E46 330Cd: It’s time to say goodbye
Discussion
I have a 2004 330Cd which is getting a bit long in the tooth. It is mechanically sound and hasn’t missed a beat in the ten years I have had it, but the wheel arches have just started to bubble and it has numerous small cosmetic things that need attention. I haven’t the time to lavish it with the TLC it deserves.
It’s an SE, with Sport interior, grey leather, heated electric memory seats and a sunroof. It has got 200k (!) motorway miles, where I have averaged 50mpg trundling a long with artics. It has service history and all receipts too.
Webuyanycar has offered £450, which seems a bit rude, and I was offered £650 for it against a 2015 430 Gran Coupe yesterday.
I only change cars once every 10 years, so haven’t a clue where best to sell it.
Can anyone advise? Maybe a BMW enthusiast here might want it to do up?
It’s an SE, with Sport interior, grey leather, heated electric memory seats and a sunroof. It has got 200k (!) motorway miles, where I have averaged 50mpg trundling a long with artics. It has service history and all receipts too.
Webuyanycar has offered £450, which seems a bit rude, and I was offered £650 for it against a 2015 430 Gran Coupe yesterday.
I only change cars once every 10 years, so haven’t a clue where best to sell it.
Can anyone advise? Maybe a BMW enthusiast here might want it to do up?
Guestatron said:
I have a 2004 330Cd which is getting a bit long in the tooth. It is mechanically sound and hasn’t missed a beat in the ten years I have had it, but the wheel arches have just started to bubble and it has numerous small cosmetic things that need attention. I haven’t the time to lavish it with the TLC it deserves.
It’s an SE, with Sport interior, grey leather, heated electric memory seats and a sunroof. It has got 200k (!) motorway miles, where I have averaged 50mpg trundling a long with artics. It has service history and all receipts too.
Webuyanycar has offered £450, which seems a bit rude, and I was offered £650 for it against a 2015 430 Gran Coupe yesterday.
I only change cars once every 10 years, so haven’t a clue where best to sell it.
Can anyone advise? Maybe a BMW enthusiast here might want it to do up?
Sadly it's a 15 year old car with 200k miles, regardless of a full service history that will stand out to any seller, especially these "Webuyanycar" places, who would even reduce the £450 offered, and then flog it for a grand It’s an SE, with Sport interior, grey leather, heated electric memory seats and a sunroof. It has got 200k (!) motorway miles, where I have averaged 50mpg trundling a long with artics. It has service history and all receipts too.
Webuyanycar has offered £450, which seems a bit rude, and I was offered £650 for it against a 2015 430 Gran Coupe yesterday.
I only change cars once every 10 years, so haven’t a clue where best to sell it.
Can anyone advise? Maybe a BMW enthusiast here might want it to do up?
E46's are known for rust in the wheel arches, I assume you had the swirl flap modification for the engine? (swirl flaps in the manifold to help with emissions can work loose and get ingested by the engine and damage the cylinders)
£650 is a decent offer, if towards the 430 Gran Coupe. View it as pocket money towards the 430
Classifieds or Ebay / Gumtree etc is another way too 
The Li-ion King said:
Classifieds or Ebay / Gumtree etc is another way too
Trouble with that is, you'll attract what I could term a typical E46 owner. Check some of the knuckle dragging specimens on Facebook E46 groups. These cars are at the bottom of the curve.It's probably worth a grand, to someone, eventually, but is the extra £350 worth the aggro? I think not. The BMW dealer will just auction it off where it will return them about £650 after BCA's fees. They're not having you over but if you can ask for £850 and maybe shake hands on £750, you've done well. In bits, a 200'000 miles rusting 330cd isn't worth a carrot - E46 parts are just worthless. Ask me how I know.
Touring442 said:
The Li-ion King said:
Classifieds or Ebay / Gumtree etc is another way too
Trouble with that is, you'll attract what I could term a typical E46 owner. Check some of the knuckle dragging specimens on Facebook E46 groups. These cars are at the bottom of the curve.It's probably worth a grand, to someone, eventually, but is the extra £350 worth the aggro? I think not. The BMW dealer will just auction it off where it will return them about £650 after BCA's fees. They're not having you over but if you can ask for £850 and maybe shake hands on £750, you've done well. In bits, a 200'000 miles rusting 330cd isn't worth a carrot - E46 parts are just worthless. Ask me how I know.
E46's are nice but the world has moved on, so I think the dealer is being reasonable, he's looking at trade values as well. It is unlikely to re appear at the dealer's for sale. Accept the dealer offer and enjoy your new 430
Thanks all for the advice.
It looks like a trade in is the best way to go. I was dreading a private sale attracting the types that like cheap E46s. It's a shame to sell the old girl, as she has been great, but things do indeed move on.
The 430d was better in every way, but for £19k I should expect so too!
It looks like a trade in is the best way to go. I was dreading a private sale attracting the types that like cheap E46s. It's a shame to sell the old girl, as she has been great, but things do indeed move on.
The 430d was better in every way, but for £19k I should expect so too!
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