2004 E46 330d 204hp M-Sport manual touring - salvage?

[NevoBMW320i]

Greetings everyone,

I have been an infrequent user of this site for an extended period, but this is my first time registering; I seek the insights of this esteemed community. I have owned a 2012 E46 330d M-Sport manual touring with 204 horsepower, and it has shown to be exceptionally reliable. It is mechanically sound; nonetheless, it has succumbed to corrosion. It failed the MOT today due to corrosion around the sills, chassis structure, and jacking points. The garage estimates that repairs could exceed £1,000, leading me to believe that it may no longer be financially feasible.


The engine has 142,000 miles, has had a swirl flap deletion, and received a new clutch and flywheel around three years ago. It operates exceptionally well; I thoroughly enjoy driving it, making this a rather sombre day.

While it is convenient to summon scrappers, it seems somewhat unethical given the abundance of salvageable components. Is there a demand for these components? Should I attempt to sell it in its current condition on Gumtree or eBay?

Thank you in advance.

[MidnightMarauder]

If you still appreciate the vehicle, rectify the rust issues. That engine is expected to increase the mileage you have already achieved without significant issues.

[Doncaster34]

Indeed, it is the reason I sold my E46 saloon, 53 plate, 204 horsepower, 6-speed manual. Euro 4 without DPF, 157,000 miles; I added 60,000 miles over five years. Purchased for £3,650 and sold for £1,500. The vehicle experienced little issues, namely the water pump and thermostat; even the clutch was original.and battery, 2013 to 2018, enduring fond recollections

[torque2me]

Certainly utilise eBay for this purpose. I anticipate a minimum of £500, as there are numerous appealing items included.

[neilrr010]

If the issue is confined to the jacking points, these can be repaired by welding sheet metal over them, thus restoring functionality. A few years prior, the cost was $150 per jacking point, potentially extending the lifespan by an additional 2 to 5 years. If additional components, such as the rear subframe, are compromised, it is deemed a scrapper, as further investment is unwarranted.

[neilrr010]

😁