E46 320Ci buying advice

Hi

My old boss's son is looking at buying a 2001 E46 Coupe. 

I was wondering if any of you helpful chaps on here could give me a heads up on buying a E46 320 Ci 2001 model on a "Y" plate.

Not sure if it has the M52 or M54 engine, so I can tell him about the pitfalls of the M52 engine but I'm not sure when BMW went over to the metal water pumps

Advert text

BMW 320 Ci, 2 Doors, Manual, Coupe, Petrol, 2001 Y Reg, Grey. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Computer, Cruise control, Driver airbag, Manual. £5995.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

Andrew

Just for info... there are approx 30 2001 320Ci's on autotrader between £3695 and £5990 and only 13 from £5995 and above... So for that price I'd be expecting a high spec, low mileage, FSH and a warranty!

Just my thoughts anyway... what does everyone else think?

The other issue with older E46 Coupes and Convertibles is front wing
rust. Check the arches very carefully and when you get it back, remove
the arch liners and clean/Waxoyl the arch lip. Cheaper than new wings. X
plate ones are going so Y is not far behind. You're looking for rust
bubbles coming from the inside out, not just scabby surface rust.
The door handle issue is caused by wrong use. To open the door you are
supposed to pull the handle out whilst pressing on the static bit with your
thumb. Just yanking the handle will either break or bend the actuauting
pin.
Rear springs break and brake pipes rust just like the E36 did.

Quite right... bloody dealers... living in a dream world I think!

I did notice when I was looking for my new car over the last few months that the dealers were not budging much on price. I think they were already advertising the cars so low that they didn't have much margin left for negotiation.

Personally, I think that it's daft to not leave some room for manoeuvre on the price because you know everyone is going to try to talk you down... but perhaps they just want to get folk through the door.

Could find that this particular dealer has traded in something against that car and needs to get that sort of money to break even on the deal and that's why they don't want to budge. Even though that's not an excuse tho... if they were daft enough to offer a lot more than the car is worth then it's their fault and not the fault of the person looking to buy the traded-in car!

My friend has also been looking to buy a car recently and has noticed the same thing... hardly any movement on price - even when you're standing in front of them with a big pile of cash they are refusing to lower the asking price by anything more than £100 on a £10k car!!

Best thing you can do is tell them straight that you are not going to be taken for a fool and walk away. I'd even give them my number and tell them to call you if they have a more realistic offer.

With all the car companies having problems just now you would think they might just be glad to get a sale!

My 320Ci has fsh and extended silver grey leather interior plus a glass elec tilt/slide sunroof with a Karman Hard-on stereo and I want 6K to sell it in all honesty. It is worth that!

Exharper wrote: looking for a top spec 330d with all the toys!

Wash your mouth out with soap and water! 

Wanting a Diesel, whatever next!  Deary me.

ANDREW ROLLAND

Sorry andrew you must of mis-read. I dont want a diesel, (soap and all that) i have my petrol beast and love it!!

Was just helping a friend look for one...but there like rocking horse dung at the moment!!

 

Kepp telling him to buy a good value petrol model..