What condition e46 can i get for 5k
Discussion
Been looking at e46 for a few weeks now, was going to set a budget of 7k, however seems pointless as you can get an m3 for a bit more. So was just wondering what sort of condition 330ci e46 i can expect for 5k. Obviously I know this varies, but in general.
I want an M sport 330ci, preferably under 100,000 miles.
Thanks in advance.
I want an M sport 330ci, preferably under 100,000 miles.
Thanks in advance.
Edited by CaveyH on Wednesday 19th April 11:28
Richair said:
I'd say you're looking at the best of the best for that budget (with the exception of some of the silly prices asked by the 'classic' dealers). I've just bought a very nice, well cared for but high milage manual CS for under £2.5k. As above I'd concentrate on condition and work carried out rather than mileage. Nearly every 100k-ish car I've bought needed a fair chunk of cash thrown at the running gear, so bear that in mind. They're heavy cars so need a refresh of all suspension around this milage.
My cheaper car has had all this done and done well...
Thanks,that helps a lot as i have been looking solely at ones under 100,000 because I thought less miles = better condition. so maybe I should look for more around the sort of 100,000-130,000 mileage as well then? What are some "fixes" that I should look for or ask about?My cheaper car has had all this done and done well...
Sorry for noob question, I have only recently got into cars and so bit new to this.
helix402 said:
If you put "common E46 problems" into Google you'll get lots of info. (Saves me writing it all down again!)
6 cylinder only (unless you have an odd desire for a 4 cylinder diesel-its ok but when a 3.0 is so cheap there's little point).
Thank you very much for the help! And no i'll be staying way away from diesel.6 cylinder only (unless you have an odd desire for a 4 cylinder diesel-its ok but when a 3.0 is so cheap there's little point).
Richair said:
I would certainly look to broaden the mileage range, these cars wear their mileage extremely well providing they've been well maintained. A stack of invoices should be viewed as a very good thing as they do need looking after. The one I've just bought has 161k on it, but given its been well cared for this doesn't concern me (although I'll caveat that by saying I'm very handy with the spanners so any issues that crop up I can resolve).
As already advised there's a lot of info out there on them so google is your friend. However they're generally robust, the biggest issue to look out for is probably rust. The worst of which is likely to be hiding underneath the car, so have a good poke round and if you don't know what you're looking for take someone with you that does.
I'm still very much in the honeymoon period with mine, but so far I've been impressed at how it drives. Good luck in your search!
Yeah I will be upping the miles to broaden the search, won't be getting one however until september though As already advised there's a lot of info out there on them so google is your friend. However they're generally robust, the biggest issue to look out for is probably rust. The worst of which is likely to be hiding underneath the car, so have a good poke round and if you don't know what you're looking for take someone with you that does.
I'm still very much in the honeymoon period with mine, but so far I've been impressed at how it drives. Good luck in your search!
And yeah my mate is a very good mechanic so will be able to help me should anything go wrong.Was wondering i have done a bit of googling on it but all the forums say different things, what is the difference between facelift and the normal e46, also what year cars was the facelift brought in?
Thanks
Smuler said:
I don't think, as others have said, you'd need to spend 7k to get a great 330ci, but the fact that you could get a M3 for 7k, isn't a reason not too. They are very different cars and I really don't think a 7k M3 would be anything other than a lot of trouble, in costs etc.
Spend 5, maybe 6k and get a great car with a perfect service history, ideally all BMW, and few owners.
I recently sold a 2002 mint 325, 1 prior owner, full BMW SH, 75k miles which I'd been using as a daily runabout, for 4k, so that's where I'm coming from when I say 5-6k for as good, but a 330, I'm assuming manual gearbox? Possibly less money for an auto, but less fun in my opinion.
I believe the facelift was 2003, in my opinion it's a step back in looks, not such a nice front or wheels, but - and check this - it might have been the point the 330ci had a 6 speed manual gearbox, so you're going to get those benefits.
in an ideal world i would have an M3 but if i did all my money would be poured on it so seems stupid to do so.Spend 5, maybe 6k and get a great car with a perfect service history, ideally all BMW, and few owners.
I recently sold a 2002 mint 325, 1 prior owner, full BMW SH, 75k miles which I'd been using as a daily runabout, for 4k, so that's where I'm coming from when I say 5-6k for as good, but a 330, I'm assuming manual gearbox? Possibly less money for an auto, but less fun in my opinion.
