Still Searching for the right 325xi or i

After months of test driving and looking for the right car it seems I just can't find one or am I looking for to good a deal.

Everything I find under 80,000 miles is $11 to $13,000. I don't mind paying that much, but from what I've read the price seems high. I'm only looking at 2004 and 2005.

Am I wrong, is 12,000 for a 2004 325xi to much. The one I'm looking at now has 73000 mles. I always seem to get them down another 1000 to 1500, so it would be around 11000.

I know all about having it checked out and this will be my 4th BMW, own a 2005 545i now, keeping it still. This one will replace my Scion tC.

First post here (so maybe I'm not the best one for advice--although this is my 3rd 3 series)--but I picked up a rather super clean, high mileage, 2003 330xi, 6spd, lots of options with 139K on it for $7400. This was a single owner car with entire history and receipts. Your price seems a bit high to me.

I just picked up this 2004 325XI with 24,250 miles The Carfax checked out too.

Originally Posted by ohiocuda

I just picked up this 2004 325XI with 24,250 miles The Carfax checked out too.

Very nice, this is just what I'm looking for but wagons are hard to find. Can I ask how much you paid?

Thanks, jjp

Thanks for the compliment.
I gave $13,000 for a 2004 325XI with just over 24,000 miles, stickered for $39,000 new. I’m in the process of or just completed flushing the cooling, oils, brake fluids, belts, filters and other stuff even though it has been well taken care of. I was told it had 6 month old Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires on it. They currently have a depth of 8-9/32 of tread depth left and they started with 10-32nds so that is about. Who knows maybe I paid a premium but I have a good comfort factor.
Keep looking, this was a year process. We have another 2000 328I we bought used in 2002 and we just turned 91,000 miles on it. In the winter here in Toledo I bring it in my shop and bath it like a lady and we stay up on all the maintenance too. I do most of my own work and have a 4 post lift with the traveling jacks down the center so I can lift with the wheels off.
Jon

Originally Posted by jjp735i

After months of test driving and looking for the right car it seems I just can't find one or am I looking for to good a deal.

Everything I find under 80,000 miles is $11 to $13,000. I don't mind paying that much, but from what I've read the price seems high. I'm only looking at 2004 and 2005.

Am I wrong, is 12,000 for a 2004 325xi to much. The one I'm looking at now has 73000 mles. I always seem to get them down another 1000 to 1500, so it would be around 11000.

I know all about having it checked out and this will be my 4th BMW, own a 2005 545i now, keeping it still. This one will replace my Scion tC.

Thats usually what you will pay for at a Dealership, as opposed to Private Seller - which can be sketchy. Dont let miles and looks fool you - check under the oil cap for sludge (never know), and all the other crap. If going through a dealership; you can always bargain - just point **** out. Ive been finding 2003 330xi at Dealers for around $11-$12k tops, with 80k miles, here in MN! My opinion, go for a 330xi!

Originally Posted by ohiocuda

Thanks for the compliment.
I gave $13,000 for a 2004 325XI with just over 24,000 miles, stickered for $39,000 new. I’m in the process of or just completed flushing the cooling, oils, brake fluids, belts, filters and other stuff even though it has been well taken care of. I was told it had 6 month old Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires on it. They currently have a depth of 8-9/32 of tread depth left and they started with 10-32nds so that is about. Who knows maybe I paid a premium but I have a good comfort factor.
Keep looking, this was a year process. We have another 2000 328I we bought used in 2002 and we just turned 91,000 miles on it. In the winter here in Toledo I bring it in my shop and bath it like a lady and we stay up on all the maintenance too. I do most of my own work and have a 4 post lift with the traveling jacks down the center so I can lift with the wheels off.
Jon

Wtf? $13k for a car with 24k miles? Had to have had an accident at that price.

I know someone that just bought an e46 m3 with similar miles for $35k!

Originally Posted by Kubica

Wtf? $13k for a car with 24k miles? Had to have had an accident at that price.

I know someone that just bought an e46 m3 with similar miles for $35k!

No way, that's a legit price (if not overpriced) for a 10 year old car that is 2 generations old. The person you know who bought the E46 M3 for that price either got some rare color combination, the comp package, a 2006 model, and/or hugely overpaid for that car.

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

No way, that's a legit price (if not overpriced) for a 10 year old car that is 2 generations old. The person you know who bought the E46 M3 for that price either got some rare color combination, the comp package, a 2006 model, and/or hugely overpaid for that car.

2006/Blue on Black/Competition with 16k miles. Worth every penny.

I also feel like that 24000 miles wagon was a great deal at 13k!

Mine is for sale, check the link in my signature

Originally Posted by Kubica

2006/Blue on Black/Competition with 16k miles. Worth every penny.

Bingo, rare combination of everything and I agree that car would be worth $35k.

A normal run of the mill E46 M3 with <40k miles would be ~$20k-$25k depending on maintenance and condition.