Topic: Talk me out of making an emotional purchase -2005 BMW E46

[blur911]

Price in VANOS and suspension rebuilds

[ChaosphereIX]

I wholeheartedly support the purchase of this vehicle, one of the best sports cars ever made. Glorious engine.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I have been looking at the same listing a few times. Perfect spec IMO. If it was local to me, I might have bought it. You should buy if you're okay with regular repair bills.

I did some reading on known issues for these cars and it seems some of the maintenance items have been addressed. Of course will check on other items that are not listed and most likely will take it to a shop for inspection if I decide to purchase.

The biggest concern is the possible rear subframe tear issue but being a late build and a regular E46 may not be an issue or so the Internet says..... Still will check to make sure....

As for the other common problems like windows regulators for example... well, I will deal with them when/if they come. I fully expect some repairs to be needed along the way - it's a 15 years old car after all and not a Lexus LS for that matter, but in general, this model seems like it was pretty solid at least by FGC standards.

E46 are famous for having bad sensors on brakes, airbag lights 

[Dante]

Price in VANOS and suspension rebuilds

Yeah... I've seen this somewhere too. Will have to gather info on all maintenance the owner did to date to see what's what.... the good thing is that he claims to have the full maintenance history.

I asked him about the clutch - if it was replaced but he said it wasn't as it was not needed but I'll have to see how it feels when I drive the car.

[2JDM]

I'd check Rock Auto for parts prices to get a sense of costs. Find a BMW indie and ask about labour costs.

[Dante]

I'd check Rock Auto for parts prices to get a sense of costs. Find a BMW indie and ask about labour costs.

Labor rate at 2 indie shops I checked - one I know in my neighborhood and the BMW specialist the car was serviced at, is $120/hr. As for parts, not sure what to look for before I know what was done and what may come up.

All I know for now it's what he posted in his ad:

The following service has been done recently (around $2000 at Chuck's Auto BMW Specialist Shop):
- LiquiMoly 5W30 Full Synthetic Oil and Filter change
- Serpentine Belt replaced
- Oil Filter Housing Gasket replaced
- Expansion Tank and Coolant Level Sensor replaced
- Power Steering Fluid flushed and U-Joints refreshed
- Sachs (OEM) Rear Shocks replaced
- Spark Plugs replaced
- Rust proofing
- Air Bag recall

The items in bold are among the common maintenance items listed in many Internet articles and E46 forums.

[JohnnyMac]

Like any vehicle kms don't bother me, but service history does.  It sounds like this is a good one.  Definitely unique with that color combo, AWD, and manual.

The question is, what is it worth.  I think I'd be doing some looking online to see what others are listed for.  I might go $1K over a similarly priced one if I like the condition and feeling of the vehicle.  I'd just tell him how you came up with your number and if he doesn't agree that a decision made to me.  Put the decision on him, if he accepts your offer, buy the vehicle, if he refuses the offer, move on.

[2JDM]

I'm curious to see the underbody of the car. Ad says its been rustproofed but a 15 year old Ontario winter driven car still raises some concern.

[Gurgie]

That's a nice car, but waaaaayyyyyyyyy overpriced!!

[Dante]

I'm curious to see the underbody of the car. Ad says its been rustproofed but a 15 year old Ontario winter driven car still raises some concern.

True. I will try to stick my head under the car and have a pick..... The owner pointed out that there are some small bits of surface rust on the usual places - rocker panel, fenders but can't see them from the pictures.

[OliverD]

Ha, I knew exactly which car this was before I even clicked the link. I was looking at the same ad the other day and sent it to my brother. I wouldn't say the price is that outrageous. It's definitely high, but I could see it selling for $7k or so. I love the colour combo but don't love the fact that it's AWD.

As a reference point, there's a ZHP in Saint John with under 120k on it priced at $11,500. I find that one is also a bit high but I think just under $10k would be a fair price for that car.

Asking too much. If it was that clean he'd post it on BAT.

