E46 Touring values at dealers

[biggiles]

Hi,
I'm looking at buying a BMW 3-series touring in the near future. I've previously had a TVR Chimaera so looking for a car with some power behind it as well as good reliability (and yes, the TVR was fairly reliable!).
The E46 330d seems to fit the bill, or even the newer E90 320ds.

I'm seeing widly variable prices- 80k 2000 models coming up at 7k on autotrader, compared to 2004 60k versions hitting 13k as BMW approved. Prices also seem to have gone up, from looking at threads from this time last year.

Is it worth buying BMW approved at six years old? At this price point, would it be better to get a high mileage 320d with the faster engine from somewhere like autoquake?

Many thanks in advance!

[gizlaroc]

I had an E46 330d which was 2002 and 184bhp, used to get to 60mph in around 8 seconds.

I have also had a remapped E91 320d which was tuned to 210bhp, much lighter up front and that would get to 60mph in 7 seconds.

The 330d returned 32mpg, the E91 returned 39mpg, both autos.

You may find an E91 330d within budget and this can be mapped to 280bhp and it not much worse than the 320d for economy.

[Ciaran]

I know it's not diesel but I'm selling my 330i sport touring for a decent price if you are interested. Cheaper to buy than a diesel too!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581043.htm

Edited by Ciaran on Thursday 10th June 16:41

[biggiles]

Ciaran said:

I know it's not diesel but I'm selling my 330i sport touring for a decent price if you are interested. Cheaper to buy than a diesel too!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581043.htm

Edited by Ciaran on Thursday 10th June 16:41

Thanks Ciaran. Looks like a good car- and excellent value.

Can I ask why BMW dealers are asking £12K for a car a couple of years newer and 20K miles less than a car half the price? Is this really just depreciation??

[Vroomer]

If you are buying "Approved Used' you can be certain the car is top quality and it comes with probably the best used warranty there is, hence no nasty bills for a least a year.

[gizlaroc]

Ciaran said:

I know it's not diesel but I'm selling my 330i sport touring for a decent price if you are interested. Cheaper to buy than a diesel too!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581043.htm

I can't believe you still haven't sold that, if you weren't a 6 hour drive, an over night ferry and then all that back again I would have liked it for myself.

[Ciaran]

gizlaroc said:

Ciaran said:

I know it's not diesel but I'm selling my 330i sport touring for a decent price if you are interested. Cheaper to buy than a diesel too!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581043.htm

I can't believe you still haven't sold that, if you weren't a 6 hour drive, an over night ferry and then all that back again I would have liked it for myself.

Me either to be honest, I've not even had an offer from any Nigerian lads

There is a dealer in Peterborough that has a 5 series that will take in as a trade so I am more than willing to deliver it to you!

Apologies for the hijack.

[Talat]

Ciaran said:

gizlaroc said:

Ciaran said:

I know it's not diesel but I'm selling my 330i sport touring for a decent price if you are interested. Cheaper to buy than a diesel too!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1581043.htm

I can't believe you still haven't sold that, if you weren't a 6 hour drive, an over night ferry and then all that back again I would have liked it for myself.

Me either to be honest, I've not even had an offer from any Nigerian lads

There is a dealer in Peterborough that has a 5 series that will take in as a trade so I am more than willing to deliver it to you!

Apologies for the hijack.

I can't either. I sold mine around 6 months ago - identical to yours except manual, non-leather and 118K miles - it went for around £5200 from memory.

[solarprotection]

i have a nice one for sale in exeter its just had a power upgrade at paddock motors. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1738835.htm
www.solarprotectionfilm.co.uk