What condition e46 can i get for 5k

[CaveyH]

Been looking at e46 for a few weeks now, was going to set a budget of 7k, however seems pointless as you can get an m3 for a bit more. So was just wondering what sort of condition 330ci e46 i can expect for 5k. Obviously I know this varies, but in general.

I want an M sport 330ci, preferably under 100,000 miles.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by CaveyH on Wednesday 19th April 11:28

[helix402]

I'd say a very good one for that money. Old E46s seem to fall into a few categories, knackered standard, knackered drift/track/chav sheds, knackered, mint. Mileage is less important than condition.

[Richair]

I'd say you're looking at the best of the best for that budget (with the exception of some of the silly prices asked by the 'classic' dealers). I've just bought a very nice, well cared for but high milage manual CS for under £2.5k. As above I'd concentrate on condition and work carried out rather than mileage. Nearly every 100k-ish car I've bought needed a fair chunk of cash thrown at the running gear, so bear that in mind. They're heavy cars so need a refresh of all suspension around this milage.

My cheaper car has had all this done and done well...

[CaveyH]

Richair said:

I'd say you're looking at the best of the best for that budget (with the exception of some of the silly prices asked by the 'classic' dealers). I've just bought a very nice, well cared for but high milage manual CS for under £2.5k. As above I'd concentrate on condition and work carried out rather than mileage. Nearly every 100k-ish car I've bought needed a fair chunk of cash thrown at the running gear, so bear that in mind. They're heavy cars so need a refresh of all suspension around this milage.

My cheaper car has had all this done and done well...

Thanks,that helps a lot as i have been looking solely at ones under 100,000 because I thought less miles = better condition. so maybe I should look for more around the sort of 100,000-130,000 mileage as well then? What are some "fixes" that I should look for or ask about?

Sorry for noob question, I have only recently got into cars and so bit new to this.

[helix402]

If you put "common E46 problems" into Google you'll get lots of info. (Saves me writing it all down again!)
6 cylinder only (unless you have an odd desire for a 4 cylinder diesel-its ok but when a 3.0 is so cheap there's little point).

[CaveyH]

helix402 said:

If you put "common E46 problems" into Google you'll get lots of info. (Saves me writing it all down again!)
6 cylinder only (unless you have an odd desire for a 4 cylinder diesel-its ok but when a 3.0 is so cheap there's little point).

Thank you very much for the help! And no i'll be staying way away from diesel.

[Richair]

CaveyH said:

Richair said:

I'd say you're looking at the best of the best for that budget (with the exception of some of the silly prices asked by the 'classic' dealers). I've just bought a very nice, well cared for but high milage manual CS for under £2.5k. As above I'd concentrate on condition and work carried out rather than mileage. Nearly every 100k-ish car I've bought needed a fair chunk of cash thrown at the running gear, so bear that in mind. They're heavy cars so need a refresh of all suspension around this milage.

My cheaper car has had all this done and done well...

Thanks,that helps a lot as i have been looking solely at ones under 100,000 because I thought less miles = better condition. so maybe I should look for more around the sort of 100,000-130,000 mileage as well then? What are some "fixes" that I should look for or ask about?

Sorry for noob question, I have only recently got into cars and so bit new to this.

I would certainly look to broaden the mileage range, these cars wear their mileage extremely well providing they've been well maintained. A stack of invoices should be viewed as a very good thing as they do need looking after. The one I've just bought has 161k on it, but given its been well cared for this doesn't concern me (although I'll caveat that by saying I'm very handy with the spanners so any issues that crop up I can resolve).

As already advised there's a lot of info out there on them so google is your friend. However they're generally robust, the biggest issue to look out for is probably rust. The worst of which is likely to be hiding underneath the car, so have a good poke round and if you don't know what you're looking for take someone with you that does.

I'm still very much in the honeymoon period with mine, but so far I've been impressed at how it drives. Good luck in your search!

[Mr Tidy]

Good luck with your search OP - for your budget you should get an exceptional E46 330Ci.

Just try to avoid the hyped-up ones that are mediocre at best in reality!

Hope you find a good one.

[CaveyH]

Richair said:

I would certainly look to broaden the mileage range, these cars wear their mileage extremely well providing they've been well maintained. A stack of invoices should be viewed as a very good thing as they do need looking after. The one I've just bought has 161k on it, but given its been well cared for this doesn't concern me (although I'll caveat that by saying I'm very handy with the spanners so any issues that crop up I can resolve).

As already advised there's a lot of info out there on them so google is your friend. However they're generally robust, the biggest issue to look out for is probably rust. The worst of which is likely to be hiding underneath the car, so have a good poke round and if you don't know what you're looking for take someone with you that does.

I'm still very much in the honeymoon period with mine, but so far I've been impressed at how it drives. Good luck in your search!

Yeah I will be upping the miles to broaden the search, won't be getting one however until september though And yeah my mate is a very good mechanic so will be able to help me should anything go wrong.
Was wondering i have done a bit of googling on it but all the forums say different things, what is the difference between facelift and the normal e46, also what year cars was the facelift brought in?

Thanks

[Smuler]

CaveyH said:

Been looking at e46 for a few weeks now, was going to set a budget of 7k, however seems pointless as you can get an m3 for a bit more. So was just wondering what sort of condition 330ci e46 i can expect for 5k. Obviously I know this varies, but in general.

I want an M sport 330ci, preferably under 100,000 miles.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by CaveyH on Wednesday 19th April 11:28

I don't think, as others have said, you'd need to spend 7k to get a great 330ci, but the fact that you could get a M3 for 7k, isn't a reason not too. They are very different cars and I really don't think a 7k M3 would be anything other than a lot of trouble, in costs etc.

Spend 5, maybe 6k and get a great car with a perfect service history, ideally all BMW, and few owners.

I recently sold a 2002 mint 325, 1 prior owner, full BMW SH, 75k miles which I'd been using as a daily runabout, for 4k, so that's where I'm coming from when I say 5-6k for as good, but a 330, I'm assuming manual gearbox? Possibly less money for an auto, but less fun in my opinion.

I believe the facelift was 2003, in my opinion it's a step back in looks, not such a nice front or wheels, but - and check this - it might have been the point the 330ci had a 6 speed manual gearbox, so you're going to get those benefits.

[JakeT]

There was two facelifts if you will. The main one was in late 2001, and there was a facelift in march 2003 for the coupe and compact that also brought changes to the other models.

A good 330ci can be had for 5k. I looked at spending that much but found they were all a little overpriced for my tastes. I wanted an Estoril blue 6spd 330i saloon. None seem to exist, so I got a compact and saved some cash.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW...

Give this a read. It is a useful resource.

[CaveyH]

Smuler said:

I don't think, as others have said, you'd need to spend 7k to get a great 330ci, but the fact that you could get a M3 for 7k, isn't a reason not too. They are very different cars and I really don't think a 7k M3 would be anything other than a lot of trouble, in costs etc.

Spend 5, maybe 6k and get a great car with a perfect service history, ideally all BMW, and few owners.

I recently sold a 2002 mint 325, 1 prior owner, full BMW SH, 75k miles which I'd been using as a daily runabout, for 4k, so that's where I'm coming from when I say 5-6k for as good, but a 330, I'm assuming manual gearbox? Possibly less money for an auto, but less fun in my opinion.

I believe the facelift was 2003, in my opinion it's a step back in looks, not such a nice front or wheels, but - and check this - it might have been the point the 330ci had a 6 speed manual gearbox, so you're going to get those benefits.

in an ideal world i would have an M3 but if i did all my money would be poured on it so seems stupid to do so.

Yeah i am still deciding on if i want facelift or not, and if i mind either or. Yeah i think i am setting 5k as max budget personally only being 21 i feel this is for the best haha, and yes it has to be manual gearbox, I am assuming the prices of sees 330ci are set in stone now and are unlikely to drop or rise?

[LanceRS]

I've had my 330 Clubsport for nearly two years. Bought for £3550 with 101k on the clock. It will need the thermostat and hedgehog resistor changing soon, but other than that has only required routine servicing. I've done 25k in it now.
The 3L engine is wonderfully smooth and easier to live with than the M3 for everyday life (if nothing else, the servicing is half the price).
When I was looking (and I must have seen 25+), prices were all over the place as was the condition of the cars.
As has already been said, buy on condition, history and work already carried out. Don't pay to much over the odds though, there are some people with some very funny ideas as to what their cars are worth.
Pre facelift looks better but the 6 speed 'box would have been nice.
Good luck with your search.

