Spec me a 6k BMW...

I always wanted a Facelift E46 330i and spent months searching and keeping an eye out on the usual car websites but they were either not the spec I was looking for or too expensive.

Then one day I changed my search criteria from 2002 onwards to 2001 and BOOM up popped the ideal candidate - an early 2001 facelift model with an awesome spec - basically every extra option like nav, electric cream seats etc except sunroof and folding rear seats - 110k miles for £5200 - pics of it here (2 posts with pics on same page) after a recent weekend detail.

Everything checked out - nothing to service as all the usual things had been done previously and I'm still the very happy and proud owner of it, besides the apparently normal tramlining issue of these cars (on a bmw forum someone suggested it's due to a positive scrub radius) which I'm hoping replacing the tyres helps when the time comes.

Because I'm noobish at motors, I've posted loads of threads with questions and findings about it and people have given great advice within these threads. Just search motors forum for my username, In fact they all start on the 3rd page of the search results with the thread of me finding the initial autotrader ad here

So it is possible to get a good example of a facelift E46 330i for less than 6k if you willing to look from 2001 with a higher mileage - it's all dependant on who the previous owners were and if they skimped on services, how it was driven etc.

Hope you find what you seek :)
 
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I have an E90 3 series with the sports seats and its a squeeze in the back for 3. The back has two bucket shaped seating areas with a 'hump' in the middle. It definitely looks like it was only designed for two.
 
The middle "seat" in the back of the e46 coupe is pretty stiff so unless the middle passenger has lost their sense of pain then prepare for complaints if your chosen car is a coupe and of sport variety every time you go over a bump!
 
Cheers for all the input going to go and have a look around tomorrow and see whats about..

The middle rear seat will only be used very rarely so no big issue. Not really wanting a sporty one tbh, I would like 4 doors as well..
 
Was the owner a woman? Look how far forwards the seat is!!

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Hmm maybe the pas seat is actually a bit far back ¬_¬ Lack of armrest would be insanely annoying too!
 
MOOGLEYS said:
Cheers for all the input going to go and have a look around tomorrow and see whats about..

The middle rear seat will only be used very rarely so no big issue. Not really wanting a sporty one tbh, I would like 4 doors as well..
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You will get a lot more car for your money with a 330i SE Saloon. The 'wikid beemer crew' dont want SE's, meaning you get a newer car for your money thats more likely to have been looked after by a nice person.
 
Khaaan! said:
But in SE form they look meh and come with a meh steering wheel as well :(
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I,m old mate with 3 kids and a ruddy great dog so looks is not overly important to me :D an estate would be perfect and I think that is what i,m going to try and find.

lol at the M3 not for me had my sporty cars, sensible ish family man now and 26K for a 7 year old car :eek:
 
[TW]Fox;18512857 said:
You will get a lot more car for your money with a 330i SE Saloon. The 'wikid beemer crew' dont want SE's, meaning you get a newer car for your money thats more likely to have been looked after by a nice person.
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That 330i estate from your list looks perfect tbh.
 
Just a thought; rather than spending 6K on a E46, have you considered something else such as a Cupra R or a Civic Type? You're likely to get something great for £5K which leaves you enough for bits and bobs. Remember, BMW have very expensive parts.
 
If I was going to buy one for that price it'd be an SE, heck I'd buy an SE anyway, I had a 330CI Sport several years back and the M-Tech suspension combined with run flat tyres is firm to say the least, they do look nice though.

triggerthat: BMW actually don't have hugely expensive parts on the whole, some bits are but mostly they aren't too bad at all, I really wouldn't know about Honda but BMW parts aren't really much more expensive than Seats, even the servicing isn't provided you aren't servicing an M car, a Cupra R is going to have equally expensive tyres and more expensive brakes since they come factory fit with Brembos ...and a turbo charger to 'worry' about. Yes I had a Seat too :p ...so I'm not guessing.
 
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triggerthat said:
Just a thought; rather than spending 6K on a E46, have you considered something else such as a Cupra R or a Civic Type? You're likely to get something great for £5K which leaves you enough for bits and bobs. Remember, BMW have very expensive parts.
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Not interested in hot hatches mate have no real interest in travelling fast, Would rather comfort and quiteness. I,m hopefully going to have a look at a traded in 330i sport estate later today just waiting for an email with the details.
 
MOOGLEYS said:
Not interested in hot hatches mate have no real interest in travelling fast, Would rather comfort and quiteness. I,m hopefully going to have a look at a traded in 330i sport estate later today just waiting for an email with the details.
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:-) Have you considered the E39 5 Series, then? Fox should be able to share some light on his M5.
 
MOOGLEYS said:
I,m old mate with 3 kids and a ruddy great dog so looks is not overly important to me :D an estate would be perfect and I think that is what i,m going to try and find.

lol at the M3 not for me had my sporty cars, sensible ish family man now and 26K for a 7 year old car :eek:
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Heh crazy isn't it!

I didn't realise you were an oldie though :p I guess I'd be in the same mind too :D
 
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