Hi guys i'm currently on the look out for a 3 series touring Diesel and wondered if anyone has done a buying guide or if you guys can give me some tips on what to look for when going to view?

I have been told something about traction lifters (whatever that means) being a common problem does anyone have any info on this?

Also what sort of mileage do you get for your money, how many miles would you expect to do on £20 for e.g mostly running round town but some motorway and A road driving aswell.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers :D

I'll try get a buyers guide up tonight mate,

What sort of age are you after?

The newer the better mate, but got a limited budget so ideally a 2003/2004 hopefully with less than 100k on the clock but that's optimistic for what I have to spend.

Thanks Gav.

:D

My E46 320d 2003, returns around 450 miles per tank, costing around £77 to fill up.

Thats a good mixture of driving too.

Booting it about I still get 45mpg...did a big run in it not that long back and it returned 60+mpg!!!!

Pulls good through all the gears, and is pretty fast from pull off all the way to 100mph.

My E46 320d 2003, returns around 450 miles per tank, costing around £77 to fill up.

Thats a good mixture of driving too.

Booting it about I still get 45mpg...did a big run in it not that long back and it returned 60+mpg!!!!

Pulls good through all the gears, and is pretty fast from pull off all the way to 100mph.

Cheers Gav much appreciated :D

No problem mate...did you read the guide too?

Seperate post

I did mate thanks, quite abit to look out for then, what about these traction lifters do you know what they are? I was told they need updating or taking off as they have a habit off coming off and ripping through the engine.

I think your on about swirl flaps.

I think i did a thead on these.

If not Ill do one tonight mate.

I think your on about swirl flaps.

I think i did a thead on these.

If not Ill do one tonight mate.

Cheers matey, from what I can gather it's something to do with the pins that hold the flaps for the traction control in the intake manifold have a habit of breaking and trying to escape through the engine.