Here is one, much more desirable ZHP package, 148k miles:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-330i-zhp-22/

Current bid is $9800 USD.

Not everyone knows about BaT.

[JohnnyMac]

Ha, I knew exactly which car this was before I even clicked the link. I was looking at the same ad the other day and sent it to my brother. I wouldn't say the price is that outrageous. It's definitely high, but I could see it selling for $7k or so. I love the colour combo but don't love the fact that it's AWD.

As a reference point, there's a ZHP in Saint John with under 120k on it priced at $11,500. I find that one is also a bit high but I think just under $10k would be a fair price for that car.

Asking too much. If it was that clean he'd post it on BAT.

Here is one, much more desirable ZHP package, 148k miles:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-330i-zhp-22/

Current bid is $9800 USD.

Not everyone knows about BaT.

Wait...there's a ZHP and you haven't gone and picked it up to replace your Mini yet?  Figured you'd be all over that.

[revalations]

For a good part of the winter, I daily drove my 2004 235ix Wagon. Even a trip to Vancouver and Calgary. It's been dead reliable with not even a check engine light. The only issue I had was a vibration on acceleration after driving about 10-15 min, turned out both my front CV axles were bad. Love the styling of the e46's, a handsome car.

I support the purchase but like others here think he's asking a bit too much.

[tpl]

I must have missed this thread.   

That car is identical to my 2003.   Colour, interior and manual transmission   But a 2005 has a six speed , mine did not.   And could have a Sirius receiver built in mine did not.

When I got mine that colour/interior combination was not supposed to be orderable so the sales guy just put it on the order form any way and it arrived.

[OliverD]

Ha, I knew exactly which car this was before I even clicked the link. I was looking at the same ad the other day and sent it to my brother. I wouldn't say the price is that outrageous. It's definitely high, but I could see it selling for $7k or so. I love the colour combo but don't love the fact that it's AWD.

As a reference point, there's a ZHP in Saint John with under 120k on it priced at $11,500. I find that one is also a bit high but I think just under $10k would be a fair price for that car.

Asking too much. If it was that clean he'd post it on BAT.

Here is one, much more desirable ZHP package, 148k miles:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-330i-zhp-22/

Current bid is $9800 USD.

Not everyone knows about BaT.

Wait...there's a ZHP and you haven't gone and picked it up to replace your Mini yet?  Figured you'd be all over that.

It’s tempting but I’m not sure I want a car that old as my only ride. If it was under $10k and red I’d likely be all over it.

[tpl]

For a good part of the winter, I daily drove my 2004 235ix Wagon. Even a trip to Vancouver and Calgary. It's been dead reliable with not even a check engine light. The only issue I had was a vibration on acceleration after driving about 10-15 min, turned out both my front CV axles were bad. Love the styling of the e46's, a handsome car.

I support the purchase but like others here think he's asking a bit too much.

Are you sure about that date  and the car type, or was this outside Canada?    I thought the 'ix'   was at the time of the E36  well before 2004.

[2JDM]

Its not E46 but this E90 is a better value I think:

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/bmw/3%20series/ancaster/ontario/19_11479061_?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=72_75_75&sprx=-2

One owner with full history. Nice interior colour too.

[rrocket]

Buy it...

[Dante]

OK .... I extended the search to Canada just to get a better picture on asking prices and what's available for sale.

Not too many 2005 E46 AWD for sale in Canada (no kidding...) but from the small sample available it looks like the bulk is in the $5K-$6K excluding outliers at each end and the one I'm looking at which tops them all.

Honestly, aside from the one I'm looking at, I'm not interested in any other unit currently for sale and would not buy them at any price...

Having said that, is it totally stupid to buy this car for $6K-$7K provided that I will still want the car after I see it in person, drive it, speak to the owner, go over the maintenance records in detail, etc....?!

Be the voice of the reason here and call me out on it....

[Dante]

Buy it...

For real or you forgot to add the "sarcasm" emoji? I thought you of all people would talk me out of it as it would be a money pit to upkeep ....