Opinions on value of 330 Coupe

[A11REX]

Hi Guys,

Been trying to sell the wifes car for the past few weeks and am not having much luck, so far no calls at all which suggests to me that I'm asking too much money.

She is buying an M3 and the dealer who is a good friend of mine suggested trying it privately for 15k (he offered £13,000 trade in).

Here's a link to the ad, I'd apprecite your thoughts on value or if I am missing any tricks.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/98959.htm

Thanks,
Chris

[m3desmo]

Go for the quick trade with the dealer (not worth hanging out for the extra £2k) as this outgoing model is depreciating like a stone at the minute, with the new model in showrooms now. Look at it this way - as much as it hurts to admit, the car is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it, and holding out for the private sale could result in you still having the car in a couple of months time with it now worth even less. BMW dealers are overstocked with these cars and don't really want these cars but are offering you a decent trade-in as a sweetener to get you to buy a new/used car from them.

Excellent time to buy an M3 (you get a lot of car for the money) just make sure you don't pay over the odds - there are loads of used examples about (victim of its own success). The M3 has taken a massive smack in depreciation over the past 6-8 months (Had mine for 2 1/2 years now - purchased in 2004 for mid £40k and would be lucky to see £25k for it now! - that's almost £800/month depreciation) The M car warranty has just drastically increased in cost and this has also affected used values. These are all reasons that I have decided to hang onto it for now, as it's a hugely competent and entertaining car and at £25k I would struggle to replace it with anything that ticks as many boxes as the M3. Good luck with your M3 purchase and snap that dealer's arm off with that trade-in!

Edited by m3desmo on Saturday 16th September 01:33

[jamesson]

Are those scrunchies round the gearstick?!

[m3desmo]

Could also suggest that you check out the M3 CSL, as these are likely to hold their value better over the next few years due to rarity factor and are available for not a lot more than the M3. They are also a stonkingly good car and if I was looking to get into an M3 now, it would be No.1 on my list!

[A11REX]

jamesson said:

Are those scrunchies round the gearstick?!

It's the wifes car, honest!!!


Thanks for the advice guys, As I've placed and paid for the adverts I'll probably reduce the price to 14k. Every penny counts and if still no luck then PX it is.

[A11REX]

m3desmo said:

Could also suggest that you check out the M3 CSL, as these are likely to hold their value better over the next few years due to rarity factor and are available for not a lot more than the M3. They are also a stonkingly good car and if I was looking to get into an M3 now, it would be No.1 on my list!

CSL would be my choice but this car isn't for me. She chose a carbon cabriolet with 'bigga the wheels' spec, though she did insist on a manual gearbox

[off_again]

Since its a fairly recent model with a decent spec, how about having the service done and a fresh MOT - that way any prospective buyer can be confident of at least 8k+ miles without any spend. For the price it might be worth "securing" a sale rather than trying to sell it....

I always try to look for cars with a long MOT and a recent service (or at least bills for recent work like tyres etc). Maybe that might be why arent getting any sniffs?

Mind you, £14k for a 02 330i is still a good deal. Used cars are just such good value at the moment

[Vee]

What was the last service, Insp 2 or Oil Service. This will have some bearing on how much you can get for it.
The colour, spec, mileage is pretty much the same as my wife's 330 sport, although hers is a 52 plate.

If I got £14k for it I'd be happy.

[A11REX]

off_again said:

Since its a fairly recent model with a decent spec, how about having the service done and a fresh MOT - that way any prospective buyer can be confident of at least 8k+ miles without any spend. For the price it might be worth "securing" a sale rather than trying to sell it....

I always try to look for cars with a long MOT and a recent service (or at least bills for recent work like tyres etc). Maybe that might be why arent getting any sniffs?

Mind you, £14k for a 02 330i is still a good deal. Used cars are just such good value at the moment

I understand your thinking but if I throw too much money at it I'll end up achieving less than the trade price I've been offered, especially as any buyer is bound to want to negotiate, whatever the asking price and regardless of how little work it needs.

Thanks again for all your opinions.

