E46 330 coupe wanted

[LanceRS]

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

[LanceRS]

I am., would I be optimistic in thinking that you may be able to help?

[LanceRS]

Sounds good, hopefully I have managed to reply.

[LanceRS]

A bit of a bump for this one. I'm still looking for one of these if anyone is planning on selling something suitable?

[LanceRS]

I have not ruled out a diesel, there just seemed to be a much better choice of petrol in my budget..

[LanceRS]

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]

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.

[LanceRS]

Quick update, it seems that the world is full of people who cannot be honest when asked a direct question over the phone before I get in the car and travel.
If a car does not look showroom fresh, that's fine, just be honest. Stop advertising the car as something it's not and pricing accordingly.

[LanceRS]

Today is a good day. Just out a deposit down on this. Picking it up on Tuesday.

[LanceRS]

wjb said:

That CS looks special OP, I saw the add on Auto Trader, a lot of car for the money. I might be dipping into the 330ci market to replace my 320td. I've had a 325i sport saloon but not a 330.

I do fancy a CS, but what exactly is the correct premium to pay for a CS over a similar spec/condition 330ci?

Thank you, I hope to enjoy it for many years to come. My only real plans for it other than that are to replace the black kidney grills and fit the centre arm rest.

As far as a price premium goes, it's difficult to say. I only viewed one that was any cheaper at £3000 and it was pretty much as good as this one. The others were 3.5k to 4k and were dogs. Conversely I viewed non clubsports in the same price range which were just as rough. I think it is a bit of a lottery really.

I went for this one because of it condition and just got lucky that it happens to be a Clubsport in the right colour.

[LanceRS]

Hopefully so. I shall post some more pictures when I get it home.