Any thoughts on this 2002 330i?

Tim Hancock · 11-01-2008, 09:27 AM

I found this 2002 BMW 330i for sale at a used car lot 2 hrs away and am considering going to look at it. Thankfully we just unloaded my wife's Audi and are looking for a replacement. I am pretty sure that I want a '99 or newer 330i with a manual transmission with around 70-120k mileage. The 330's come with decent looking wheels and for simplicity I want to only a manual transmission and only rear wheel drive.

I can't tell from the listing whether this one has a sport or premium package, but the car looks nice and it has the heated seats that is my wife's main concern.

They are asking $11,495 and it has 115,000 miles on the clock.

MotoSook · 11-01-2008, 09:36 AM

It looks like it has an M steering wheel, but the chrome trim around the windows is usually indicative of a non-Sport model. I'm more familiar with the 5 series though. The interior looks nice....I like that shade of leather.

But...I think the price is high for the mileage.

A 530i 5-speed with less mileage would be about that price.

Big Ed · 11-01-2008, 10:14 AM

Wheels, seats and steering wheel indicate that's a sport package car. I agree with Souk that the price seems high.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Looks nice. Offer 9k and dicker to 9.5

What's nada or blue book?

Tim Hancock · 11-01-2008, 10:26 AM

"Private party" Kelley bluebook assuming "excellant" condition is $11,095, retail is $13,590. I am guessing I can buy this one for $10,750-$11,000, so the price seemed OK to me. I can find plenty of 323's, 325's, 330ic's (2-door coupe) and 5 series often for a bit less, but all would require a minimum of $1000-$2000 worth of new tires and wheels along with possibly a suspension change to make them "sporty" looking enough for me. I happen to like the way the 330i's with this wheel combination look.

If I went with an automatic, there are plenty of them out there, but high mileage/automatics/reliability do not go hand in hand IMO.

nut11 · 11-01-2008, 11:00 AM

Looks nice. Cars aren't isn't selling like hot cakes right now. Mileage is not a concern w/ motor as the in line 6 is so darn reliable. Check dampers and brakes which you probably will. If all checks out, buy it and enjoy. Good luck.

87 blk coupe
98 E 36 328is

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Yeah, I like those wheels too. When we bought the wifes manual 328i, I took off those honeycomb 16's and put on those in 17's. Looks 100x better and easier to clean to boot.

einreb · 11-01-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souk

A 530i 5-speed with less mileage would be about that price.

5 series seem to have a steeper depreciation curve. Less of a market for the bigger cars on the used market I guess (and a better value IMO).

Its no E30.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

do a carfax to see if it was ever owned by an obama supporter

Tim Hancock · 11-01-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

do a carfax to see if it was ever owned by an obama supporter

I should be able to tell right away by how the interior smells

MotoSook · 11-01-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by einreb

5 series seem to have a steeper depreciation curve. Less of a market for the bigger cars on the used market I guess (and a better value IMO).

Its no E30.

After owning the 5-series for awhile, I don't think it's that big. I've not parked it next to a 330 yet tho'. Speaking of the 530i, I was telling the wife that I should sell it now that I have too many cars running....she wasn't supportive of the idea. And the E30...I just gave it a wash tonight....getting it shined up to motivate me to build the engine for it.

Tim, go drive a 530i 5-spd before you buy a 330i.

Eric Coffey · 11-01-2008, 04:14 PM

Yeah if you want more sporty, stick with the 3 series. The red car you posted does have the sport, premium, and cold weather packages. Looks like it has xenons as well.

I've seen a few great deals on higher mileage performance-package (ZHP) cars too. That version gets you the 6-speed manual, 18" wheels, a few more ponies, a shorter final drive (better accel.), upgraded suspension, unique "cube" interior trim, M steering wheel, and the M exterior bits. They are pretty abundant these days, and the price difference isn't anything near what it used to be.

This one isn not a high mileage smokin' deal, but will give you an idea of the visual differences:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=252141680

gprsh924 · 11-01-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souk

After owning the 5-series for awhile, I don't think it's that big. I've not parked it next to a 330 yet tho'. Speaking of the 530i, I was telling the wife that I should sell it now that I have too many cars running....she wasn't supportive of the idea. And the E30...I just gave it a wash tonight....getting it shined up to motivate me to build the engine for it.

Tim, go drive a 530i 5-spd before you buy a 330i.

Our 525i is deceptively large. It is the same length as our Xterra. When we have parked the 5 next to the M3, it is noticeably bigger. That being said, though, I like its size and the back seat and trunk are much more usable than they are in the 3 series.

Rot 911 · 11-01-2008, 04:28 PM

Very nice looking and the price is not crazy out of line so you should have some negotiating room. It does have the sport and probably the premium package. Not sure how you can tell it has the cold weather package as you can't see the console to see if it has heated seats.

Eric Coffey · 11-01-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Not sure how you can tell it has the cold weather package as you can't see the console to see if it has heated seats.

headlight washers under the headlights confirm.

gprsh924 · 11-01-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

headlight washers under the headlights confirm.

Yes, but it could have the heated seats as a stand alone option, without having the cold weather package

Eric Coffey · 11-01-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gprsh924

Yes, but it could have the heated seats as a stand alone option, without having the cold weather package

The car in question has headlight washers, which can be seen in the photos. Headlight washers could not be ordered as a stand-alone option. So, if it has headlight washers, it has the cold weather package which includes heated seats.

gprsh924 · 11-01-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

The car in question has headlight washers, which can be seen in the photos. Headlight washers could not be ordered as a stand-alone option. So, if it has headlight washers, it has the cold weather package which includes heated seats.

Sorry, should have been more clear. This one has the cold weather package. I was just clarifying for those curious that you are able to get the heated seats without the package. I should have worded my response better.

the · 11-01-2008, 08:44 PM

Price is way, way high.

Just so you know, they probably paid around $7K for the car, $8K MAX (no dealer would have paid more than $8K for an 02 with that many miles on it).

To make $1000 on a $7K car is doing pretty well for a dealer these days.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Mine is for sale, has cold weather package, only 78k miles and is still under CPO warranty until 08/09/09.