E46 330ci prices

[duff]

I'd put your car on eBay or autotrader, if it's really worth £10k private then put it up for 9k - you're still up on what wbac will pay.

I bought my 55reg 330ci manual 2 years ago for £4550, it has leather, xenons, electric heated seats etc. OK, it had 100k miles but FBMWSH and the guy had owned it from 6 months old. It was a rubbish ad on eBay with 2 pictures and hardly any description and no reserve but I had a feeling it was a good one so took a punt. Now on 120k miles, all it's needed is an oil service (insp 2 due soon though), tyres, brakes and a couple of bushes....and a fair bit of oil! Don't get too hung up on miles or spec, the only thing I'd really miss on mine is xenons. Although I got mine cheap I still think the cars you're looking at are over priced. I'd rather buy private but I see most cars are sold buy dealers these days.

This looks ok : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221550282774

I normally change cars every year or so but have no intention of selling mine for a while. Whilst not the most exciting, they're reasonably quick, reliable, comfortable and economical for what they are (31 average for mainly 10 mile journeys)

[twoblacklines]

Ok I have found 2 candidates at the same place.

I prefer the more expensive one but I didn't really want to spend that much at the moment...but I can.... I was brought up that the lower the mileage the better and to avoid high mileage cars...this may be inaccurate.

The cheaper one is a manual so begs the other question of "manual vs auto" which I can't decide at all.

Both are verts which appeals to me.

What do you think?

Both are MILES away from me but a good friend lives there so not too bad.

http://www.junction26prestigetradecentre.co.uk/use...

This is the one I really like..
http://www.junction26prestigetradecentre.co.uk/use...

[Smuler]

I think both prices have room for negotiation as they are high. But if you are happy with auto, go for the newer one with 62k. I have the coupe now @ 124k. These are very robust cars, but a premium of 1500£ for the more expensive one I think is worth it. Mine ran to 100k without needing anything much replaced besides pads and discs and bushes. Over 100k and I've spent about 1,000£ on other wear and tear items. Get log book reference on both and check MOT history and make sure all advisories done.

[twoblacklines]

So I went to see the OP car today, had a gander, drove it a fair bit, it was lovely. Bit concerned with the high mileage... it had a level 2 inspection at 70k, then oil change at 90k, and has done 91k now. Do these need timing chain/belts replaced? I feel it expensive for the age and mileage but there is nothing else for sale within 150 miles.

They will reverse-px and give me £8k for mine. £500 deposit.

I really don't know wether to do this or not? Parents think anything over an 08 with 40k is ridiculous.

[RC1]

Surely given all the input you've had from everyone so far you should be in a position to take a view? Its hard to tell you what to do given you've not provided much info about the cars that are in the running. Did you satisfy yourself that the items mentioned above have been tended to or that they are reflected in the price.

[Smuler]

Parents are always cautious! Mine niw at 124k has not had a timing belt changed. I think my original view was that it was expensive. But if you want it, go for it.

[twoblacklines]

I am going to leave it, and travel.

This one looks more appealing... and a BMW Business CD player is £100 on ebay.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

This one is around 80 miles away.

[liller]

twoblacklines said:

I am going to leave it, and travel.

This one looks more appealing... and a BMW Business CD player is £100 on ebay.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

This one is around 80 miles away.

Looks nice, still at the expensive end but it looks like a great example in a good colour.

[twoblacklines]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

near on full spec?

[clonmult]

twoblacklines said:

I am going to leave it, and travel.

This one looks more appealing... and a BMW Business CD player is £100 on ebay.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

This one is around 80 miles away.

Why would you want a BMW business CD player? Replace with a modern Alpine head unit, connect up to iPod or USB stick and have considerably more music on tap, more convenience and better sound quality (the BMW audio systems have never impressed me, lousy sound).

[Smuler]

clonmult said:

Why would you want a BMW business CD player? Replace with a modern Alpine head unit, connect up to iPod or USB stick and have considerably more music on tap, more convenience and better sound quality (the BMW audio systems have never impressed me, lousy sound).