I believe the facelift was 2003, in my opinion it's a step back in looks, not such a nice front or wheels, but - and check this - it might have been the point the 330ci had a 6 speed manual gearbox, so you're going to get those benefits.
Yeah i am still deciding on if i want facelift or not, and if i mind either or. Yeah i think i am setting 5k as max budget personally only being 21 i feel this is for the best haha, and yes it has to be manual gearbox, I am assuming the prices of sees 330ci are set in stone now and are unlikely to drop or rise?
LanceRS said:
I've had my 330 Clubsport for nearly two years. Bought for £3550 with 101k on the clock. It will need the thermostat and hedgehog resistor changing soon, but other than that has only required routine servicing. I've done 25k in it now.
The 3L engine is wonderfully smooth and easier to live with than the M3 for everyday life (if nothing else, the servicing is half the price).
When I was looking (and I must have seen 25+), prices were all over the place as was the condition of the cars.
As has already been said, buy on condition, history and work already carried out. Don't pay to much over the odds though, there are some people with some very funny ideas as to what their cars are worth.
Pre facelift looks better but the 6 speed 'box would have been nice.
Good luck with your search.
Hi, i have recently seen the clubsport version and i was just wondering what is the difference between that and the M sport version? By that I mean in terms of performance and what it is like to drive.The 3L engine is wonderfully smooth and easier to live with than the M3 for everyday life (if nothing else, the servicing is half the price).
When I was looking (and I must have seen 25+), prices were all over the place as was the condition of the cars.
As has already been said, buy on condition, history and work already carried out. Don't pay to much over the odds though, there are some people with some very funny ideas as to what their cars are worth.
Pre facelift looks better but the 6 speed 'box would have been nice.
Good luck with your search.
LanceRS said:
It's mostly cosmetic bits, the boot spoiler, wheels and extensions under the front bumper (colour if it is Estoril blue). It does have some sort of quick shift and some sound deadening taken out, you can notice the extra road noise especially on concrete motorway sections.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/p2LfVDHh.png[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/fx9nw6qx" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/fx9nw6qx.png)
Ignore the black grills, a previous owner fitted them and I still haven't got round to sourcing some originals.
I must admit i dont normally like spoilers, but that is a lovely looking car!Ignore the black grills, a previous owner fitted them and I still haven't got round to sourcing some originals.
Smuler said:
They feel light and playful, you sit low in a driver focused position with simple and clear instruments and the manual box is light and a pleasure to use.
there's plenty of feedback through the steering, a little more than the next generation (I had a 335i) but a lot more than current / modern BMWs.
In the real world , for overtaking and a bit of traffic light racing
my 325 never felt wanting , the 330 is faster although not next level, but both are enough to have fun on B roads.
They do look good, in M Sport trim particularly as I said before in pre Facelift design , although they are starting to get a little dated now, I think. But the design is still so good that it works in most colours. With the E92 335i, it looked great but only in a few colours, black being my fave. I usually don't like red but my E46 really worked and turned heads in Immola red.
Well I think for the price the looks are spot on, and I am looking only at M sport versionsthere's plenty of feedback through the steering, a little more than the next generation (I had a 335i) but a lot more than current / modern BMWs.
In the real world , for overtaking and a bit of traffic light racing
my 325 never felt wanting , the 330 is faster although not next level, but both are enough to have fun on B roads. They do look good, in M Sport trim particularly as I said before in pre Facelift design , although they are starting to get a little dated now, I think. But the design is still so good that it works in most colours. With the E92 335i, it looked great but only in a few colours, black being my fave. I usually don't like red but my E46 really worked and turned heads in Immola red.
iSore said:
A 325Ci or 330Ci in nice condition should prove to be cheap motoring - prices for the best cars are firming up and are overtaking values of the E92 Coupe which is now entering it's Fast and Spurious council phase (aftermarket wheels, stupidly low ride height, carbon BMW roundels and predictable low rent crap like that).
The E46 is definitely still in the awful coilovers/drift tw@t phase but nice coupes are finding a new appreciative audience. That's nice as in completely standard, lots of invoices and not a highly polished turd with four different brands of budget tyre, owned by a tattooed pillock called Jake who likes drifting.
I would still go for low mileage such as 70/80k if you can . Clean the arches out regularly, keep on top of maintenance, keep it nice and standard and probably get your money back in 2 years time.
