Is this xi worth the money?

Looking to buy a 330xi. I have located a 2002 330xi that's black on black leather interior. Sport, premium, and cold weather package. Exterior looks mint in the pics. 142,00 miles, 3 owners, no accidents. 5speed manual. no service records besides the car fax.

It's for sale by a dealer and he wants 8500. Since it would be an out of state purchase, no warranty would accompany it. I've checked kbb and Edmunds.....

Just wanted some feedback from the enthusiasts

Thanks

priced to high if you ask me. If you are serious, put down a deposit and get a shop near the car to do a full inspection. It will cost around $150, but if its a piece of junk you'll be happy and if its great you'll be happy!

Also, you should be able to get it for a grand less from the dealer.

Maybe closer to 8k. See if it had any repairs. As most e46s get cooling system, control arms and other small items replaced around 100k.

High mileage and no records hurt. You should budget an extra $1500 for unforeseen items needing immediate attention. If you can't arrange a pro inspection, that will have a service charge, make sure to test drive and inspect the engine. First drive her in tight circles left and right, windows down, at slow speed. This may reveal CV clicking. It shouldn't clunk when slowly dropping (bouncing) the car off low curbs for example. Suspension parts can be spendy if all is worn. The engine should be smooth and quiet at idle. Excessive belt noise or metallic whirring speaks to pulleys, pumps, belts and bearings. There should be no check engine lamp. It should accelerate and brake hard without pulling to one side. Operate the car at freeway speed to ensure it doesn't shake or vibrate.

Price seems in there but remember, they took it in for nothing when you remove 40% profit. Nice to land those private sales where the seller wants out and nearly wholesales it. The car may need a clutch soon where there may be no signs now that it will fail. This may down the car. If your budget doesn't allow a future $1000 hit, perhaps reconsider.

+1 on setting aside 1500 for repairs... you never know what might break on it...

Thanks guys. It's out of state and my work doesn't allow me more than a couple days off at a time. Maybe I'll just hold out for the private sale that is somewhat local. I like service records indicating someone has cared for their car like I would.

I guess I just needed some grounding.

I feel it's a little high, but that's just me. Don't forget that you've got tax on your $8,500 purchase (+ ~$500) and whatever fees the dealer charges. My '01 330xi had 105k, all service records for prior 6 years, and Carfax before that (or dealer records if I took some time to go ask for them), 2 owners, black on black, premium + heated seats, 5 speed manual... for $7,600. But mine was from a private seller too, so that helped.

I'm going to second pretty much everything that White_Knuckles said, which applies to this car or the next one you find: check all the stuff that he said upfront and if you do decide to buy it, stash some extra money for miscellaneous stuff... it will come up.

I have already spent about $500 on plugs, air filters, vanos seals, oil, all fluids changed (transmission, differentials, and transfer case), fixed an air leak, cleaned some valves, new belts & tensioners, replaced a blown speaker, resealed vapor barriers, replaced door lock relays, and sunroof shade repair... but that's doing it all myself. After I repack the CV boots, I should be good to go for a while *knock on wood*. I plan on doing the water pump in the spring as I don't believe it has been done. I also still have a water leak that I haven't pinpointed the source of yet, but I'm working on it.

Taking all that into account... I love my car and would not trade it. The 330xi kicks ass!!

Scope Craigslist and you'll find a private seller with something in good shape. I sold my old car and was without one for a month before I found mine... 300 miles away. This guy just happens to sell all of his cars when they hit 100k, so there wasn't major stuff that needed done and it had been taken care of pretty well. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll be surprised at what you can find!

Negotiated 7500, and there is no dealer fees. Still uncertain about the lack of service records, no warranty, and distance.

I have a company car, so I'm not in a huge hurry but I've been looking since the beginning of December. It's difficult to find one with all the packages, manual, and right color.

Be pacient, mine took me 8 months to find a good deal , I saw about 12 and finally found this one

Same as you I did not have pressure on this moment, this is huge advance. I will say go to private sellers .

Wow, our cars are worth so little now. Still remember buying it new for 60k. LOL

Originally Posted by q0192837465

Wow, our cars are worth so little now. Still remember buying it new for 60k. LOL

The price of a new 2003 330xi in the US was around $35k - $40k.

Originally Posted by 99

The price of a new 2003 330xi in the US was around $35k - $40k.

My window sticker quoted $45k...

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

My window sticker quoted $45k...

I was close. Anway, it was nowhere near $60k here in the state.

Originally Posted by 99

I was close. Anway, it was nowhere near $60k here in the state.

It's all good, just giving you crap.

Anyway, to the OP... I personally would not buy this car. A three owner, 8-9 year old car with 142k on the clock without service records is just asking for it. PPI or not, this cannot possibly go well as you don't know how this was maintained. If you buy this car, I bet there will be another "I can't believe I got this POS [insert any E46 model here], BMW SUX!!!!" thread shortly.

The flip side is that you might get lucky.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by 99

I was close. Anway, it was nowhere near $60k here in the state.

Yea, but I'm from Canada. FML.

Was this car being sold in Binghamton, NY? Mileage, package and color are all the same as one that was just sold at dealership near me, if it is the owner of the dealership is a really good guy and does pretty thorough inspections before they go up for sale.

I just got a 2003 330 xi with 100,000 miles on it for $10,000

However it was well maintained with all service records.

Hopefully I can get another 100,000 on it without breaking my bank account.

But I have budgeted about $2000 for repairs.

So far I am loving the car, lets hope that lasts.

Originally Posted by silentguy

I just got a 2003 330 xi with 100,000 miles on it ... Hopefully I can get another 100,000 on it without breaking my bank account.

You can get another 100k out of it but how big is your bank account?

Originally Posted by 99

You can get another 100k out of it but how big is your bank account?

Not very big.

I will try to do as much as I can myself to save money.

I am still budgeting about $2000 for stuff I can't do,
but I hope that is not every year ....
Maybe every 2 or 3 years ....

Originally Posted by silentguy

Not very big.

I will try to do as much as I can myself to save money.

I am still budgeting about $2000 for stuff I can't do,
but I hope that is not every year ....
Maybe every 2 or 3 years ....

Even if you can do all the repairs and maintenance yourself, you're still talking about a high mileage car with very expensive parts. You may get lucky but if I were you I'd budget at least $2k/yr.