i dont believe the service history... they are variable service on these cars...and mine gets to about 14000 miles before the indicators says it needs doing..
also do u really think a garage owner is going to have only done 8500 miles in the business he is in??
AND its unlikely that he would have bought it new..i know a few garage owners and their view of cars are quite different to mine...
I would do as some of the above post say..go to BMW
having said that...YES get a 330i or CI excellent cars...
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sometimes a little bit too much opinion....but its only because i care !!!
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sorry..should say 13500 miles..
also..i had a mini cooper from new (bmw) and needed new tyres at 7500......
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sometimes a little bit too much opinion....but its only because i care !!!
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Thanks - guys - The car really is unmarked - I spent hour or so going over it. Engine looks brand new and totally clean. Yes I am a bit conerned only 1 service in almost 4 years even if only 13k miles. It looks spot on but I am uneasy about lack of warranty. The local BMW dealership -- who did the service on it - have said they will do a health check on it (for a price I expect) and I could also see if a BMW warranty can be bought from them --- with the cost of both being deducted fom the price paid.
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It will be a fairly common car and other posters seem to imply you could get newer for the price.
But there are some doubts which may be unfounded.... but for this sort of money there should be no doubts. Go and find the same model somewhere else that has a service history, even if higher mileague.
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BMW will only sell you an extended warranty (subject to inspection) if the car has a full BMW service history. As this car has only had 1 service in 4 years they are unlikely to do so. Also the lack or service history renders the mileage "unverifiable".
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It should have had a coolant change and two brake fluid changes at least in this time, they come up as a time dependant issues on the service indicator - walk away.
As to the poster who stated that the rear end is a problem on a 3 series I must say he must be particularly ham fisted, I have never in twenty years of BMW ownership lost the rear of any of them other than when induced. DSC and ASC makes it almost impossible unless overidden or he hadn't checked the tyre pressures. 330s are very slow (not).
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Guys -- head took over during week-end and have decided not to buy this car --- £20k for a car with no warranty?? must be bonkers, but the sun was shining on Saturday afternoon (even in January) when I looked at it.
Having said this I really fancy one of these and am going to test drive one at local BMW dealer tomorrow. ( I had to make an appointment ) This is a 330i SE manual with 25k on clock and has a hard top included. 03 Reg & about 3 months newer than the other one. As an approved BMW I guess the warranty looks bomb proof so peace of mind ------ and the asking price £19995. If I go ahead this will be my first experience with BMW and I have the following questions:
- Is the warranty bomb proof (subject to servicing etc)
- Am I likely to be able negotiate a discount if no trade in (I've heard they don't like budging at all)
- Is the Hard Top fairly easy to fix and remove -- I assume not a 5 min job but it will be ideal for most of the year.
- Will I now be hated on road by everyone not driving a BMW!!!
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Entered the world of BMW ownership this month - no obvious sense of loathing from other road users!
Can't answer your other queries, only suggestion would be to check what you can get from Cargiant - www.cargiant.co.uk
HJ mentions them frequently in his recommendations column, and I bought my 330D from them. They have a leggy 52 plate 330i on at £15.5. Not saying that mileage doesn't matter, but it's an interesting comparison.
Warranty is an optional extra (either with them, or through another 3rd party), there is no negotiation room, and test drives are minimal. However, they claim (and you can check on the phone on the specific car you interested in) that most cars are lease cars, and full manufacturer Service History.
In my view, more of a risk than buying from a dealer, but for a significant saving.
For the record - no association with the company, but would reccomend
Jon
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Yes - the Warranties are as good as they come.
Possibly - I have bought my last but one 5 series with no part ex. I had a "healthy" discount from them. They should want the space for the one you're buying and if you go there with a smelly heap of money they may not be able to resist.
Dunno.
Yes. But enjoy the experience of the car not the views of people that judge things without,probably, ever been near one, let alone drive one.
