WTB: 330Ci or 325Ci - MANUAL - $8,000-$10,500 (might consider a sedan)

I'm looking to buy a good condition 325 or 330 coupe (possibly sedan). It MUST have a manual transmission and I'd prefer if it was slightly modded (the basics).

I have between $8,000 and possibly up to $10,500 to spend on it. You can reply here, PM me, or send pics and details to drummr8@hotmail.com

EDIT: No green cars please... lol

Wow, it is slim pickings in FL! I didnt see any 5-speeds, but lots of automatics. These didn't say that they were automatics, so you might wanna call and ask.

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/2538976179.html

http://treasure.craigslist.org/cto/2501547406.html

No affliation of course. When you check one out, make sure the strut towers aren't mushroomed (search thr board for more) as you won't be able to get the alignment right until its fixed. Also remove the skid plate, as it will collect any drippings from the engine, and you'll be able to see where it's leaking.

Check and ask about the crank case ventilation system, as they often drip oil and can cause strange vacuum leaks and such.

There's a back issue of Bimmer magazine that has a good buyers guide.

Good luck finding a car!

the former Floridian chiming in to help! lol thanks for the tips bro!

Yeah there's friggin automatics GALORE, along with stupid idiotic dealers posting their ads for their crappy automatics daily or in some cases multiple times a day. It's annoying enough to have to sift thru tons of automatics, let alone tons of dealer reposts of overpriced automatics lol

I'm up in WA but I have an 01 325ci vert (silver on grey) with some Dinan performance upgrades. standard tranny of course. 75,xxx mi. If your interested call me up 425-221-3040. I know its a bit of a drive lol just throwing it out there.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/2522774004.html

Originally Posted by jhgriff

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/2522774004.html

lol yeah this is on my agenda for this weekend.... hoping I can talk him down... hopefully it's in decent condition!

EDIT: just called and left a message... hopefully they call tomorrow with good news lol

What do you think of this?
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/2522298055.html

He says it's been in an accident where the front was damaged.... he says it was minor but I duno.... there's no paperwork for an inspection regarding frame damage and such. I'm thinking I might check it out and offer 7500 on it. Seems like a good car other than the accident. He said he's an E46fanatics member too.

EDIT: lol I found a picture of what happened to the car:
http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t...3DIMG_7011.jpg

Check it out, but I would say drive a 330 before you buy. The 330 has a good 50 more hp and 40 more torque, and thats a world of difference.

That crunch on the back corner wasn't yesterday, as it's already got some good rust setting in,. These bodies are galvanized, so they don't rust fast like an old 2002 will, and it's right on the seam where the rear panel was welded to the rest of the body, so it could be nasty repair to get right without the rust returning.

As for the front end hit, I can't tell from the pictures, but check the gaps at the hood and front doors to see how bad it was, and check the wear patterns on the front tires and see if they are even.

This car aint't going nowhere fast, and if you miss it, they'res better ones out there, so keep it as a backup. Drive a 330 first.

Have fun!

Originally Posted by jhgriff

That crunch on the back corner wasn't yesterday, as it's already got some good rust setting in.

LOL when I read what he said and then looked at the picture I immediately thought, "you're full of ****, what else are you lying about?"

I will drive a 330 first so I can decide Thanks again for the tips

and LOL at your subject

Originally Posted by Moonshyne Mike

I'm up in WA but I have an 01 325ci vert (silver on grey) with some Dinan performance upgrades. standard tranny of course. 75,xxx mi. If your interested call me up 425-221-3040. I know its a bit of a drive lol just throwing it out there.

I completely skipped over this lol... sorry

Yeah I think WA might be a little too far... complete opposite corner of the country! lol

My car is originally from FL. I apologize OP for taking one less 5spd 330ci out of your local market.

Originally Posted by newe46fan

My car is originally from FL. I apologize OP for taking one less 5spd 330ci out of your local market.

seriously dude? WTF That's like the third one I've heard of that went from FL to up north somewhere... damn you guys lol

I moved here from Jersey! Maybe I'll just have to come to the north and steal a 5spd 330ci back!

