E46 320Ci buying advice
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 3 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 3 Series (E21, E30, E36, E46, E90, E91 & E92)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=43420
Printed Date: 05-May-2024 at 10:09
Topic: E46 320Ci buying advice
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Subject: E46 320Ci buying advice
Date Posted: 16-December-2008 at 08:43
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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 ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Replies:
Posted By: deeko1973
Date Posted: 16-December-2008 at 10:19
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Hi, Not sure about the engine stuff... but to me that price seems a bit high given the market condition. I just bought my 330i (2000 - X) for £3995. At the time I was looking for a 330 Ci and they were sitting around the £4k-£5k mark for that sort of age. So £6k seems quite high for a 320... Do you know if it has full service history and/or warranty included? Derek ------------- 
E46 2000 330i Saloon |
Posted By: deeko1973
Date Posted: 16-December-2008 at 10:29
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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? -------------
E46 2000 330i Saloon |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 16-December-2008 at 11:02
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The engine is the M54 so ask questions about oil consumption and check the dipstick. Most of the checks are std BMW in so far as bushes, balljoints and track control arms are all wear and tear items. Door handle failure is a very common fault on the Ci's. They have been known to break rear springs too although the update to the coupe (coinciding with the intro of the M54 engine cars) is supposed to have addressed the rear subframe issue as the floorpan was modified. The ad doesn't give a whole lot of info but the grey is probably Steel Grey - a colour I personally like but rare enough and not generally too popular I think. Spec is basic if there is nothing more than what is listed. If the interior is cloth, its grey and its running on std 16" alloys then there should be a lot of scope for haggling. As Deeko said, the asking price is on the high end. At that price I'd be expecting the car to be a sub 60k car with full history, good provenance and a comprehensive warranty from a main or specialist dealer. Otherwise haggle like mad and walk away if the deal isn't significantly improved. ------------- Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93. Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
Posted By: MBW1
Date Posted: 16-December-2008 at 12:06
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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. ------------- I don't have a carbon footprint. I drive everywhere. |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 19-December-2008 at 12:47
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Thanks guys, car didn't have FSH so to me it wasn't worth the cash. He also told me that the dealer wasn't moving on the price so I told him to walk away. Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: deeko1973
Date Posted: 19-December-2008 at 13:37
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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! -------------
E46 2000 330i Saloon |
Posted By: Andy S
Date Posted: 20-December-2008 at 17:58
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I agree with you on the dealers/traders not budging on asking price. I am looking for a 320/330d tourer have cash but none of them want to do a deal?? No wonder they are not getting much business. ------------- E30 M3's never die |
Posted By: Martin Jennings
Date Posted: 20-December-2008 at 21:12
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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! ------------- Currently in a Merc but wanting an E46 Alpina badly!very badly! |
Posted By: Exharper
Date Posted: 23-December-2008 at 20:26
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Personally, i would not buy anything that was a sport. You may pay more intially, but it will hold its resale value a little. Seat side bolsters wear is a pain in though, as not much you can do about it when its allready worn...(sport seats). Ive been trying to source another convertible for a friend and the stealers would not move on the price either. They even told me that their policy is to send them to auction after 6 weeks and accept getting a couple of grand less. This seems pointles!! they will price match like for like cars (spec) from other bmw stealers though...... looking for a top spec 330d with all the toys! ------------- Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K. |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 24-December-2008 at 13:46
Wash your mouth out with soap and water! Wanting a Diesel, whatever next! Deary me. ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Exharper wrote:
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 24-December-2008 at 22:47
Unfortunately its the old thing of its only worth what someone'll pay for it and prices are all over the place. Supply & demand, if its a common model thats being sold you have to pitch to fight competition.  ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: Exharper
Date Posted: 27-December-2008 at 23:25
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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.. ------------- Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K. |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 28-December-2008 at 11:08
O.k. Dan I believe you ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