Despite the negative views in various places, they are genuinely different (RWD and mainstream for a start) Reckon you're getting a bargain personally - hope the colour's right. You'll either be smitten by them or hate them. Depending on where you are you'll find after sales pretty good, my dealer has always been up front on costs above the menu prices (not that there's been that many). No doubt there will be a barrage of Anti-BMW sentiment along in a minute. That petrol engine is only bettered by the latest 35 engine. Silky smooth and totally effortless.
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- Is the warranty bomb proof (subject to servicing etc)
No used-car warranty is bomb proof. There will be exclusions on wear and tear items (I've never read the details of BMW one, but I would guess at brakes for a start).
- Am I likely to be able negotiate a discount if no trade in (I've heard they don't like budging at all)
Like all car dealers they are glorified horse traders at heart (despite all the polished surfaces and expensive furnishings). They need to keep shifting metal to make money. Forget the 'we don't give discounts' nonsense - they do unless there's a queue of buyers (which there isn't at the moment). On new 3-series at the end of last year a major dealership was touting pre-regs at 16% off.
- Is the Hard Top fairly easy to fix and remove -- I assume not a 5 min job but it will be ideal for most of the year. - Will I now be hated on road by everyone not driving a BMW!!!
No you won't be, so long as you don't act like a jerk. When I had my 7-series (couple of years back) I was amazed at how many 3-series drivers (always male) would **insist** on overtaking, no matter what the circumstances. Very much an ego thing. Just don't get carried away with it.
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I have never in twenty years of BMW ownership lost the rear of any of them other than when induced. DSC and ASC makes it almost impossible unless overidden or he hadn't checked the tyre pressures. 330s are very slow (not).
BMWs handle well, but you can't beat the laws of physics. E34's were far from perfect in the rear end grip stakes. DSC is a realtively recent introduction and is all well and good, but can be caught out on a fast corner if you catch a bump with the inside back wheel. They are very very good, but you don't get the grip and balance of a Legacy of a twisty country road (you'd need something pretty exotic and expensive to beat one of those).
330's are rapid - too much so for some owners!
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Watch out for diesel spills in the wet. Just keep a weather eye out for them. These are pussy cats in comparison with the mid-eighties big engined 3s.
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Walk.
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Well guys, have bought it! 330Ci SE with hard top.
This was the longest test drive & discussion to buy a car I've ever had AND I have to say I was quite impressed with how I was dealt with. All part of the sales process I know but very couteous and no pressure --- except from the car itself.
I was surprised how good the hard top looks. From inside you couldn't tell it was an open car and from outside if you look carefully you can just about see the joins! I really was expecting some sort of plastic lid thing but I suppose this is BMW.
Anyway, after a long test drive (on country roads to test performance or about 25% of it I guess) we got down to talking.
Asking price £19995 --- Seemed about right for BMW approved car on 03 plate with 25K complete with hardtop, full leather and other extras. I was told hard top is £2k as an extra----Does this sound right? I assume so.
They had already agreed to put 2 new tyres on rear.
£1000 off
12 months road tax
carpet mats (Told these cost £100)!!!
half tank of fuel(I think this was standard)
Whilst you always want to get more there's a limit and I felt happy with this deal -- bearing in mind fuly approved car with all the benefits etc. Please someone don't come along now and tell me I've been done.
Oh and the car -- spectacular and that 3litre straight six ------- silk on steroids!!
Thanks for all the input on this one BUT there may not be a completely happy ending!! I bought without consulting my good lady and as no trade in I now have to convince her to take over my estate car which w need to keep for Uni runs etc ---- she went out tonight not happy!!!
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Met more than one man in my time that hadn't consulted with 'the boss' before buying said car.
I am sure she will come around eventually.
Sounds a nice car - enjoy.
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I'm sure she'll really enjoy driving it while you punt around in the estate. (You know this is going to happen!!) :-)
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You will love it. BMWs are pretty sensitive to their rear tyres, right make, pressures etc. Enjoy it, wtch that rear end in the first few miles of puttin the new covers on. Sounds a lovely car - enjoy. Let us know how you get on.
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