Whats your thoughts on this?
Discussion
Hi All,
Juast wanted some feedback on this 3 series convertible. Its round the corner from my office, so popped along today to take a look. Looks in good nick, and i like the black paint, beige interior combo.
Only issue is the front seats look a little tired and grubby not sure if they would appreicate a leather treatment. And the windmirror surrounds are faded.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Going over again on Saturday to have a proper look and take it out for a spin.
Is the 323 going to be a bit underpowered in the convertible? Also is £3999 a bit strong price wise?
Juast wanted some feedback on this 3 series convertible. Its round the corner from my office, so popped along today to take a look. Looks in good nick, and i like the black paint, beige interior combo.
Only issue is the front seats look a little tired and grubby not sure if they would appreicate a leather treatment. And the windmirror surrounds are faded.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Going over again on Saturday to have a proper look and take it out for a spin.
Is the 323 going to be a bit underpowered in the convertible? Also is £3999 a bit strong price wise?
kodos said:
Hi
Not the best of specs. The car will be dissapointing with the 2.5 engine and automatic gearbox.
Also check for rust on the front wings ect.
Whats your budget. If it was me i would be looking for a nice 330ci manual in sport trim.
I'd agree. Underpowered with the auto box and being a convertible. Spec isn't great - surely you'd want automatic climate control? I personally do not like those wheels at all but each to their own.Not the best of specs. The car will be dissapointing with the 2.5 engine and automatic gearbox.
Also check for rust on the front wings ect.
Whats your budget. If it was me i would be looking for a nice 330ci manual in sport trim.
Sport models look better and IMO, younger. For £5k you've got a lot of choice, judging from a quick search.
Does it have to be an E46? You could get a mint late e36 328i cabriolet for around 3k?
Then you have 2k for maintanence insurance ect? E46's are still costly to maintain and repair.
E46 cabrios in 330ci sport form are available from 5k though.
Nice if you like purple?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Very nice maybe room to haggle it down
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Maybe a little high on mileage but a good spec and would deliver better mpg than the 323 auto
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Then you have 2k for maintanence insurance ect? E46's are still costly to maintain and repair.
E46 cabrios in 330ci sport form are available from 5k though.
Nice if you like purple?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Very nice maybe room to haggle it down
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Maybe a little high on mileage but a good spec and would deliver better mpg than the 323 auto
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Do any of you run an E36 convertible? I'm asking as I've always had a soft spot for them and they are quite cheap, however, I suspect that they are very dated now and not that good in terms of refinement/road noise etc? Also, the plastic rear screen is never that great which puts me off.
Ive never ran a convertible have ran a few e36's though. And know a few people who have ran one.
Tbh if the suspension is in good order they do ride better than you would imagine for at least a 12 year old car.
I would be after a 328i, if maintained and cleaned they can still look and feel very fresh and modern.
If it was me personally and i was playing in the 5k market for a bmw convertible i would leave the e46 out, save myself a wodge of cash and get myself into an e36 convertible. I think you need to spend a bit more money in the e46 convertible market if you want either a) a nice one or b) one thats not a lemon
Tbh if the suspension is in good order they do ride better than you would imagine for at least a 12 year old car.
I would be after a 328i, if maintained and cleaned they can still look and feel very fresh and modern.
If it was me personally and i was playing in the 5k market for a bmw convertible i would leave the e46 out, save myself a wodge of cash and get myself into an e36 convertible. I think you need to spend a bit more money in the e46 convertible market if you want either a) a nice one or b) one thats not a lemon
Looks ok in the pictures, however I am not a big fan of the early e46, I have seen far too many with loads of rust on every arch, bottom of the doors, bootlid , and not just lately they have always been bad, not bmw's finest by a long way, probably down to the paint and protection they used in the late 1990's early 2000's like merc's they went the same way about the same time.
If i had to buy an e46 it would have to be after 2003, I think thats when they sorted out the rust problem and gave longer rust warrenteee.
Check very carefully for paint/filler on the arches, a mate bought a minter, x reg looked amazing, there were holes in the front wings after 6 months....
Thats the only real issue, the chassis is good, engine and running gear is strong and easy to work on if any bits needed.
I would rather have a 1999 e36, much better built and a better car for the money you want to spend.
If i had to buy an e46 it would have to be after 2003, I think thats when they sorted out the rust problem and gave longer rust warrenteee.
Check very carefully for paint/filler on the arches, a mate bought a minter, x reg looked amazing, there were holes in the front wings after 6 months....
Thats the only real issue, the chassis is good, engine and running gear is strong and easy to work on if any bits needed.
I would rather have a 1999 e36, much better built and a better car for the money you want to spend.
steve_bmw said:
Looks ok in the pictures, however I am not a big fan of the early e46, I have seen far too many with loads of rust on every arch, bottom of the doors, bootlid , and not just lately they have always been bad, not bmw's finest by a long way, probably down to the paint and protection they used in the late 1990's early 2000's like merc's they went the same way about the same time.
If i had to buy an e46 it would have to be after 2003, I think thats when they sorted out the rust problem and gave longer rust warrenteee.
Check very carefully for paint/filler on the arches, a mate bought a minter, x reg looked amazing, there were holes in the front wings after 6 months....
Thats the only real issue, the chassis is good, engine and running gear is strong and easy to work on if any bits needed.
I would rather have a 1999 e36, much better built and a better car for the money you want to spend.
Are these issues on all the early E46's? Convertibles, Coupes, Saloons etc?If i had to buy an e46 it would have to be after 2003, I think thats when they sorted out the rust problem and gave longer rust warrenteee.
Check very carefully for paint/filler on the arches, a mate bought a minter, x reg looked amazing, there were holes in the front wings after 6 months....
Thats the only real issue, the chassis is good, engine and running gear is strong and easy to work on if any bits needed.
I would rather have a 1999 e36, much better built and a better car for the money you want to spend.
steve_bmw said:
Looks ok in the pictures, however I am not a big fan of the early e46, I have seen far too many with loads of rust on every arch, bottom of the doors, bootlid , and not just lately they have always been bad, not bmw's finest by a long way, probably down to the paint and protection they used in the late 1990's early 2000's like merc's they went the same way about the same time.
If i had to buy an e46 it would have to be after 2003, I think thats when they sorted out the rust problem and gave longer rust warrenteee.
Check very carefully for paint/filler on the arches, a mate bought a minter, x reg looked amazing, there were holes in the front wings after 6 months....
Thats the only real issue, the chassis is good, engine and running gear is strong and easy to work on if any bits needed.
I would rather have a 1999 e36, much better built and a better car for the money you want to spend.
Still rust issues after the 2003 update. I had a new front wing earlier in the year and had to have some treated behind the numberplate too. If i had to buy an e46 it would have to be after 2003, I think thats when they sorted out the rust problem and gave longer rust warrenteee.
Check very carefully for paint/filler on the arches, a mate bought a minter, x reg looked amazing, there were holes in the front wings after 6 months....
Thats the only real issue, the chassis is good, engine and running gear is strong and easy to work on if any bits needed.
I would rather have a 1999 e36, much better built and a better car for the money you want to spend.
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