3-Series (E46, E90)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1999 to Current. Models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318Ci, BMW 320i, BMW 323i, BMW 325i, BMW 330i, BMW 328 Ci, BMW 328i, BMW 325i/xi, BMW 330Ci, BMW 320d, BMW 330d, BMW 335d.
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So here's the story, I've been shopping for a 2003 325i 5-speed (bmw is having great incentives now on '03's). So after calling 20 dealerships, i FINALLY found ONE 325i and went and test drove it. Frankly, i was disappointed in the stick, the throws seemed long, the clutch soft. So, i decided to bite the bullet and go with the auto (that's a HUGE change for me). Anyway... i get a call 10 minutes after leaving the dealer from another dealer saying that 5-speed was litterly just dropped off (lease finished). So i drive over there expecting a 325i... However, what awaited me was a 330i ZHP. Granted i didn't know what this was, and my first thought was - i'm not paying 6k more for a car in manual that i wasn't impressed with (don't get me wrong, 3'series are great, just not thrilled with the tranny). So he says, you just have to take this out and see........... and wholly cow. That's what i was looking for - the short throws, the stronger engine. The stick the ground handleing... anyway ... i'm sure you all get the point - but this is all very new for me and a big purchase...
SOO... the car
2003 330i ZHP, titanium silver, Nav, H/K stereo. 25k miles = $32.9 list price
i was planning on finding a $27 car and negotiing them down - but i'm now trying to decide if i can afford the extra $6k for that awsome machine -
there is a question here, i promise.... so, my question is- first off, is $32.9k a good price? what do you think i could get them down to? also, am i going to run into alot more service problems with this car? tires have gotta be crap load more expensive, clutch wear? does it really make a difference? has anyone had any issues with the ZHP?
the car will be ready from servicing on thursday and i'm going in - and i want to be prepared with my decision... ANY help here would be amazing - as i've never owned a bimmer before- only dreamed...
thanks in advance... hope to be a TRUE forum member soon
I think you can get it for $28.5k. Not too may people wants manual nowadays so this is a good tool for you to use to negotiate, also try to bring it up that you have an eye on a 325i from a different dealer for $27k but pretend that you can't tell the performance differences between a 325i and a 330i .
Good luck, and I have to agree with you that it is a sweet little car.
Alex
I wish i could pretend to not know the difference between the 325 and the 330 - but i think me saying "omg, this is what i was looking for" and "wow, this blows the 325 away" kinda gave it all away
price is fair. you should end up aroound 31.5, the zhp asking price is about 33. of course, haggle, but forget 29k.
it is a fantastic car out of the box. it is noticeably faster, and handles much better than a regular 330 (as you noted). of course, no comparison to the small 6. clutch WEAR is never a problem in a bmw, unless the prior driver was a bozo. you cannot knwo this, but try flooring it in 6th gear at about 40 mph. if it does not slip, you are ok.
sroious: have the rear subframe inspected for tears (unlikely), and the ends of rear sway bar mounts (likely damaged).
not serious: windows should all roll down (regulators go in bmws).
yeah im gonna agree with red... push that price as much as you can, and you wont regret it a bit... youll love the car! and yeah i agree also, its the closest thing next to m3...
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