[CaveyH]

LanceRS said:

I've had my 330 Clubsport for nearly two years. Bought for £3550 with 101k on the clock. It will need the thermostat and hedgehog resistor changing soon, but other than that has only required routine servicing. I've done 25k in it now.
The 3L engine is wonderfully smooth and easier to live with than the M3 for everyday life (if nothing else, the servicing is half the price).
When I was looking (and I must have seen 25+), prices were all over the place as was the condition of the cars.
As has already been said, buy on condition, history and work already carried out. Don't pay to much over the odds though, there are some people with some very funny ideas as to what their cars are worth.
Pre facelift looks better but the 6 speed 'box would have been nice.
Good luck with your search.

Hi, i have recently seen the clubsport version and i was just wondering what is the difference between that and the M sport version? By that I mean in terms of performance and what it is like to drive.

[STe_rsv4]

CaveyH said:

Been looking at e46 for a few weeks now, was going to set a budget of 7k, however seems pointless as you can get an m3 for a bit more. So was just wondering what sort of condition 330ci e46 i can expect for 5k. Obviously I know this varies, but in general.

I want an M sport 330ci, preferably under 100,000 miles.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by CaveyH on Wednesday 19th April 11:28

I am putting my E46 330ci M sport convertible up for sale today as I am looking at getting an M235i
2005 model, 70K miles. silver.

PM me if you would like more details

Lee

[LanceRS]

It's mostly cosmetic bits, the boot spoiler, wheels and extensions under the front bumper (colour if it is Estoril blue). It does have some sort of quick shift and some sound deadening taken out, you can notice the extra road noise especially on concrete motorway sections.

Ignore the black grills, a previous owner fitted them and I still haven't got round to sourcing some originals.

[CaveyH]

LanceRS said:

It's mostly cosmetic bits, the boot spoiler, wheels and extensions under the front bumper (colour if it is Estoril blue). It does have some sort of quick shift and some sound deadening taken out, you can notice the extra road noise especially on concrete motorway sections.

Ignore the black grills, a previous owner fitted them and I still haven't got round to sourcing some originals.

I must admit i dont normally like spoilers, but that is a lovely looking car!

[Mr Roper]

I have a excellent 330ci M-sport convertible, Totally standard, 2004 with 62k miles...Not a mark anywhere and drives like new.

Grey/black

I paid £6200 for it last year with 58k miles.


eta

Not for sale.

[Smuler]

CaveyH said:

Smuler said:

I don't think, as others have said, you'd need to spend 7k to get a great 330ci, but the fact that you could get a M3 for 7k, isn't a reason not too. They are very different cars and I really don't think a 7k M3 would be anything other than a lot of trouble, in costs etc.

Spend 5, maybe 6k and get a great car with a perfect service history, ideally all BMW, and few owners.

I recently sold a 2002 mint 325, 1 prior owner, full BMW SH, 75k miles which I'd been using as a daily runabout, for 4k, so that's where I'm coming from when I say 5-6k for as good, but a 330, I'm assuming manual gearbox? Possibly less money for an auto, but less fun in my opinion.

I believe the facelift was 2003, in my opinion it's a step back in looks, not such a nice front or wheels, but - and check this - it might have been the point the 330ci had a 6 speed manual gearbox, so you're going to get those benefits.

in an ideal world i would have an M3 but if i did all my money would be poured on it so seems stupid to do so.

Yeah i am still deciding on if i want facelift or not, and if i mind either or. Yeah i think i am setting 5k as max budget personally only being 21 i feel this is for the best haha, and yes it has to be manual gearbox, I am assuming the prices of sees 330ci are set in stone now and are unlikely to drop or rise?

I think the very best will go up in price, I really don't think I'd have got 4k for my less desirable 325 a year earlier, for example.
I can remember a mate looking at 330ci at a main dealer's 36k miles, just one owner for 7.5k in December 2014, a quick look at main dealer's now and I'm seeing a lesser example @ 10k.

I think, other than the best, the prices will drop as they will be deemed old cars and at the miles/condition too much trouble to risk paying the same price for a newer car. Good examples are rare, so you're right to search asap.

[Kettmark]

Richair said:

I'd say you're looking at the best of the best for that budget (with the exception of some of the silly prices asked by the 'classic' dealers). I've just bought a very nice, well cared for but high milage manual CS for under £2.5k. As above I'd concentrate on condition and work carried out rather than mileage. Nearly every 100k-ish car I've bought needed a fair chunk of cash thrown at the running gear, so bear that in mind. They're heavy cars so need a refresh of all suspension around this milage.

My cheaper car has had all this done and done well...

Where on earth did you get an m3 CS for £2.5k?!
What sort of mileage has it got on it?