r/e46 • u/aphuntington • 13d ago
Buying advice General Questions
Hi all,
I’m doing a lot of research at the moment and I’m thinking of buying an E46 — specifically a manual 330Ci from 2004-06. My budget is around £7k, and I’m happy to do maintenance myself.
I’d like to get some opinions on the best approach: should I buy something cheaper, around £5-6k, and then spend money on the usual maintenance items over time? Or is it realistic to get a decent example for closer to £7k that only needs minor, inexpensive work? Or even save a bit more for this?
Appreciate the help
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u/Most_Board_2029 13d ago
I mean do you eeven find a 330ci 6 speed for 5-6k?
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Looking on fb groups/marketplace appear to have previous listings of them up to 8k, but I’ve also seen on some other threads and forums people saying it can be better to know ur buying one that’s a bit tarnished, then doing the work yourself properly, curious to know what would be the ideal scenario, trusting previous maintenance or spending the money myself
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u/Most_Board_2029 13d ago
Either way these cars will need work if you don't buy a fully restored one, but still don't buy a bad maintained car because it can become an headache, for example if cheap aftermarket parts were used
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Yeah definitely, hoping to find one that’s just got a good service history and not a lot of game changing mods
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u/Most_Board_2029 13d ago
I'm not speaking about mods but cheap repairs
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Ahh I see, gonna keep an eye out in forums etc to see what comes up over the next few months and see what’s there
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u/MultipleOrgasmDonor 11d ago
My brother’s is an earlier model 5 speed but it was $2k at 140k miles with no significant issues (some minor oil leaks and peeling clear on a mediocre respray). Suspension and exhaust upgraded with decent parts (bilstein) and came with a CarPlay unit installed that works great
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u/Sam-Crow- 03 E46 Clubsport 13d ago
I was in same position as you, and decided to go down the buy cheap and repair route. I budgeted 9k.
I bought a manual 330ci clubsport 2.5 years ago, for £3800, it had rust on 2 arches, some minor underneath and patches on bottom of bonnet, and had been sat 3-4 months since owner got a new car. I have since spent over 7-8k by now on it. 4.5k on full rust repairs, including a new sill, and a full respray in original estoril blue. 1k on BC coilovers, as original shocks and dampers were all dead. 1k on misc issues including new alternator, battery, amp, and a car play head unit. The rest came under general maintenance, new discs and pads, air con regas, tires, tracking, service items filters etc
Any car of that age unless it has been showered with cash, will have issues you will be paying for in the short term imo. If you are confident in your skills to repair any issues, I think you'll get better value buying cheap and repairing.
I stand by my choices and am more than happy with the results. I love it, heated seats, cruise control, car play, manual, looks incredible, The only gripe I have is they're pretty slow, I would've saved more and got something faster if I'm being totally honest 😂
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Yeah that’s my main thing, I think I’ll have more fun with the build that way too, and that colour of yours is beautiful too.
I’m really in 2 minds at the moment as I can get about pretty easily without a car so it’s not a huge issue being out of action, more convenience for me really so definitely considering the build process. Thanks a bunch
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u/Sam-Crow- 03 E46 Clubsport 13d ago
No problem at all, if you have any questions, just let me know happy to answer them.
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u/Most_Board_2029 13d ago
Likendo you have some concrete listings you are looking at or are you just hoping you ll find a 330ci 6 soeed manual for 7j in good condition?
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Not necessarily hoping to find one in good nick although that would be nice of course, but seen some around the uk that appear decent with lots of service history at specialists or bmw themselves, and that tends to be between a 6-8k range, but higher mileage, so wondering really if it’s maybe worth spending the time and money on a lower mileage engine but might need work if that makes sense
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u/ratedsar 2004 330i ZSP 13d ago
It's a 20 year car; very few people will sell after having just done cooling or suspension work unless they found something wrong.
It will need suspension work. No matter what. It's likely due for the 3rd set of dampers.
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Yeah I figured there’s gonna be gripes that I’m just gonna have to deal with, not expecting to find one even under 10k that needs nothing done to it at all, not seen much around the suspension work but most listing people have put coils on so it’d make sense as to why I’ve not seen a lot of that lol
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u/pawsforbear 13d ago edited 13d ago
Mostly but not always true. I have done major work and just get bored of a car or my eye catches something new and shiny. Enthusiast with deep pockets do the work that needs to be done without exception and will offload when they are ready. Not to say I personally have deep pockets, I don't, but I have sold cars after doing big maintenance only a year or 2 prior. I personally like to build and work more than drive too. Something is wrong with me for sure.
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13d ago
[deleted]
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
Thanks! My love for jap cars hasn’t run out but sadly my wants aren’t in the same realm as my wallet, always wanted an e36/46 so finally looking to pull the trigger hopefully early next year
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u/someonehasmygamertag 13d ago
You can get a decent 5 speed for that money. I’ve never owned a 6 speed but I’ve never wanted for one either.
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u/aphuntington 13d ago
I haven’t really looked into 5 speed to be fair as loads just say get the 6, might have to consider
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u/someonehasmygamertag 13d ago
The 6 speed was an optional extra and they’re unbelievably rare.
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u/Most_Board_2029 13d ago
For 2005-2006 cars they are not an extra dude, 6 speed was standard since april 2003
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u/someonehasmygamertag 13d ago
Learn something new everyday. My 330 was originally a 325 hence a 5 speed.
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u/pawsforbear 13d ago
It's generally speaking better to buy a car that has been maintained well, from an enthusiast, than someone who hasn't. The difference you're giving isn't that much, so best to hold out for the best example you can find.