3 Series Convertible - advice requested...
Discussion
Need (man speak for 'want') a nice driving nice looking 4 seat convertible. Driven the A4, CLK and 3 series and it looks like the BMW is what I'll go for. My intention is to get one for about £12K ish and, if i like it, change it for an M3 in 18 months / 2 years.
I've driven a 330ci (with 'M' kit and M spec suspension) and found it a really nice drive but its in my local main dealer and they want £20K fot it. Found a lovely looking 318 (on a 04 plate) for the right money, but not sure I want to go that far down the engine range.
The specific questions are:
A lot of cars are referred to as 'facelift'...when did this occur and what did it consist of (LED brake lights?)?
How disappointed might I be with a 318? I'm not desperate for uper-performance (family still very young, hence M3 in 2 yrs or so) but don't want it to be gutless, was thinking any of the 6 cylinder models would be OK?
Do all 'Sport' and 'M spec' cars have sports suspension?
Will they really be much cheaper at the end of the summer or are modern soft-tops so good the seasonal price variations no longer apply?
How good is the soft-top / is a hard-top really necessary?
Anything else I should know / be aware of?
Oh, and I know its REALLY fussy but it'll have to black with a black leather interior (I'm happy to take 6 months finding it if necessary).
Thanks in advance!
I've driven a 330ci (with 'M' kit and M spec suspension) and found it a really nice drive but its in my local main dealer and they want £20K fot it. Found a lovely looking 318 (on a 04 plate) for the right money, but not sure I want to go that far down the engine range.
The specific questions are:
A lot of cars are referred to as 'facelift'...when did this occur and what did it consist of (LED brake lights?)?
How disappointed might I be with a 318? I'm not desperate for uper-performance (family still very young, hence M3 in 2 yrs or so) but don't want it to be gutless, was thinking any of the 6 cylinder models would be OK?
Do all 'Sport' and 'M spec' cars have sports suspension?
Will they really be much cheaper at the end of the summer or are modern soft-tops so good the seasonal price variations no longer apply?
How good is the soft-top / is a hard-top really necessary?
Anything else I should know / be aware of?
Oh, and I know its REALLY fussy but it'll have to black with a black leather interior (I'm happy to take 6 months finding it if necessary).
Thanks in advance!
Facelift was around May 2003 - Like you say LED rear lights - also, front indicators now slope upwards at side instead of down, new style alloys fitted to sport models.
Get a 6 cylinder if you can stretch to it.
Sport cars have sport suspension, hard top quite rare on these and not really needed - bit of a pain if your limited on space to store it as well!
They will be cheaper at the end of summer, but only because thay are all depreciating every month anyway, like most other cars - especially, given current financial 'doom and gloom'.
Make sure you get metallic black (Sapphire) not the 'solid' non-metallic version.
Get a 6 cylinder if you can stretch to it.
Sport cars have sport suspension, hard top quite rare on these and not really needed - bit of a pain if your limited on space to store it as well!
They will be cheaper at the end of summer, but only because thay are all depreciating every month anyway, like most other cars - especially, given current financial 'doom and gloom'.
Make sure you get metallic black (Sapphire) not the 'solid' non-metallic version.
I'd definately agree with the 6 cylinder comment. It's the only way to go for a E46 (and arguably any BMW if you don't need a diesel), especially a Sport. I have never driven a E46 318 cab, but have driven a non cab and it felt slow (compared to my 323Ci...), never mind with all the extra weight from a strengthened cabriolet.
Yes they look the part, and almost identical to a 330Ci Sport (bar the single tailpipe and smaller brakes), but the 330CI is so much the better option. The 3.0 is a peach and frankly enough of a reason on its own.
If you can wait for a few months, you will get a much better deal. Buying a cab in the summer, even with our weather and the current 'financial doom and gloom' will always mean slightly overinflated prices.
Even if you are not after something that fast, I think you may be disappointed with a 318.
Yes they look the part, and almost identical to a 330Ci Sport (bar the single tailpipe and smaller brakes), but the 330CI is so much the better option. The 3.0 is a peach and frankly enough of a reason on its own.
If you can wait for a few months, you will get a much better deal. Buying a cab in the summer, even with our weather and the current 'financial doom and gloom' will always mean slightly overinflated prices.
Even if you are not after something that fast, I think you may be disappointed with a 318.
Is it really that important to have a post facelift? I've owned both and yes, the read LED lights look nicer but I don't care much about what the people behind think of my lights. If I were you I would go for as much bang for your buck, especially in this market where "performance" car prices are dropping so quickly.
Ok I'm biased but take a look on Autotrader, there's an Alpina B3 3.3 Cab on there with leather, TV, Nav and 42k for 12,995. My money would be on that
If you can, drive one then drive an M3 or M Sport, the ride and handling in an Alpina is sublime compared to M cars (which of course are great in their own right before anyone starts kicking off).
Ok I'm biased but take a look on Autotrader, there's an Alpina B3 3.3 Cab on there with leather, TV, Nav and 42k for 12,995. My money would be on that
If you can, drive one then drive an M3 or M Sport, the ride and handling in an Alpina is sublime compared to M cars (which of course are great in their own right before anyone starts kicking off).
B3Svert said:
Is it really that important to have a post facelift? I've owned both and yes, the read LED lights look nicer but I don't care much about what the people behind think of my lights.
Agreed completely - I also don't give a hoot what people in the car behind think of my behind - it's more that I don't want to go more than 5 years old so that happens to equate roughly to facelift - but if my perfect car was a late pre-facelift I'd still get it!B3Svert said:
Ok I'm biased but take a look on Autotrader, there's an Alpina B3 3.3 Cab on there with leather, TV, Nav and 42k for 12,995. My money would be on that
Sounds great but I can't find it, any chance of a link?Edited by LeeME3 on Wednesday 6th August 20:20
LeeME3 said:
B3Svert said:
Ok I'm biased but take a look on Autotrader, there's an Alpina B3 3.3 Cab on there with leather, TV, Nav and 42k for 12,995. My money would be on that
Sounds great but I can't find it, any chance of a link?LeeME3 said:
Ah yes, v nice car and seems a v decent price. However, tiptronic auto box is a complete no-no I'm afraid (that's why I sold the 996!).
What is the 'Alpina' thing anyway? Sorry, I'm pretty dull when it comes to BMW! Is it BMW equivalent of AMG (although I thought that was 'M')?
Can be driven as normal auto, but that is a bloody cheap car.What is the 'Alpina' thing anyway? Sorry, I'm pretty dull when it comes to BMW! Is it BMW equivalent of AMG (although I thought that was 'M')?
bazking69 said:
Some people actually happen to think that even though the front facelift looks fresher, the pre facelift is the better look.
Probably the ones that own pre-facelift cars though!I'd go facelift a) Because its the new[er] 'improved' version and b) because its smiling, rather than the teutonic frown on the older ones!!!
Seriously though, best option for these is to go for the newest, best condition/maintained [6 cylinder!] car that is within budget and don't worry too much if mileage is a bit leggy.
scratch pervert said:
I picked up a 2004 330ci M Sport convertible this week. Black with black leather and all the toys, only done 36k miles.
Really impressed with it so far. The noise it makes is awesome. I had a 323ci coupe before this but the 330 seems to be a massive step forward.
Did you buy private or trade and, if you don't mind, how much? (PM me if you prefer!).Really impressed with it so far. The noise it makes is awesome. I had a 323ci coupe before this but the 330 seems to be a massive step forward.
Sounds like EXACTLY the car I want!
LeeME3 said:
scratch pervert said:
I picked up a 2004 330ci M Sport convertible this week. Black with black leather and all the toys, only done 36k miles.
Really impressed with it so far. The noise it makes is awesome. I had a 323ci coupe before this but the 330 seems to be a massive step forward.
Did you buy private or trade and, if you don't mind, how much? (PM me if you prefer!).Really impressed with it so far. The noise it makes is awesome. I had a 323ci coupe before this but the 330 seems to be a massive step forward.
Sounds like EXACTLY the car I want!
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