E46 330i Individual Sportpack

[ZeezU]

Howsit guys,

I need some advice from you guys, my dad came across a 2004 330i individual sport pack with the 18" wheels. Has 175k kms on the clock. Looks straight and drives well. No service history though. Offered the guy 60k and he agreed, he initially wanted 70k.

Is it worth it? Any common faults to look out for on these cars?

Thanks

Sent from my GT-I9500

 

[graan13]

In my opinion very worth it. Its one of the last being 2004 and pictures are not very clear but it appears to look good. Typically that car should fetch easily 80 - 85k if good and straight
Common issues;
Cooling system leaks - expansion tank/reservoir
front lower control arm bushes
If auto, box can be troublesome with higher mileage

Most of above is not too expensive apart from the auto box

 

[ZeezU]

yes it auto

Sent from my GT-I9500

 

[Sankekur]

Cooling system, one of the weak points and a single overheat can ruin the motor.
Manual or auto? Manual: clutch and flywheel are on the expensive side. Auto: Not very reliable, one of the things that can leave you stranded next to the road.
Vanos seals, not going to leave to stranded, but does impede driveability if they are leaking.

Service history doesn't mean much, especially if it is from the dealers. Might be a good idea to have a look in the motor for sludge build up.

 

[Fordkoppie]

Honestly - At R60k, if it looks good and drives well, who cares what the history is?

 

[AdiS]

Honestly - At R60k, if it looks good and drives well, who cares what the history is?

This is what I am thinking.. I suppose you could do a compression test on the motor to rule out any latent engine damage?

 

[Gizmo]

Correction, I was thinking of this one.

 

[BillyBob]

Honestly - At R60k, if it looks good and drives well, who cares what the history is?

A car showing signs of closer to 300k km, with deferred maintenance issues and its gearbox & engine ready to implode, would quickly change that sentiment...

It's ridiculously easy to tamper the mileage on an E46... one that has no service history just screams that something isn't right.

ETA: Gizmo confirms my suspicions.

 

[KPM3_30]

Correction, I was thinking of this one.

This is Kish2604's ex 330i :rollsmile:

 

[WyKiD]

Bud if the car looks clean and drives well its a no brainer, that colour and wheel combo is rare and beautiful...:coolShake:

Imo its a great price you getting there.

 

[ZeezU]

What style number is it for that 18" rim?

Sent from my GT-I9500

 

[WyKiD]

What style number is it for that 18" rim?

Sent from my GT-I9500

Style 135.

 

[Gizmo]

Correction, I was thinking of this one.

This is Kish2604's ex 330i :rollsmile:

The mileage has been messed with.

 

[KPM3_30]

Correction, I was thinking of this one.

This is Kish2604's ex 330i :rollsmile:

The mileage has been messed with.

I was completely out of that conversation.. Just saw the pic when I opened the thread..

 

[Arbee]

Wait... which car is being questioned?

I know Kish very well and he wont tamper with anything and not discolse it.

 

[Yuben]

Don't think it is Kish'a ex car, his was Scarab Green IIRC

 

[Gizmo]

Another fanatic who is looking for a 330i checked up on Kish's ex car which is floating around the gum and olx at the moment. The mileage was turned back to less than what the car had when it was registered in 2013 with 171020km, and now it has 169000km on the clock.

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On OLX but with 190 000km, mileage hops all over the place.
http://durban.olx.co.za/bmw-e46-330i-2004-individual-motorsport-iid-688529296

 

[Kish2604]

Just to clear this up, the car left my possession on the 10th of August with proof of payment from the seller, the mileage to the best of my knowledge at that time was approx 165km, the new owner did take another month or so to transfer the ownership as I had received a traffic fine in that time period...

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Best is to clear it up with the seller himself...I have no liability or interest in this...

 

[Arbee]

Just to clear this up, the car left my possession on the 10th of August with proof of payment from the seller, the mileage to the best of my knowledge at that time was approx 165km, the new owner did take another month or so to transfer the ownership as I had received a traffic fine in that time period...

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Best is to clear it up with the seller himself...I have no liability or interest in this...

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10th august 2013 or 2014?

 

[Kish2604]

Just to clear this up, the car left my possession on the 10th of August with proof of payment from the seller, the mileage to the best of my knowledge at that time was approx 165km, the new owner did take another month or so to transfer the ownership as I had received a traffic fine in that time period...

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Best is to clear it up with the seller himself...I have no liability or interest in this...

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10th august 2013 or 2014?

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Apologies... It was 2013, I took delivery of my 335i on 08 August 2013...