2001 330ci value?

[sjbglobal 6]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty keen on this, just curious what you think it's worth? 2001 330ci, only 142k Kms, seems pretty tidy although it could use a good interior clean. No service history but the seller claims it's been serviced yearly and runs well (I'd obviously get a pre-purchase inspection). It's in Blenheim but I'd be moving it to Auckland so curious what you think its worth in the Auckland market. I have a 2000 323i at the moment but keen for an upgrade. I nearly prefer sedan over coupe and I wish it was blue or something but there's not many e46 330s with lowish km around. Cheers for any input! 

Edited October 8, 2020 by sjbglobal

[qube 3570]

3-4k

[Sammo 2542]

Theres a Blue Msport on Trademe for not much more that looks like way better value. And it's in AKL.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2806020441?bof=DQgWLR7D

Aside from the low kms, this silver one is about as undesirable as a 330ci gets IMO.

If you want a $4K 330ci, good idea to have another $2k at least put aside as well.

[sjbglobal 6]

3 minutes ago, Sammo said:

Theres a Blue Msport on Trademe for not much more that looks like way better value. And it's in AKL.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2806020441?bof=DQgWLR7D

Aside from the low kms, this silver one is about as undesirable as a 330ci gets IMO.

If you want a $4K 330ci, good idea to have another $2k at least put aside as well.

True I did see that one, I was put off by the higher km but it is definitely nicer spec and I do love the color. What do you reckon that one is worth? Ok you guys are putting me off the silver one now haha. Would you say its undesirable because of the colour and non m package? Yeah I'm planning to put some $ aside for diy maintenance. 

[Sammo 2542]

6 minutes ago, sjbglobal said:

True I did see that one, I was put off by the higher km but it is definitely nicer spec and I do love the color. What do you reckon that one is worth? Ok you guys are putting me off the silver one now haha. Would you say its undesirable because of the colour and non m package? Yeah I'm planning to put some $ aside for diy maintenance. 

Hard to comment on value without knowing condition and maintenance done - compared to others on the past year or so these two are both cheap.

I would less concerned with 145km vs 195km on a 20 year old car TBH, condition is more important.

[qube 3570]

Being an msport or not is a big deal for me and a lot of people. There are so many little things that make it just that much better.
Sports seats, anthracite interior fabric,  usually non woodgrain trim (although this is easily changed), nicer steering wheel, nicer looking bodykit, sports suspension (a lot of non m sport cars may still have this), usually nicer design of wheels (also easily changed), generally non amber indicators (although can look nice on a blue or darker coloured car) etc. 

Having owned plenty of e46s, they are good reliable cars if well maintained and in order to do so will have cost or will cost money in the future. Best thing to do is find a few and go for a test drive, check service history and calculate what else needs to be done and see if the maths adds up in your budget. 
 

nz new is always good but not crucial, condition is everything and i wouldnt rule anything else or make any decisions before seeing it in person. 
 

my opinion, base spec silver is boring, undesirable, probably hard to sell but doesnt mean its a bad car. Will probably still drive the same or similar if you only care about mechanical aspect. If you do care about looks then no point to go through the trouble of converting body parts, not like there isnt enough m sport examples around to pick from. 
 

[Eagle 1661]

K's don't mean much at this point in time as does regularly serviced (in NZ it usually boils down to oil changes done now and again). Most of these cars have tired suspension, old plastics and rubber etc regardless of mileage.

IMO the example that has the tidy condition paint\panel, good interior and drives ok is the one that worth spending a couple of grand to sort mechanically. The only ones that are actually close to needing none or very little work are the ones owned true enthusiasts who are happy to invest lots of time and money (opposite of most car owners)

[Olaf 3313]

41 minutes ago, Sammo said:

Hard to comment on value without knowing condition and maintenance done - compared to others on the past year or so these two are both cheap.

I would less concerned with 145km vs 195km on a 20 year old car TBH, condition is more important.

It does not look like a cared-for car.  "no history but serviced regularly".  Tui advert right there.

A well-maintained e46 is a joy; a neglected one can definitely be brought up to scratch for $$$; you just got to make sure there's some meat in it for you after the spending's done.  

