2003/4 330ci sport - what to watch when buying?
Discussion
Hi!
I'm about to buy a 330ci M sport auto (not every's preference I know but auto suits my needs) and I was wondering whether anyone can alert me to potential problems. It's going to be a 2003/2004 330ci M sport and it looks like I'm going to be looking at around 45k miles. Is this crazy? It would be from a BMW or non-franchised dealer. They seem to want between £16,500 and £19,000 for such a car, often with sunroof, cd player, bluetooth etc. Some have Napa Leather as well. Can't be bothered with the sat nav, had an M3 with the TV screen and sat nav and all it ever did was want to take me off the A3 to come back on at the same junction or send me off down a farmer's track to nowhere! Tom Tom will do fine for that.
Really need to know if I'm better off looking for a lower mileage car and paying a bit more and if there are any serious issues to worry about with a higher mileage car.... There seem a large number for sale with just under 50k miles on, do they tend to fall apart after 50k? I'm looking at keeping it for about 3 to 5 years and doing about 10k a year, so hopefully residuals in 3 to 5 years won't be too bad......
Thanks for any help, greatly appreciated!
I'm about to buy a 330ci M sport auto (not every's preference I know but auto suits my needs) and I was wondering whether anyone can alert me to potential problems. It's going to be a 2003/2004 330ci M sport and it looks like I'm going to be looking at around 45k miles. Is this crazy? It would be from a BMW or non-franchised dealer. They seem to want between £16,500 and £19,000 for such a car, often with sunroof, cd player, bluetooth etc. Some have Napa Leather as well. Can't be bothered with the sat nav, had an M3 with the TV screen and sat nav and all it ever did was want to take me off the A3 to come back on at the same junction or send me off down a farmer's track to nowhere! Tom Tom will do fine for that.
Really need to know if I'm better off looking for a lower mileage car and paying a bit more and if there are any serious issues to worry about with a higher mileage car.... There seem a large number for sale with just under 50k miles on, do they tend to fall apart after 50k? I'm looking at keeping it for about 3 to 5 years and doing about 10k a year, so hopefully residuals in 3 to 5 years won't be too bad......
Thanks for any help, greatly appreciated!
The only *real* issue I've managed to uncover, aside from the usual BMW suspension bushes wearing out, is that by about 50K, the cars on 18/19" with sport suspension etc, tend to have shaken the proverbial out of the interior.
At 64K the Alpina, which is suspended softer than the 330 M Sport, is starting to rattle and squeak like an fifth-hand XR3i.
Other than that, they do seem to suffer from a few electrical gremlins around the stereo system, and the Sunroof visor mechanism is a pile of rubbish which can result in the sunroof and sunroof motor jamming and catching fire.
Finally, the door seals on the coupes seem to split, and cost an arm and leg to replace.
In terms of money, can't see much of a reason why you'd want to buy one from main dealer - paying only for the dubious priviledge of factory warranty (04), or Approved Used Warranty (03) - both of which will need renewing at considerable cost.
IMHO, the 330 M-Sport isn't the best available in the price range you're talking about;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/141650.htm
Why?
3.4 engine gives over 300bhp - it's a thing of wonder
Switchtronic box much better than the BMW steptronic
Rare as you like - you'll never see another one
Stronger residuals
Better handling than anything BMW ever managed
At 64K the Alpina, which is suspended softer than the 330 M Sport, is starting to rattle and squeak like an fifth-hand XR3i.
Other than that, they do seem to suffer from a few electrical gremlins around the stereo system, and the Sunroof visor mechanism is a pile of rubbish which can result in the sunroof and sunroof motor jamming and catching fire.
Finally, the door seals on the coupes seem to split, and cost an arm and leg to replace.
In terms of money, can't see much of a reason why you'd want to buy one from main dealer - paying only for the dubious priviledge of factory warranty (04), or Approved Used Warranty (03) - both of which will need renewing at considerable cost.
IMHO, the 330 M-Sport isn't the best available in the price range you're talking about;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/141650.htm
Why?
3.4 engine gives over 300bhp - it's a thing of wonder
Switchtronic box much better than the BMW steptronic
Rare as you like - you'll never see another one
Stronger residuals
Better handling than anything BMW ever managed
Edited by Dunk76 on Monday 30th April 16:31
Thanks for the info. That sunroof sounds like one to watch! I've certainly heard about the door seals going, seen a few at the dealers with the seal hanging off.... interesting about the squeaks and rattles, that's one thing I'm trying to avoid as my M3 used to squeak like nothing else. Drove me insane!
Yes, was keen on the upgraded sound system. So looking at a 50k car isn't really an issue as long as I check it over thoroughly for the afore mentioned problems. Will it be worth anything in 3 years time with perhaps 80k to 90k on the clock and FBMWSH?
Thanks again!
Yes, was keen on the upgraded sound system. So looking at a 50k car isn't really an issue as long as I check it over thoroughly for the afore mentioned problems. Will it be worth anything in 3 years time with perhaps 80k to 90k on the clock and FBMWSH?
Thanks again!
Difficult to say.
There are a huge amount of 330 M-Sports around, and it's replacement 335i is something else entirely - so I wouldn't like to speculate. The E36 328i Sport, for example, is regarded as something of a classic - due to it's relative rarity, driver involvement, and it's relative closeness to the 330 in performance terms.
The 330 Sport, I suspect, may suffer from it's sheer popularity - I've seen early (2001) examples with 90K at sub £9K privately. Something which will only be compounded as 335i values begin to drop.