[m3desmo]

A11REX said:

off_again said:

Since its a fairly recent model with a decent spec, how about having the service done and a fresh MOT - that way any prospective buyer can be confident of at least 8k+ miles without any spend. For the price it might be worth "securing" a sale rather than trying to sell it....

I always try to look for cars with a long MOT and a recent service (or at least bills for recent work like tyres etc). Maybe that might be why arent getting any sniffs?

Mind you, £14k for a 02 330i is still a good deal. Used cars are just such good value at the moment

I understand your thinking but if I throw too much money at it I'll end up achieving less than the trade price I've been offered, especially as any buyer is bound to want to negotiate, whatever the asking price and regardless of how little work it needs.

Thanks again for all your opinions.

Agree 100%!! Don't waste money on servicing it before selling as no-one pays the asking price and will still want a deal! Add service cost to haggling from buyers and you would not be far off the dealer trade-in value. Goes back to what I said about accepting the dealer's offer - doesn't seem too bad when you consider that you will not have to service it and the sale will be quick and hassle free!

[rob05]

I would tend to agree with M3desmo as i don't really think its worth much more than 13k privately anyway
My friends just sold his face lift model on a 53plate with 30thsmls and struggled to get 16.5k for it.
IMO take the dealers cash as there are few buyers out there.

Edited by rob05 on Monday 18th September 13:05

[ICSD]

I'm just about to pay slightly under £15k for a 2002 330i Sport Touring with 38k from a BMW dealer. I only went that route because the damn things are like rocking horse sh** so I went for what I could find and it is a nice car, but it tends to indicate that the PX value is about right on yours.

Definitely hang on for as long as poss to sell privately but I don't think you're being tucked up by the dealer.

[ccfj1]

I'd take the £13K trade in, the car appears to be a nice clean example, yes its low miles, yes it has some of the toys, (leccy mem leather seats, HK, xenons in-dash cd).

but, it has No SatNav, Comms Package, auto folding mirrors, heated seats, lumbar support, leccy rear blind or sunroof, you don't even have the overmats in it (my 52, 330ci sport had "all" of the above and I paid a simlilar price).

These are the things that tip the balance when paying top money, and £14K is absolute top money IMO.

I'm not trying to put your car down, but E46 prices are going through the floor at the moment, take the deal while you can.

[chilli]

I sold my 330ci (Auto) with 19k on the clock, in excellent condition for £15.5k about six months or so ago. Lost £9k in a year!

[Vee]

chilli said:

I sold my 330ci (Auto) with 19k on the clock, in excellent condition for £15.5k about six months or so ago. Lost £9k in a year!

Was it a sport ?

[exboxster]

Values are indeed taking a kicking. I was looking to sell my 325i sport auto (2001), to get an estate of some sort. I decided to hold on to it in the end as it's fine, but the cost of change would just be too high. Good luck with the sale, but as said above I'd accept the trade-in deal. Much as that pains me it really is so much easier than sodding around with private sale scammers, stoopid agnency callers who have loads of "buyers" allegedly waiting, those e-amils offering your £1000 over if you'll ship to Holland.
Enjoy the M3 by the way- had one for a while and ahhh, the noise , the NOISE !!

[m3desmo]

exboxster said:

Values are indeed taking a kicking. I was looking to sell my 325i sport auto (2001), to get an estate of some sort. I decided to hold on to it in the end as it's fine, but the cost of change would just be too high. Good luck with the sale, but as said above I'd accept the trade-in deal. Much as that pains me it really is so much easier than sodding around with private sale scammers, stoopid agnency callers who have loads of "buyers" allegedly waiting, those e-amils offering your £1000 over if you'll ship to Holland.
Enjoy the M3 by the way- had one for a while and ahhh, the noise , the NOISE !!

The noise from the M3 is even better with a GruppeM system!!! The howl at high rpm is pure addiction material!

[CHILLI]

Vee said:

chilli said:

I sold my 330ci (Auto) with 19k on the clock, in excellent condition for £15.5k about six months or so ago. Lost £9k in a year!

Was it a sport ?

Yeah, with all the M stuff.