330ci facelift or not ?

Fox, you seem to be putting people off buying e46 in general now. Is that just because it's poor value for money?
 
I wouldnt say putting off, more.. being realistic. They are still great cars. They are just getting on a bit now yet the decent versions still command quite high prices :)
 
MadMossy said:
Isn't the sport and m sport the same thing, just a name change in 2004-5 ? The picture is wrong yeah, but the video isnt.
Click to expand...

Correct but you would expect a dealer to know this especially as they will be in posession of the V5 which clearly states what it is.
 
[TW]Fox;16692333 said:
So instead we look at the pre facelift ones which are even older - 7-10 years old - yet also still command daft money. The only exception are the cheapies at the bottom end of the market for about 4-5k but these are all scabby nails.

So you are pretty much stuck paying about 7k for a really tidy facelift model. £7k is a lot of money for an 8 year old car, in my opinion. It's going to have all the annoying niggles of an.. an 8 year old car.
Click to expand...

This is the thing, I am thinking about replacing my MX5 after the summer as it's getting on a bit and I fancy a change. (I had thought about chucking a turbo in it but decided that it wouldn't give me what I want as an overall package).

The 330ci initially looked an ideal candidate for replacement for what I'm after but I don't really want to spend more than £6-7k so most 330's will be pre-facelift. I don't mind having an older car, but not really at this age and at this price range. Also there is a lot of trash out there that needs to be avoided. Looking into the possibility of ST220's at the moment.
 
The other main problem with older BMW's is they are a complete moron-magnet. Every halfwit in the country appears to aspire to owning a 5-10 year old BMW, usually a 3 Series. So they get one, and... dont service it. Or get a mate to do it. With Tesco Value oil. And some Triangle tyres cos 'tyres is tyres mate innit, check out me wicked beemer'.

Then you've got wade through all these cars for sale looking for the needle in the haystack owned by the nice chap whose had it since new but is fed up of turning up places and people thinking he's a wideboy so he's selling it.
 
There seem to be a better standard of SE's at this price but unfortunately don't quite do it for me. As I understand it though SE's also have the sport suspension?
 
the Coupe's do yes. The SE's are in better condition becuase 'yo man you rollin in an SE? You is nothing man! You need an M SPORT'.
 
[TW]Fox;16693477 said:
the Coupe's do yes.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I will have to see what's about in a few months time. The 220 will still probably be the better bet though because even though there are better SE's around at this price they are still getting on a bit.

[TW]Fox;16693477 said:
The SE's are in better condition becuase 'yo man you rollin in an SE? You is nothing man! You need an M SPORT'.
Click to expand...

Innit mate :p
 
[TW]Fox;16693433 said:
The other main problem with older BMW's is they are a complete moron-magnet. Every halfwit in the country appears to aspire to owning a 5-10 year old BMW, usually a 3 Series. So they get one, and... dont service it. Or get a mate to do it. With Tesco Value oil. And some Triangle tyres cos 'tyres is tyres mate innit, check out me wicked beemer'.
Click to expand...

lol, you come out with some complete crap sometimes, bet you think everyone who wears trainers and branded polos like Henry Lloyd and Fred Perry/Lacoste is a chav.

At the end of the day a 8-10 year old decent spec E46 is still a good 40% cheaper than an equivalent E90 and arguably better looking.

Yeah i might use cheap £40 tyres and tesco value coolant on my 10 year old Mondeo but you'll find most average earning folk wont stick crap on a bmw they'll go without food and rent monies first becuase its a bimmer innit and costs 1/3 of my annual salary so it best not break.
 
Last edited:
One of the things that annoys me about most of the 330's I have seen is the smell of stale smoke, really puts you off.
 
Wouldn't bother me what tyres are on a car although i might look here to see what the preferred brand is and attempt to chip the seller down on price if the tyres are low on tread etc, as for oil i'll take your word on LL01 but i've never heard that mentioned on any bmw forum as long as its got the stamps in the book i couldn't care less, your not gonna get mint german car for the price of a 3 year old focus.
 
Crizzy said:
There seem to be a better standard of SE's at this price but unfortunately don't quite do it for me. As I understand it though SE's also have the sport suspension?
Click to expand...

No, the suspension is different. Sport versions are borderline impossible on bumpy roads. Some SEs had the sport suspension specced when new - that was cheaper when new than the difference for a full 'sport' model.

The reason there's a better standard of SEs at a particular price is because, everything else equal, they are (and always have been - their whole lives) less desired and a bit cheaper.

In any case you don't have to waste lots of time sifting through crap, unlike what's been suggested on here. Phone the seller (if private) - how do they sound (innit)? how long have they had the car? did they buy long enough ago that it was a 20k car not 7k (i.e. they are affluent and probably didn't DIY it)? what tyres are on it? when was the last service and which service was it? which parts have been replaced since they got it? (Do a little research on what the correct answers should be to these questions - plenty of forums to help with this).

...all that before committing to go there & drive it..It isn't that hard
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom