2003 330i Individual

[Bavs108]

Hi guys. I'm new to the forum:=): I'm in the process of negotiating a deal on what could be my first bmw, in fact my first car that I'll be owning. It's a late 2003 330i Individual with a steptronic box. 130k on the clock. Unfortunately due to the fact that the car is located on the other side of the country I'll have to rely on a reliable family member to inspect the car on my behalf which will be done on Monday. Should everything check out, I most probably will take the car.

Any words of advise? What should I expect in terms of maintenance? Do these tend to be problematic? I have not read of many issues relating to this specific model.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Firstly, welcome to the forum. :thumb:

Give some more info to the car?? Price for one??

Also, unless you can't drive a manual, and have to go for an auto, then I would suggest rather going for a manual.

What area you in?? Maybe the fanatics can help you find something in the price range you looking to buy into. :dunno:

 

[Bayn46]

I'm sure someone on the forum will be happy to look the car over on your behalf, and give you a rundown of the car.

The 330i is an awesome car, you won't regret it if you've found one in good condition. All the best, looking forward to some pics :thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Manual gearbox is the tougher more sensible option, just not always easy to find. But, if the car has been cared for it should be fine. Other than the steptronic gearbox, just the usual wear items on the E46 - lower control arm bushes, cooling system, brakes, power steering pump, pre-tensioner pulleys etc. But otherwise, these are very solid cars! And if driven sensibly pretty economical - cannot understand people who buy these small econoboxes for the same or in most cases more money!! :thumbs:

Oh and welcome to the forum, hope all goes well with the buy! And +1 for getting a Fanatic to take a look on your behalf!!

 

[speeddemon]

330 FTW:thumbs: i hope it's what u're looking for and welcome

 

[Bavs108]

Thanks for the warm welcome:=):
Ok so here's a quick rundown on the car:
I'll be buying the car from a dealer. The asking price is 115k, but I'm still going to try negotiating the price. As for the gearbox, unfortunately I'd love to have a manual, but the car meets every other requirement that I want so beggars can't exactly be choosers:yuck:

I've got the CIA report on the car from bmw whilst under motorplan. They've got records up to 94k. I don't see anything major on the service history. Looks like rear breaks were done at 68k, ignition coils at 72k, coolant flush at 72k, rubber/hydraulic mount on front axle (not sure what this is) at 85k, front disks at 85k, cleaning front and rear breaks at 94k, and the rubber hydraulic mount again at 94k. That's about all with a few minor things here and there with regular oil services and inspections in between. Had a comments check done as well with no comments on the car from bmw.

Out of motorplan I've got one record from Tune Tech at 124k for a water bottle, thermostat and top radiator hose.

I was given the previous owners contact details as well. Seems like a family guy who used the car for family holidays. He used a trailer on holiday hence the need for a 330i. He said the car was serviced by tune tech outside of motorplan, but I'll have to check the service book for that as tune tech only have the record above on their system.

The dealer mentioned that one of the shocks were leaking but he's had them replaced and rear tyres will also be replaced.

I'm having the car checked by a family member who is more knowledgeable than I am about bmws and waiting for an AA report from the dealer before I commit to anything.

Oh and I'm from East London and the car is in JHB:=): If everything checks out, hopefully I'll be able to take delivery next weekend:=): I will try to get some pics up soon

 

[Mr.k]

There is plenty of fanatics in jhb, im sure they'l all be willing to have a look for u

 

[herr bmw]

hi and welcome to the forum
+1 on a fanatic in jhb looking at the car,for you

 

[Bavs108]

Here are some pics that I have of the car:=):

The dealer is holding the car for me until tomorrow so I will have to make a decision by then as to whether or not to take the car.

---

Here is a copy of the CIA report if anyone can make some sense of it.

 

[Gizmo]

People shouldn't fit tow bars if they can't afford the OEM removable one...:yuck:
That kills me every time to see a nice rear end messed up by a cheap and nasty hideous towbar like that...:argh:

Book the car in for a Inspection II service for safety sake, this way all the major things are checked/replaced. Throw in a new water pump and thermostat for good measure as the cooling systems aren't the greatest on BMWs, prevention is better than cure...

What is the mileage now?

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Welcome to the forum, car looks nice.

 

[Karthik]

Looks pretty decent :rollsmile: . And as Gizmo said get the cooling aspect of the car sorted :rollsmile: and looks good otherwise , condition is fair .

 

[Sankekur]

Also budget for around R15k+ to redo the gearbox for when it goes.

 

[Andy1GP]

Very Welcome indeed!

If you decide on the car make sure the dealer replaces everything on the car they said they would. I've heard many stories of where they don't follow up or honor their word after the sale is complete.

If anyone lives close to this place, ask them to check it out for you. It will be worth it.

History sounds and looks good on the car, but if you can hold out for a manual. I've seen a couple come and go advertised in the same messing metallic colour and wheels.

My advice is don't commit until you're 100% happy, if you intend to keep the car. There are some gems out there. Worth waiting for...

 

[Philip Foglar]

Beautiful looking car! Nice colour and of course an Individual! Some typical wear and tear on the soft touch plastics in the interior, in most cases can get this sorted out. Just some TLC and she will be a super clean car!

Must be honest, for me, a tow bar on a car puts me off! The condition of the tow bar is often the way to tell if the car has been worked hard! So, yes, gearbox is then a bit of a concern. Yep, OEM tow bar is so much neater than these aftermarket types - spoils the look of car like this!

Yep, make sure that the dealer replaces/repairs the things that they agree to do, for instance the missing left rear wheel roundel...

A few things: Looks like normal halogens, not Xenons, no big deal. No PDC, but not always that important. Can't really see, but looks like no rain sensor, again, not really too critical. Mentioning this simply because, for some these things are quite important!

Check the condition of the plastic/rubber strip at the base of the windscreen for signs of sun damage and perishing - not a cheap thing to replace from what I've heard. The one on my Wife's car is quite badly damaged from the sun, so will have to replace at some point when we also replace the windscreen!

Good luck!! :thumbs:

 

[hanopp]

MOst amazing car, you WILL NOT GET A BETTER BMW for that price. Small price for sure driving pleasure, I recently spoke to a bmw tech and he said the auto boxes on the 330i's very solid, he didnt replace even one in 10 years.. now that good news, hope you get it, enjoy mate!!

 

[Philip Foglar]

Well, for what it's worth, my father in law's E46 328i which also has a steptronic gearbox is doing fine still and is already close to or by now over the 200k km mark! :thumbs:

 

[msm]

I think this whole BMW gearbox issue is blown out of proportion. For every one guy that complains there's probably 9 that have no issues... Yes, budget R15 to R20k for it, but the 330i does not have enough torque to destroy it unless it was really abused.

Yep, Im one of those few people here that prefer auto to manual in a high performance car ...

 

[Karthik]

Its a really nice car , condition wise looks average though , maybe have a look at the following car ?

BMW 33Oi Auto
http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Cars-Vehicles-cars-2004-BMW-330i-M-Sport-Auto-W0QQAdIdZ379307915

Mileage is higher , no sunroof but if you look at the overall condition of that car's interior . :inlove:

 

[AdiS]

Its a really nice car , condition wise looks average though , maybe have a look at the following car ?

BMW 33Oi Auto
http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Cars-Vehicles-cars-2004-BMW-330i-M-Sport-Auto-W0QQAdIdZ379307915

Mileage is higher , no sunroof but if you look at the overall condition of that car's interior . :inlove:

Yea that one is in beautiful condition.


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