WHAT TO LOOK FOR

LOOK FOR SIGNS OF LEAKS

A sign of any water drainage issues is wet carpets in the front footwells, more so on models with a sunroof. The drains run down the inside of the A-pillars and can become blocked. Water can then back ˜ow and soak the carpets and could lead to a rotten ˜oor, too. Blowing through them with pressurised air will clear them out and should prevent any future issues.

SUSS OUT THE SUBFRAME

The rear subframe is one of the main areas to check and check well. Budget around £600 for a new one. Check the boot ˜oor for cracks where it joins the subframe if the latter looks to have gone. There are kits to reinforce these areas but the cracking only seems to be an issue on examples that have led a hard life. It is worth checking, though, nonetheless. The work can be done at home if you’ve got a welder, otherwise it’s a job best left to the professionals.

KNOW WHERE IT’LL RUST

E46 bodyshells are galvanised and shrug o” corrosion well but there are a few weak points. The front wheel arches are a prone point; the arch liners can rub and take the paint surface o” the metal, opening them up to rust. Front wing panels are easy enough to replace –an all-out panel swap will set you back around the £350 mark. If it’s the rears that are bubbling, expect £600 per side.

HOW’S THE HEATER?

If possible, inspect the history and paperwork of a car. While the petrol units are often regarded as ‘unkillable’ the cooling system is a weak point. Check the fan for damaged or missing vanes and check the thermostat too – the engine will run cool if this is faulty. Give it a blast on a test drive and run the heater to see how warm you can get the matrix. It’s not tricky or expensive to replace; parts cost £80. Expansion tanks can also leak so check the coolant levels and see if there’s a record of them having to be constantly topped up or the tank replaced.

HISTORY IS A GOOD THING

A good service history is a good thing on any car – it’s no diferent here – the water pump, drive belts, tensioners and breather pipes need changing every 50k miles. A 50k-mile service will set you back around £400 but is a good way of ensuring the drivetrain’s longevity. Check the history of a diesel’s turbo, swirl aps and EGR valve. All are prone to often cataclysmic issues. Budget £1200 for a new turbo, more if the swirl ap fails and takes the engine with it.

HAS THE AUTO HAD TLC?

Check if an automatic gearbox has been serviced. Even BMW wouldn’t service them despite them being a ‘sealed’ unit. Failures are prone at the 120-150k mile mark, so it’s best to change the uids before then to avoid a £3500 bill. After that, a ush every 60k miles will help to keep the unit running sweet.

LOOK FOR SIGNS OF PLAY

Front wishbone bushes and ball joints are a bit of an E46 Achilles Heel. If you can, get a prospective buy up in the air and check for play. A little wear is best caught early and followed up with realignment. If you want a sharper front end, performance-oriented bushes will help give a taut nose to your 3 Series. Replacing the bushes is a job you can do at home with some basic tools. Parts should set you back about £20 per corner but worth spending the money on.