FS: 2003 BMW 330i Imola Red, Natural Brown, 70k miles

[illirep]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55826523@N05/sets/72157644733717755/

2003 BMW 330i ZHP Sedan
Imola Red / Natural Brown leather
6 speed manual
70,0xx miles
Asking $15,900 with 2 sets of wheels

I purchased the car from BMW of Fairfax in November 2013. The original owner traded the car in.

The car is in very nice shape. No paint or body-work. Clean carfax. Pretty much a 1 owner vehicle.

Things I’ve done in my short ownership:
1) Converted the interior from Alcantara to Natural Brown
2) Replaced windshield cowl
3) Replaced battery
4) Replaced worn Alcantara steering wheel with a very nice used one
5) Couple of dents pdr’d

The good:
1) 2 sets of wheels included: Original 18 inch BMW 135's (decent shape but with some curb rash) with new Goodyear Eagle GT all seasons + the 19 inch VMR VB3's that are pictured.
2) Complete service history below.
3) Brakes appear as new, only 4k miles on the fronts and rears

The bad:
1) Typical bruising under the front splitters, pictured
2) Small crack in the rear bumper – I can have it fixed professionally for $150, but I prefer no paintwork on my cars, pictured
3) Small dimple in the rear passenger side lower quarter panel, behind bottom rear edge of door, pictured
4) Driver seat has a little bit of wear, pictured
5) Some preventative maintenance will be coming due in another 10k miles, but that can be said for every used BMW. I would plan on doing the following around 80k, as preventative maintenance, nothing is need of attention now:
a. Cooling system ($300 for a DIY, $500 with a good Indy)
b. CCV ($150 - $200 in parts, couple hours of labor)
c. Spark plugs and valve cover gasket (few hundred bucks at an Indy or $120 for a DIY)
6) Could use a new set of floor mats. I'll be happy to swap them for my black all weathers if the buyer prefers.

Service History:
2 - 9/03, In-service date
6k – 8/04, Oil and filter service
13k - 8/05, Inspection 1 service
17k - 2/06, SIB#12-13-05 Recall, coils replaced
21k – 9/06, Oil and filter service
26k - 6/07, Brake fluid flush, inspection 1 service
33k – 3/08, Oil and filter service
40k – 12/08, Oil and filter service
47k – 9/09, Oil and filter service
54k – 6/10, Oil and filter service
59k – 3/11, Oil and filter service
66k - 3/12, Tail light ground recall performed
66k - 4/12, Power steering hose and fluid replaced, front and rear brake pads, rotors and sensors, cooling system flush, fuel filter replaced, differential fluid flush,
69k - 12/13, Full BMW Dealer PPI performed: inspection 1 complete, full exterior and interior detail, 4 brand new good year eagle F1 all-season tires all around, 4 wheel alignment

[danewilson77]

GLWS

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[mbeckel]

GLWS nice color combo. Those wheels look just like mine!

Sent from in the bushes

[ELCID86]

I love the color combo. GLWS.

[illirep]

Thanks guys. $200 finders fee to whoever gets me a buyer. Need funds to payoff Porsche

[ELCID86]

Thanks guys. $200 finders fee to whoever gets me a buyer. Need funds to payoff Porsche

What?? Did I miss that (or just forget)?


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[illirep]

I've mentioned it a few times on here.

1989 Grand Prix White Porsche 964

[Vas]

Love the wheels. GLWS

[illirep]

I thought there would have been more interest in this, between ebay, here, and craigslist.

Have the values of our cars really dropped that much?

$16,400 less the value of the extra rims ($1,000) less a brand new in box M3 steering wheel ($500) puts the starting price at $14,900 for a 70k mile 2 owner (virtually 1 owner) Imola / NB ZHP, and there has been no interest.

Perhaps a little too much disclosure by pointing out upcoming preventative maintenance?

Would I be better off putting the Alcantara interior back in?

Appreciate feedback.

[ELCID86]

I say Leave it as is and be patient (and willing to negotiate).


