Whats it Worth?

[Mikedav]

I've found this at a non BMW dealer....whats it worth?

2003 Facelifted E46 330Ci Sport
Manual
Mystic Blue / Black Leather
MV II Wheels etc
16,000 miles
Arm rest, 6CD and leather but thats it - no HK, Xenons, Bluetooth or Satnav

Thanks in advance...

[benny boy]

well im not a expert and may be wrong but i think between £17 & £18 k auto trader values it at £23k but i think its a bit high :)

[Stock323iSaloon]

i agree, 17.5K tops as this car lacks all the goodies:)

[Nickleback]

I've found this at a non BMW dealer....whats it worth?

2003 Facelifted E46 330Ci Sport
Manual
Mystic Blue / Black Leather
MV II Wheels etc
16,000 miles
Arm rest, 6CD and leather but thats it - no HK, Xenons, Bluetooth or Satnav

Thanks in advance...

What happened to the CS you wanted ??
Seriously its a competitive market for 330 sports, closer to £17k than £18k - mileage good, spec not so good!

[Chaos]

That's pretty much the exact spec my pre-facelift 325 was when I traded it in 2 months ago, and they sold it in a week for 19k. Seriously. So I'd say a 330 f/l would stand at 21ish on a dealer forecourt absolute tops by that marker (down south, would be less up north), though I'd expect to knock the edge right off that if I walked in with notes available cos E46s are haggle-happy at the moment.

[Mikedav]

Long story Nickelback! Basically Ive driven four this month, mainy to experience the gearboxes:

2001 SE Steptronic, 51K - definetly want a manual
2003 Facelifted Sport Manual, 27K - shiny shiny minicab inside
2002 CS Manual, 37K - interior was shagged
2002 Sport SSG, 32K - stupid gearbox, Peppernick is right!!

I've wanted one for bloody ages, but the reality has been a let down [:(]. I LOVE the drive and engine, but all 4 have felt dated inside, shiny and seriously lacking equipment considering the cost. Im giving it one last shot by looking for a facelifted model with as few miles as possible, Im hoping Im just being fussy and need a newish interior.


So I'd say a 330 f/l would stand at 21ish on a dealer forecourt absolute tops by that marker (down south, would be less up north),.

Bang on [:)]. Its in Stoke (a trip for me) and its £21k. Where are you guys seeing facelifted 03 cars for £17k? I've been prowling Autotrader for weeks and prefacelift 02/03 cars are at £20k, while 02 cars with 30-50k on the clock are £18k (spotted two CSs that have dropped £2k each in the last month!). Please show me a facelifted car for <£20k, I'd be all over it, but I can't find anything....

[Chaos]

I had a long long chat with the sales guy I did my deal with, and he said they're actively trying to hold the 2 year old models at 20k down here. I'm a right fussy bastid when it comes to spending serious wedge and he just wouldn't budge an inch, even gave me the figures exactly as he was gonna play them and told me that was that. And, to his word, he put the car up at 19995 and sold it at 19, just like he said he would.

I'd be surprised if anyone had seen a 330 f/l for 17k with that spec at a dealer, because I got 17.3k for my pre-f/l 325 from the dealer only 9 weeks ago and it was identical except it was silver/black. I was told that the f/l usually stands in at £500, so that would be 17.8k for a 325 f/l - 17k for a 330 wouldn't make any sense. No reason for dealers to sell them at that if they're buying lower spec cars for similar money unless they're rough, and you don't want waste your time on those ones. I can see why people were aiming around that point though - the e46 was expected to drop a bit faster than it has. Eventually the dealers will have to loosen their grip and prices will probably nudge down another step to put you within reach of a choice, but until then it's probably just gonna need you to keep your eyes peeled and hope you get lucky. It worked for me. ;)

Edit: It wouldn't stop me phoning them up and playing hardball though. You've got the first strike, go in hard and beneath the radar. :cool:

[benny boy]

here you go

[benny boy]

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?page=1&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=BMW&model=3+SERIES&variant=330+ci+sport&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=22500&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=bb12+8af&miles=40&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

theres loads depends what you want the silver one has tv and sat nav in blackpool :D

[benny boy]

soz only just noticed you want a face lift

[benny boy]

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=BMW&model=3+SERIES&variant=330+ci+sport&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=22500&mileage=&agerange=7&postcode=bb12+8af&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH
blue one at bottom not bad spec over 20k though

[Mikedav]

Thanks Chaos thats useful info. Benny Boy, sorry mate I don't want a private sale - dealer only. Also want grey, black or blue (not Topaz). No more than 30k on the clock either, Im not liking the wear Ive seen in cars with more than that. Sat Nav and Xenons also desirable...picky bugger you see ;)

I will stretch to £25k for the right car but want to spend £20k really, which is why the one I posted seemed a possible despite the spec. Problem is its 200 miles away

[benny boy]

just keep your eye mate one will turn up dont give and make sure you buy the one you want or you will never be happy with it good look mate [ok

[Chaos]

I will stretch to £25k for the right car but want to spend £20k really, which is why the one I posted seemed a possible despite the spec. Problem is its 200 miles awayThe advantage you've got is that you're buying through a dealer. If you can get a deal at your local dealer, they can transfer it and it has to be in exactly the condition they said or you can refuse the deal and get your deposit back. As has been discussed recently though, the deal probably won't be as good as going direct.

Alternatively, if you fancy a drive out, it's 2-3 hours down the road but you'd get to see it without committing and you could play hardball with them there and then. The line "I'm 200 miles away so if I walk out of here today you'd better be pretty confident of selling it to someone else this week" usually works well to turn a lost negotiation.. ;) It doesn't work as well, but you could always try phoning them first and setting up a pre-visit agreement on a price. For example, "If it's immaculate and not a mark on it (which it will be on a dealer forecourt) what does it stand you in at?" and then push them hard from there. If it's up at 21k I'd be looking to settle at a max of 20k with a good few extras thrown in, but it's easier if you're face to face when they can see you're serious and you can use the chance to tut a lot and shake your head in places to show your disinterest ;).

Benny's bang on the money though, you're right to wait for the right car to come along, it's not like you buy one every week.

[330-Singh]

Theres plenty to choose from now and with prices coming down you won't need 25k.....keep your budget to 22k MAX.

You will get a really nice one for up to that price and as for the value of the car that you have seen, 17-18 would be a bargain I think more realistic is 19-20k.

Good Luck - I know you have been searching for absolutely ages! Just out of interest have you got something to Part - ex? or you just looking for the dealer peace of mine?

[Mikedav]

The advantage you've got is that you're buying through a dealer. If you can get a deal at your local dealer, they can transfer it and it has to be in exactly the condition they said

Unfortunately its not a BMW dealer, its an independent [:(]

Ive sold my car (almost) and have a cash deposit waiting - I also want dealer finance. Im probably a perfect candidate as far as hes concerned, as he will earn a nice kick back on the finance anyway...just don't want to drive all the way up there and decide its not for me.

SO I am driving a 330Ci Sport convertible the exact same age, colour, mileage and spec thats local. If I like that one Ill like the one in Stoke! As you guys say, I wouldn't pay more than £20k for the car described. Just seems a bit basic for that money? I just can't find anything else, if you spot anything guys please let me know!

[benny boy]

will keep an eye out dont give up mate

[Mikedav]

Drove that convertible today and I now like 330cis again :)

Definetly want one again, just needed one with super low miles I guess! Now I've just got to try and find the right one by Tuesday! Ive phoned main dealers about several but they are all sold...damn