jlj Posted January 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 Full replacement, found a set of tan seats on ebay, looks marginally better, might be expecting too much. Guessing it will cost a bit to get it fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 8, 2017 Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Just remembered youre looking for a facelift and this isn't. About it comes across as a more ho est car than the other one I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Is it common not to have sat nav? What is ccv pipes need replacing? And warning lights on, those busted sensors can be pricey to fix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201701051013098?model=3%20SERIES&radius=100&aggregatedTrim=330Ci&sort=price-asc&body-type=Convertible&postcode=sm13pe&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&page=1 Looks pretty decent and in my price range, and not too far away either. I've asked for more interior shots, a tatty interior really lets the car down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) 31 minutes ago, jlj said: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201701051013098?model=3%20SERIES&radius=100&aggregatedTrim=330Ci&sort=price-asc&body-type=Convertible&postcode=sm13pe&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=BMW&page=1 Looks pretty decent and in my price range, and not too far away either. I've asked for more interior shots, a tatty interior really lets the car down. 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 January 11, 2017 by Rich (BoxClever) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Clearly I am terrible at this. 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. RichS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 4 minutes ago, jlj said: Clearly I am terrible at this. 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 Manual or auto is fine. Any type of leather, as long as its in good shape, not loud colours. Colour.. Again something conservative, no reds or purples. But yeah, decent vert 50 miles from Sutton please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 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. RichS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 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! RichS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 12, 2017 Report Share Posted January 12, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichS Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 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:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis O Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 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 RichS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted January 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 Is that a car you were considering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis O Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 No. When I was looking I wanted lower mileage, Nav and HK. My budget was up to £6k for the right car. I've now bought the car below so, for me, the search is over. Good luck with whatever you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlj Posted February 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...