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[MiniD]

Hi sir,

Will you gladly take $8,000?

Thx

[illirep]

Deal!

[Vas]

If the car does not sell, I would put the alcantara back in and lower the price.

Plus the cooling system might be a turn off to people.

[ELCID86]

Deal!

Man, I'd have given $8100!

[illirep]

Not sure how much more I'm willing to lose on it.

[330blast]

I don't think the asking price is out of the range. It's a low mile, pristine car aiming for a small group of buyers, it takes time. Much higher milers with lower price usually sell faster.

You just need one buyer that appreciate the color combo and the condition.

[JupiterBMW]

Knowing Bill's attention to detail, I feel the car is worth his asking. This is a car that could easily be picked up and driven cross country to the new owner's home. Sadly, not everyone knows Bill's attention to detail. Be patient, and let the mafia help spread the word. With open membership, we'll get more traffic and higher visibility than in the past.

That all being sad, sadly, I think our cars have finally started that unfortunate decline. I was discussing the car to a coworker this evening, and I think the biggest hindrance to our resale value is the E46 M3. Yes, its a fantastic car and of course can't really be compared to a ZHP. But aside from all of that, there are a bunch of M3s for every ZHP on the road. We just never got the following nor the attention that real ///M cars got. So, I think the ZHP might've missed the mark there. We'll have to see, but I just don't see our cars appreciating like some of the greats (E30 M3, E82 1M, etc).

[alexandre]

Knowing Bill's attention to detail, I feel the car is worth his asking. This is a car that could easily be picked up and driven cross country to the new owner's home. Sadly, not everyone knows Bill's attention to detail. Be patient, and let the mafia help spread the word. With open membership, we'll get more traffic and higher visibility than in the past.

That all being sad, sadly, I think our cars have finally started that unfortunate decline. I was discussing the car to a coworker this evening, and I think the biggest hindrance to our resale value is the E46 M3. Yes, its a fantastic car and of course can't really be compared to a ZHP. But aside from all of that, there are a bunch of M3s for every ZHP on the road. We just never got the following nor the attention that real ///M cars got. So, I think the ZHP might've missed the mark there. We'll have to see, but I just don't see our cars appreciating like some of the greats (E30 M3, E82 1M, etc).

+1. There's definitely a buyer for your car at your price. It'll just take more time than the bulk of 120k-mile, $10k, average condition ZHP's that are currently on the market. I've watched the classifieds since I bought mine in May 2012 and prices definitely went down a notch around the end of 2012, where this car would've been worth $20k+, but I think it's been pretty stable since. The sea of ~120k SMG M3's flooding the market probably isn't helping. Not many people do their research and realize a non-M is a more sensible buy and still one heck of a car.

[illirep]

Thanks guys.

The market has definitely changed. This past fall, I sold my mystic blue ZHP sedan with 93k miles and a disclosed parking lot fender bender on the carfax, for $14.9k. And it sold with a few days of being listed!

My hunch is still that the low mileage examples can become collectible, which was my original intention for purchasing this one. If it comes down to giving it away, I'll convince myself to keep it. (Which will result in me selling the Alpine White one, and getting a beater as a daily driver / train station car).

[Tnhl1989]

I also agree. With the coming with all the new cars it seems like the older m3's are starting to hit the shelf everywhere as people are looking to get into the new ones. With that the market is going to be like this for a good 8 months before everything normalized again. Of course the summer is all about the m3 and power cars. Not like our cars are special or anything :)

[brettbimmer]

As the second owner of an IR over NB ZHP, I am surprised that this car has not yet sold as it really is quite appealing to the eye. My interior seems to get more attention then the rest of the car, and I know that there are only a handful of these IR/NB cars out there in good shape with low miles. Agree with what has been said above - need to find the special buyer for this one Bill. Hopefully you find them in the very near future so that this car will go to a good, caring home for a fair price.

[danewilson77]

As the second owner of an IR over NB ZHP, I am surprised that this car has not yet sold as it really is quite appealing to the eye. My interior seems to get more attention then the rest of the car, and I know that there are only a handful of these IR/NB cars out there in good shape with low miles. Agree with what has been said above - need to find the special buyer for this one Bill. Hopefully you find them in the very near future so that this car will go to a good, caring home for a fair price.

Could not agree more. This car should move soon.

[illirep]

Well I had someone coming tomorrow from 4 hours away to buy the car. Just got an unexpected email that due to unforeseen circumstances, they can no longer buy any car. That is a pretty big swing from "coming Saturday morning with bank check and cash" 16 hours prior.

I suspect unforeseen circumstances = found a different car

[danewilson77]

Ugh

[zhpnsnv]

Interesting conversation, beautiful car, can't imagine it won't go soon. But I agree the market is now different. Everything gets pushed down once the new king comes to town (new M3, M4), which will put lots of E90, E92, and maybe even more E46s out there to choose from. This is when the ZHP not being an M3 really hurts it. I think they're collectible to us, but not objectively to everyone on their own merits.

Not sure if the dropping prices on 335s matters to this -- people are sometimes seduced by the idea of over 300 hp (ask me how I know!). One of the things less nuanced enthusiasts might care about is that while the ZHP looks the part, nowadays, it doesn't back it up with the power that's available quite readily. But to those of us who know, it obviously doesn't matter.

Anyway, good luck. If anyone needs me to take a quick trip to check this car out for you, LMK! It'd be a great excuse to finally meet Bill and see a great car.

[COBMWs]

Well, if for no other reason than encouragement, I'd like to buy your car. :)

If it were closer to me (Colorado), I'd probably be stronger in considering it, though I'm not opposed to having a car shipped. Sounds like others on the board here could vouch for the car itself.

Honest feedback - I personally would be looking at paying somewhat less than your asking price. You're kinda caught in the middle of the higher mileage $10-12k cars, and the $16-$18k low mile cars (like 40-50k). What you really have going for you is the color combo though - that's why I'm interested. Plus, since you're attaching a value to the custom wheels, you have to wait for someone who finds value in those too.

That stinks about the potential buyer backing out. Unfortunately it's just part of selling a car privately. Hate that feeling when you have someone you think is going to buy your car, and then it all falls through.

Good luck - I look at your pictures every day and am thinking about it!

[illirep]

Thanks guys. I'm happy to put stock wheels back on, remove brand new M3 steering wheel from the equation and lower the price to $15k firm.

I'm pretty sure at that price point, it becomes a no brainer.

[illirep]

Installed license plate delete and black cube trim today. Looking just a little better outside and in.

[cakM3]

Damn...I'm surprised to see this still for sale Bill. I figured it would have been gone by now. Whoever buys this car will be getting a very clean E46 ZHP....won't be disappointed in the purchase :thumbsup

[illirep]

Thanks Charlie

[illirep]

$15,900

[aurelius]

To put pricing in perspective a bit...

Recently sold a 2004 MB E500. Nice. Heavily optioned. 75k miles. $11,500. And I have an offer of $12k on a 2006 BMW 550i. 90k mis. SMG. Black on Auburn. That deal is not done, if anyone's interested.

Not that those buyers would also be shopping E46 but I bet some of the E46 market is deflated by what else you can get in that price range. As with any other purchase.

[illirep]

I appreciate the insight but think it is that relevant. You can also get sub 60k mile clk55 amg, an sl500, etc for the same money. The zhp's are much more desirable, reasonable to own and drive, and have a cult following.

[COBMWs]

It's just a very specific market is all.

If someone is "generally" looking for a german sports sedan for around $15k, then yes, there are a lot of choices that are probably more appealing to the majority of the buying population.

But for your car, at your price, you're targeting the passionate, albeit relatively small, buying public that specifically wants a ZHP. Online sources, such as KBB, will put your car at $10-11k, retail. So that's going to eliminate the "lookie-loos" who are open to many options. Whoever buys your car is really wanting a ZHP and recognizes that they can be hard to find and, thus, willing to pay a premium for it.

[damonchoy]

With these cars, you really need to find someone who knows what a ZHP is and can recognize the value in a ZHP over a regular 330. You also have to find someone who sees the value in it over a similarly priced E46 M3. You've also got to find someone who lusts after a rare BMW colour like Imola Red.

I sold mine a couple weeks ago. I priced it rather aggressively at $12,500 firm, disclosed all issues (front control arms, wheel bearings, front bumper, awful paint, etc.) and sold it in less than two weeks for my asking price. I could have likely gotten a bit more with some patience, but that would have required more 800km trips to show the car off to more people down south (where the real car buying/selling market is here). I'm happy.

[alexandre]

With these cars, you really need to find someone who knows what a ZHP is and can recognize the value in a ZHP over a regular 330. You also have to find someone who sees the value in it over a similarly priced E46 M3. You've also got to find someone who lusts after a rare BMW colour like Imola Red.

I sold mine a couple weeks ago. I priced it rather aggressively at $12,500 firm, disclosed all issues (front control arms, wheel bearings, front bumper, awful paint, etc.) and sold it in less than two weeks for my asking price. I could have likely gotten a bit more with some patience, but that would have required more 800km trips to show the car off to more people down south (where the real car buying/selling market is here). I'm happy.

Sad to see a canuck ZHP owner go! What was your mileage ? And what are you moving to ?

[damonchoy]

Sad to see a canuck ZHP owner go! What was your mileage ? And what are you moving to ?

EDIT: I initially wrote an explanation here, but it got so long I just decided to make a new thread about it: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?13166-Sold-my-Imola-M-Sport...-trying-something-totally-different...

Teaser:

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa387/damonchoy/IMG_1669EDIT_zpsc733b47c.jpg (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/damonchoy/media/IMG_1669EDIT_zpsc733b47c.jpg.html)

[ELCID86]

What is it with you Canadians and orange Z-cars?! (Grin)


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[n0kian]

PM Sent - very interested!

[illirep]

Sold - going to Colorado

[cakM3]

Congrats on the sale Bill :thumbsup

[ELCID86]

+1. Hope to see the new won't here soon.


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[illirep]

Thanks guys. I believe that he is a member here.

[n0kian]

Hi Everyone! I'm the guy that bought Bill's ZHP! I'm psyched to get it back to Denver. Once I do, I'll be sure and make an introduction thread!

[Pip]

Hi Everyone! I'm the guy that bought Bill's ZHP! I'm psyched to get it back to Denver. Once I do, I'll be sure and make an introduction thread!

Looking forward to it! Great buy.

[alexandre]

Congrats on the sale Bill! :thumbsup


Well, if for no other reason than encouragement, I'd like to buy your car. :)

If it were closer to me (Colorado), I'd probably be stronger in considering it, though I'm not opposed to having a car shipped. Sounds like others on the board here could vouch for the car itself.

Honest feedback - I personally would be looking at paying somewhat less than your asking price. You're kinda caught in the middle of the higher mileage $10-12k cars, and the $16-$18k low mile cars (like 40-50k). What you really have going for you is the color combo though - that's why I'm interested. Plus, since you're attaching a value to the custom wheels, you have to wait for someone who finds value in those too.

That stinks about the potential buyer backing out. Unfortunately it's just part of selling a car privately. Hate that feeling when you have someone you think is going to buy your car, and then it all falls through.

Good luck - I look at your pictures every day and am thinking about it!

It's close now :)

[ELCID86]

Hi Everyone! I'm the guy that bought Bill's ZHP! I'm psyched to get it back to Denver. Once I do, I'll be sure and make an introduction thread!

Glad to have you and congrats on a great car.


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[NoVAphotog]

Hi Everyone! I'm the guy that bought Bill's ZHP! I'm psyched to get it back to Denver. Once I do, I'll be sure and make an introduction thread!

Congrats! Looking forward to it!

[UdubBadger]

Love it when they stay in the family


Goin' HAM mobile

[orange260z]

Congrats on the sale, Bill... and welcome, N0Kian.

I want to see some 964 porn...