Yeah I would potentially add a few new parts to it for performance, but i don't want some council estate wagon haha! The E46 is definitely still in the awful coilovers/drift tw@t phase but nice coupes are finding a new appreciative audience. That's nice as in completely standard, lots of invoices and not a highly polished turd with four different brands of budget tyre, owned by a tattooed pillock called Jake who likes drifting.
I would still go for low mileage such as 70/80k if you can . Clean the arches out regularly, keep on top of maintenance, keep it nice and standard and probably get your money back in 2 years time.
I was wondering, do you think these are the type of cars worth investing in,in terms of a little project, or would you recommend saving up more cash and getting something elses?
Funk said:
I bought an E46 330Ci in November for £5k.
Overall it's in very good condition and with a very good spec which ticked all the boxes I wanted. It had 74k on the clock (76k now) and as with any older car there were a few snags to sort out, although mostly minor and fairly cheap. The main oil seal was sorted under the dealer's warranty as there was evidence of a leak and I've undertaken a refresh of the cooling system which is usually recommended on these as the mileage racks up. I've had a new expansion tank fitted, new thermostat & housing, replaced some of the push-fit pipes that connect it all up, the gearbox cooler thermostat (mine's an auto) and replaced the xenon bulbs.
The backrest heated seat pad wasn't working so that's been sorted and the headlight washers were weeping from the telescopic arms so I have replacements of those sat on my desk ready to be fitted next week. There are a couple more minor things to sort (a rattle from the parcel shelf, a clip on the passenger door trim needs replacing and I spotted a trim around the n/s foglight has disappeared so that's been ordered too) but I had a contingency fund in place in anticipation of getting any bits and pieces sorted.
Overall it's a lovely car and drives beautifully although if I'm honest it doesn't engage me in the same way the E36 328i I 'upgraded from' did. I'm planning to run this probably until the end of the year and then move on to something else.
Looks very nice, would rather a manual myself but that personal opinion. Overall it's in very good condition and with a very good spec which ticked all the boxes I wanted. It had 74k on the clock (76k now) and as with any older car there were a few snags to sort out, although mostly minor and fairly cheap. The main oil seal was sorted under the dealer's warranty as there was evidence of a leak and I've undertaken a refresh of the cooling system which is usually recommended on these as the mileage racks up. I've had a new expansion tank fitted, new thermostat & housing, replaced some of the push-fit pipes that connect it all up, the gearbox cooler thermostat (mine's an auto) and replaced the xenon bulbs.
The backrest heated seat pad wasn't working so that's been sorted and the headlight washers were weeping from the telescopic arms so I have replacements of those sat on my desk ready to be fitted next week. There are a couple more minor things to sort (a rattle from the parcel shelf, a clip on the passenger door trim needs replacing and I spotted a trim around the n/s foglight has disappeared so that's been ordered too) but I had a contingency fund in place in anticipation of getting any bits and pieces sorted.
Overall it's a lovely car and drives beautifully although if I'm honest it doesn't engage me in the same way the E36 328i I 'upgraded from' did. I'm planning to run this probably until the end of the year and then move on to something else.
Edited by Funk on Friday 21st April 14:54
What car you thinking of moving to?
ZX10R NIN said:
Yeah I have seen that on there already and if I had the money right now I would! Is there a difference between the 330ci and the 330i? Or are they the same thing? sorry for the dumb question
Funk said:
330Ci is the coupé/convertible and the 330i is the saloon/Touring.
The one in that ad is the 330i saloon (4 doors). I looked specifically for (and prefer) the coupé personally.
So it is just a looks that are different between the 2? Before I have just been looking at the Ci, but love the look of the 330iThe one in that ad is the 330i saloon (4 doors). I looked specifically for (and prefer) the coupé personally.
ZX10R NIN said:
CI are Coupe/Convertibles & the 330i is the saloon, I know you said you like the 350Z have you also considered the Skyline GT350 it's basically a 350Z on a longer chassis they're worth a look.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-SKYLINE-GT350-CPV...
This one is good value with that low certified mileage.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-350-GT-Au...
They handle just as well as the 350Z but have the bonus of an extra pair of seats & some proper boot space.
350Z with a nice Amuse kit on but it needs the alloys to fill it out.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
yeah was looking at the 350z but got given massive insurance quotes for it, £2,000+ thats with 1 year NCD and they wanted to put a box on it (which aint happening) and living in a nice area in bristol. so that's not an option i'm afraid anymore.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-SKYLINE-GT350-CPV...
