Opinions Needed on 01 330ci

What do you think of this?

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3731510735.html

Sounds like top dollar for one to me, but the condition and mileage looks like it is worth it.

KBB private party on it is around 11k, so I'd have to agree with the pricing, although when I compare it with others in my area, it actually seems like it may be a pretty fair price. I haven't looked at it yet - Just trying to get an idea of what to look for, etc..
Does the right rear quarter panel look a little off to anyone?

I paid $7200 for my '02 coupe with 104k, seems a little high priced for the mileage but it is also very nice. Keep in mind that there are 60/80/100k service items that may not have been done.

For that amount of change, you could purchase an E46 M3 (with a few more miles).

Mmadness wrote: For that amount of change, you could purchase an E46 M3 (with a few more miles).

This. Also the M3 is going to hold its value even better than the 330.

The lowest priced E46 M3 within 200 miles of me is $16k, and it has 80+k miles on it. I don't want one anyway, but just saying.
From my research today, I find that this car is only slightly over priced for my market area, and it is the ONLY one with this kind of mileage. If it checks out, I think $11.5-12k is a good price for it. Every other comparable BMW in my area is higher priced than this one.

We got our 16base year old a 330xiwonderful 3 years ago. I did the cooling system immediately, it had 97k. Otherwise it has been a stellar car in all ways for him.him,

bravenrace wrote: The lowest priced E46 M3 within 200 miles of me is $16k, and it has 80+k miles on it. I don't want one anyway, but just saying. From my research today, I find that this car is only slightly over priced for my market area, and it is the ONLY one with this kind of mileage. If it checks out, I think $11.5-12k is a good price for it. Every other comparable BMW in my area is higher priced than this one.

You are absolutely right. When I was looking at E46 M3s over the winter, you could find an earlier one with 80-100k. mi. for around $12k but now that winter is over, it seems as though prices may have went up. Or inflation. Or both.

In reply to Mmadness:

So in light of that, what do you think of the price?
Also a question to anyone - Are there significant differences between years of E46's? Where is a good place to shop for them beyond CL, Ebay, Cars.com, Autotrader, BMWCCA, etc...?

If you think it's a fair price and the car is in the condition with the options you want go for it! (I think the reflections in the pics are making it look off to you, I don't see anything wrong with the quarter)

There will always be someone that says they bought some pristine XXX car for $3.50 and a stick of gum. Ignore them.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to Mmadness: So in light of that, what do you think of the price? Also a question to anyone - Are there significant differences between years of E46's? Where is a good place to shop for them beyond CL, Ebay, Cars.com, Autotrader, BMWCCA, etc...?

The only significant differences are that the '99-00 cars (323/328) had the M52 (iron block, single VANOS) engine, and weaker rear subframe. In '01-up (325/330) the rear subframe was reinforced, the M54 (aluminum block, double VANOS) engine was introduced, and 330s got bigger front brakes than any other non-M E46. In '02 the sedans and wagons were restyled and in '03 the coupe and convertible followed suit. From '03-up the 6-speed and ZHP package were made available. Minor changes in option packages continued from the beginning to the end of production, the Wikipedia E46 page has a great breakdown of those.

I actually had great luck with E46fanatics.com - I put out a want ad and found the EXACT car I wanted. It is a surprisingly mature forum, much better than BF.c, etc.

I will say I was looking at 330's when I bought the GS430. I wish I had gone for the BMW, I would have been driving it by now. (I bought a project and it's way more difficult to work on than expected.. woof) Plus I could have had a manual.

Vert + nice weather = premium price. Seems fair considering all factors.

The price seems fair to me as well. Around here that would be low end for the convertible.

I drove a couple of coupes recently before I bought another car, and really liked them. I didn't however care for the samples I drove. They were pretty ratty, but the goodness was there underneath all the neglect. The issues I noticed with both of them was their bushings were totally shot and clunks and wandering were the order of the day.

I have driven a friend's well maintained example and it was a joy. Different than the M3 in that is was a calm drive. The E46 M3 I've driven was more angry...but the 330 was a relaxing after work drive.

SlickDizzy wrote:

bravenrace wrote: In reply to Mmadness: So in light of that, what do you think of the price? Also a question to anyone - Are there significant differences between years of E46's? Where is a good place to shop for them beyond CL, Ebay, Cars.com, Autotrader, BMWCCA, etc...?

The only significant differences are that the '99-00 cars (323/328) had the M52 (iron block, single VANOS) engine, and weaker rear subframe. In '01-up (325/330) the rear subframe was reinforced, the M54 (aluminum block, double VANOS) engine was introduced, and 330s got bigger front brakes than any other non-M E46. In '02 the sedans and wagons were restyled and in '03 the coupe and convertible followed suit. From '03-up the 6-speed and ZHP package were made available. Minor changes in option packages continued from the beginning to the end of production, the Wikipedia E46 page has a great breakdown of those. I actually had great luck with E46fanatics.com - I put out a want ad and found the EXACT car I wanted. It is a surprisingly mature forum, much better than BF.c, etc.

Yeah, I would say the BMWCCA and the BMW Forums are the best places to shop but frequently, Not only are the card miticulously maintained (usually) and optioned by someone with similair tastes (sport package, manual transmission unicorns) but I've found the prices are typically lower as well.

Many of the updates BMW performed on the cars can be retrofitted, at a cost. If you read through the forums, there is a right-up on near everything that is worthwhile. One of the more popular upgrades include the LCI (Life Cycle Impulse, a fancy way of saying face lifted) headlights and tail lights. However, I have found that BMW makes some rather significant changes (upgrades) over the life of the car that they do not announce and few people take notice of (even the forums). In other words, I would try to avoid a first year model.

My son asked a question I don't know the answer to. Would this car have a limited slip rear end in it?

Unfortunately, no. The only E46s with a LSD have "M3" in their model designation...

Yeah, once traction control appeared only "M" cars got LSDs. And its not worth retrofitting the M diff to the non M cars, mind as well buy an M car.

I had a silver 2002 330ci vert and it's still a car that I highly regret selling and promised to get a new another one (though a ZHP this time around). Also had a 2004 330xi. Also a great car, if not not slightly less fun than the convertible.

What exactly is the ZHP?

I found my ZHP sedan via the classifieds on bimmerforums.com. The classifieds section on e46fanatics.com is quite active too.

As for the e46 cars in general, I love them. I'm on my second one (7th BMW so far).

It is a performance and appearance package. A whole host of goodies that make for a really nice car.

dyintorace wrote: It is a performance and appearance package. A whole host of goodies that make for a really nice car.

Yep, basically a regular 330i/ci with the M-Tech II body kit, 6-speed, slightly more power and higher redline, alcantara steering wheel (and seats for some years), and 18" wheels. BMW didn't offer an E46 M3 sedan so the ZHP is the closest thing you can get.

The cloth/alcantara seats were amazing, coupled with the "black cube" interior trim. Looks really nice in the coupes.