E46 330 coupe wanted
Discussion
I'm on the hunt for a decent 330 sport or if possible Clubsport to replace my written off E36. I've missed out on a couple of good cars that came up before I got paid out and saved a bit.
I have a max budget of £3500 and while I appreciate that it's not the biggest pot going, someone must have a car out there that they have looked after. Mileage is not a major issue as long as it has been properly maintained.
I seem to have wasted lots of time and petrol finding tatty, basic cars with not much history.
I'm in South Bucks and don't mind travelling, within reason for a decent car.
Is anyone planning on seeking such a car?
Thanks
I have a max budget of £3500 and while I appreciate that it's not the biggest pot going, someone must have a car out there that they have looked after. Mileage is not a major issue as long as it has been properly maintained.
I seem to have wasted lots of time and petrol finding tatty, basic cars with not much history.
I'm in South Bucks and don't mind travelling, within reason for a decent car.
Is anyone planning on seeking such a car?
Thanks
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... ?
Prob knock a few hundred off.
Best got for a 03+, as it's facelift, and comes with things like auto lights etc. Facelift can be spotted by the lights on the wings, high up and not just rectangular, is a face lift, low and rectangular is pre-facelift.
Rust is the biggest bugger on these things, check arches, well, check everywhere. make sure the needle sits bang in the middle, otherwise its a £175 job. Bushes will no doubt need doing.
ETA: Woops, the one I linked is PRE-facelift, I'll leave it up anyway, as it seems ok!
Post facelift: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... (I saw this one, rust on the back of the car, and a bit tatty, a fair few door dings etc.
Prob knock a few hundred off.
Best got for a 03+, as it's facelift, and comes with things like auto lights etc. Facelift can be spotted by the lights on the wings, high up and not just rectangular, is a face lift, low and rectangular is pre-facelift.
Rust is the biggest bugger on these things, check arches, well, check everywhere. make sure the needle sits bang in the middle, otherwise its a £175 job. Bushes will no doubt need doing.
ETA: Woops, the one I linked is PRE-facelift, I'll leave it up anyway, as it seems ok!
Post facelift: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... (I saw this one, rust on the back of the car, and a bit tatty, a fair few door dings etc.
Here are a few:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Not an M Sport but a good car
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
If you could live with a 325i:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Not an M Sport but a good car
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
If you could live with a 325i:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
illmonkey said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... ?
Prob knock a few hundred off.
Best got for a 03+, as it's facelift, and comes with things like auto lights etc. Facelift can be spotted by the lights on the wings, high up and not just rectangular, is a face lift, low and rectangular is pre-facelift.
Rust is the biggest bugger on these things, check arches, well, check everywhere. make sure the needle sits bang in the middle, otherwise its a £175 job. Bushes will no doubt need doing.
ETA: Woops, the one I linked is PRE-facelift, I'll leave it up anyway, as it seems ok!
Post facelift: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... (I saw this one, rust on the back of the car, and a bit tatty, a fair few door dings etc.
I have a 2002 pre-facelift car. Auto lights, auto wipers amongst other nice to have items. Basic SE spec. So...Prob knock a few hundred off.
Best got for a 03+, as it's facelift, and comes with things like auto lights etc. Facelift can be spotted by the lights on the wings, high up and not just rectangular, is a face lift, low and rectangular is pre-facelift.
Rust is the biggest bugger on these things, check arches, well, check everywhere. make sure the needle sits bang in the middle, otherwise its a £175 job. Bushes will no doubt need doing.
ETA: Woops, the one I linked is PRE-facelift, I'll leave it up anyway, as it seems ok!
Post facelift: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... (I saw this one, rust on the back of the car, and a bit tatty, a fair few door dings etc.
OP: there are many, many threads on multiple forums detailing the common wear/old-age items on these. Look for evidence of these being addressed, and check to see that they don't need doing again. Or buy cheap and have fun fixing it.
ftypical said:
I have a 2002 pre-facelift car. Auto lights, auto wipers amongst other nice to have items. Basic SE spec. So...
OP: there are many, many threads on multiple forums detailing the common wear/old-age items on these. Look for evidence of these being addressed, and check to see that they don't need doing again. Or buy cheap and have fun fixing it.
Probably an extra spec then? Doubt all that was standard on a pre facelift se.OP: there are many, many threads on multiple forums detailing the common wear/old-age items on these. Look for evidence of these being addressed, and check to see that they don't need doing again. Or buy cheap and have fun fixing it.
Having knowingly bought one as a fixer-upper, I would note that the interior is pretty fragile, the front wings rust, the suspension bushes don't last, the thermostats stick with monotonous regularity, the radiators rot, and the engine breather system fails in a fascinating variety of ways that all result in high oil usage (using, or losing).
That said, mine was still running fine with plugs and an air filter that were a decade old*, as for some reason the Service Indicator wasn't being properly reset, so it only ever got Oil Services.
Service history would therefore appear to be less of an issue than documentation that proves the common failure points have been addressed. After that, do you want it to look pretty or drive nice?
That said, mine was still running fine with plugs and an air filter that were a decade old*, as for some reason the Service Indicator wasn't being properly reset, so it only ever got Oil Services.
Service history would therefore appear to be less of an issue than documentation that proves the common failure points have been addressed. After that, do you want it to look pretty or drive nice?
- The fuel consumption did improve after this was addressed...
SPORTSTER said:
Are you still looking for one?
I am. If you are able to help, I would be very interested.So far my quest has proved that there are some very good cars out there (which for one reason or another so far haven't worked out). A good one is a very good car and there are some interesting variations on the definitions of, immaculate, best you will find and full service history!
Just a few;
Full service history = some stamps in a book from unknown random places and the last MOT. This one seems quite common. My favourite being the above, with the car showing that it should have been serviced 6500 miles earlier, the seller stating, ' it's alright I had it done, they just forgot to reset it. Err, no I haven't ant receipts'.
Very good condition = rust bad enough to require replacement panels, a variety of interior and exterior trim damaged or missing (much more than just usual wear and tear).
Small blistering on one wheel arch = All four are shot in a big way.
Fitted with all the options = the standard cars with windows etc that may or may not function properly.
These all on cars that were up for more money than the good ones I missed out on.
I know that e46s are not renowned for their tank like build quality, but these are testing my patience now.
Anyway, rant over and breathe....
LanceRS said:
Very good condition = rust bad enough to require replacement panels, a variety of interior and exterior trim damaged or missing (much more than just usual wear and tear).
Small blistering on one wheel arch = All four are shot in a big way.
I know that e46s are not renowned for their tank like build quality, but these are testing my patience now.
Anyway, rant over and breathe....
Just as an aside, having owned saloon e46 330 and saloon e36 328, the e46 Compacts seem to be generally a lot less rusty. Performance wise a 325 Compact is not far off a coupe 330 down to gearing and weight differencesSmall blistering on one wheel arch = All four are shot in a big way.
I know that e46s are not renowned for their tank like build quality, but these are testing my patience now.
Anyway, rant over and breathe....
Firstly, as you are already finding out, a decent E46 is now quite hard to come by. It took me 3 months to find mine. I have had it two and a half years now and it is a good one although you will find that they will need attention on a fairly regular basis to keep it working at is should.
Also, try not to get into your head that the ones you missed out on are "good ones". Those that look good on paper have often been made to do so. When you actually view those cars they may be worse than the ones you have been to see.
There are good cars still available. Although I am not selling mine and it would be beyond your budget, mine only has one small rust spot on the near side sill. All arches are good, wings looks fine at the moment. With the best will in the world you cannot keep all the rust at bay on these cars. You just have to do your best.
Also, try not to get into your head that the ones you missed out on are "good ones". Those that look good on paper have often been made to do so. When you actually view those cars they may be worse than the ones you have been to see.
There are good cars still available. Although I am not selling mine and it would be beyond your budget, mine only has one small rust spot on the near side sill. All arches are good, wings looks fine at the moment. With the best will in the world you cannot keep all the rust at bay on these cars. You just have to do your best.
Some of them have been so bad that I haven't gone as far as looking underneath.
Part of my dilemma, is that even the rough ones drive well. I have been thinking of giving up and just buying a car so that I can get to work. Problem being, I want a 330 and they will be going the way of good e36s. If I don't buy one now, I probably never will.
Hopefully, I have a silver Clubsport to see on Sunday so fingers crossed.
Part of my dilemma, is that even the rough ones drive well. I have been thinking of giving up and just buying a car so that I can get to work. Problem being, I want a 330 and they will be going the way of good e36s. If I don't buy one now, I probably never will.
Hopefully, I have a silver Clubsport to see on Sunday so fingers crossed.
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