E46 330ci prices

[H_Kan]

Just looking to get an idea of what I should expect to pay, hopefully some people may have bought recently.

I am after a 2001-2002, manual e46 330ci (coupe) with mileage around 70-80k, ideally no more then this.

I am happy with most exterior colours, though only really like the black interior. Crucially, the car must be genuine Sport spec, I find the SE looks quite dated now and don't like the non-sport seats very much.

I am aware that insisting on sport spec will bump the price up!

People (and online valuations) seem to suggest £5k, but from scouring PH, AT and Ebay, nothing much decent is listed at around that price point. I don't mind spending more, but I do not want to pay over the odds either.

Thanks all.

Edited by H_Kan on Saturday 5th February 01:13

[Chan6192]

hi mate, your looking to pay about 4-6k for a decent 330ci coupe, you can even pick up a clubsport for around 6k, im also in the process of looking for a 330 ci but im after a sport convertible, i got a budget of around 7 or 8k, just a pain finding the right one, i also love the black sport interior, and i agree the SE's are just rubbish, gota be a sport model, anyway ill keep you posted if i find any decent coupes, goodluck

[H_Kan]

Any input from the daytime crowd?

[Phunk]

£5-6k

They go pretty cheap through the auctions though. Picked my minter up for £4k with full BMWSH.

Check tyres have got plenty of thread as the rears are £250 a pop and the front console bushes go all the time.

[lordanthony]

I paid 7200 for a 2003 330Ci Sport with 70k on the clock in December. I might have paid slightly over the odds but I was quite picky (pre facelift, sport, manual, grey metallic, grey interior) and it was in really good nick with all bills etc.

If you're less fussy about colour and spec then I'd say about 5-7k is about right for a 330ci sport in good condition.

[FreezerWeasel]

good ones are still pretty pricey but i suspect are due something of a drop shortly.

imho if you can scrap t it, go for the e46 m3. they hold a little better (provided you can run it ok)

[LC23]

Phunk said:

£5-6k

They go pretty cheap through the auctions though. Picked my minter up for £4k with full BMWSH.

Check tyres have got plenty of thread as the rears are £250 a pop and the front console bushes go all the time.

The rears are not £250 a go and if you have been paying that you should look elsewhere for your tyres.

[H_Kan]

FreezerWeasel said:

good ones are still pretty pricey but i suspect are due something of a drop shortly.

imho if you can scrap t it, go for the e46 m3. they hold a little better (provided you can run it ok)

Would love an M3 and could get together the money to buy one (albeit wiping out more of my savings then I'd be comfortable with) but absolutely cannot afford to run one.

Everything else aside, insurance on the 330ci tops just over a grand, M3 would be 2-3 times this at least.

[Patrick Bateman]

LC23 said:

The rears are not £250 a go and if you have been paying that you should look elsewhere for your tyres.

I'm always amazed when people quote prices like that.

It pays to look around.

[jon_80]

lordanthony said:

I paid 7200 for a 2003 330Ci Sport with 70k on the clock in December. I might have paid slightly over the odds but I was quite picky (pre facelift, sport, manual, grey metallic, grey interior) and it was in really good nick with all bills etc.

If you're less fussy about colour and spec then I'd say about 5-7k is about right for a 330ci sport in good condition.

The sport ones seem to get a big premium, must admit they look a lot nicer.

[Trixman]

For a 70k mile car your looking at 5.5-6k. Anything below that is around 90k miles... all on average of course.

[thewy003]

does anyone know any good wheel "cleaners"?

about to sell my E46 330ci and want to get a couple polished out - depending on whether or not i'd get any money back on it...

South of England preferably.

[H_Kan]

Trixman said:

For a 70k mile car your looking at 5.5-6k. Anything below that is around 90k miles... all on average of course.

If I can get a 70k example for £5.5k then I'd be a happy man. A nice looking topaz blue example was up for £5.5k but unfortunately sold before I could get down the dealer.

[CypherP]

H_Kan said:

Trixman said:

For a 70k mile car your looking at 5.5-6k. Anything below that is around 90k miles... all on average of course.

If I can get a 70k example for £5.5k then I'd be a happy man. A nice looking topaz blue example was up for £5.5k but unfortunately sold before I could get down the dealer.

