E46 325ci vert - potential purchase help required
Discussion
First time delving into the deep pits of of the BMW forums here so hoping you good folks can help.
I've seen a car that, after a few weeks of research, I have identified as being straight and decent for the coming summer. Could some of you have a look and maybe guide me with info as I'm led to believe it's a well looked after vehicle.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Will be going to view on Saturday so any help is greatly appreciated.
I've seen a car that, after a few weeks of research, I have identified as being straight and decent for the coming summer. Could some of you have a look and maybe guide me with info as I'm led to believe it's a well looked after vehicle.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Will be going to view on Saturday so any help is greatly appreciated.
Agree with Shaoxter.good looking car but facelift E46 cabriolet came out in April 2003 with 6 speed gearbox replacing 5 speed plus few other upgrades.
If you want a keeper I'd be looking for facelift model 330 Ci with heated electric memory seats and Xenons with lower mileage. No more expensive to run but aout 30 extra BHP. and although ad gives details of suspension refresh still got some advisories re bushes on MOT.
Biggest problem is rusty wings fronts easy to change (bolt on) but rears can be very crusty and expensive to repair. Could also suffer from rear subframe/floor rot( google it) which again is ver yexpensive to repair.
Great cars but at 15 years old finding a good one that isnt a money pit isnt going to be easy.
If you want a keeper I'd be looking for facelift model 330 Ci with heated electric memory seats and Xenons with lower mileage. No more expensive to run but aout 30 extra BHP. and although ad gives details of suspension refresh still got some advisories re bushes on MOT.
Biggest problem is rusty wings fronts easy to change (bolt on) but rears can be very crusty and expensive to repair. Could also suffer from rear subframe/floor rot( google it) which again is ver yexpensive to repair.
Great cars but at 15 years old finding a good one that isnt a money pit isnt going to be easy.
Edited by twokcc on Friday 26th January 10:27
I've not assessed 'vert prices, but my gut feel was a little pricey. But then list price is open to negotiation so no big deal 
It's a manual which is a big plus as autos on the 325 are way down in performance.
I've had a couple of 325 coupe's so it's a nice engine with a manual, bit of old school fun being a 5 speed.
On my main 325 (did about 56k miles in 3 years) only issue I had of note was an oil leak, rocker cover gasket (think that's the term) was eventual diagnosis after I traded it.
There wasn't anything smokey of note, from tail pipes, but I would definitely want to see this engine on a cold and warm start. When I sold my second 325 (mint) I did video for the buyer.
Lights look wrong, I had non-Xenons which are crap and was told an upgrade was MOT failure and this was 2013 so as the other responder says, be aware.
Bushes do go quite a bit on these, other issues I had were sticky-caliper (no big deal) and CCV valve breather went, but that was 200£ tops.
I've attached the MOT history of my car, had it from 09/2011-10/2014 (so 4 passes in between) so you can compare with the one you're looking at , as it did seems have a few more issues than mine by same miles.
Also, is that a crack in the bumper above middle parking sensor? Or just the light of the photos.
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=ce55wc...
It's a manual which is a big plus as autos on the 325 are way down in performance.
I've had a couple of 325 coupe's so it's a nice engine with a manual, bit of old school fun being a 5 speed.
On my main 325 (did about 56k miles in 3 years) only issue I had of note was an oil leak, rocker cover gasket (think that's the term) was eventual diagnosis after I traded it.
There wasn't anything smokey of note, from tail pipes, but I would definitely want to see this engine on a cold and warm start. When I sold my second 325 (mint) I did video for the buyer.
Lights look wrong, I had non-Xenons which are crap and was told an upgrade was MOT failure and this was 2013 so as the other responder says, be aware.
Bushes do go quite a bit on these, other issues I had were sticky-caliper (no big deal) and CCV valve breather went, but that was 200£ tops.
I've attached the MOT history of my car, had it from 09/2011-10/2014 (so 4 passes in between) so you can compare with the one you're looking at , as it did seems have a few more issues than mine by same miles.
Also, is that a crack in the bumper above middle parking sensor? Or just the light of the photos.
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=ce55wc...
Thanks for the pointers chaps. I've been having a look at the prices over the last few months and it appears as though most are overpriced anyway. There's some going for circa £3k and all the 330's I've seen are properly ropey at £2k-£2.5k.
Budget is £2k ideally but less is better.
If this car turns out to be decent, what's a ballpark recommended purchase figure?
Budget is £2k ideally but less is better.
If this car turns out to be decent, what's a ballpark recommended purchase figure?
At that price point it all depends on what work needs to be done. Service due, tyres, brakes, roof, paintwork, suspension bits etc. Difficult to say from just reading an advert.
In general I'd much rather spend a bit more and get a well sorted example than basing a decision purely on purchase price.
In general I'd much rather spend a bit more and get a well sorted example than basing a decision purely on purchase price.
I don't know if verts command a premium and / or if prices have gone up but in Feb last year, I sold my mind 1 owner 2002 (52) 325ci coupe manual @75k miles FBMWSH for £4,000
it was one of the most expensive private listings but sold where others failed, to quote interested parties "cos it was totally sorted" including 4 new tires and a recent Inspection II (the big one).
If 'your' 125k mile 02 vert is sorted, then to be fair it could be a bargain (compared to what's on A/T today) as seller alleges but I tend to agree with Shaoxter , if it's not you need to see and cost what needs doing and compare that overall cost with any sorted cars, assuming there are any.
These cars need decent tires and all 4 the same. I googled blackcircles, mid price, went Hankook which I used to use and 4 are 440£
I looked at BMW and they didn't mention Inspection II but the biggest service was 369£ No doubt Indy is cheaper, but it's an illustration of what it can cost to get a car sorted. Mine was spot on regards, discs, pads, suspension etc.
it was one of the most expensive private listings but sold where others failed, to quote interested parties "cos it was totally sorted" including 4 new tires and a recent Inspection II (the big one).
If 'your' 125k mile 02 vert is sorted, then to be fair it could be a bargain (compared to what's on A/T today) as seller alleges but I tend to agree with Shaoxter , if it's not you need to see and cost what needs doing and compare that overall cost with any sorted cars, assuming there are any.
These cars need decent tires and all 4 the same. I googled blackcircles, mid price, went Hankook which I used to use and 4 are 440£
I looked at BMW and they didn't mention Inspection II but the biggest service was 369£ No doubt Indy is cheaper, but it's an illustration of what it can cost to get a car sorted. Mine was spot on regards, discs, pads, suspension etc.
Hi
Advert claims the anti roll bars were replaced in April 2017, yet MOT in September 2017 claims Anti roll bar rubber bush perished.
It also looks like it will need some new tyres soon
It has hardly completed any mileage since September 2017 too.
Previously it has had excessive corrosion on the front wings (a common fault) I would just closely check this out to see how the repair was done...
Just pointers to use as a bargaining chip......
Mike
Advert claims the anti roll bars were replaced in April 2017, yet MOT in September 2017 claims Anti roll bar rubber bush perished.
It also looks like it will need some new tyres soon
It has hardly completed any mileage since September 2017 too.
Previously it has had excessive corrosion on the front wings (a common fault) I would just closely check this out to see how the repair was done...
Just pointers to use as a bargaining chip......
Mike
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