Advice sought (330Ci)
Discussion
OK, folks, I have put a (refundable) holding deposit down on a 330Ci. It's a little older and has a slightly higher mileage than I had originally intended, but the price more than reflects this I think. I was looking for a bit of advice before I commit, however.
What things should a 100k 330Ci have had done by this point, and what should I expect to have to do in the next 10-15k?
I'm not hugely worried about the mileage but are there any known problems or weak-points in the 330Ci to be aware of?
Also, my wife thinks the mileage is too high, but I think a bigger engined motor like this ought to be capable of 200k+. That being said, things do wear out and so how can I tell which things might be needing attention? I'm sure the service stamps will give a clue, but oftentimes big services gloss over fine detail, so if there are easy checks I can make this would put my (and her) mind at rest.
I posted a link to the dealer's ad on my topic about transferring private plates. Now, I'm fairly new to the 3-series, and this will be the first for me. So, I'm a bit green, both on BMW ownership in general and the 330 in particular. So, if you've been around the BMW block a few times, I'd appreciate it if you could take a look and let me know whether you reckon the car I'm talking about seems to be a good deal or not?
Thanks,
John
What things should a 100k 330Ci have had done by this point, and what should I expect to have to do in the next 10-15k?
I'm not hugely worried about the mileage but are there any known problems or weak-points in the 330Ci to be aware of?
Also, my wife thinks the mileage is too high, but I think a bigger engined motor like this ought to be capable of 200k+. That being said, things do wear out and so how can I tell which things might be needing attention? I'm sure the service stamps will give a clue, but oftentimes big services gloss over fine detail, so if there are easy checks I can make this would put my (and her) mind at rest.
I posted a link to the dealer's ad on my topic about transferring private plates. Now, I'm fairly new to the 3-series, and this will be the first for me. So, I'm a bit green, both on BMW ownership in general and the 330 in particular. So, if you've been around the BMW block a few times, I'd appreciate it if you could take a look and let me know whether you reckon the car I'm talking about seems to be a good deal or not?
Thanks,
John
On the whole, these cars are very solid and reliable. The car in the other post must be one of the first sports models - as such it does not have the widescreen if that's important to you (harder to update to mk4 DVD navigation); also looks like it doesn't have auto-lights (based on the light switch) which the later models did. Very unusual to see one with a sunroof - it's a nice option. The car also has heated seats (again an optional extra)
I've owned a 330Ci Sport from new since 2002; currently at 50,000 miles. I have never had a significant problems, although in the last 12 months it has needed a number of replacement items - tyres, discs and pads, altenator, rear springs etc. Along with a fairly major service, probably around £2k in that period based on indi prices. To be fair, it's cost be very little prior to that, so can't really complain. However, you need to be aware that with a car of that age and mileage you may be luckly, or it may hit you in the wallet.
Cars have tendancy to break rear springs, climate control panel failure, and rear subframe issues (worth doing a search on the forum). Some cars have a tendancy to use a lot of oil (up to a litre every 1,000 miles - but this doesn't necessarily indicate a problem)
My car is a manual; I've not heard of any problems with the autobox; it should shift smoothly.
The car in the advert even has the same bluetooth phone system as mine (Parrot MK3200) - seems to work well with most current phones.
Condition and service history are important and should give a good indication of how well the car has been looked after. As a matter of interest, have you compared this to car to similar models with lower mileage; personally, I would prefer to spend a little more, for a lower mileage 2002 onwards car.
Gary
I've owned a 330Ci Sport from new since 2002; currently at 50,000 miles. I have never had a significant problems, although in the last 12 months it has needed a number of replacement items - tyres, discs and pads, altenator, rear springs etc. Along with a fairly major service, probably around £2k in that period based on indi prices. To be fair, it's cost be very little prior to that, so can't really complain. However, you need to be aware that with a car of that age and mileage you may be luckly, or it may hit you in the wallet.
Cars have tendancy to break rear springs, climate control panel failure, and rear subframe issues (worth doing a search on the forum). Some cars have a tendancy to use a lot of oil (up to a litre every 1,000 miles - but this doesn't necessarily indicate a problem)
My car is a manual; I've not heard of any problems with the autobox; it should shift smoothly.
The car in the advert even has the same bluetooth phone system as mine (Parrot MK3200) - seems to work well with most current phones.
Condition and service history are important and should give a good indication of how well the car has been looked after. As a matter of interest, have you compared this to car to similar models with lower mileage; personally, I would prefer to spend a little more, for a lower mileage 2002 onwards car.
Gary
Edited by gmarks1 on Monday 23 March 18:28
I recently sold my 107k miles 330ci sport.
The only thing that was actually wrong with it was the gear linkage spring wasn't returning the gear lever to the centre.
In 67k miles of ownership, I fixed the following:-
glued back the door surrounds as they dropped off on both sides in the summer heat.
oil level sensor failed and replaced.
cracked alloy caused MOT failure and had to be replaced.
passenger door handle mechanism broke.
Not too bad in 4 years of ownership but more than I had to do in a Pug 306 Gti for similar miles/time. Go figure.
The only thing that was actually wrong with it was the gear linkage spring wasn't returning the gear lever to the centre.
In 67k miles of ownership, I fixed the following:-
glued back the door surrounds as they dropped off on both sides in the summer heat.
oil level sensor failed and replaced.
cracked alloy caused MOT failure and had to be replaced.
passenger door handle mechanism broke.
Not too bad in 4 years of ownership but more than I had to do in a Pug 306 Gti for similar miles/time. Go figure.
Well, I did an 83600 text check on the reg and all is clear AFAICT, though it states four owners rather than the two as advertised (but that could include the BMW dealer it was traded-in at, and the current dealer who bought it from the BMW dealer - they did explain this over the phone to me).
So, looking very promising. I'm not so worried about it being a reasonably early one, and the fact that the satnav is the old style doesn't bother me either. I'm not so sure how much cop the stereo is; ideally I'd like to replace the head-unit with an Alpine unit to control an iPod, but that's something for another day...
Ideally I'd have liked to have a mechanic look it over but time is very short and I'll likely have to take the risk without a check, though i reckon a test-drive will reveal any suspension problems, the electrics should be easy to check and I'll study the history to see what jobs have been done...
Any other tips very welcome, of course...
So, looking very promising. I'm not so worried about it being a reasonably early one, and the fact that the satnav is the old style doesn't bother me either. I'm not so sure how much cop the stereo is; ideally I'd like to replace the head-unit with an Alpine unit to control an iPod, but that's something for another day...
Ideally I'd have liked to have a mechanic look it over but time is very short and I'll likely have to take the risk without a check, though i reckon a test-drive will reveal any suspension problems, the electrics should be easy to check and I'll study the history to see what jobs have been done...
Any other tips very welcome, of course...
one thing i did notice in the other pic is that it looks like its idling a little bit higher than i think it should and the car is up to temp.
They suffer vacuum leaks, mainly on the main induction tube on the TB as the pipe is pretty stressed and splits after a while. main dealer part is 8.70 odd i think and about 45mins to an hour to change yourself.
Radiators go, worth checking and also whether the waterpump has ever been changed. wishbones and bushes are a 30-40k consumable.
They suffer vacuum leaks, mainly on the main induction tube on the TB as the pipe is pretty stressed and splits after a while. main dealer part is 8.70 odd i think and about 45mins to an hour to change yourself.
Radiators go, worth checking and also whether the waterpump has ever been changed. wishbones and bushes are a 30-40k consumable.
I bought this on the weekend > http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Its not my first 3 series but its my first automatic one. Only issue is the CD magazine is stuck in the changer
Its not my first 3 series but its my first automatic one. Only issue is the CD magazine is stuck in the changer
glencooley said:
I bought this on the weekend > http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Its not my first 3 series but its my first automatic one. Only issue is the CD magazine is stuck in the changer
Is there not a tiny hole to push an opened paperclip into to manually eject the cassette?Its not my first 3 series but its my first automatic one. Only issue is the CD magazine is stuck in the changer
glencooley said:
I cant see one, I will go out and have another look. I was looking on the E46 Fanatics site and it seems quite common. The annoying thing is you have to take out half the boot lining to get to where they mount the changer and navigation stuff.
