Purchase Advice: 330Ci M Sport Facelift

[c3m]

Hi guys,

I've been following this forum in stealth mode for quite a while and would greatly appreciate it if you can share your opinion about a particular car. I usually suck at buying cars (bought my first E46 in a rush since I had 2 days to pick one and the choice was pretty much non-existent) hence why I need some external input.

I'm looking for a 330Ci M Sport (facelift, manual) which is fully loaded with extras (must haves: xenons, Harman Kardon, no modifications; nice to have: sat nav, MV2s). I was looking at spending about £8-9k for such a car (is that realistic?). Unfortunately, there are no such cars on the market that tick all the boxes except one very high mileage one: http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If I have to be honest, that sort of mileage scares me - is my fear justified? Should I just wait for another fully-loaded one to pop-up? I'm not in a rush this time, so I can wait it out if necessary but I'm just not seeing any movement on 330Ci M Sports.

Thanks.

Edited by c3m on Sunday 1st January 14:55

[nrick]

My m3 wasn't much more, but I wouldn't worry about mileage be more concerned on condition. Mine had every bill from new, all mots and service history. I had an e34 do 220k and was as good as 50k, an e65 I did 130k in, and again I am sure it would have done 200k+', and an e39 do 150k and it was one of the best I had.

[c3m]

nrick said:

My m3 wasn't much more, but I wouldn't worry about mileage be more concerned on condition. Mine had every bill from new, all mots and service history. I had an e34 do 220k and was as good as 50k, an e65 I did 130k in, and again I am sure it would have done 200k+', and an e39 do 150k and it was one of the best I had.

Thanks. Do you reckon 8 BMW services for 119k is alright? That makes it about 15k miles in-between services which seems about the upper bound (some people on here suggest much more frequent oil changes).

Are there any specific signs that I should be looking for which scream "just walk away" regarding the 330Ci specifically (and E46 in general)? Given that I don't have much experience with buying cars, I won't be able to tell (from a quick look) what would need replacing and what wouldn't (e.g., suspension bushes, clutch, etc). Would those generally need to have been replaced by now or does it depend on condition?

Cheers.

[Sticks.]

I'm no expert but for your budget I'd think you can get one with lower miles if you don't mind being patient and perhaps not getting all the toys, nice though they are.

For example, this will come with a year's warranty, so you needn't worry so much about what to beware of http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details/0,,1156_... Suspect you could get a fair bit off that price.

A year's peace of mind on what could be an expensive car to repair is a plus for me.

Do a searchon E46 tramlining and you'll want to check the age/quality/condition of the tyres, which can be expensive. Oh, and I noticed when I was looking, the convertibles have nav more often than the coupes.

But as I say, I'm not an authority on it.

[c3m]

Sticks. said:

I'm no expert but for your budget I'd think you can get one with lower miles if you don't mind being patient and perhaps not getting all the toys, nice though they are.

For example, this will come with a year's warranty, so you needn't worry so much about what to beware of http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/details/0,,1156_... Suspect you could get a fair bit off that price.

A year's peace of mind on what could be an expensive car to repair is a plus for me.

Do a searchon E46 tramlining and you'll want to check the age/quality/condition of the tyres, which can be expensive. Oh, and I noticed when I was looking, the convertibles have nav more often than the coupes.

But as I say, I'm not an authority on it.

Thanks, Sticks. I'm keeping an eye on AUC but I want a manual (sorry, didn't mention that in my first post). There was a brilliant Imola Red 330Ci with all the right extras but I missed it by 1 day. I've come across about the tramlining issue in a few posts but I'll do a bit more research as you suggested. I've actually seen a few convertibles that I quite like but I have to say, I don't think it's my cup of tea.

You mentioned that I might be able to get a bit off the price from AUC - what do you reckon would be a reasonable amount? 5%, 10%? Never really haggled before, so any tips are appreciated. Cheers.

[Sticks.]