Are you not looking privately too? My 2003 325ci Msport was a little over £6.5k last July with FBMWSH, 4 new tyres, a new MOT and just a lick over 70k miles. I'd imagine you would be able to get a very good example for around the same price, if not a little less now, although owning one, I haven't looked at the classifieds recently.

In some cases it pays to go that little bit further afield to find the car you want. Oh, and both the E46 325s I've owned have never cost me anything near £250 for the rears. Currently have Falkens on there at the moment which were £137 a corner (rear) and £116 (fronts)

[toasty]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the mileage, 150k+ is easily achievable with regular servicing. Buy on condition instead.

[H_Kan]

CypherP said:

Are you not looking privately too? My 2003 325ci Msport was a little over £6.5k last July with FBMWSH, 4 new tyres, a new MOT and just a lick over 70k miles. I'd imagine you would be able to get a very good example for around the same price, if not a little less now, although owning one, I haven't looked at the classifieds recently.

In some cases it pays to go that little bit further afield to find the car you want. Oh, and both the E46 325s I've owned have never cost me anything near £250 for the rears. Currently have Falkens on there at the moment which were £137 a corner (rear) and £116 (fronts)

No real preference on dealer or private- just so happens this was from a dealer. Also, no problems travelling if I like the look of a car and can get an idea on how flexible price is prior to a long journey. Though obviously, you do need some more planning if you are travelling a large distance.

I've been looking on AT, PH, Ebay and Gumtree- is there anywhere I am missing?

[samg1988]

Are you sure you wouldn't be interested in mine? Another member pointed me towards this topic.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2427354.htm

I think it's' fairly priced considering the condition. It has been really well looked after (I bought it through E46zone.com). I know you were looking for a more standard car, but please don't let the aftermarket wheels or lowering springs put you off. They only added about £30-£40 to my premium. The wheels you could always sell on with the tyres for decent money because they are genuine AC Schnitzers, and I still have the standard springs should you need them.

I've been as honest as I can be with the listing, which may have shot myself in the foot a little... but when I'm advertising to fellow enthusiasts I don't want to give anyone any hidden surprises should they come and see the car.

I'd be more than happy to help sort you out with some travel too.

[CypherP]

H_Kan said:

No real preference on dealer or private- just so happens this was from a dealer. Also, no problems travelling if I like the look of a car and can get an idea on how flexible price is prior to a long journey. Though obviously, you do need some more planning if you are travelling a large distance.

I've been looking on AT, PH, Ebay and Gumtree- is there anywhere I am missing?

This is true. I've only ever gone the distance if the seller is able to provie multiple photos (especially ones I have requested) and is able to provide all servicing and mileage history before I set off. I've been stung before with people travelling from Cornwall/Scotland to buy old cars of mine and then get there and try taking a few grand off the asking price.

I don't think you're missing anywhere, although to get the best for your money its probably better looking privately, unless you know a good genuine dealer who can provide a bit of warranty etc for peace of mind.

They regularly pop up on AT so just keep your eyes peeled. But I would advise you to hold out until something really good comes up. It took me 5 months to find the one I have now and so glad I stuck it out because I can't fault it at all. If you want to get an idea of auction prices, pop over to one and see what they have in the listings. The only downside to auctions are that when I've been, I end up coming very close to buying something completely different, due to price or condition, so once I have what I want in my head, I look privately so I get what I want and not what comes along on an auction day. Can be very tempting!

[H_Kan]

Thanks Cypher, I don't really fancy buying at auction. I'd like a car sooner rather than later, but will wait for the right car to come up, as I don't need it more want it!

Sam, thanks for your email and post on here, but as I said, I really would prefer something standard as insurance is already far more then I would consider reasonable. Just from a looks perspective, I tend to prefer standard or subtle mods and don't really want the faff of changing parts round. Additionally, I'd prefer a car on a 2001 or later due to various things I've heard re earlier cars and would ideally prefer a slightly lower mileage. Sorry fella, your car isn't the one for me.

[Trixman]

H_Kan said:

If I can get a 70k example for £5.5k then I'd be a happy man. A nice looking topaz blue example was up for £5.5k but unfortunately sold before I could get down the dealer.

I think we probably went for the same one then! I sold my car on the same day expecting to go see it, then they told me it was sold. I was annoyed and now I'm carless and borrowing a car to use for work.

Not seen any others around with 70k for 5.5, think it may have been a fluke/shed. A red one popped up yesterday but has rust which as a personal rule I stay away from (rightly or wrongly).