New Job, New Car.

Uncle_Gravy

Uncle_Gravy

Uncle_Gravy

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Another "spec me a new car" thread.

So i've just got a new job, which allows me to buy a new car, been exciting looking at performance cars S2000s/350z and the likes, but realistically I need a 4 seater, kinda sensible car (But still fun) as its gonna be my daily commute.

Budget, max around 7k (May stretch a little further but not much more) and the obvious choice really E46 330ci.

Been looking at them for a while now but I would like to see what other alternatives i've got to choose from at that budget.
 
I think you've answered your own question really.
Get a nice 330ci and keep a few bob for when something breaks.
 
Thought as much, I'm toying the idea of a convertible, been wanting one for a while, and a half open sunroof of a 1.2 clio just doesn't cut it.

Also i've seen occasionally Clubsports, what's the difference between one and a Ci Sport?

Cheers.
 
Mostly just the individual color options - which are available on non-clubsports.

They're apparently lower by 15-20mm and approx 20kg lighter, but neither is true/been proven.

You do gain front clubsport splitters, a rear clubsport spoiler, and some clubsport split rim 18" alloy wheels.
 
So not really worth going out my way to find a decent low milage example then. (Most are 80k+)

So i'll stick to finding a good 04 low milage Coupe or convertible, whichever pops up first.

Ebay Link

I've fallen for that even though auto meh, looks fantastic, and being a dealer car i'm sure some haggling can be done.
 
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I'm not up to date with E46 prices, but is that not rather expensive for what it is?

It does look rather nice though :D I adore that color on facelift E46's.
 
That car is vastly overpriced. Please don't spend £7k on an e46 they're far too old now to command that money and you'll never move it on again for anything like the same cash unless you're willing to wait a long, long time.

Honestly, £5-6k absolute max will see you in just as good a car.

I wouldn't bother with the clubsport either - the rear spoiler just looks naff and a good one commands too much of a premium
 
rodenal said:
That car is vastly overpriced. Please don't spend £7k on an e46 they're far too old now to command that money and you'll never move it on again for anything like the same cash unless you're willing to wait a long, long time.

Honestly, £5-6k absolute max will see you in just as good a car.

I wouldn't bother with the clubsport either - the rear spoiler just looks naff and a good one commands too much of a premium
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What is the BMW warranty prices like for a 30k car compared toa 50 - 59k car? Does this matter as well as age?

Just wondering if it is worth paying a premium for a 30k mile car?
 
I'm not sure tbh - I thought it only went up over 60k....in any case a warranty on an e46 seems like a waste of time to me. Short of catastrophe there isn't much on the car that is all that expensive to fix & if paying good money for one I'd be checking to see that the likely niggles had been sorted recently anyway.

Otherwise the guy would be as well buying the cheapest facelift he could find and spending £1k or so improving it mechanically - either way I don't think the warranty makes much sense on an m54 engined car
 
rodenal said:
That car is vastly overpriced. Please don't spend £7k on an e46 they're far too old now to command that money and you'll never move it on again for anything like the same cash unless you're willing to wait a long, long time.

Honestly, £5-6k absolute max will see you in just as good a car.
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I agree, bit of hard graft will surely get that price down, Imagine that, I can watch Bargain Hunt whilst sitting in a traffic jam.:D

I'll be happy with a 330, at 21 what a cracking car to have.

If I had a bit more of a budget to play with i'd be looking at 335i Coupes, Such beautiful cars, i've even been looking at 650i (Believe it or not, insurance on a 4.8 V8 is not bad for a 21y/o)
 
6 series will be another world of running cost.

I wouldn't even waste my time on that car tbh, he isn't going to drop the price by £2k and you'd have to be mad as a hatter to pay anwywhere even close to what he wants. It seems to be valued that way just because the car has 30k, I don't see what difference 2 or even 3 times the mileage would make to you - they wear the miles well
 
Would imagine the costs would be huge with the 6 :D Would like a V8 sometime in life.

There's loads of 330's coming up everyday, hopefully the right spec (Climate, Cruise, Heated Seats TV, maybe convertible form)
 
Cruise and climate are pretty much standard - TV isn't as cracked up as it's meant to be, you can retrofit digital TV tuner's if you wanted though it's pretty pricey for what it is - those that I've seen with it fitted complain it's not very good on the move as the picture drops in and out whenever signal is poor.
 
Spend £5-6k max on an E46, don't do what a friends brother has just done and buy a 320Ci convertible with hardly any options other than standard sport stuff, has had a terrible alloy refurb, and shows signs of a front end smash, but paid £10k for it because it has only covered 30k miles.


From when I looked a while ago £7k would only buy quite a ropey E63 6 Series, although if you can spare more cash then I'd say it's definitely worth looking at them.
 
Voxination said:
Spend £5-6k max on an E46, don't do what a friends brother has just done and buy a 320Ci convertible with hardly any options other than standard sport stuff, has had a terrible alloy refurb, and shows signs of a front end smash, but paid £10k for it because it has only covered 30k miles.
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Mileage won't be the deciding factor, Its got to be top condition inside and out, with most/all the toys, but things like cruise, climate, heated seats and a decent radio and i'll be laughing really with that, and most of all its got to be a 330i.
 
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