What condition e46 can i get for 5k

[CaveyH]

vsonix said:

There's still quite a bit of range in price. 4 cylinder 4 doors then yes absolutely. Late model, well specified coupes and cabrios with a 6-cyl either petrol or derv are still commanding a few grand although as with the E36 the 20i remains unloved and the medium size 6cyls will generally be passed over until the 3 litres start to get scarce. Tourings tend to be worth more than sedans but less than the 'exotic' 2-doors. 330i Club Sport coupe probably the one to invest in other than the M3 which is already increasing in value again. Compacts even less popular than the E36 Compact due to horrible front end although cognoscenti like the 325ti and the value of those will remain stable and eventually increase once they get on more people's radar.

well when i get a 330ci/i, ill most probably have it less than 2 years, unless i really fall in love with it, as i really want the 350z and z4 at some point and maybe a s2000

[CaveyH]

HugoFastmann said:

Agreed. Don't bother with a 318/20/25, but a 330Ci is a good call. Clubsports are great, but very rare.

I had to Google "cognoscenti". Learn something new every day!

Yeah i ave seen a few clubsports for my budget, do they have the same interior and performance as a 330 M series?

[vsonix]

I wouldn't say clubsports are all that rare, I see them pop up for sale fairly often. I think they missed a bit of a trick with them, although the wheels are a nice design the offsets make them look uncomfortable - besides those, the spoiler and the limited edition shades of blue there's not enough going on to make them different enough to be worth aspiring to. Although of course the fact they are limited in number will make them appeal to collectors all the more.

[Funk]

There were loads of Clubsports available when I was looking, one dealer had two in... I nearly went for one but ultimately I didn't like the rear wing or the alloys which is pretty much what makes a Clubsport a Clubsport.

[optimate]

i picked up my 330 3 grand dead with 59k on it and full service history

later some tt drove in door insurance wrote it off payed 4grand
so payed 750 for second hand door and local body shop to blend and spray it

so it the cheapest car iv ever owned lol

budget for fixing oil leaks properly on most ie cam cover oil filler housing and a cooling overhaul
not seen a many second hand without a cracked header tank

if aint been done a steering pump

check back back coil springs aint broke often at bottom where you don't see it
and always always check rear sub frame for cracks

[LanceRS]

Most Clubsports had the leather optioned making the identical to a normal 330. As standard they came with a unique interior.
Alcantara centres with cheapish leather sides.

[CaveyH]

LanceRS said:

Most Clubsports had the leather optioned making the identical to a normal 330. As standard they came with a unique interior.
Alcantara centres with cheapish leather sides.

Unique is one word you could use for that design

[aka_kerrly]

£5k should mean you are have access to the best non M e46s in the country. Plenty of 330 coupes an cabriolets around and lots of unusual specs to once you look past the millions of black with black leather or silver with black leather ones that dominate the market.

CaveyH said:

LanceRS said:

Most Clubsports had the leather optioned making the identical to a normal 330. As standard they came with a unique interior.
Alcantara centres with cheapish leather sides.

Unique is one word you could use for that design

I love those. I prefer them to a plain black leather or worse the grey leather which in my opinion is best avoided in any e46
I also find the half leather and alcantara options on E46s more desirable than plain leather to.

These


and these

[HugoFastmann]

aka_kerrly said:

I love those. I prefer them to a plain black leather or worse the grey leather which in my opinion is best avoided in any e46

Nothing wrong with a bit of grey leather in an E46...

[vsonix]

HugoFastmann said:

Nothing wrong with a bit of grey leather in an E46...

It ages badly, manages to be too dark to brighten the interior and still light enough to show ALL the dirt.
The whiter shade of grey is OK, but the mid grey, usually paired up with the stainless trim, is the worst of all the available options IMO

[HugoFastmann]

vsonix said:

It ages badly, manages to be too dark to brighten the interior and still light enough to show ALL the dirt.
The whiter shade of grey is OK, but the mid grey, usually paired up with the stainless trim, is the worst of all the available options IMO

True, it is a complete nightmare to keep clean. I'm considering doing a full leather dye to recolour it (back to it's original colour hopefully) but I do feel it keeps the interior fairly bright. Definitely much brighter than any full black interior I've been in! There aren't many around with light grey interiors, but a few of the beige/tan interiors, which usually come with woodgrain (which is the worst combination IMO).

[LanceRS]

Photos do not do the interior any favours, looks better when you're in the car (especially when you have got used to it). Before I picked it up, I was pricing up a replacement leather interior. Once I had it, I wasn't bothered any more. They're also comfortable, no sliding about.

[Mr Tidy]

CaveyH said:

well when i get a 330ci/i, ill most probably have it less than 2 years, unless i really fall in love with it, as i really want the 350z and z4 at some point and maybe a s2000

Maybe you should wait until you can go straight for the 350Z/Z4/S2000?



My Z4C is fantastic, but my 325ti is 80% of the car for 20% of the money!

Depends on exactly what you want.

[CaveyH]

Mr Tidy said:

Maybe you should wait until you can go straight for the 350Z/Z4/S2000?



My Z4C is fantastic, but my 325ti is 80% of the car for 20% of the money!

Depends on exactly what you want.

Yeah that is what i have been thinking recently, feel like it wouldnt be worth having if only for a year

[SebringMan]

HugoFastmann said:

Nothing wrong with a bit of grey leather in an E46...

Absolutely. I really like mine and never really found it an issue. Unless you get in with dirty clothes it's not a massive issue. And then the dirt on your seats would go onto your other cloths, thus almost nulling the clean arguement. Alot of car interiors are dark and daunting and it's nice to have that bit of brightness .

[DonaldTrump]

Bought myself a very tidy 325ci last week for £2.5k, the seller also had this for sale, it looked beautiful.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0-2005-Ci-Spor...

[nckr55]

Really nice E46 for sale round the corner from me, below. If I could drive (currently have my right foot in plaster!) I'd be having a look myself, but I'm a few weeks away from being able to do that...

http://www.longstoneedinburgh.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-...

[RC1]

big e46 fan here...first was a sport touring and currently have an alpina b3s coupe

the only scare bill relates to bodywork if you end up getting the car re-sprayed due to front wing replacement

i found the manual box in standard form a bit lacklustre with its long throw and notchiness but easily remedied

awesome chassis married to six cylinder of pure velvet with just enough poke to keep you animated on those twisties

[RC1]

big e46 fan here...first was a sport touring and currently have an alpina b3s coupe

the only scare bill relates to bodywork if you end up getting the car re-sprayed due to front wing replacement

i found the manual box in standard form a bit lacklustre with its long throw and notchiness but easily remedied

awesome chassis married to six cylinder of pure velvet with just enough poke to keep you animated on those twisties

[RanchoGrande]

Some punchy prices out there for 330's. Mine's going on the market in the next month but I'll be lucky to get £2k for mine, probably a lot less!