Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[Cronenberged]

Appreciate the explanation. Are you saying that a Blackstone test can wait until 100,000 miles? The car is currently in the low 9X,XXX. Is the $2.5K service range for each of the Big 3 repairs?

I just bought a car with 144k I’m gonna do all the fluids just so I know their mileage. Oil should be changed every 5k so it it was done at 90K and 95K should be fine. Till the next 5K interval.

rod bearings should be the cheapest, but there’s a lot of should refresh items while your doing that service that can make it add up to 2.5K

Vanos depending on exhaust hub can be between 1.5-2.5K again few extra things you’ll want to replace while you’re in there.

[adr_M3]

I would offer him 5-7.5k less than asking if you feel the big three are that important. IMO, Vanos is the only must as rod bearings should be serviced via blackstone report of wear that indicates it, but you can always just go with @100k. Subframe reinforcement as long as it was street driven and not tracked shouldn’t be an issue.

everyone has various experiences, weigh the pros and cons and what risk you’re willing to accept. Each service with labor and parts is roughly 2.5K + or -

Appreciate the explanation. Are you saying that a Blackstone test can wait until 100,000 miles? The car is currently in the low 9X,XXX. Is the $2.5K service range for each of the Big 3 repairs?

[oceansize]

I’m currently eyeing an ‘04 E46 with 9X,XXX miles that looks be in great condition with respect to the interior and exterior. It’s currently for sale with a reputable dealer who providedthe Carfax which shows regular service throughout its life however no mention of any of the “Big 3” repairs. The sales guy would only say that he doesn’t know of any major issues before pulling out the dealer speak that “it’s one of the cleanest specs he’s seen.” As a novice to the E46 platform and used car purchases in general, my question is whether there’s a way to verify if the Big 3 have been done and if the dealer response is a potential red flag. Thanks in advance!

You can put it on a rack to check if subframe reinforcements are present, easy to spot. You might persuade a BMW dealer to get you the service history based on VIN which then might tell you if the rod bearings were ever done. However, that obviously isn't foolproof as an independent could have performed the service. Bottom line, no way to check rod bearings or vanos unless you get lucky with a dealer service report.

[Cronenberged]

I’m currently eyeing an ‘04 E46 with 9X,XXX miles that looks be in great condition with respect to the interior and exterior. It’s currently for sale with a reputable dealer who providedthe Carfax which shows regular service throughout its life however no mention of any of the “Big 3” repairs. The sales guy would only say that he doesn’t know of any major issues before pulling out the dealer speak that “it’s one of the cleanest specs he’s seen.” As a novice to the E46 platform and used car purchases in general, my question is whether there’s a way to verify if the Big 3 have been done and if the dealer response is a potential red flag. Thanks in advance!

I would offer him 5-7.5k less than asking if you feel the big three are that important. IMO, Vanos is the only must as rod bearings should be serviced via blackstone report of wear that indicates it, but you can always just go with @100k. Subframe reinforcement as long as it was street driven and not tracked shouldn’t be an issue.

everyone has various experiences, weigh the pros and cons and what risk you’re willing to accept. Each service with labor and parts is roughly 2.5K + or -

[adr_M3]

I’m currently eyeing an ‘04 E46 with 9X,XXX miles that looks be in great condition with respect to the interior and exterior. It’s currently for sale with a reputable dealer who providedthe Carfax which shows regular service throughout its life however no mention of any of the “Big 3” repairs. The sales guy would only say that he doesn’t know of any major issues before pulling out the dealer speak that “it’s one of the cleanest specs he’s seen.” As a novice to the E46 platform and used car purchases in general, my question is whether there’s a way to verify if the Big 3 have been done and if the dealer response is a potential red flag. Thanks in advance!