330ci sport values

Author
Discussion

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
I've had a hankering for a decently spec'ed 330 for a decent price and have been looking on and off for a year. But the longer I look the higher the prices seem to be rising. For a budget of around 3-4k there's not very much choice out there,never mind the clubsport that everyone says doesn't command a premium. Ha bloody ha. Have you seen the prices for a good clubsport.
Now the question is. Is the 330ci sport going to classic status and prices levelled out

Pebbles167

3,417 posts

151 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Prices will continually get lower, much like an e36 328. Although good examples of either will always be worth something. Don't see how you're having trouble with £3-4k, are you looking only at late facelift models?

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
No actually I'm looking for a 2003 or before model as it falls into classic car insurance territory.
I'm looking for one that's done under 100k miles with a few options.
All the decent ones are near 400 miles away from me and I don't want to travel that far.
There is only three on auto trader within 100 miles . Where have they all gone?
The clubsports in decent nick under 5k goes really really quick.

Pebbles167

3,417 posts

151 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Why not travel? Can't cost more than £100 in train fares? Just give it some time, a few will crop up in the area eventually.

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
4k should get you a decent one.

Sign up to some BMW forums and check the classifieds in there.


StuntmanMike

11,671 posts

150 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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OP I tried selling mine last year for 3k, I dropped the price to 2.5k before I got a sniff.
It's a black 51 regarding sport with everything except folding mirrors.
It had 80 odd thou on the clock and a full service history.
It was, is very very tidy.
I give up in the end and will keep it til it dies.
I can't believe you can't get one for your money.
People can't give them away.

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Yes will probably have to travel. But even then decent 02 ones are near 4k.
Thanks for all the replies. I will just have to keep looking

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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Pebbles167 said:
Why not travel? Can't cost more than £100 in train fares?
I used to think this till I realised that I was spending a fortune in fuel and wasting half my days off trawling round the country to look at misdescribed ste.

The E46 is a long way off achieving classic status. The E36 isn't there yet.

The problem is that there aren't that many 330s about compared to other 3 series, the 4 cylinder models are a lot more common, and you then narrow your search substantially. Go easy on the milage and spec and you might have more joy. Also be prepared to look at a lot of rubbish. The E46 has plenty of common issues and you'll find that most of the cars you view will be suffering from at least one. Rust, cooling system problems, engine sensors, window regulators...

I spent about 6 months a few years back looking for a decent 330i. I eventually settled on a 4 door SE because you get more for your money and it was by far the best car I viewed and I think when your looking for an older car condition and history is more important than the exact spec.

The SE is just as fast as the Sport and it has a better ride wink


hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Yup I have recently traveled over a hundred miles each way to look at one that was described as good condition.
My arse. Bloody rust on all four arches and more knocks and rattles than a rock band.
So I am very wary about travelling now .
I have my heart set on a coupe as I really like the design. Had a 325ci years ago and wish I never sold it.
So if anyone knows of a good un to sell around the Scotland area gives us a shout. Cheers

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
hamish88 said:
the Scotland area
Now we know your problem. Scotland, a big country with no one living there. It's bad enough trying to buy a car in the North east of England, but Scotland must be even worse. biggrin

daveco

4,122 posts

206 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
OP you should really go for the facelift model if you can though the 6-speed manual isn't really suited to the 3.0 litre.

Far less issues and better sorted...the 325 is a great motor as well and differences in performance are only really noticed above 50mph. You'll also get about 350-375 miles on a tank. Great cars and better than the E92 that followed for fit and finish.

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Damn right there.
There are only 3 cars on a.t within a hundred miles from me.
Surely they are not that rare.
The silver 03 on at 4k looks the best of the lot but has no heated seats which I prefer .
But I'm getting itchy feet and don't know how long I can hold out : )

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Used to have a 325ci auto and the best I got was about 260 miles from a tank.
For the price difference I might as well get the 330 as they usually have a bit more spec.
Don't really want to spend more than 4k though.
Thanks for all the suggestions though

daveco

4,122 posts

206 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
hamish88 said:
Used to have a 325ci auto and the best I got was about 260 miles from a tank.
For the price difference I might as well get the 330 as they usually have a bit more spec.
Don't really want to spend more than 4k though.
Thanks for all the suggestions though
That's probably about right with the slushbox.

Out of interest why is mileage such a big deal? I bought a 325 with 90k, still have it now with close to 140k on the clock and no major problems. Still on original clutch too and I've driven it very hard.

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
I've been looking and the ones between 90k and 130k mile there's not much of a price difference maybe a few hundred quid so might as well get a lower miles one. Well that's my thinking anyway. Never thought it'll be so hard though.

daveco

4,122 posts

206 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
hamish88 said:
I've been looking and the ones between 90k and 130k mile there's not much of a price difference maybe a few hundred quid so might as well get a lower miles one. Well that's my thinking anyway. Never thought it'll be so hard though.
My advice to wait it out. When I was looking at 330ci sports I waited a year and a half before finally giving up and going for a 335. A good 330ci sport is a rare car, and imo almost the perfect all rounder.

-Sounds great
-Rapid
-Good on fuel for the performance
-Still looks great
-Facelift models are generally very reliable

One thing I did notice is that at roughly 100k on the pre facelift a ton of things go wrong with them, none of which happened on the facelift so my advice is to wait and buy a nice facelift model. Don't discount manual 325s; they are far better on fuel than the auto.

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for that . Good advice I've been given on here.
I will probably wait for a good one to pop up and buy on condition.
They do tick most of the boxes in what you would want on a cruiser with decent mpg so that's why the prices are holding up so well.

Erdy

100 posts

124 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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daveco said:
That's probably about right with the slushbox.

Out of interest why is mileage such a big deal? I bought a 325 with 90k, still have it now with close to 140k on the clock and no major problems. Still on original clutch too and I've driven it very hard.
Didn't bother me, I bought a 330i touring sport a few months ago with 172k but you'd never know. Now approaching 180k and running sweetly.

hamish88

Original Poster:

161 posts

175 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Gonna see a 03 with just over 60k miles on Saturday up for 5k.
Fingers crossed its a good un. Saw a few real dogs in the last couple of days.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
daveco said:
hamish88 said:
I've been looking and the ones between 90k and 130k mile there's not much of a price difference maybe a few hundred quid so might as well get a lower miles one. Well that's my thinking anyway. Never thought it'll be so hard though.
My advice to wait it out. When I was looking at 330ci sports I waited a year and a half before finally giving up and going for a 335. A good 330ci sport is a rare car, and imo almost the perfect all rounder.

-Sounds great
-Rapid
-Good on fuel for the performance
-Still looks great
-Facelift models are generally very reliable

One thing I did notice is that at roughly 100k on the pre facelift a ton of things go wrong with them, none of which happened on the facelift so my advice is to wait and buy a nice facelift model. Don't discount manual 325s; they are far better on fuel than the auto.
I agree with all you said but MPG on 330ci's are awful. I have a auto 330ci sport and I'm averaging 15mpg. Engine is perfect nick and full service history!