Agreed, it's rubbish. They call it business CD because it's no fun at all!

OP, don't want to sound parent-like, but the blue car in Cardiff is supposedly a dealer, but I'm always a little suspicious when I can't find a landline, a business premises and more cars.

I know the area and have a possible landline and address. so if you are interested I'll put them here.

[liller]

twoblacklines said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

near on full spec?

Very nice! If you can get that for below 5k then it'd be the pick of the bunch and yes, looks like every option has been ticked.

[twoblacklines]

I am going to exclude the Cardiff one (and thanks for offer of those details) as it too is pretty standard spec with just a tape player.

I don't like Alpine headunits, I actually have a Pioneer P99RS stashed away for a future install that I bought for a grand when they came out, the only problem with those is they have 0 internal amps and I sold/scrapped all of my amplifiers thinking I would never use them. I am sure I can find a decent 5 channel one somewhere.
What I don't like about aftermarket headunits in these cars is the din is wider than the headunit so it always looks "wrong" but I was reading you can make a switch for the exhaust valve so maybe I could put that next to the HU?

I really like the grey one, just got to find time to go and see it etc.

I am also looking at Alpina B3's but they are all really high mileage!!!

[twoblacklines]

I might as well ask this in the same thread.

Is £1500 enough to do preventative maintenance to whatever car I purchase?

I am thinking:

Water system - thermostat - radiator - water pump

Twin vanos seals

EGR clean

Something else that escapes me - it rattles too

Anything else I should think of?

I notice C3BMW also sell standard suspension springs as well as uprated dampers and springs however most of these are "excluding M3 and M-TEK" is a 330ci "Mtek" ???

[Matt_N]

You can get a fascia adapter for aftermarker headunits that tidies it up a bit.

The other rattle you're thinking of is probably the DISA.

[Smuler]

twoblacklines said:

I might as well ask this in the same thread.

Is £1500 enough to do preventative maintenance to whatever car I purchase?

I am thinking:

Water system - thermostat - radiator - water pump

Twin vanos seals

EGR clean

Something else that escapes me - it rattles too

Anything else I should think of?

I notice C3BMW also sell standard suspension springs as well as uprated dampers and springs however most of these are "excluding M3 and M-TEK" is a 330ci "Mtek" ???

If the grey one (@74k) is is good condition, I doubt you'd have to spend that much for a while. Get MOT history and make sure all advisories have been done. Good test drive on a variety of roads, to check alignment (make sure all tyres same brand, it's really useful for E46s) and if it rides funny, besides those two variables it will be the bushes.

[twoblacklines]

So looking at this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Bit worried though. I google the address of the trader - no car dealerships found anywhere near Google Maps result. In fact according to the result it is a CO OP store.

Google search indicates FOUR car dealer related places on the same address:

Signature Motor Company - Doesn't seem to exist according to Companies House.

S&B London Limited - Brand New Company

Twinstar Motors Limited - Brand New Company

Village Auto Centre - Doesn't seem to exist either.

Should I avoid this car then?

Both have different directors.

EDIT:

Here is Twinstar. See the Blue Mini? That is advertised as a "Village Auto Centre" car...



So we have 4 car dealerships all located at the same address, with 2 known but different company directors... with only one of them actually represented by any kind of signage....all looks a bit fishy to me?

Edited by twoblacklines on Thursday 2nd October 04:21

[Smuler]

I always check any company I'm going to deal with and these don't appear satisfactory. However, as long as the car is theirs to legitimately sell, it can still be a good car. Maybe phone and ask for clarification on who you are dealing with. If you feel uncomfortable with response, end this enquiry there. Otherwise, make sure you get as much info as possible on car before travelling.

[SPT28]

John, depending on where in the country you are I may know of one for sale

It's an individual with pretty much every option ticked, never seen, nor do I know of another one like it so it has the exclusivity factor. Depends on what you are after however

[twoblacklines]

I am in Cornwall (and moving to Cheshire when house sells).

Travelling is fine as long as it is not super far away.

Feel free to email me