Yep, same thing happened to mine. Had to disconnect and then reconnect the battery to resolve it. oktapod said:
Well, I did an 83600 text check on the reg and all is clear AFAICT, though it states four owners rather than the two as advertised (but that could include the BMW dealer it was traded-in at, and the current dealer who bought it from the BMW dealer - they did explain this over the phone to me).
b
ks - no dealer registers a car unless its brand new.
Had my Jan 2002 330ci from new.
Original clutch and exhaust still.
I have had same few problems as listed already.
Rubber door seals needed gluing back after hot summer.
Gear spring doesn't return lever to centre.
Oil level sensor a bit dodgy.
Changed thermostate 2 years ago.£70.
Always used a bit of oil from new. 1 litre every 3,000m +/-.
CD cassete stuck but with electrical screwdiver and some gentle pocking it popped out.
Done 117k now and still going strong.
Normal service items replaced inc discs and pads etc.
Good car. Very happy with it.
It is worth didly squate now so may as well keep it for another couple of years.
Would recomend one highly.
Ex77
Original clutch and exhaust still.
I have had same few problems as listed already.
Rubber door seals needed gluing back after hot summer.
Gear spring doesn't return lever to centre.
Oil level sensor a bit dodgy.
Changed thermostate 2 years ago.£70.
Always used a bit of oil from new. 1 litre every 3,000m +/-.
CD cassete stuck but with electrical screwdiver and some gentle pocking it popped out.
Done 117k now and still going strong.
Normal service items replaced inc discs and pads etc.
Good car. Very happy with it.
It is worth didly squate now so may as well keep it for another couple of years.
Would recomend one highly.
Ex77
I've gone with the one I was looking at - the 2001 with 100k. It's incredibly tidy for its age, all the toys except xenons (and I'm not that fussed about that), drives well (as far as I could tell on a really miserable, wet evening) and at a very good price. The engine looks brand new (though it's not) and the interior is very tidy. I guess people generally look after their 330s!
In balance, I am going to do a bit of research and possibly get the ATF changed in the box - it's almost certainly never been done, and a few hundred quid would hopefully buy peace of mind and a longer lifespan for the car. Otherwise, it seems perfect (a few chin stone chips and a small bit of bubbling on one allow aside).
I reckon I do around 10kpa max, so in a year or two it'll be average miles for its age rather than slightly high. And I reckon depreciation ought to be relatively mild from this point on, as a tidy, well-maintained luxury coupe will always find a buyer provided you don't take the mickey on the price...
In balance, I am going to do a bit of research and possibly get the ATF changed in the box - it's almost certainly never been done, and a few hundred quid would hopefully buy peace of mind and a longer lifespan for the car. Otherwise, it seems perfect (a few chin stone chips and a small bit of bubbling on one allow aside).
I reckon I do around 10kpa max, so in a year or two it'll be average miles for its age rather than slightly high. And I reckon depreciation ought to be relatively mild from this point on, as a tidy, well-maintained luxury coupe will always find a buyer provided you don't take the mickey on the price...
Shortened link is: tinyurl.com/okta330
Car is very tidy - I was a bit unimpressed with the autobox based on my short test-drive, but that's an adjustment thing I reckon. A bit like new shoes, it takes a short while to become accustomed to them. Brakes were also less than stellar but then it was wet and cold out, and I probably judged them on their relative lack of bite as compared to the ones on our other car (which have fairly fresh pads). Again, not a worry - dealer is going to check and fit new pads if required.
Car is very tidy - I was a bit unimpressed with the autobox based on my short test-drive, but that's an adjustment thing I reckon. A bit like new shoes, it takes a short while to become accustomed to them. Brakes were also less than stellar but then it was wet and cold out, and I probably judged them on their relative lack of bite as compared to the ones on our other car (which have fairly fresh pads). Again, not a worry - dealer is going to check and fit new pads if required.
Edited by oktapod on Wednesday 25th March 10:19
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