Looking for E46 convertible, opinions please on price
Discussion
Hi all,
Have been an avid reader of the BMW forums and PH in general for a couple of years but never needed to post before.
I'm looking for an E46 Convertible, preferably smaller engine. Have seen this one, looks like a good price to me- i wonder if anyone can give me opinions on it and what to look for etc?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3398435.htm
Have also seen these- comparable specs and mileage but more expensive- why? Again opinions would be appreciated.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3347988.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2927042.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3293432.htm
Thanks,
Jeff
Have been an avid reader of the BMW forums and PH in general for a couple of years but never needed to post before.
I'm looking for an E46 Convertible, preferably smaller engine. Have seen this one, looks like a good price to me- i wonder if anyone can give me opinions on it and what to look for etc?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3398435.htm
Have also seen these- comparable specs and mileage but more expensive- why? Again opinions would be appreciated.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3347988.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2927042.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3293432.htm
Thanks,
Jeff
5 years ago I had a 2002 BMW 318CI convertable, it had nearly every option and was in an Individual Purple colour. I loved it, even though the engine didn;t set your pants on fire...
One piece of advice, ensure that the tracking is checked annually. Mine was on 18" wheels, and was very sesitive to tracking alignment. Other than that, nothing went wrong and it was ajoy to drive...
One piece of advice, ensure that the tracking is checked annually. Mine was on 18" wheels, and was very sesitive to tracking alignment. Other than that, nothing went wrong and it was ajoy to drive...
Schnauzer said:
Unusual colour, but would be my first choice of those you have listed.Schnauzer said:
Have also seen these- comparable specs and mileage but more expensive- why? Again opinions would be appreciated.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3347988.htm
Facelift, better colour (black), auto. Auto questionable, I'd guess a 318 auto will be dog slow.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3347988.htm
Schnauzer said:
Poor ad, not original wheels (insurance issue), ad smacks of dodgy dealer from a quick glance, hoping to flog car to some rude boy who doesn't do his research.Schnauzer said:
Ditto the above, plus replica M Kit? Nasty.If you are ok with the colour, from the Ads alone the first one would be my first choice. If you want an auto buy a bigger engine.
Hi,
I too like you was looking into buying an E46 convertible and ended up purchasing a 54 Plate 318 M-Sport by increasing my budget slightly. Whilst looking, I found a large variance in price for the same spec/mileage cars without any reason. Sometimes lower specced cars were higher priced, I suppose some realise that at winter they'll sell them for less whereas others will still sell at the "summer" price.
Spec is very important, many cars with leather demand a premium and I personally went for black as I didn't like the look of the grey leather.
Two of the cars you've posted seem to be modified (The black and estoril blue ones; Exhaust/Alloys/Rep kits), for some reason, modifiers tend to believe that their modifications will command a premium when it comes to resale. I'd stay well away from these types of cars, not only because it's a pain to revert them back to OEM but also because of the insurance issues etc.
I was considering buying a modified one then reverting it back to OEM but it seems as if the phsyically modified cars tend to have the little "bits and pieces" ignored that will irk you in the future! (For example the black "modified" BMW has two bits of trim missing when the roof is down, which cost £20 each!).
Also, if going for leather, check the normal bolster wear on each side.
I hope that's been a help and I haven't rambled up too much!
Give me a shout if you'd like to know anything else!
I too like you was looking into buying an E46 convertible and ended up purchasing a 54 Plate 318 M-Sport by increasing my budget slightly. Whilst looking, I found a large variance in price for the same spec/mileage cars without any reason. Sometimes lower specced cars were higher priced, I suppose some realise that at winter they'll sell them for less whereas others will still sell at the "summer" price.
Spec is very important, many cars with leather demand a premium and I personally went for black as I didn't like the look of the grey leather.
Two of the cars you've posted seem to be modified (The black and estoril blue ones; Exhaust/Alloys/Rep kits), for some reason, modifiers tend to believe that their modifications will command a premium when it comes to resale. I'd stay well away from these types of cars, not only because it's a pain to revert them back to OEM but also because of the insurance issues etc.
I was considering buying a modified one then reverting it back to OEM but it seems as if the phsyically modified cars tend to have the little "bits and pieces" ignored that will irk you in the future! (For example the black "modified" BMW has two bits of trim missing when the roof is down, which cost £20 each!).
Also, if going for leather, check the normal bolster wear on each side.
I hope that's been a help and I haven't rambled up too much!
Give me a shout if you'd like to know anything else!
DizzyN said:
Hi,
I too like you was looking into buying an E46 convertible and ended up purchasing a 54 Plate 318 M-Sport by increasing my budget slightly. Whilst looking, I found a large variance in price for the same spec/mileage cars without any reason. Sometimes lower specced cars were higher priced, I suppose some realise that at winter they'll sell them for less whereas others will still sell at the "summer" price.