Originally Posted by drummr8

What do you think of this?
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/2522298055.html

He says it's been in an accident where the front was damaged.... he says it was minor but I duno.... there's no paperwork for an inspection regarding frame damage and such. I'm thinking I might check it out and offer 7500 on it. Seems like a good car other than the accident. He said he's an E46fanatics member too.

EDIT: lol I found a picture of what happened to the car:
http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t...3DIMG_7011.jpg

holy hell. Steer clear or pay way way lesss. I paid 7500 for my 01' with a clean title. and frame a year ago. Mind you it did need some severely needed maintenance. about 1,500 - 2000 in parts. But now it's all done and ready for 130k +

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/2522774004.html

This car might be a great deal. However unless he provides DETAILED current maintenance be prepared to put at least 1,500 worth of parts in it to bring it up to tip top shape and ensure it's one reliable MOFO.

If he only show's receipts for the usual small stuff... I.E tires, brakes air filter. then haggle down to 7300.

Get the subframe inspected prior to purchasing it if possible and visually inspect the strut towers upfront for any damage (mushrooming) as long as those two things are good the rest is just parts swapping and replacing.

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/2538976179.html

asking way too much if he hasn't maintained his car and can back it up somehow. Doubt even the vanos seals have been done.

http://treasure.craigslist.org/cto/2501547406.html

This one might be 50/50. However the 02 could be a better deal since you can get it for 2.5k less.

Originally Posted by newe46fan

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/2522774004.html

This car might be a great deal. However unless he provides DETAILED current maintenance be prepared to put at least 1,500 worth of parts in it to bring it up to tip top shape and ensure it's one reliable MOFO.

If he only show's receipts for the usual small stuff... I.E tires, brakes air filter. then haggle down to 7300.

Get the subframe inspected prior to purchasing it if possible and visually inspect the strut towers upfront for any damage (mushrooming) as long as those two things are good the rest is just parts swapping and replacing.

This car is from a dealer... he's gonna get back to me this week he said. I read more about the subframe issues and now I'm thinking maybe I should just keep my RSX-S....

That was more of a problem with the earlier E46s, and it was more likely if the car was tracked or driven hard. There was a class action settlement for BMW to repair the cars.

http://www.e46subframeclassactionsettlement.com/

Not many e46 winners in the state of Florida my dude, trust me I've been in the market for the past 3 months...your honestly better off taking a flight out to LA,snagging a worthy one in your price range and driving it back.

Originally Posted by babydocjd

Not many e46 winners in the state of Florida my dude, trust me I've been in the market for the past 3 months...your honestly better off taking a flight out to LA,snagging a worthy one in your price range and driving it back.

yeah seriously... I see a lot of nice E46's out in CA. Maybe I will go there. I actually saw a few ZHP's that I might be able to afford.

Originally Posted by jhgriff

That was more of a problem with the earlier E46s, and it was more likely if the car was tracked or driven hard. There was a class action settlement for BMW to repair the cars.

http://www.e46subframeclassactionsettlement.com/

This made me feel a little better:
11. What are the chances that my car has a Sub-Frame Condition?
BMW NA estimates that cars produced prior to February 2000 may experience the Sub-Frame
Condition at a rate believed by BMW NA to be below 2 percent. For Class Vehicles produced
beginning in February of 2000 and after, BMW NA believes the rate of Sub-Frame Conditions is
extremely low and BMW believes that it will be below 0.1 percent. Plaintiff and Class Counsel
have not adopted BMW NA's estimates or position in this regard.

Originally Posted by drummr8

seriously dude? WTF That's like the third one I've heard of that went from FL to up north somewhere... damn you guys lol

I moved here from Jersey! Maybe I'll just have to come to the north and steal a 5spd 330ci back!

make it ur 4th lol! i live in NY but got the car from FL white coupe with red leather 5 speed! sorry