How much should I price my E46 330Ci MSport at?

[devans14]

Hey, I'm one month from moving to Australia and need to sell my 2004 E46 BMW 330Ci MSport.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, she let me down for the first time in three years of ownership; the fuel pump failed and I sent her in, as the MOT was also due in early January.

I've just spent £800 on:
- MOT
- New fuel pump
- New brake hose
- New anti-roll bar drop link
- Labour and diagnosis time
- Oil service

I bought her at 54,000 miles and in three years she's up to 91,000 miles and has been very good to me in this time; with regular oil changes and only 98-grade fuel.

I've also been given five advisories

- Offside front tyre cracks on inner side wall
- Brake hose slightly deteriorated offside front
- Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement nearside front lower
- Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement nearside offside front lower
- Shock absorber has a light misting of oil offside rear

There's also a few cosmetic scuffs on the alloys (previous owner).

She was fitted with Goodyear F1 tyres, although recently one front tyre was punctured and replaced at short notice with a cheaper brand; and it sounds like the other is cracking, so could do with two new Goodyear F1s - although the rears should be fine.

What price would you recommend I sell her for, at the 91k mileage and with a new pump and fresh MOT factored in, against the advisories also to be considered?

Also, what methods of sale would be recommended, given a four-week window?

Thanks

[MrOrange]

Ebay. start at £500. It sounds unloved and in need of work.

[devans14]

MrOrange said:

Ebay. start at £500. It sounds unloved and in need of work.

I don't know about 'unloved', she's been regularly oiled, had a good service at a BMW independent each year and kept in a heated, underground car-park; it just seems a few bills have caught up at once.

What do you reckon I'd get on eBay, starting at £500?

[bmwmike]

What colour and what are the arches like?
Where is the car and is it a manual?

Xenon?

[devans14]

bmwmike said:

What colour and what are the arches like?
Where is the car and is it a manual?

Xenon?

It's Titan silver and the arches and bodywork are in good shape.

I'm not sure if it has xenons; how would I check?

Automatic, in Cambridge

Edited by devans14 on Friday 13th January 13:03

[Rsdop]

I wouldn't say a couple of bushes, a shock and a pair of tyres makes it unloved! Low mileage too but as mentioned it all depends on the bodywork and if it's a manual or an auto and what history/receipts you have for the common issues.
eBay auction probably the best option though if you need it gone. List some more details and your location you may get interest on here or more advice anyway (don't make it an advert!).

[sparks_E39]

£2500 Ono.

[duff]

MrOrange said:

Ebay. start at £500. It sounds unloved and in need of work.

Nonsense. A few advisories for common minor issues, no big deal.

As said, the mileage is in your favour however being an auto will limit its appeal and it's one of the less desirable colours. It's worth around £3k IMO, dependent on spec, history and owners. If you need to sell fast then you may have to take less than its worth though.

[MrOrange]

devans14 said:

MrOrange said:

Ebay. start at £500. It sounds unloved and in need of work.

I don't know about 'unloved', she's been regularly oiled, had a good service at a BMW independent each year and kept in a heated, underground car-park; it just seems a few bills have caught up at once.

What do you reckon I'd get on eBay, starting at £500?

Sorry, I am being unfair, and jumped at post 1 being "what's it worth". A quick search of AT will give you an idea.

It was the mention of cheap/old rubber, old wheel scuffs and need for bushes ... and assorted bits on a 13 year old car is likely just the beginning.

However, low mileage (if you've got matching tickets) is a THE selling point and will probably dictate the price. Sadly, auto is less-good as most buyers would only consider manual.

There is a race series running (the 330 Challenge IIRC) which should drive up demand/price and (if its a sans-sunroof and the conversion to manual is easy). Pop over to http://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/bmw-330-challenge/ and hawk it there.

It's a distressed sell in less than ideal nick and that depresses the values big-style (esp in Jan/Feb).

Good luck selling. And sorry again for negging your first post - welcome to PH btw

[devans14]

Cheers for your help guys.

I'm picking her up tomorrow and will get her straight onto private ads, as recommended.

I'll then have to setup a contingency plan (probably eBay) if I get to two weeks from leaving, without selling her yet.

I've been advised that while WeBuyAnyCar offered a reasonable-sounding price, they will nitpick and offer at most half the value of the car, on the day.

[anonymous-user]

devans14 said:

I'm not sure if it has xenons; how would I check?

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 13th January 13:03

Can you see where you're going at night? If yes, you've got xenons.

[sparks_E39]

REALIST123 said:

devans14 said:

I'm not sure if it has xenons; how would I check?

Edited by devans14 on Friday 13th January 13:03

Can you see where you're going at night? If yes, you've got xenons.

This, and they will be white/blue-ish rather than yellow.

[4rephill]

devans14 said:

.......I'm not sure if it has xenons; how would I check?

Cars that left the factory with with Halogen headlights have a manual headlight beam height adjustment dial on the light switch (Shown below in the yellow square):




Cars that left the factory with Xenon headlights do not have a manual headlight beam height adjustment dial on the light switch ((Shown below in the yellow square):




Plenty of cars that originally left the factory with Halogen headlights have since had after-market HID/Xenon lights fitted, so the light switch arrangement is no guarantee.

If you switch the dip beam lights on and they illuminate immediately, and give off a yellowish-white light then you have halogen headlights.

If you switch the dip beam lights on and there's @ a half second delay before they illuminate, and they give off a blueish-white light, then you have Xenon headlights.

[Ahbefive]

£2k

[kiethton]

If looks reasonably presentable I'd say £3-3.5k, you may even get £4K on a good day!

I'd advertise it at £4K and see what happens...easier to come down than go up!

[Ahbefive]

No way £4k for an auto that needs tyres, a damper and other bits with scuffs etc. You will be doing well to get £3k.