The Alpina B3, which is a better car in every respect, is in some ways immune to depreciation brought about by replacement models - they're simply so rare, that only age and mileage really affect their values. Early (1999) cars are still around £10K for a low spec dog, and I know of a good spec 2000 model which has just sold for £15,000!
Aside from the resale aspect, I'd certainly recommend you drive a B3 before getting a 330 - the difference between the driving experiences is staggering. Far more than the 50bhp paper difference would suggest
There are a huge amount of 330 M-Sports around, and it's replacement 335i is something else entirely - so I wouldn't like to speculate. The E36 328i Sport, for example, is regarded as something of a classic - due to it's relative rarity, driver involvement, and it's relative closeness to the 330 in performance terms.
The 330 Sport, I suspect, may suffer from it's sheer popularity - I've seen early (2001) examples with 90K at sub £9K privately. Something which will only be compounded as 335i values begin to drop.
The Alpina B3, which is a better car in every respect, is in some ways immune to depreciation brought about by replacement models - they're simply so rare, that only age and mileage really affect their values. Early (1999) cars are still around £10K for a low spec dog, and I know of a good spec 2000 model which has just sold for £15,000!
Aside from the resale aspect, I'd certainly recommend you drive a B3 before getting a 330 - the difference between the driving experiences is staggering. Far more than the 50bhp paper difference would suggest
Edited by Dunk76 on Tuesday 1st May 09:52
I had a 330i sport saloon from 50k to 70k miles. No repairs apart from a duff parking sensor.
The car did start to rattle a bit which disappionted me ( I had a 115k mile civic that had no rattles!!). I managed to trace the rattle to a loose nut that held the cd changer in place in the boot. Not too much of a job to be honest.
These are cracking cars and represent great value know. I did't worry much about mileage. Mine was perfect at 70k miles. I think the front suspension bushes were getting a little tired. The was a small 'rattle' coming from the front over small, sharp bumps. This isn't an expensive job though and even my Hondas needed suspension bushes after too many UK B roads!!
If you are not to set on a coupe then consider the saloon as they are even cheaper. These cars are losing value pretty quick so if you plan on changing in a years time you should not go for one of the higher priced, low milers as you'll just lose or chunk or wait months to sell it.
When I was looking for mine the higher, mileage, cheaper models were selling far far quicker that the low milers.
Allot of the cars would have been sugar-mommy's personal transport to the gym and so on, so not really driven hard. Tell-tale signs include kerbed alloys and scratched door handles and trim. Those big diamond rings leave their mark!!
There is plenty of choice so shop around.
Defo give the Alpina some consideration. I have not driven one but I had the choice I would have bought one over the standard car. From what I have heard, the Alpina suspension alone is worth it. The stanard sports suspension is fine-I never really wanted more but I have to admit it could be a bit 'brittle' at times. I loved the car and wouldn't call the suspension a major problem but given the chance I would have changed it to something more 'supple'.
Harmon Kardon is worth it. The business radio sound is really poor and not up the rest of the car. However, if you find a minter without the HK sound, you can always upgrade the sound system with some quality aftermarket installs and intergrate your ipod at the same time!
I wanted xenons but could't find it the right price. The standard lights were fine, especially since I drove mostly on motorways.
The car did start to rattle a bit which disappionted me ( I had a 115k mile civic that had no rattles!!). I managed to trace the rattle to a loose nut that held the cd changer in place in the boot. Not too much of a job to be honest.
These are cracking cars and represent great value know. I did't worry much about mileage. Mine was perfect at 70k miles. I think the front suspension bushes were getting a little tired. The was a small 'rattle' coming from the front over small, sharp bumps. This isn't an expensive job though and even my Hondas needed suspension bushes after too many UK B roads!!
If you are not to set on a coupe then consider the saloon as they are even cheaper. These cars are losing value pretty quick so if you plan on changing in a years time you should not go for one of the higher priced, low milers as you'll just lose or chunk or wait months to sell it.
When I was looking for mine the higher, mileage, cheaper models were selling far far quicker that the low milers.
Allot of the cars would have been sugar-mommy's personal transport to the gym and so on, so not really driven hard. Tell-tale signs include kerbed alloys and scratched door handles and trim. Those big diamond rings leave their mark!!
There is plenty of choice so shop around.
Defo give the Alpina some consideration. I have not driven one but I had the choice I would have bought one over the standard car. From what I have heard, the Alpina suspension alone is worth it. The stanard sports suspension is fine-I never really wanted more but I have to admit it could be a bit 'brittle' at times. I loved the car and wouldn't call the suspension a major problem but given the chance I would have changed it to something more 'supple'.
Harmon Kardon is worth it. The business radio sound is really poor and not up the rest of the car. However, if you find a minter without the HK sound, you can always upgrade the sound system with some quality aftermarket installs and intergrate your ipod at the same time!
I wanted xenons but could't find it the right price. The standard lights were fine, especially since I drove mostly on motorways.
Dino D said:
Allot of the cars would have been sugar-mommy's personal transport to the gym and so on, so not really driven hard. Tell-tale signs include kerbed alloys and scratched door handles and trim. Those big diamond rings leave their mark!!
Oh so true. I've noticed that the majority of "lady owner's" cars have scratched trip (door pulls etc) and kerbed alloys... Other "motorway only" cars have primarily mark free interiors other than perhaps slightly shiny seats. Keen on the upgraded stereo. Also want xenons ideally, had them on the M3 and they were stunning.
Thanks to everyone for your responses. Will definately try the Alpina if I can, sounds like it's worth driving!
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