"ciscokidinsf" (ciscokidinsf)
01/20/2016 at 09:52 • Filed to: E46 Love, BMW, Sold Car
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"ciscokidinsf" (ciscokidinsf)
01/20/2016 at 09:52 • Filed to: E46 Love, BMW, Sold Car | 6
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Bought a 2002 BMW 330ci Coupe, 5MT, fully loaded with 130,000 miles 3 years ago. Now, 3 years later, with 161,000 miles, I sold it.
Now I feel
a little bad
kinda really bad about it.
Bought 3 years ago, this 2002 BMW 330ci coupe was a bit of a revelation. The clutch was great, the 5sp was crisp, the 230HP seemed all accounted for in the NA 6 cyl engine. Steering on point - the best BMW had before going the way of the Borg. Interior was good, and all buttons worked. Every drive would always be enjoyable except on the occasional trip to the SF hills, where bad drivers and bad timing sometimes would result on a burned-out-clutch-maneuver here and there. It came with OEM, Nav, Tech and Winter packages so it looked modern and was better equipped than most E46 M3's. It was 80% of an M3 with better economics.
Yeah, it also had its share of common Teutonic issues in the last 3 years- Door needed a new lock actuator mechanism, but I fixed this. The sunroof wasn’t working, left it as-is, and the ‘running too lean’ code asking for engine service would show up for one day each week. Some audio cabling would occasionally make the speakers buzz for a few seconds. Also, it could’ve used a respray in the front bumper and some new trim parts that I had. Other than that, solid and good and good looking.
Car performed well during its 3 years with me. Total cost of fixes over 3 years was $1,488 - Mostly a set of cheap tires + a “common” refresh of the coolant system (water pump, thermostat, hoses, coolant tank) + tune up + door actuator + front brakes done 6 months ago. This car was my Daily Driver for the last 3 years. First BMW that made understand the love for a good performing Bimmer. Now I get it. Now I would love an E46 M3 at first sight.
But my car fleet has been growing despite the lack of work/income - and the BMW was fully paid and easy for a quick sell. Wife doesn’t drive stick, and kids won’t fit back there either. Even if it was the most solid player in my car fleet, it could not do multi-duties. So, to CL it went, and there it languished from the initial price I wanted ($6,500) starting 3 months ago. Slowly cutting the price by $300 every 2 weeks, until the best offer came at $4,500 yesterday. Ebay and CL pricing showed that it was an acceptable price despite my own pricing visions...and off it went.
Circle of life. Good cars should also be part of the big marketplace. I keep telling myself.
I hate selling good cars that are good to me. If the economics were more stable, it would have stayed, no doubt. Be something to pass on your family. I really hate myself when I do sell a great car. Car was always awesome to me and helped me rebuilt my fleet. At least it went to someone who had a BMW Z4 before and wanted another 5sp BMW. After money exchanged hands and papers were signed, the (10 yrs younger) guy mentioned his first thing to do is to replace the OEM Nav with something else. I winced a bit, but the car wasn’t mine anymore. The money will go to good use for sure, but I wish it didn’t take saying goodbye to my e46. Goodbye Champ!
Party-vi
> ciscokidinsf
01/20/2016 at 09:58 |
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Well shit balls. $4,500 for your example and I’ll probably sell mine with 200k miles on it. Also, what happened to those poor headlights?
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ciscokidinsf
> Party-vi
01/20/2016 at 10:01 |
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Previous owner did a shitty angel-eye job. I removed it. Left the rest as-is
Patrick Nichols
> ciscokidinsf
01/20/2016 at 10:28 |
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If the OEM Nav is replaced with something tasteful like an AppRadio 4, I’d think of that as a solid upgrade as it still looks mostly OEM. I hate that almost all new cars come with integrated nav/infotainment that can’t be removed for the standard double-din replacement anymore. Outdated infotainment/navigation is absolutely the worst. I can’t imagine using my girlfriends civic in ~10 years.
I Like Corollas
> ciscokidinsf
01/20/2016 at 10:38 |
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I sold my E46 330Ci last week, after exactly 4 years of ownership. It was kinda sad to part ways with such a good car, but I want to think it was the right choice. Hopefully there’s an E46 M3 in my future, and that is one car I’d love to own forever.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> ciscokidinsf
01/20/2016 at 14:16 |
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I’ve also winced at some of the changes the new owner of my old Mazda 3s hatch (who’s a friend) has made to it, but like that it’s giving joy to someone new after treating me so well for 7 years and 90k miles.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> I Like Corollas
01/20/2016 at 14:19 |
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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/thanks-man-yep…
B_dol
> ciscokidinsf
01/20/2016 at 19:24 |
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It was 80% of an M3 with better economics.
Recall the 80/20 rule, the extra 20% comes at a hefty premium but an S54, brakes and suspension really separates the two. Best of luck and I hope your next BMW comes soon!
JR1
> ciscokidinsf
01/21/2016 at 18:00 |
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Sorry man that really sucks. I am really hoping that isn’t how I feel after I sell my first truck but we will see.