It's at the right mileage for the auto to sh*t the bed, it'll be ready for control arms and bushes, endlinks and ARB bushes; a PCV system, shocks, brakes, cooling system. And not far off of an A/C compressor and VANOS seals.  It'll be leaking oil around valve cover gasket and oil filter housing, will need a sump gasket soon (if not already), and if the PCV system has been ignored, could be up for a brake booster too.  It'll probably need some coils, definitely spark plugs. And a windscreen cowl.  Hopefully it's had regular oil changes and isn't slugged-up.

 Not a car to take a risk on, you'd want a very thorough PPI from a BMW dealer or specialist.  Missing some of the e46 telltales with a general mechanic or PPI shop could cost you a grand an item.  Proceed with caution.  It may be good and all this stuff's already been done, but most folks spending tons on workshop bills will keep receipts.  FSH and tons of history makes better sense with these.

HTH.

[sjbglobal 6]

Hey thanks guys for the advice, I really appreciate it. I bought my current 323i on the spot a few years ago and knew nothing about e46s...ended up spending a decent portion of the last 2 years underneath it fixing things so I'm definately more cautious now lol. I'm going to try and find a cosmetically nice one and do what mechanical work needs doing since I'm comfortable with diy. I think mechanical work is much easier than cosmetic work (and there's only so much you can do without going to the body shop and dropping big $$$).

I'll try viewing this one if the seller still has it, at least it looks like it's been well cared for:

 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/2806020441?bof=DQgWLR7D

Otherwise let me know if anyone has a tidy 330i or ci for 3-4k... Also can anyone recommend a good place to get a PPI done?

Cheers again

[sjbglobal 6]

This looks nice https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/330i/listing/2812324467 .... if it weren't for the fact that the coolant leaked out and it overheated until "the engine stopped so we pulled over, but then it worked again so drove it to the repairer" -verbatim quote from the seller. Yikes. That has to be some serious damage

[BlackAngel 60]

5 hours ago, sjbglobal said:

This looks nice https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/330i/listing/2812324467 .... if it weren't for the fact that the coolant leaked out and it overheated until "the engine stopped so we pulled over, but then it worked again so drove it to the repairer" -verbatim quote from the seller. Yikes. That has to be some serious damage

I'm tempted to buy it for parts at that price - especially if it has good rotors and tires. Too bad the front bumper looks a little smacked up. That quote is not quite verbatim though 

"Had issues with the coolant leakage so it did overheat and stopped. We then fixed it but checked the engine and they told me its fine. It doesn’t overheat now and okay to drive but you will need to check the car again. Thanks."

Big question is did "it" stop or did "they" stop when the gauge went high or the steam came out..

Worst case scenario is it needs an engine - but hey they are not asking moonbeams for it either. I think for $850 there is a ton of headroom in there for someone who can and is willing to do the mechanical work themselves - assuming it isn't too bad cosmetically. . . . . . and if the trans is toast too . . . did someone say manual swap??

Seeing two different oil containers (or is one coolant possibly) and oil stains in the boot is a bit of a worry . . . . .

Edit . . . . on second thought . . . . nah, run a mile from it . . . . . ??

I have an '01 330i motorsport in black that I picked up for 3K at 213,000km. It came with 7k in receipts including rebuilt trans and totally refreshed suspension including Bilstein shocks. By the time I am happy with it mechanically I will be into it for another 2K in parts. The labor is all me. Its mostly all just deferred maintenance and replacing or rebuilding the common failure items  i.e. gaskets, O-rings, ccv, DISA valve, cooling pipes, rotors, tires, cowling, driveshaft carrier bearing and giubo . . . . probably some other stuff. So yeah, $5k and some hours in the shed for a rock solid motorsport daily driver is what I'm looking at. Doesn't make sense if I did it to resell - but I'm keeping it hopefully until at least 300,000km so I can shed queen the other cars.

Edited October 8, 2020 by BlackAngel

[sjbglobal 6]

5 hours ago, BlackAngel said:

I'm tempted to buy it for parts at that price - especially if it has good rotors and tires. Too bad the front bumper looks a little smacked up. That quote is not quite verbatim though 

"Had issues with the coolant leakage so it did overheat and stopped. We then fixed it but checked the engine and they told me its fine. It doesn’t overheat now and okay to drive but you will need to check the car again. Thanks."

Big question is did "it" stop or did "they" stop when the gauge went high or the steam came out..

Worst case scenario is it needs an engine - but hey they are not asking moonbeams for it either. I think for $850 there is a ton of headroom in there for someone who can and is willing to do the mechanical work themselves - assuming it isn't too bad cosmetically. . . . . . and if the trans is toast too . . . did someone say manual swap??

Seeing two different oil containers (or is one coolant possibly) and oil stains in the boot is a bit of a worry . . . . .

Edit . . . . on second thought . . . . nah, run a mile from it . . . . . ??

I have an '01 330i motorsport in black that I picked up for 3K at 213,000km. It came with 7k in receipts including rebuilt trans and totally refreshed suspension including Bilstein shocks. By the time I am happy with it mechanically I will be into it for another 2K in parts. The labor is all me. Its mostly all just deferred maintenance and replacing or rebuilding the common failure items  i.e. gaskets, O-rings, ccv, DISA valve, cooling pipes, rotors, tires, cowling, driveshaft carrier bearing and giubo . . . . probably some other stuff. So yeah, $5k and some hours in the shed for a rock solid motorsport daily driver is what I'm looking at. Doesn't make sense if I did it to resell - but I'm keeping it hopefully until at least 300,000km so I can shed queen the other cars.

Oh so I asked the seller specifically about the overheat and that's what she said, sounds like it actually died from overheating, then she pulled over, then it 'worked again' so she drove it to a mechanic. How easy are the engines to come by? Definitely a bit out of my league but I'd love to do an engine swap one day.

Nice! yeah you've done pretty much exactly my plan. I just want a solid daily driver I can enjoy for the next 5 years or so... preferably one that doesn't have dents and half the clear coat coming off like my current 323i ? Is it worth keeping an eye on fb marketplace and turners, or is forums/TM the best places to find them?

[qube 3570]

6 hours ago, BlackAngel said:

"Had issues with the coolant leakage so it did overheat and stopped. We then fixed it but checked the engine and they told me its fine. It doesn’t overheat now and okay to drive but you will need to check the car again. Thanks."

wut?

42 minutes ago, sjbglobal said:

Is it worth keeping an eye on fb marketplace and turners, or is forums/TM the best places to find them?

look at all the sales platforms. generally the ones listed on here are better maintained. Forum > TM > turners >  FB but some good ones could come up on FB (unlikely) as some sellers want to avoid the listing fees and try their luck on FB.

 

[BlackAngel 60]

25 minutes ago, qube said:

wut?

 

Thats copied and pasted straight from the Q&A on trademe.

One would have to check it in person to get a proper idea. Fluids condition and radiator hoses hard or not looking for head gasket failure - maybe even a compression test. Yes an overheated M54 is a scary proposition but just maybe this one survived it.

I see there is already a wrecker sniffing around in the questions. Heck if it has good tires on I'd get it just for the wheels and tyres as I need some tires for mine.

If its still available next weekend at around that price I may go have a look - but will want to buy it on the spot if I think its worthwhile - not interested in bidding against a bunch of fake profiles.

 

Edited October 8, 2020 by BlackAngel

[BlackAngel 60]

1 hour ago, sjbglobal said:

Oh so I asked the seller specifically about the overheat and that's what she said, sounds like it actually died from overheating, then she pulled over, then it 'worked again' so she drove it to a mechanic. How easy are the engines to come by? Definitely a bit out of my league but I'd love to do an engine swap one day.

Nice! yeah you've done pretty much exactly my plan. I just want a solid daily driver I can enjoy for the next 5 years or so... preferably one that doesn't have dents and half the clear coat coming off like my current 323i ? Is it worth keeping an eye on fb marketplace and turners, or is forums/TM the best places to find them?

Is it possible it went into a limp mode and then she pulled over? Turned the car off thus resetting the limp mode then was able to drive it to a mechanic?

Anyone know if an engine overtemp can cause a limp mode?

Alternative strategy is to look for a retirement car. One that was bought new when the retired and serviced at the dealer and only driven to bowling etc, then they got too old to drive and it sat in the shed until they either got rid of it or their executor did.

Any car combining a for sale sign with a lawns bowls hat sitting on the parcel shelf it worth a look?

 

Edited October 8, 2020 by BlackAngel

[qube 3570]

55 minutes ago, BlackAngel said:

Thats copied and pasted straight from the Q&A on trademe.

yea I know,

what I meant is that statement from the seller is bloody useless. almost just sounds like they are trying to flog off a known bad car by feigning ignorance and saying "do your own research." 

[sjbglobal 6]

33 minutes ago, BlackAngel said:

Is it possible it went into a limp mode and then she pulled over? Turned the car off thus resetting the limp mode then was able to drive it to a mechanic?

Anyone know if an engine overtemp can cause a limp mode?

Alternative strategy is to look for a retirement car. One that was bought new when the retired and serviced at the dealer and only driven to bowling etc, then they got too old to drive and it sat in the shed until they either got rid of it or their executor did.

Any car combining a for sale sign with a lawns bowls hat sitting on the parcel shelf it worth a look?

 

Not sure, here's my conversation with the seller. Maybe a mechanic checked it and said it was ok? Don't know why she says it needs to be checked again in that case. Is a compression test and coolant/oil inspection enough to rule out engine damage from overheating? Or could the block be warped and issues crop up a few years down the track?

[Matth5 471]

11 minutes ago, sjbglobal said:

Not sure, here's my conversation with the seller. Maybe a mechanic checked it and said it was ok? Don't know why she says it needs to be checked again in that case. Is a compression test and coolant/oil inspection enough to rule out engine damage from overheating? Or could the block be warped and issues crop up a few years down the track?

 

Sounds like they're just mechanically clueless but smart enough to know they might have f**led the car and don't want to risk misleading anyone. 

Anything is possible, engine may have had it's life shortened here but really that's the risk with any used car.

You'll really need to take a good look yourself, ideally get a BMW specialist to inspect it. If you can rule out any head gasket leakage it should be ok.

 

Of course its possibly got all the other usual issues of a high mileage BMW, all the major bushings are worn and things like the trans, driveshaft ect are flopping around more than they should. Takes a lot of money and work to get these into real nice condition and most people don't bother. 

If you ever find one that's actually got the suspension well sorted with the receipts to prove it, it's easily worth a couple grand more - anyone who spends that kind of money on their E46 has properly taken care of it.

[qube 3570]

Cant understand why they keep saying “but you will need to check again” if it has been “fixed” 

Definitely an avoid for me

[BozzaFC 300]

Agreed. A lot of alarm bells here.

17 hours ago, sjbglobal said:

I nearly prefer sedan over coupe and I wish it was blue or something

These come up often enough that it's worth waiting  

[sjbglobal 6]

50 minutes ago, qube said:

Cant understand why they keep saying “but you will need to check again” if it has been “fixed” 

Definitely an avoid for me

There's the lure of potentially getting a great deal if its fine.... but also it could be completely stuffed. I don't want to waste $$ to get it checked out and find it's kaput so I'm gonna pass.

28 minutes ago, BozzaFC said:

Agreed. A lot of alarm bells here.

These come up often enough that it's worth waiting  

Yeah I'm gonna wait for a tidy msport 330 to pop up, seems like a good buyers market at the moment. Should I post in the want to buy section?

[qube 3570]

whats your budget?

someone else is looking too

 

That purple one listed by HellBM is my old clubsport. awesome car and been resurrected by HellBM with manual conversion so all good to go.

Edited October 8, 2020 by qube

[sjbglobal 6]

46 minutes ago, qube said:

whats your budget?

someone else is looking too

That purple one listed by HellBM is my old clubsport. awesome car and been resurrected by HellBM with manual conversion so all good to go.

I'm at uni still so my budget is only around 4k unfortunately. Obviously not expecting a meticulously maintained one for that and I'm happy diy-ing mechanical maintenance over time as needed. I might be able to stretch the budget a bit depending on what maintenance has been done. Gutted I missed that blue msport on TM, the guy sold it  Ah well there's always more

That purple one is epic, bit out of my budget sadly haha

[BlackAngel 60]

Brernt's compact conversion might still be available too is you would consider a compact

[sjbglobal 6]

2 hours ago, BlackAngel said:

Brernt's compact conversion might still be available too is you would consider a compact

Wow that's pretty cool. Imagine getting smoked at the lights by a 316ti... amazing. Looks pretty good without the stupid compact headlights. Hard car to value as well.