Spec is very important, many cars with leather demand a premium and I personally went for black as I didn't like the look of the grey leather.
Two of the cars you've posted seem to be modified (The black and estoril blue ones; Exhaust/Alloys/Rep kits), for some reason, modifiers tend to believe that their modifications will command a premium when it comes to resale. I'd stay well away from these types of cars, not only because it's a pain to revert them back to OEM but also because of the insurance issues etc.
I was considering buying a modified one then reverting it back to OEM but it seems as if the phsyically modified cars tend to have the little "bits and pieces" ignored that will irk you in the future! (For example the black "modified" BMW has two bits of trim missing when the roof is down, which cost £20 each!).
Also, if going for leather, check the normal bolster wear on each side.
I hope that's been a help and I haven't rambled up too much!
Give me a shout if you'd like to know anything else!
What is the 318 like performance wise? Stuck between a 318 (cheaper insurance/petrol) or get better performing 325/330 but pay more in insurance and running costs. I too like you was looking into buying an E46 convertible and ended up purchasing a 54 Plate 318 M-Sport by increasing my budget slightly. Whilst looking, I found a large variance in price for the same spec/mileage cars without any reason. Sometimes lower specced cars were higher priced, I suppose some realise that at winter they'll sell them for less whereas others will still sell at the "summer" price.
Spec is very important, many cars with leather demand a premium and I personally went for black as I didn't like the look of the grey leather.
Two of the cars you've posted seem to be modified (The black and estoril blue ones; Exhaust/Alloys/Rep kits), for some reason, modifiers tend to believe that their modifications will command a premium when it comes to resale. I'd stay well away from these types of cars, not only because it's a pain to revert them back to OEM but also because of the insurance issues etc.
I was considering buying a modified one then reverting it back to OEM but it seems as if the phsyically modified cars tend to have the little "bits and pieces" ignored that will irk you in the future! (For example the black "modified" BMW has two bits of trim missing when the roof is down, which cost £20 each!).
Also, if going for leather, check the normal bolster wear on each side.
I hope that's been a help and I haven't rambled up too much!
Give me a shout if you'd like to know anything else!
Does the convertible's heavier body mean the 318 struggles?
Actually drove one yesterday to see how it went and was very pleasantly surprised, so i've set my heart on the 318- running costs on the 325/330 would be a killer for me.
As for the cars- saw the same colour as the first one on the road this afternoon and it's actually really nice in the flesh. Think the rest are a bit 'modified'..
As for the cars- saw the same colour as the first one on the road this afternoon and it's actually really nice in the flesh. Think the rest are a bit 'modified'..
Hi,
To me, the best one seems to be the first one;
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3398435.htm
However, if you drove all 4, you would know straight away which one was best. A looked after one always drives nicely. Ensure that you know what a nice one drives like. At this age, it is all about how well it drives / has been maintained and the first one just seems right.
P.s. No relation to seller of the first one, it just seeems right.
To me, the best one seems to be the first one;
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3398435.htm
However, if you drove all 4, you would know straight away which one was best. A looked after one always drives nicely. Ensure that you know what a nice one drives like. At this age, it is all about how well it drives / has been maintained and the first one just seems right.
P.s. No relation to seller of the first one, it just seeems right.
Whilst the 2.0 lump in the 318 is 'fine' - that's all it is. I've a 318 and 2 years on regret not waiting for a 320 to come up. I was looking at a 325 convertible a few months back and the insurance was little more and the running costs I don't think are much difference either.
Oh, and it's also been the most unreliable car ever to leave a BMW dealer.
Oh, and it's also been the most unreliable car ever to leave a BMW dealer.
Exactly as FunBus says, whilst the 318 isn't a speed machine, it's acceptable/fine dependant on how you're going to be using it. I use it mainly for the commute to work so find the pull of the car is fine and when I did finally get onto an A road, found that at higher speeds it was capable although nothing exciting as such. The 318 only has 143bhp and pulling an extremely heavy car, you won't find the accelaration anything amazing. I do believe the 320 or 325 would be a better option performance wise (as running costs between the models don't vary hugely) and it would've been what I'd have gone for were it not for the crazy insurance quotes that I was getting.
Also, I prefer the look of the M-Sport to that over the "normal" models however, looks are subjective and other than the physical appearance, there's no power or performance differences that would deem it a must have.
Also, I prefer the look of the M-Sport to that over the "normal" models however, looks are subjective and other than the physical appearance, there's no power or performance differences that would deem it a must have.
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