[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

How 'bout this one Rog, seems a nice spec, low mileage and very re-saleable colour combo

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-BMW-330-C...item2558cbec50

or this.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/02-52-BMW-330C...item3efc45034e

or this fully loaded clubsport one with nav, tv, sunroof, xenons, smg, etc....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-BMW-330-C...item4838bda099

Some tasty cars there, the Clubsport stands out, but I would make sure I had a warranty that covers the SMG gearbox. The first one looks like it is well cared for and it has a full BMW history with the low miles.

OH, how love shopping for cars!

[rogerxp]

I agree. Nice selection cars. The standout one being the clubsport one but the fancy gearbox would be a major concern. The others, one without leather and the other an auto; I know I sound fussy but these two things would potentially drive me mad! Id forgotten all about ebay though so thanks for that.

[M3-FAST]

The clubsport one looks lovely, and a fantastic spec. Haggle a warranty in the deal that is guaranteed to cover the gearbox properly and go for it!!

There can not be many around with that mileage and spec for that kinda money?

Didn't realise auto was not an option! Ebay is a good source of cars to be honest, I have sold a few on there and bought one with no hassles at all. You can pretty well spot the sheds immediately. Check out that guys other cars for sale! F355, FQ360, Focus RS, RR Sport, etc... Can't believe the Beemer is a dog, he seems to have nice stock and a reputation to keep

[rogerxp]

what did the clubsport bring to the party; was purely cosmetic or any mechanical upgrades?

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

what did the clubsport bring to the party; was purely cosmetic or any mechanical upgrades?

No mechanical upgrades, aesthetically similar. Sound deadening removed, fake carbon fibre interior and a hideous spoiler.

[q_jonblaze]

how about this???? http://www.gumtree.com/london/77/54518977.html

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

No mechanical upgrades, aesthetically similar. Sound deadening removed, fake carbon fibre interior and a hideous spoiler.

Not a fan then Sunny Is a bit garish in Estoril Blue that 90% of them are in but the silver is a little better.

Originally Posted by q_jonblaze

how about this???? http://www.gumtree.com/london/77/54518977.html

Not feelin' the old shape TT anymore I'm afraid.

Spent virtually 5 hours last night hunting all sort of cars and have realised all of the following are out of my price band (post-04 S2000, new shape Type-R, Brera, GTI (with leather), R32's (without galatic mileage), 350Z (can't beleive original ones are still fetching £9k), E90s, certainly E92s.

E46's are certainly available but have to be very selective to avoid a dog (added to my desire for a manual car with leather). I may bulk at the auto ban if an absolute peach came along.

I'm half tempted to offer this guy £5,500 for this motor and pocket the balance to use next time (can I really go too far wrong with £5,500??)...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p
He's put on the face-lifted rear lights and angel-eyes which indicates, possibly, an element of pride in his car

[q_jonblaze]

k, duely noted...so e46's then.....http://www.gumtree.com/london/70/53020670.html http://www.gumtree.com/london/05/54467005.html

[rogerxp]

Now we're talking. That second one looks good, in fact, too good to be true. That's a very very low price for an 02 plate car with 82k on the clock. No additional spec is mentioned but doesn't mean it hasn't got some; not that it's that important (just nice & helps for resale). Don't really understand what is 'individual' about it (apart from it's price!!).

This looks good too (happens to be more than £3k more than above and virtually the same car)...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p
Just checked and this car doesn't come with the original tyres so I'd have to fork out for a full set in a month or so.

[dxb335d]

Clubsport looks chavvy with the horrible rear spoiler.

To anyone who was a car enthusiast but not into BMW's would think the numpty owner has trying to make it look ricey.

[q_jonblaze]

and being the previous owner of a facelift 330 with SSG, id personally run a mile from that car as that gear box was built by italians and is actually a lot inferior to the SMG gearbox.

[Steve A]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p

this has 280bhp but ALPINAs are always stronger

[Steve A]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p

private sale bet hed take 7, this lloks a good un and take it from me this is so much more car than a 330

[rogerxp]

Thanks Steve, I'd forgotten about Keighley, quite a lot of different stuff on there.

I like the idea of an Alpina but my hesitation will always, once again, fall down to the auto gearbox. Never driven one though so perhaps that's something I'd need to address. Looks like a cracking chunk missing from the rear-left alloy on the black one; other than that it looks nice. I guess the 3.3 signifies a more powerful version of the BMW 3.0 engine??

The guy who was buying the orginal 325 (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...easc&logcode=p) I liked can't get the money out as the bank is closed being a weekend so it's now a first come first serve car. I've obviously got the cash (in pound notes) here and there's a train every hour from Manchester to London so could be there tomorrow. Problem is the guy hasn't yet given me the full reg. plate (even though I've asked him 3 times) for me to do the proper checks.

I'm obviously not about to dash down to London without first doing the checks but wonder whether I should hold off and wait for a good manual 330i to turn up. I'm sure the 325 would be enough for me but I might keep thinking about the 330 engine.

This car nearly turned me to auto today (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-BMW-330ci...item2c532dd0cf) but it's already on it's 3rd owner which put me off a little (coupled with the wrong gearbox) but seems to have been very well looked after.

This one also looks good (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-325-Ci-SPO...item1c107b064b), 325i, it's older, high mileage, not much spec, but looks in good nick and should be able to snap it up for £5,500 or even slightly less. Plus it's local. If it hasn't got many previous owners I wonder whether it could be pretty depreciation proof too.

Oh, decisions, decisions - another restless night for me...

[peterg1965]

Those Alpinas look peachy........

[SiKkBaSs]

Dunno why I don't like Alpina's in general really...?

Those badges stating ALPINA on the back look wrong IMO. What do Alpina's really bring to the table that can not be done to a car bought for a lesser price?

[peterg1965]

That 330ci in Liverpool is lovely Rog. I personally wouldn't be put off being the fourth owner of a 7 year old car - I think that is perfectly acceptable. My previous 2001 CLK55 had 4 owners before me. Maybe you need to pay him a visit and have a drive, the auto box is perfectly suited to the 330 in my opinion, and would probably make it more attractive when it comes to resale in 6 months time.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

probably make it more attractive when it comes to resale in 6 months time.

That's a thought. Will need road tax on it as it expires on Monday but he said he's probably take £7k but that's the lowest.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

the auto box is perfectly suited to the 330 in my opinion

Noooooooooo

[M3-FAST]

Rog, 4 owners is fine surely? Each one had it a couple of years ish? It could have been pre-registered as many cars are now, which would have put the first short owner on it. Here is a strange but true scenario....

I bought a Fiat Grande Punto lease car at work that we had delivered from brand new. AT the end of the 24 months lease we bought it off the lease company and I expected to be the second owner. Nope - 4th! The supplying dealer (Nissan dealer for some reason) was the first owner. They then sold it to 'Custom Fleet' who leased it to us. During the lease, 'Custom Fleet' transferred our lease to 'GE Capital' who obviously purchased the vehicle from 'Custom Fleet' adding yet another owner!

We had it delivered with just a few miles on the clock - my engineer has driven it solely for 2 years - it 'should' have been a 1 previous owner car! We are the 4th owner and the chap who has just purchased it will be it's fifth!

Just sayine really, that a few owners might not all be that it seems. Luckily I have all documentation to prove that we have driven and maintained that car from brand new, but no doubt that kind of stuff gets lost over the years and subsequent owners.

[rogerxp]

Very good point Paul (and Peter previously) it just puts me a little on edge being the 4th owner - I suppose I've never owned a car this old before so the high figure makes me panic unnecessarily.

Been keeping my eye out on Pistonheads today, there have been at least 20 E46's added TODAY, so think I'm just going to keep my eye out and not jump in too quickly (which is difficult when you don't have a car to get to work on Monday morning!!!).

This little monkey appeared at around 9pm this evening (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1530607.htm) and looks very well looked after but the 110k miles again panics me slightly but it's nicely under budget and local. I've e-mailed the buyer to see exactly where he's based. Looks like an enthusiast who's owned it last.

[SiKkBaSs]

That is very nice!

Seems like it's been kept very well and someone who seems to care...