I'm not sure what % were manual, less than half I'd have thought. Not many will be AUC, only good ones, and although that price isn't bad for AUC, it is January, which is on your side. If they don't sell it in @6 weeks it'll go into the trade, so anything above that + enough to cover the warrnty might do it, and it's a unit towards their targets. We got 20% off the original asking price, but then that price was silly.

I guess the old rule about not buying the 1st one you see, and look at as many as you can applies. If you see an AUC one, try it, say if you like it, set yourself a max price and be prepared to walk. Maybe they'l meet your rice, maybe in a couple of weeks. Does take patience, I'm afraid.

Btw when I bought my 1st one on 04, dealer said red = lower price, nice though it is.

You do know you could have a nice Z4 for your budget

[nrick]

Google 'cracked floor' on e46 coupe

[nrick]

My e60 used to do 18k between services.

[c3m]

Sticks. said:

Btw when I bought my 1st one on 04, dealer said red = lower price, nice though it is.

That's very interesting because I personally quite like Imola Red and I would have imagined they'd be more expensive due to being more rare. Talk about counterintuitive!

Sticks. said:

You do know you could have a nice Z4 for your budget

Unfortunately, I need 3 seats on some weekends

[c3m]

nrick said:

Google 'cracked floor' on e46 coupe

Cheers - I'll look it up!

[Sticks.]

c3m said:

Sticks. said:

Btw when I bought my 1st one on 04, dealer said red = lower price, nice though it is.

That's very interesting because I personally quite like Imola Red and I would have imagined they'd be more expensive due to being more rare. Talk about counterintuitive!

Yes, I like the red too, and rare, as you say. Was a while ago.

[Patrick Bateman]

£8-9k?!

I got mine for £5k.

[c3m]

Patrick Bateman said:

£8-9k?!

I got mine for £5k.

What spec did you get?

I'm looking for 2004 / 2005 manual M Sport with all the extras (HK, xenons, sat nav) with sub 50-60k miles - that's how much they seemed to be going at. Unfortunately, there's not a single car with such a spec on the market at the moment.

[Patrick Bateman]

c3m said:

What spec did you get?

I'm looking for 2004 / 2005 manual M Sport with all the extras (HK, xenons, sat nav) with sub 50-60k miles - that's how much they seemed to be going at. Unfortunately, there's not a single car with such a spec on the market at the moment.

Not much over standard (although it's fairly generous anyway), it's got the bluetooth handsfree kit but it's designed for an ancient phone, not that I'd need it anyway- electric leather seats, parking sensors etc. is good enough for me. Heated seats are something I'd have liked.

It's a Sport, on an 04 plate and was on 86,000 miles. There won't be many cars with mileage as low as what you're after. I'd look for condition over mileage anyway to be honest. I wouldn't get worked up over nav either, from what I hear a TomTom is a better bet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-330-CI-M-SPORT-...

Nobody wants a 3 litre petrol though so I'd imagine a lot of them will go for less than what some valuations will show.

[c3m]

Patrick Bateman said:

Not much over standard (although it's fairly generous anyway), it's got the bluetooth handsfree kit but it's designed for an ancient phone, not that I'd need it anyway- electric leather seats, parking sensors etc. is good enough for me. Heated seats are something I'd have liked.

It's a Sport, on an 04 plate and was on 86,000 miles. There won't be many cars with mileage as low as what you're after. I'd look for condition over mileage anyway to be honest. I wouldn't get worked up over nav either, from what I hear a TomTom is a better bet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-330-CI-M-SPORT-...

Nobody wants a 3 litre petrol though so I'd imagine a lot of them will go for less than what some valuations will show.

I couldn't care less about bluetooth anyway. I think the most important thing for me is M Sport, 04/05 facelift, manual, xenons and HK - everything else I don't care at all and would be just nice to have. Agreed on the mileage - I'm happy to compromise on that and go to about 80-90k preferably. The one thing I want to avoid is start replacing stuff immediately after purchase (clutch, suspension bits etc). I'd much rather pay a bit more cash than having to deal with going places and getting the car sorted out.