This one is good value with that low certified mileage.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-350-GT-Au...
They handle just as well as the 350Z but have the bonus of an extra pair of seats & some proper boot space.
350Z with a nice Amuse kit on but it needs the alloys to fill it out.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Funk said:
I know this probably won't be what you want to hear but as you're only 21 why not buy something cheaper to insure, build your no claims and stash the £1k+ difference on the insurance for a couple of years? By the time you're 23-24 with 3 or 4 years' no-claims you'll be getting much lower insurance quotes and have some cash in the bank for a better car.
Don't spunk your money to the insurers; play the game a little and make it work to your advantage. Even a 318i coupé could be good fun to chuck around for a couple of years (and a nice intro to RWD) and look at an M3 in a couple of years' time? FWIW, my insurance quotes are pretty much the same for anything I put into the comparison sites, whether it's an Audi S5, M3 etc. Most come back around £400-600.
Well I can get easily insured on a 330, I have had a few quotes on it plus I have been saving for one all through my apprenticeship, and now they have offered me a job with decent pay and bonuses, I want to buy it to show myself how far I have come and how hard work pays off.Don't spunk your money to the insurers; play the game a little and make it work to your advantage. Even a 318i coupé could be good fun to chuck around for a couple of years (and a nice intro to RWD) and look at an M3 in a couple of years' time? FWIW, my insurance quotes are pretty much the same for anything I put into the comparison sites, whether it's an Audi S5, M3 etc. Most come back around £400-600.
Edited by Funk on Monday 24th April 11:26
Funk said:
I can understand that.
That said, if there's one piece of advice I wish I'd been given at 21 it would be "Don't spend it just because you have it...." Cars, especially ones like the 330, will come and go and £7-10k sounds like a bloody good start on a deposit for a place. Good luck with whatever you buy though.
My budget is only 5K, no way I would be able to save up to 10K this year. plus around where i live I would need a minimum of 25-30k for a deposit on a house, and I can assure you that ain't happening anytime soon.That said, if there's one piece of advice I wish I'd been given at 21 it would be "Don't spend it just because you have it...." Cars, especially ones like the 330, will come and go and £7-10k sounds like a bloody good start on a deposit for a place. Good luck with whatever you buy though.
Edited by Funk on Monday 24th April 14:02
Plus people of my generation seem to have to start saving for a house at the age of 12 because we have been truly fu**ed by politicians, so as someone who loves driving I want to have some fun.
cheers,
Smuler said:
@Cavey H,
I can't think there's that much of a difference between saloon and coupe, in M Sport.
Possibles to look at did, the saloon get the six speed at the same time? Did they have electric front seats, split folding rear seats. sometimes spec is higher on coupe,
but assuming owner didn't dick around when ordering , should still have the sports seats, suspension, which is the key.
could always get the last 7 digits of VIN and check the spec of a coupe/saloon you're looking at
I used to get a lot of technical help, here, and these guys owned coupes and saloons, never recall much of a difference being mentioned, besides number of doors that is
http://www.bmwforums.info/
no just getting info on specs and seeing whats out there at the moment. Wont be in a position to buy until the end of the year, start of next year. I have quite an expensive summer planned so wont be able to save through the summer months.I can't think there's that much of a difference between saloon and coupe, in M Sport.
Possibles to look at did, the saloon get the six speed at the same time? Did they have electric front seats, split folding rear seats. sometimes spec is higher on coupe,
but assuming owner didn't dick around when ordering , should still have the sports seats, suspension, which is the key.
could always get the last 7 digits of VIN and check the spec of a coupe/saloon you're looking at
I used to get a lot of technical help, here, and these guys owned coupes and saloons, never recall much of a difference being mentioned, besides number of doors that is
http://www.bmwforums.info/
So just thought I would put a little update, so at the moment the plan is to get a e46 end of the year start of next, then keep it for around a year to get the extra NCD, then move onto something a bit more sporty. Maybe a 350z, Z4, S2000 currently cars that I want right now but that are a little too much to insure.
HugoFastmann said:
At £5k you could be looking at really mint condition, low mileage 330's, Clubsports, or even M3's. I'll sell you my 325ti Sport for £5k if you like?
lovely offer but i think i will have to pass M3 is almost double to run than a 330 though so maybe in a few years... or if I get the winning lottery ticketGassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff