 year external warranty for $2000. I was planing on servicing myself which would void the warranty so Im unsure if I should take it.


Similar Threads

  1. newbie seeks buying advice
    By gettingaz4 in forum California sponsored by Avus Autosport
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-21-2003, 07:35 PM
  2. newbie seeks buying advice
    By gettingaz4 in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-19-2003, 07:23 AM
  3. Need some buying advice
    By RichO in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 03-12-2003, 12:45 PM
  4. Buying advice?
    By kellyclan in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-26-2002, 12:04 AM
  5. buying advice
    By FLiPModE in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 05-21-2001, 09:11 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •