FS: 2004 Alpine White / Alcantara, manual sedan, NJ

[illirep]

Flickr pictures:
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/55826523@N05/
Detail and dslr pics will come if the car isn't sold in the meantime.
Please note there are no stains on the seats, alcantara always shows strange in photos.

With good news, comes bad. The former, our family of four will become a family of five. The latter, my labor of love is no longer practical for me to keep.

2004 BMW 330i
Alpine White
Alcantara interior (1)
Silver Cube trim
6 speed manual
H/K Sound
Xenon headlights
Sunroof
BMW factory alarm

(1) She was born with sand beige leather interior. I did a full interior conversion from carpets to dash. This was my 4th time doing this - no corners cut, no amateur BS. Most trim parts are brand new OEM parts - see details below.

I bought this car in mid 2013 with 83k miles, and have since spent countless hours and a small fortune making her what she is today.

The car is in excellent mechanical condition. She is due for an oil service soon (5k mile mark). I have addressed most of the typical e46 gremlins, as you can see below. The car does not leak oil. The tires are like new. The pads and rotors have plenty of life remaining. The suspension feels factory tight. Clutch feels great. Steering still has the magical ZHP feel!

I have a very thorough PPI pdf from 84k miles that I am happy to share with interested buyers.

The exterior is in great shape for the age and milage. I've had a couple dings PDR'd. There is slight curb rash on one of the wheels. There is a minor dent on the hood and minor door ding that happened recently, both too small to capture with a camera. The front bumper has typical BMW front fascia pitting and the bottom portion of the splitters have rash.

The rear bumper has two screw marks from the license plate bracket of another car that tapped me in a 2 MPH incident. I was stopped in traffic a few minutes from home, as was the car behind me. The car behind me was rear ended and rolled into me. The car is in the same condition as pictured as it was after the incident - no damage other than the two screw marks, which didn't bother me enough to have the whole bumper resprayed.

I have the carfax from when I bought it. I have not run one recently, and do not know if the aforementioned incident will show up or not.


Date Mileage Description
08/21/04 5 In-service date
03/04/05 9,593 Wiper blades replaced
11/09/05 14,216 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
11/05/07 27,901 Belts replaced
11/05/07 27,901 Brake fluid flush
11/05/07 27,901 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
11/05/07 27,901 Wiper blades replaced
11/12/07 27,951 A pillar trim replaced
02/16/09 35,901 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
02/16/09 35,901 Wiper blades replaced
02/16/09 35,901 Wiper fluid pump replaced
04/27/09 37,227 Themostat replaced
04/27/09 37,227 Washer fluid level senser replaced
10/01/09 41,707 Brake fluid flush
10/01/09 41,707 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
04/19/10 46,864 Rear brakes replaced
04/19/10 46,864 Valve cover gasket replaced
08/21/10 50,950 CPO / extended maintenance plan expired
09/08/10 51,213 Wiper fluid pump replaced
12/23/11 66,115 E46 tail light recall campain performed
05/30/13 83,900 Oil and filter service
05/30/13 83,900 Both front window regulators replaced
12/27/13 84,300 Battery replaced, OEM
12/27/13 84,300 New A and C pillars
12/27/13 84,300 New center HVAC vent installed
12/27/13 84,300 New rear deck panel installed
12/27/13 84,300 New rear H/K speaker covers installed
12/27/13 84,300 New front grills installed, OEM 325i - chrome outer ring / black slats
12/28/13 84,324 New air filter installed
12/28/13 84,324 Oil filter housing gasket / vanos lines replaced, OEM BMW
12/28/13 84,324 Oil and filter service
12/28/13 84,324 Starter replaced, OEM Bosch
12/28/13 84,324 Replaced disa valve replaced, OEM BMW
12/28/13 84,324 New alternator belt, OEM BMW
12/28/13 84,324 Right pork-chop replaced, OEM BMW
01/11/14 84,408 Windshield cowl replaced
01/11/14 84,408 Gloss black shadowline exterior trim replaced
01/11/14 84,408 New OEM headlight lenses and gaskets installed
01/16/14 84,440 Complete cooling system update (radiator, water pump, hoses, expansion tank, etc.)
01/16/14 84,440 Sprint booster installed
02/15/14 85,200 Replaced all 4 135's with very good condition used set
02/15/14 85,200 New Goodyear Eagle AS sports all around
03/31/14 86,708 Alcantara interior conversion
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced headliner with a perfect condition used one due to sagging
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced grab handles, sun visors and sunroof shade
03/31/14 86,708 Sunroof shade repair kit installed
03/31/14 86,708 New upper and lower B pilliars
03/31/14 86,708 New front and rear door sills
03/31/14 86,708 New center console and rear ash tray delete / storage compartment
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced all four door weather moldings
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced both front vapor barriers from sloppy regulator replacement job
04/10/14 87,103 New M Dead pedal
04/10/14 87,103 Homelink retrofit
04/10/14 87,103 V1 Hardwired
04/10/14 87,103 New Dice silverline duo installed
04/10/14 87,103 New F30 Msport (zhp knob) and leather boot retrofit
04/10/14 87,103 BMW performance alcantara hand brake and boot


Price reduced to $13.9k for the car in stock form.

[danewilson77]

GLWS.

[ELCID86]

I know you are sorry to have to part with it. GLWS.

[rguti153]

Uhhh lalala strut bar for sale

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[illirep]

Uhhh lalala strut bar for sale

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Hopefully not, but will depend on agreed upon price of car!

[fredo]

Congrats on the addition to the family ! GLWS.

[rguti153]

Damn very nice cae glws

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[E_Rak]

Friend of mine might be interested, I'll pm you if that's the case

[Trans]

Sent you a PM

[tripod06]

please post pics? i'm interested myself!

[illirep]

Thanks guys. Very excited to give our two boys a little brother / sister.

Everyone please hold off on part-out requests for now. I prefer to leave her as is for now. This has garnered a bunch of interest already, and the pictures will only accelerate it. If buyer doesn't want upgrades, I will list them in separate thread.

[derbo]

GLWS. I would love to have this car as I know you take care of your cars very well.

[illirep]

Posted iPhone pics to my flickr account. Haven't had the chance to give her a good wash worthy of the dslr yet.

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/55826523@N05/

[kakashi169]

damn, what a car... glows

[illirep]

Thanks. Are you saying my car glows or good luck with sale ;)?

[az3579]

Are you saying my car glows or good luck with sale ;)?

Yes. :rofl

[illirep]

Bump - $16,500 now includes the brand new performance exhaust.

[danewilson77]

Damn. I can't believe this still hasn't sold.

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[Simmsled]

Good lawd this thing is clean.

[illirep]

Bump for the weekend.

[illirep]

Brand new M3 steering wheel now included!

[rguti153]

Deal gets better n better lol glws

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[Bekelja]

Awesome car.


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[illirep]

Thanks.

Price lowered from $16.5k to $15k, and still including brand new OEM performance exhaust and brand new OEM M3 tri-stitched leather steering wheel.

[danewilson77]

Thanks.

Price lowered from $16.5k to $15k, and still including brand new OEM performance exhaust and brand new OEM M3 tri-stitched leather steering wheel.
Damn. Someone needs to hit dat.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[Vas]

Man where was this car in the beginning of this year. I would have been all over it.

But GLWS...

[ELCID86]

Man where was this car in the beginning of this year. I would have been all over it.

But GLWS...

You need another! ;-)


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Vas]

You need another! ;-)


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.


Don't put those thoughts in my head lol

[illirep]

A mafia member is coming tonight to check her out. And the rest is history!

[ELCID86]

Nice. Hope it works out


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[illirep]

Still not officially spoken for, but this price point seems to be the sweet spot. There are several interested parties active on the car...

[illirep]

Bump - mis-categorized a few tire kickers as serious buyers. Still available.

[zhpnsnv]

This is a steal unless ZHP prices have fallen off the cliff since I last checked on them.

Good luck. If I needed 2 E46s this would be out of your driveway tonight, dinero in your pocket.

[illirep]

It sure beats the hell out of me how prices could have taken this big of a crap. I suspect, based on the inquiries that I'm getting, that the buyer profile for these cars has shifted towards the younger crowd now that it is 3 model years old. Consequentially, I suspect a majority of buyers are not willing and/or qualified to pay up for premium examples. They would rather save a few bucks up front, not realizing that they'll spend substantially more in the long run.

I had a young guy drive over an hour to see/drive the car, only to later find out that he does not have credit, yet needs to finance the car. It is a challenge for a working qualified adult to finance a 10 year old car with 90k miles that is worth 50% more than its KBB / NADA, let alone a student without credit.

I'm now flirting with a price point where it doesn't make sense to sell it.

[zhpnsnv]

I hear you. It could be the effect of all of the Ms moving downstream now as people jump to F80/82s and E90/92s, though I think the E46 M has bottomed out for a while. ZHP still remains a niche second hand sale -- you have to know what it is and appreciate that it's not an M, not begrudge it because it looks the part without the S54. Like you said, the younger buyer might not get it for the most part, though many Mafia members dispute that claim. Plus your car is a sedan, so it doesn't compete with Ms. I can see ZHP coupes having a hard time, but this car with the work, the color combo, the additional parts, lordy!

[BigRussia]

Wish you were in Florida! GLWS

[BCS_ZHP]

Wish you were in Florida! GLWS

BigRussia, Get off the fence and buy a plane ticket already, Miami to Philly is under $250 on dozens of flights. You say you want well maintained, check, you want documented, check, you want sedan & 6 spd, check. And this is the perfect SoFLA color combo - unicorn white and cloth seats to deal with the Miami heat. With all the recent maintenance done to this car, there's nothing left for you to do but to drive it and enjoy it. You've been on the hunt (on this forum at least) for 3 months, the perfect car isn't going to drive up to your front door, you gotta go get it.

[illirep]

Thanks Bruce.

BigRussia - I had this car shipped from Florida for $600. I did all the work. Now you can ship it back!

[az3579]

BigRussia, Get off the fence and buy a plane ticket already, Miami to Philly is under $250 on dozens of flights. You say you want well maintained, check, you want documented, check, you want sedan & 6 spd, check. And this is the perfect SoFLA color combo - unicorn white and cloth seats to deal with the Miami heat. With all the recent maintenance done to this car, there's nothing left for you to do but to drive it and enjoy it. You've been on the hunt (on this forum at least) for 3 months, the perfect car isn't going to drive up to your front door, you gotta go get it.

This x10000.

It's rare that one finds the ZHP they're looking for locally; usually you have to travel for it. I lucked out and got mine 3.5 hours away in another state, but that's usually on the low end of the spectrum for travelling for the "right" car (the right color, interior, options, and/or mileage).

[LivesNearCostco]

I would like a white ZHP 6-speed! Have to see if my current one gets totaled or not by the insurance company. If it does, I will be looking locally (California) first, but this does look like a great deal. Would be nice to drive it across country, but I'd have to take a week off from work to do it. In the mean time, GLWS!

[webster]

Can't believe this one's still for sale. Elcid needs it, methinks.

[jiggz]

BigRussia, Get off the fence and buy a plane ticket already, Miami to Philly is under $250 on dozens of flights. You say you want well maintained, check, you want documented, check, you want sedan & 6 spd, check. And this is the perfect SoFLA color combo - unicorn white and cloth seats to deal with the Miami heat. With all the recent maintenance done to this car, there's nothing left for you to do but to drive it and enjoy it. You've been on the hunt (on this forum at least) for 3 months, the perfect car isn't going to drive up to your front door, you gotta go get it.

Totally agreed - if you want a nice BMW you need to be willing to ship it or fly out to drive it home. I just bought an X5 in CA and having it shipped to Seattle - it's really not that big of a deal. Anyone expecting to find the perfect BMW right in their backyard…sure it's possible but not likely, especially if you're particular.

[illirep]

I think there is more going on here than just distance with BigRussia. My hunch is he is waiting for the car that is close and priced below market. As I've opined on several times prior, not many buyers willing to pay up for quality. They all want preventative maintenance, but don't want to pay a premium.

[jiggz]

I think there is more going on here than just distance with BigRussia. My hunch is he is waiting for the car that is close and priced below market. As I've opined on several times prior, not many buyers willing to pay up for quality. They all want preventative maintenance, but don't want to pay a premium.

Is this car 'for sale' on Autotrader? That's the only place I list my cars. I don't even bother listing my car on the forums - just a bunch of knuckle draggers looking for the deal of a lifetime.

[illirep]

Bump, price drop to $14.5k

[fredo]

Flickr is not working for me: page not found.

[illirep]

just worked for me

[fredo]

Strange. The link works on my iPad. It doesn't work on my laptop. Maybe you posted the link for mobile apps.

[derbo]

LivesNearCostco should buy this :)

[330blast]

It's sad to see such a hard time to sell an extremely (almost overly) maintained ZHP in prestine condition. It's a GREAT deal. The car is not only turn key now, but requires almost zero maintanance (except wear and tear stuff like tires and brakes) in the next few years.

Someone buy it.

[az3579]

Just because it hasn't sold immediately doesn't mean it won't sell... There aren't always buyers right when it's for sale.

[danewilson77]

It's sad to see such a hard time to sell an extremely (almost overly) maintained ZHP in prestine condition. It's a GREAT deal. The car is not only turn key now, but requires almost zero maintanance (except wear and tear stuff like tires and brakes) in the next few years.

Someone buy it.
+1

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[illirep]

$13,900 for the car, completely stock!

[ELCID86]

Very fair price. Someone grab this baby.

[NorCalZman]

Yeah, sad to see the market for ZHPs and e46s in general to have fallen so far in the past few years. Its funny because I keep seeing articles in the news about how used car prices are not budging from historic highs. Not our cars. Maybe its the fact that these cars are just getting older in general and the "older german car" curse is front and center in people's minds. I bought mine when the market was still pretty strong and the supply was low here in California but oh well. I will just have to live with what I can get for it when I decide to sell it.

Where are you listing the car for sale?

[illirep]

I still defend my theory that prices haven't really fallen so much as the buyer dynamic has shifted to the younger and / or bargain hunting bunch. EAG would list this car for $18k and it would sell fast. They have the right captive audience. Listing the car here and e46f, I do not have that same set of eyes looking.

When this goes to ebay and autotrader, the price will be raised accordingly.

[zhpnsnv]

I still defend my theory that prices haven't really fallen so much as the buyer dynamic has shifted to the younger and / or bargain hunting bunch. EAG would list this car for $18k and it would sell fast. They have the right captive audience. Listing the car here and e46f, I do not have that same set of eyes looking.

When this goes to ebay and autotrader, the price will be raised accordingly.

You're competing against at least two other AW cars (and who knows how many on the big sites). Even so, yours has the lowest miles, the most maintenance, and (to me) the best interior. Not to mention the price is right on (or at least it was right on, now it's low!).

When the buyer dynamic changes, I feel like that is the market changing. What's the market besides what the actual buyers are willing to pay? Using the tire kickers and EAG might get us there, but they're both extremes -- so maybe in the middle? EAG represents the market for one type of buyer, a type who is quite rare. Good for them for the prices they get. Too bad for us their prices don't mean anything for the rest of the world.

[JupiterBMW]

I think it's fair to say that my car poses no threat/competition to Bill's sale. I've priced it way high so that only the most determined/dedicated buyers will take it from me. Bill is appropriate for the market, which HAS fallen. If the market hadn't fallen that other car in California would've sold almost instantly. His price is very low for the combo, condition and miles. While I'm sure Bill's car is cleanest, alcantara is more common and therefore won't command as high of a price.

I think Bill is priced right, I just agree, the market has slipped to younger folks, and that means people searching strictly by price. It's unfortunate because cars like this (and mine) just won't sell for what they're worth.

[zhpnsnv]

I think it's fair to say that my car poses no threat/competition to Bill's sale. I've priced it way high so that only the most determined/dedicated buyers will take it from me. Bill is appropriate for the market, which HAS fallen. If the market hadn't fallen that other car in California would've sold almost instantly. His price is very low for the combo, condition and miles. While I'm sure Bill's car is cleanest, alcantara is more common and therefore won't command as high of a price.

I think Bill is priced right, I just agree, the market has slipped to younger folks, and that means people searching strictly by price. It's unfortunate because cars like this (and mine) just won't sell for what they're worth.

Agreed. Either that or they just won't sell.

[illirep]

I'm assuming there is a reason why a clean Alpine White / Natural Brown sedan, with reasonable mileage and navigation is priced at $10,500. When it is too good to be true, it usually is just that. Assuming clean title and NO preventative maintenance, that car is still worth at least $13k - $14k just on color combination. The typical 19 year old shopping with his parents' money is not the buyer, but there is certainly a buyer for it at that price.

I HIGHLY doubt that seller is just unaware of what the car is worth.

Most importantly, whatever the cause of this particular car's price may be, it is an anomaly, having absolutely zero impact on where I price my car and what it will ultimately sell for.

[wrigleybm3]

GLWS- My favorite color on the exterior, even if I do enjoy my Imola. Don't take any lowball offers, stick to your guns and sell it for what it is worth.

[LivesNearCostco]

Well I can't find the ad for that California one, so maybe he did underprice it for whatever reason and sold it already. The ad for the silver ZHP with 200K miles at $7000 (or $6500 on E46fanatics) is also gone.

[ELCID86]

Well I can't find the ad for that California one, so maybe he did underprice it for whatever reason and sold it already. The ad for the silver ZHP with 200K miles at $7000 (or $6500 on E46fanatics) is also gone.
CL link is dead. Probably sold

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?13747-Alpine-White-NB-6-MT-10-500

[pilotnick1203]

Yeah, sad to see the market for ZHPs and e46s in general to have fallen so far in the past few years. Its funny because I keep seeing articles in the news about how used car prices are not budging from historic highs. Not our cars. Maybe its the fact that these cars are just getting older in general and the "older german car" curse is front and center in people's minds. I bought mine when the market was still pretty strong and the supply was low here in California but oh well. I will just have to live with what I can get for it when I decide to sell it.

Where are you listing the car for sale?
Good for me! When I get another car way down the road it will be a ZHP or E39 M5!

[JupiterBMW]

Bump, this car should be sold already...

[illirep]

I sadly watched this car drive away yesterday. It went to another ZHPmafia member / BMW enthusiast. I hope to see her posted on here.

I'll continue to update my e30 M3 project thread, when I find time to work on it.

I'm sure there is another ZHP in my near future, as soon as I get bored of the 535i sport, which is bound to happen (damn sport auto transmission!).

[az3579]

I sadly watched this car drive away yesterday. It went to another ZHPmafia member / BMW enthusiast. I hope to see her posted on here.

I'll continue to update my e30 M3 project thread, when I find time to work on it.

I'm sure there is another ZHP in my near future, as soon as I get bored of the 535i sport, which is bound to happen (damn sport auto transmission!).

Spill the beans... who was it? :)

[mbeckel]

I sadly watched this car drive away yesterday. It went to another ZHPmafia member / BMW enthusiast. I hope to see her posted on here.

I'll continue to update my e30 M3 project thread, when I find time to work on it.

I'm sure there is another ZHP in my near future, as soon as I get bored of the 535i sport, which is bound to happen (damn sport auto transmission!).
If that happens, mine will be around if you want it in the future. I'd only sell it to someone who will care for it as much as I would.

[Vas]

Spill the beans... who was it? :)

Yeah who bought it.

[spatchel]

I have not been paying attention to this thread; I have been out driving around in my new car. I like the car and it was great to talk with another enthusiast! I have 4 BMWs now which is ridiculous. There will be some pictures at a later time.

[az3579]

I have not been paying attention to this thread; I have been out driving around in my new car. I like the car and it was great to talk with another enthusiast! I have 4 BMWs now which is ridiculous. There will be some pictures at a later time.


Caught red handed!
Congrats on the purchase. :thumbsup

[ELCID86]

Congrats to both of y'all.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.