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jlj

Is this a good specimen?

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12 minutes ago, jlj said:

It's the last link I posted, listed for 2700.

Whatdo you mean by buying an interior? Would I lose the heated seats? 

Or are these just covers? 

Who would I approach to fit these? 

 

This is what I mean by buying an interior: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-E46-Convertible-M-Sport-Leather-Seats-Heated-electric-memory-/262792481744?hash=item3d2fa70bd0:g:CzUAAOSwUKxYbRk-

eBay and google are your friends. If seated heats are what you are looking for then find a set with heated seats. All variants and colours are on eBay all the time, and fitting is just a case of disconnecting the battery (so you don't trip any airbag sensors or lights) and then unbolt old set and reverse the unbolting you did to install the newer set.

However, I think that car just had the feeling of being a bit tired in general, I think black cars look worn out unless they are spotless the whole time. Just my opinion, obviously.

What's your shopping list? I'll have a more specific look online for you.

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That was it.  The exterior looked fine, just interior. Maybe the tan interior doesn't age well. 

Probably should not rush it. Guy was saying he bought it from a BMW mechanic, car is supposedly pretty sound, though he did come across a genuine bloke. 

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9 minutes ago, jlj said:

Thus car came up on Facebook.. https://m.facebook.com/groups/1388299958138183?view=permalink&id=1636875709947272

Said it was cat D at some point. Looks pretty good. One of those too good to be true? 

It's OK, but there is lots of choice so you can do better. There is one on a Facebook E46 page for £2600 in black that actually looks pretty good value, can't seem to find the post now though. Let me look again.

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31 minutes ago, jlj said:

Ermmmmm... not sure what to say here. Firstly, weren't you looking for a facelift model?

His photos raise a load of questions such as why no side or full length pictures and why not full interior and dashboard shots? From the little i could see from the pictures he has mismatched grills on the front and a spacesaver spare on the nearside rear. The wheels are not in great condition and are not original to the car - not that this should bother you but M3 wheels have a very different offset to the rear so i'd be asking questions about them and the size. You said you've asked for more interior shots and i would ask for a full dashboard shot as he has cleverly missed off the left of the dashboard where warning lights reside.... But the ad just does it no favours - if the car is good and honest then a poorly written ad with a dirty car in bad pictures and no real info his history with the car just sets alarm bells on top of the previous alarm bells.

There are much better cars out there for around the £2.5k mark, go and see a few and you'll get a much better idea.  There are a few really cheap verts on Facebook that I'd rather take a blind punt on if i'm being honest.

I've mentioned before that I would help you search and I asked for your basic criteria. But just posting random ads of cars you might like to go see and looking for validation from the forum of "what we think" is a bit of a pointless exercise unless you go and drive a few and start forming opinions about what is actually important to you.

Edited by Rich (BoxClever)
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Clearly I am terrible at this. :blink:

I don't think I mentioned face-lift version, not fussed. 

Heated seats, sat nav pro, and a nice interior. Doesn't even need to be a 330, I'm no boy racer, just want something decent, pop the top down on a nice day and go for a cruise with missus and bub. 

 

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4 minutes ago, jlj said:

Clearly I am terrible at this. :blink:

I don't think I mentioned face-lift version, not fussed. 

Heated seats, sat nav pro, and a nice interior. Doesn't even need to be a 330, I'm no boy racer, just want something decent, pop the top down on a nice day and go for a cruise with missus and bub. 

 

Not terrible, just learning! You haven't mentioned much else on your want list - gearbox, type of colour, leather, sports leather etc... or is it just a case of a good convertible for around £2.5k nearish to Sutton?

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For what it's worth, the factory navigation isn't that great - quite slow and clunky by today's standards. 

If I were you, I'd try and find an example with it, see what you think as it might be poor enough to rule it out of the list of requirements and widen your choice.

Must have e46 options for me? Bixenons and lumbar support. 

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OK, a quick search... and i used a 60 mile radius of your postcode just picking out cars that i think maybe worth investigating a bit further. I've tried to include widescreen satnav but it seems not common on current cars for sale!

No allegiance to any and as i said you need to go and see and drive a few so you can get a real understanding of what is important to you. But here's a few:

1) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201701081113024?model=3%20SERIES&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&body-type=Convertible&advertising-location=at_cars&price-from=1500&radius=60&sort=price-asc&price-to=3000&postcode=sm13pe&page=1

2) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610259116156?model=3%20SERIES&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&body-type=Convertible&price-from=1500&radius=60&postcode=sm13pe&sort=price-asc&price-to=3000&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

3) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612030314451?price-to=3000&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=3%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=sm13pe&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&price-from=1500&radius=60&page=3

Number three sounds like the owner loved the car, good ads work.

4) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611229994175?price-to=3000&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=3%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=sm13pe&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&price-from=1500&radius=60&page=3

5) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612220785534?price-to=3000&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=3%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&postcode=sm13pe&price-from=1500&radius=60&page=4

6) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610088577126?price-to=3000&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=3%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&postcode=sm13pe&price-from=1500&radius=60&page=5

This has got everything you want, and is very near to you. Go test drive it. 

7) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612150631430?price-to=3000&body-type=Convertible&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&model=3%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=sm13pe&sort=price-asc&make=BMW&price-from=1500&radius=60&page=7

8) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201605214181274?radius=60&model=3%20SERIES&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&body-type=Convertible&make=BMW&postcode=sm13pe&sort=price-asc&price-to=3000&price-from=1500&page=8

Rare colour, not very high spec for an "Individual" model but worth a think.

9) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611069508497?radius=60&model=3%20SERIES&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&body-type=Convertible&make=BMW&postcode=sm13pe&sort=price-asc&price-to=3000&price-from=1500&page=8

And I'll look through some other sites later - just having some food!! 

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Here's a few from eBay quickly, my pie is getting cold!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-318-2003-2-0-MY-CI-CONVERTIBLE-PETROL-MANUAL-FULL-SERVICE-HISTORY-/272515800675?hash=item3f73351e63:g:FjMAAOSw-0xYcPbg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-BMW-3-SERIES-320-Ci-POWER-HOOD-BLACK-ON-BLACK-/272466734391?hash=item3f70486d37:g:sukAAOSw44BYQvzB

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325-2-5-auto-Ci-Sport-CONVERTIBLE-105000-Miles-MOT-April-2017-/262617102787?hash=item3d2532f9c3:g:akgAAOSw9IpX0rRY

I like the look of this third one.

Will keep looking, but my advice would be to widen your search. You'll have loads more choice if you go up to say 100 miles. I went to Ipswich from Bristol for an E36 convertible before - a 3 train four hour trip, and i would have walked away if it wasn't exactly as described from our 2 x hour long phone chats and numerous requested pictures!!

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Cheers Rich, legend! 

I'm thinking the 318 might not do the car justice, so 325 sounds like a sweetspot for me.

I think number 6 might be a winner. I asked about the scratch, says he got quoted 260 to repair.

Plus it appears he has dropped price to 2k!

Will head out on the weekend and barring the car driving like a dog, I might own a new car!

 

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3 hours ago, jlj said:

Cheers Rich, legend! 

I'm thinking the 318 might not do the car justice, so 325 sounds like a sweetspot for me.

I think number 6 might be a winner. I asked about the scratch, says he got quoted 260 to repair.

Plus it appears he has dropped price to 2k!

Will head out on the weekend and barring the car driving like a dog, I might own a new car!

 

No worries, keep an open mind. Drive the 318 and then drive a 325. There are loads for sale near you so don't be shy about going to see a few. 

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Hey Rich,

I know you said no sticking random ads up but I'm thinking of looking at this car over the weekend. 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612220785534?minimum-badge-engine-size=2.2&keywords=leather&price-to=2500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&body-type=Convertible&model=3%20SERIES&sort=year-desc&year-to=2006&postcode=sm13pe&radius=50&aggregatedTrim=325Ci&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2001&page=1

Critique?

Looks ok, other then the damage on the bonnet. Any idea how much that would cost to fix?

Still got the other 325 you found on my radar, hoping to get to that this weekend as well.

 

 

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6 hours ago, jlj said:

Hey Rich,

I know you said no sticking random ads up but I'm thinking of looking at this car over the weekend. 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612220785534?minimum-badge-engine-size=2.2&keywords=leather&price-to=2500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&body-type=Convertible&model=3%20SERIES&sort=year-desc&year-to=2006&postcode=sm13pe&radius=50&aggregatedTrim=325Ci&advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2001&page=1

Critique?

Looks ok, other then the damage on the bonnet. Any idea how much that would cost to fix?

Still got the other 325 you found on my radar, hoping to get to that this weekend as well.

 

 

Definitely go and look at it, it's pretty cheap and good miles. It's not a sport model (not sure if you're looking for that) as it doesn't have sports leather or other sport trim but it seems pretty honest. You can replace a bonnet for a £100 from eBay and you'll find one in the correct colour too but I'd not worry about it - make sure the car drives well first and everything works. With both of the cars I would mail or call the seller and ask for the last 7 digits of the VIN number so you can check exactly what the car left the factory with... and any honest seller will give you that info. 

But yeah, jump in and go for a drive - £2k is not a great deal of money for a facelift vert with decent mileage and looking like it's OK nick. Tell us how you get on:)

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Spec of that car as follows: Apologies for format.

Vehicle options
S249 Multifunction f steering wheel
S2BA BMW LA wheel, double spoke 88
S302 Alarm system
S313 Fold-in outside mirror
S380 Hardtop-preparation
S388 Softtop, black
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441 Smoker package
S459 Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S473 Armrest front
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521 Rain sensor
S534 Automatic air conditioning
 
Vehicle options
S661 Radio BMW Business (C43)
S674 Hi-Fi System Harman Kardon
S692 Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus
S785 White direction indicator lights
L812 National version Great Britain
S850 Dummy-SALAPA
S863 Retailer Directory Europe
S877 Delete cross-pattern operation
S880 On-board vehicle literature English
 
Vehicle options
S210 Dynamic stability control
S255 Sports leather steering wheel
S399 Softtop, electromech. all-autom.
S520 Fog lights
S550 On-board computer
S832 Battery in luggage compartment
S853 Language version English
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Whaaa, you went with a mercedes? 

Well that dodgy trade/private seller car sold before I could get a viewing.

I've seen some of those after market android setups, looks pretty cool, though not many ppl seem to have it done.

Thoughts on my latest ad of the week:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611179863488?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&body-type=Convertible&year-from=2001&keywords=sports&model=3%20SERIES&price-from=500&maximum-mileage=150000&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=3000&year-to=2005&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.2&postcode=sm13pe&radius=45&make=BMW&sort=year-desc&page=1

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