E46 Convertible -- Advice Needed from fellow F10 Owners

So recently I came across a fully loaded '02 330CI ZHP Convertible. It is fairly high mileage at 135K with a pristine exterior and interior. Price is very reasonable with an $8K asking price. I owned an E46 some 9 years ago (non convertible) and loved the car.... no problems or issues. I dont know however if these cars have withstood the test of time. Admitadly, I am a bit skiddish with buying any car with such high mileage.... but hey, this is just going to be my weekend car for the occasional stroll through town.

I thought about posting on the E46 board but didnt want the biased feedback from all of the members. So that brings me back to the F10 board.... Wondering if anyone here has had experience with high mileage E46's. What is your experience with reliability?

Best,

Louie A

Originally Posted by Louie A

So recently I came across a fully loaded '02 330CI ZHP Convertible. It is fairly high mileage at 135K with a pristine exterior and interior. Price is very reasonable with an $8K asking price. I owned an E46 some 9 years ago (non convertible) and loved the car.... no problems or issues. I dont know however if these cars have withstood the test of time. Admitadly, I am a bit skiddish with buying any car with such high mileage.... but hey, this is just going to be my weekend car for the occasional stroll through town.

I thought about posting on the E46 board but didnt want the biased feedback from all of the members. So that brings me back to the F10 board.... Wondering if anyone here has had experience with high mileage E46's. What is your experience with reliability?

Best,

Louie A

I had a 2001 330Ci Cabrio Sport 5MT. I had it for 35,000 miles and in that time frame I had lots of issues:
- Replace suspension
- Replace ECU
- Replace Control Computer (because seats moved into an odd position and wouldn't respond to controls)
- Lots of electronic gremlins - warning lights appearing for no reason, CD changer eating discs and not spitting them out, etc.

Louie, another view.

We still have our 2002 330i in the family embarking on its second 100,000 miles. (105,000 on the clock).

The car drives like new and looks great.

The key to owning is how has it has been maintained and do you know a good indy shop that will do the inevitable service that will be required.

It's a classic and for a weekend driver why not go for it!

Reliability? It's a daily driver for my daughter who took it to college for 5 years and still loves it.

I can't comment on the E46, but I recently bought an E39 for my son with 105k miles for $8k. I bought it from someone at work who bought it new and it was only dealer serviced. The car was immaculate in and out. All this said, In less than a year I have had to replace the radiator, water pump, belts, power steering lines and rear brakes. All this stuff should be considered maintenance and things that will go over $100k. I am in it for another $3k so far going to an indy. Just be prepared.

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW

I can't comment on the E46, but I recently bought an E39 for my son with 105k miles for $8k. I bought it from someone at work who bought it new and it was only dealer serviced. The car was immaculate in and out. All this said, In less than a year I have had to replace the radiator, water pump, belts, power steering lines and rear brakes. All this stuff should be considered maintenance and things that will go over $100k. I am in it for another $3k so far going to an indy. Just be prepared.

You spent 3k in a year on repairs when you can lease a new 3 series for 299 a month.

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

You spent 3k in a year on repairs when you can lease a new 3 series for 299 a month.

Well, I am not leasing a new three series for a 17 year old. If you noticed above I said the car "was" in immaculate condition when I got it. Being a first time driver the thing is dinged and scratched on both bumpers = equals a big check on return.

The question I get from my wife is "why did you have to get him a BMW with 100k miles instead of just buying him a new Ford Focus or equivalent?"

Now what fun would that be having a reliable car??

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW

Well, I am not leasing a new three series for a 17 year old. If you noticed above I said the car "was" in immaculate condition when I got it. Being a first time driver the thing is dinged and scratched on both bumpers = equals a big check on return.

The question I get from my wife is "why did you have to get him a BMW with 100k miles instead of just buying him a new Ford Focus or equivalent?"

Now what fun would that be having a reliable car??

Good for you!

Against my better judgement we bought our 17 yr old son an $8,000 used LR Disco. Totaled it in a fender bender (too expensive to repair) and bought another after first 18 months. Few repairs, no regrets on either.

Daughter has taken great care of her 330i and we could sell it anytime. It helps if you can do a little DIY and have a reasonable indy that won't smack your wallet too bad.

What would you think is the value/good price for a 2003 E46 330i dark blue full options, good state, 90.000 miles?

Originally Posted by Louie A

So recently I came across a fully loaded '02 330CI ZHP Convertible. It is fairly high mileage at 135K with a pristine exterior and interior. Price is very reasonable with an $8K asking price. I owned an E46 some 9 years ago (non convertible) and loved the car.... no problems or issues. I dont know however if these cars have withstood the test of time. Admitadly, I am a bit skiddish with buying any car with such high mileage.... but hey, this is just going to be my weekend car for the occasional stroll through town.

I thought about posting on the E46 board but didnt want the biased feedback from all of the members. So that brings me back to the F10 board.... Wondering if anyone here has had experience with high mileage E46's. What is your experience with reliability?

Best,

Louie A

No such thing as a ZHP convertible from that year - or any ZHP for that matter. They began production on 2003 and the convertible arrived 2005 and later.

Mine's an 06. Great car, love it, best I've ever owned.

Originally Posted by EdCT

No such thing as a ZHP convertible from that year - or any ZHP for that matter. They began production on 2003 and the convertible arrived 2005 and later.

Mine's an 06. Great car, love it, best I've ever owned.

Our '06 330 convertible has been a great car, but everything about it is expensive. The front bumper is too low, and gets easily snagged on too-high parking space front barriers. The bumper has plastic tabs that break easily and cannot be repaired. New bumper costs $ 1500!

This is why my sons do not get to drive it. I gave my MDX to my son. No curb problems there.

Bottom line: everything about a used BMW is expensive, except maybe the purchase price.

Thanks to all for the replies -- As luck would have it, the car got snagged by another buyer. This car really got my taste buds wet though.... The hunt for another E46 convertible continues!

Cheers,

My wife is driving '02 325i since new and is racking 180k plus on the mileage. It is an everyday car for over a decade. It is still looking gorgeous and kicking butts on the road.