With respect to the Sat Nav - I'm mainly looking for it because it makes the dashboard look a lot nicer (in my opinion). I do understand that I'm quite a bit picky but given that I don't need the car, I'm happy to wait a few more months, hoping something will pop up.

Thanks for the link to the black 330Ci - it's very much what I'm after.

Is the 3 litre petrol really a turn off to most people? I'd assume that's because they have to do a lot of miles? I don't see why otherwise.

When you got yours, did you have to replace any suspension / other bits at that sort of mileage? I suppose this also depends on where the car was mainly driven (on motorway vs city)?

Thanks!

[Patrick Bateman]

c3m said:

I couldn't care less about bluetooth anyway. I think the most important thing for me is M Sport, 04/05 facelift, manual, xenons and HK - everything else I don't care at all and would be just nice to have. Agreed on the mileage - I'm happy to compromise on that and go to about 80-90k preferably. The one thing I want to avoid is start replacing stuff immediately after purchase (clutch, suspension bits etc). I'd much rather pay a bit more cash than having to deal with going places and getting the car sorted out.

With respect to the Sat Nav - I'm mainly looking for it because it makes the dashboard look a lot nicer (in my opinion). I do understand that I'm quite a bit picky but given that I don't need the car, I'm happy to wait a few more months, hoping something will pop up.

Thanks for the link to the black 330Ci - it's very much what I'm after.

Is the 3 litre petrol really a turn off to most people? I'd assume that's because they have to do a lot of miles? I don't see why otherwise.

When you got yours, did you have to replace any suspension / other bits at that sort of mileage? I suppose this also depends on where the car was mainly driven (on motorway vs city)?

Thanks!

I don't mean it's a turn off in a bad way, just that 99% of people think of mpg above all else it would seem.

Other than normal consumables-

The rear bushes were shagged, DISA valve was rattly and the radiator was sagging.

Cooling system is a weak point. Along with the radiator, I replaced the coolant expansion tank, water pump, upper and lower radiator hoses and both auxiliary belts as preventative maintenance. Rather than being stuck at the side of the road with a knackered water pump/drive belt.

Bushes aren't too expensive so I wouldn't worry too much about them. Mine is still on its original clutch as far as I know (now 91,000 miles).

Rear tyres ain't cheap for good ones (~£160 a pop for the latest Goodyears on mine), consumables should be sourced from eurocarparts when they have one of their 25% discount offers on, OEM parts are available there, saved over £100 last time in parts alone and they accidentally chucked in an extra set of front brake pads.

[c3m]

Patrick Bateman said:

I don't mean it's a turn off in a bad way, just that 99% of people think of mpg above all else it would seem.

Other than normal consumables-

The rear bushes were shagged, DISA valve was rattly and the radiator was sagging.

Cooling system is a weak point. Along with the radiator, I replaced the coolant expansion tank, water pump, upper and lower radiator hoses and both auxiliary belts as preventative maintenance. Rather than being stuck at the side of the road with a knackered water pump/drive belt.

Bushes aren't too expensive so I wouldn't worry too much about them. Mine is still on its original clutch as far as I know (now 91,000 miles).

Rear tyres ain't cheap for good ones (~£160 a pop for the latest Goodyears on mine), consumables should be sourced from eurocarparts when they have one of their 25% discount offers on, OEM parts are available there, saved over £100 last time in parts alone and they accidentally chucked in an extra set of front brake pads.

Great, thanks a lot for the brilliant advice!

[nrick]

I personally wouldn't worry about the hk, I have vocals in mine and they sound great.

[simonpg]

Hmm that car looks familiar..

It's a good car, don't worry about the mileage!

[malone67]

Afternoon

in November i bought a 330 m sport vert

54 plate
titan silver/ black leather ( only colour i could get with spec i wanted )
manual
h/k
xenons
heated seats
79k on

for £7.3k

love the car , defo wait to get the spec you want, i searched for about 3 months and some were popping up without xenons ( which is a must for me ) - i decided to wait, altough i didnt really want silver, it was the only manual with xenons that was well priced .