Thoughts? New to 330Ci

[No1Cares]

Hey everyone, looking for a solid daily. Figured I’d ask here before I inquire more from seller. I had a 2002 E46 M3 which I knew a lot about in terms of issues and strengths…but nothing about a similar era bmw.

Here’s the autotrader ad. Anything I should be worried about? If I get the PPI done is there anything in particular I’d want to get checked out?

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Mani59]

Great choice!

The cooling system is probably the M54's weakest point.
Take a look at the below thread as someone else asked a similar question recently

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1851305

Good luck!

[Efthreeoh]

Do you get some crack with that?

[No1Cares]

Originally Posted by Mani59

Great choice!

The cooling system is probably the M54's weakest point.
Take a look at the below thread as someone else asked a similar question recently

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1851305

Good luck!

Appreciate that link.

[Chihuahua]

30K???? I get that it's a ZHP, but damn. Hard pass.

M54's Achilles heel is the cooling system. I'd also replace the DISA valve on that car, they've been known to have the pin slide out and enter the intake manifold (kablammo).

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Tommysalami]

Pass, not remotely worth 30k.

If you get it, be ready to replace the cooling system and repair all sorts of leaks elsewhere on the drivetrain

[Peertwelve]

That seems really overpriced. That's M3 money isn't it?

I take that back. Things are getting so expensive! From the Hagerty Valuation tool

[Coi]

Originally Posted by Peertwelve

That seems really overpriced. That's M3 money isn't it?

I take that back. Things are getting so expensive! From the Hagerty Valuation tool

I think the Hagerty Valuation Tool mostly looks at cars transacting at public auctions, which tend to be lower mileage and presented very well. Also you're looking at the penultimate year of the E46 M3 and ZCP only. An early M3 without Competition package, especially SMG, is less valuable than that.

I'd wager that generally most E46 M3s on the road (and for sale) aren't worth nearly that much. The vast majority of them are only in "Fair" condition or "Good" at best. By Hagerty's standards a car that is "Excellent" (let alone "Concours") quality is mint both visually and mechanically and could win a car show.

There are several listings for E46 M3 coupes with minimal mods, big 3 done (vanos, rod bearings, subframe), and around 100k miles in my area for about $25k and none of them are selling quickly. Those aren't $15k cars like they were a few years ago but the market is still soft on "driver" quality cars.

[M3WithNoviceTLC]

Maybe someone here can help:
BMW Forums
1 Reddit » BMW. San Francisco, California, US. ...
2 [SKIP] BIMMERPOST. ...
3 Bimmerfest BMW. ...
4 E90Post. ...
5 Bimmerforums. ...
6 BMW M3 Forum. ...
7 BMW E46 Fanatics Forum. ...
8 XBimmers.

[TraitorJacKnife]

That's way too expensive. Though prices are all over the place you can still find something more reasonable for a E46 330 manual variant. I would check Cars and Bids and Bring a Trailer for clean examples.

[evomike]

people saying these are way too expensive clearly aren't paying attention, this is what those cars are going for and what insurance has paid out on the last 2 that have come through my shop as a total loss.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Do you get some crack with that?

This.

[Vivek.]

Great chassis, great engine. Better come with a gold bar for 30 grand though.

[440i6MT]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Do you get some crack with that?

Lmfaoooooo

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

Great chassis, great engine. Better come with a gold bar for 30 grand though.

Yeah, I get it the ZHP package was the desired E46 back in the day. Maybe BMW added it to help support lagging sales in 2003. But 10 more HP and slightly stiffer suspension than the E46 sport suspension doesn't justify a price just $6K - $8K or so below the 2003 MSRP for this car. I owned an E46 330i convertible for 2.5 years with sport package and drove several E46 when they first came out as a replacement for my aged E30. While the convertible is obviously heavier, the E46 is a decent chassis handling and speed wise, but IMEO the E90 is the better all around car. The E46 was a bit too isolated for my taste as I judged it back in the late 1990's against the E30. The M54 is not as light revving as the N52. And the E90 suspension is a decade ahead in performance over the E46.

That car while probably in great shape and low'ish miles is not worth $30K; it's just not that good of 3-Series example.

[Torgus]

30k you can buy an e92 m3

[stein_325i]

I love the E46 330i, I had one and it was fantastic - until the cooling system had a meltdown - but I would never buy a non-M for $30k, even if it is ZHP. While it may take longer and a bit more effort, you'd be much better off finding one from an owner and having leftover cash for any repairs, these cars sold in large numbers, there's still some out there in good condition.

Based on the BaT market listings too, the price is high for a coupe. The sedans sell at higher prices (likely because there was no M Sedan available).

[vt100]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

but I would never buy a non-M for $30k, even if it is ZHP.

can one still buy E46 M3 for 30k or around?!

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by vt100

can one still buy E46 M3 for 30k or around?!

Depends on how close to death the car is…

[TraitorJacKnife]

Originally Posted by vt100

can one still buy E46 M3 for 30k or around?!

It appears you can if Cars and Bids recent history is any indication.