WTB '04-'05 Auto ZHP <=$10k

[89fiveo]

Trying to find a nice sporty, well maintained daily driver for my wife. I'm not looking for a project. I would like a reliable vehicle that feels new with only very minor blemishes due to age (I'm quite picky.) A good maintenance history is ideal. Appreciate any help finding one!

Year(s):'04-'05
Budget: <=$10k
Desired location of vehicle: Chicago/Indianapolis area
Desired Mileage:<100k preferred
Transmission type: Automatic
Desired number of Doors: 4
Desired Color exterior: All but Red or White. Silver Grey most desired
Desired Interior Color: All but Grey. Prefer leather over over Alcantara but would consider.
Desired Packages: Heated seats/ Xenon required, everything else bonus
Funds lined up? $5k cash in hand, approved for additional amount as loan

[Agincore]

First, you are a good man for selecting a ZHP for your wife. An excellent choice. Your parameters are tough but not necessarily impossible. IMHO, automatics seem easier to find and there are several currently on Craigslist. You can install the Craigslist Pro ap on any mobile device and search all cities at once. Search tempest, e46 fanatics and the usual car websites are good as well. You can choose the terms BMW 330i or even BMW zhp as your key search terms. Silver also seems to be a more popular color to find as well. You also may want to consider a larger geography for your search. All of these cars are over 10 years old and some have been exposed to more salt and snow than others. Consider a road trip with your wife for the right vehicle and certainly get a PPI before making any final decisions. There are some good resource threads on this topic as well as how to conduct your search. Also keep in mind that if you are looking on the lower end price point range, there may be additional work the vehicle will require to bring it up to a buyer's standards but may not necessarily fall within what the seller should be held responsible provided there has been full disclosure (eg paint nicks, rim road rash, alcantara recovering, etc.). Plan to keep a reserve of around 2k on the side for items you may wish to update over time. Be prepared to act promptly if you see something you like. These vehicles are not "rare" as some people try to market them as; however, you may miss out on something haggling over a particular price point vs. the time you will need to re invest for another search. GLWS
Agincore

[ELCID86]

Should be doable. Willing to travel/ship? GLW Hunt

[89fiveo]

Thanks for the info and tips agincore. I'll have to give that app a look. I'd prefer not having to travel too far but for the right deal who knows.

[ELCID86]

Get the Craigslist cplus app and set a search for multiple cities.

20830


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[ELCID86]

2005 BMW 330I SEDAN ZHP M-PKG **ALPINE WHITE**BBS WHEELS**NEW TIRES** 8450

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/5108992094.html


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[89fiveo]

That is nice, but she doesn't care for the car in white or red though.

[Simmsled]

There is an exact match in Merrillville, IN. BUT, its $12,500.

You will have to JUMP on anything that meets your criteria at less than 10k.

[NYRhockey]

There is an exact match in Merrillville, IN. BUT, its $12,500.

You will have to JUMP on anything that meets your criteria at less than 10k.

Quoted for truth. Finding a ZHP that "feels new with only very minor blemishes due to age" for less than $10K requires luck and a fast trigger

[Vas]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/5118862577.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-BMW-330i-M-Sedan-4-Door-3-0L-/171861812499?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Under 100k and $10k might be tough to find.

But here is one. Would you just look at that....

That is if you are willing to travel.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/ctd/5122247650.html

[89fiveo]

Funny you mention that one. My dad was driving to a dealership to look at that exact car for me and they sold it a couple of hours earlier to another dealership. Original dealership sold it for $7900....

[NYRhockey]

Funny you mention that one. My dad was driving to a dealership to look at that exact car for me and they sold it a couple of hours earlier to another dealership. Original dealership sold it for $7900....

i bought mine with 73K on it for $9,900 in FLA and had to get it shipped. The ad first posted on Friday, i called Saturday and first thing Monday i had a deposit on it. By noon that same day i got a call from the salesman who couldn't believe that in a couple of hours after i faxed in my signed copy for the deposit he had multiple offers for it.

Well cared for zhp's with less than 100K and $10K go fast, and mine has some chips and slight imperfections that the picky OP may not like.

[89fiveo]

Yeah they certainly go quick. I'm picky but think that it's doable with some patience and quick trigger finger. I'm in no rush, so it's no biggie waiting a bit.

[89fiveo]

Picking her up Saturday!

20866

[san]

Picking her up Saturday!

20866

Congrats!


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[Simmsled]

Details???

[Vas]

Is that the one from Chicago? Titanium Silver and black leather?

[89fiveo]

Thanks guys. Yeah, it's the one from Chicago. KM37043 in case you wanted to decode the VIN. Doesn't have cold weather but has NAV. 86K miles on the Odo. Automatic,Xenon, black cube.

[Simmsled]

Thanks guys. Yeah, it's the one from Chicago. KM37043 in case you wanted to decode the VIN. Doesn't have cold weather but has NAV. 86K miles on the Odo. Automatic,Xenon, black cube.

Awesome!
Congrats man. Is your wife going to join the 'family'?

[jiggz]

Congrats on your purchase. You were looking for my exact car, outside price (I should be able to get above 10K if selling).

If my wife was on the forums she'd have been kicking me to sell as she hates my car. But she's not online! Have fun with that ZHP!

[89fiveo]

I doubt she'll be logging into the forums Simmsled but I certainly will be. Have to read up on how to modernize and eventually freshen up her ride a bit. Getting nav updated, Bluetooth added, ensuring recalls have been taken care of, front license plate delete, minor side bolster re-dye and eventually cooling system and other common issues that crop up with these. Lots of reading to do.

[erikgara123]

This is my car for sale there is the Craigslist ad http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5135687388.html

[TheFinanceGuy]

This is my car for sale there is the Craigslist ad http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5135687388.html

He bought one already, just waiting on picking it up.

[NYRhockey]

This is my car for sale there is the Craigslist ad http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5135687388.html

check your miles on the ad, unless you're the first known zhp with over a million miles :)

[Benno]

For anyone looking for their first E46, +1 on being willing to travel and on the difficulty finding exactly what you want for less than $10k. I got something quite similar to the OP's ideal for well under $10k but it came with several minor cosmetic and a few very minor mechanical issues. I agree that on some deals a buyer needs to be ready to move quickly but patience worked out for my case. The previous owner mentioned some minor cosmetic blemishes so it took some time to figure out the extent of those plus arranging an inspection with a competent local shop. The tipping point for me came with the realization that I could handle most of the work myself and finding that he had a good maintenance history which included a cooling system overhaul.

For anyone looking for a deal don't expect that you'll end up with one of these at any price that's not going to need work at some point. In my opinion though it is worth it.

[89fiveo]

The car is s beautiful, and my wife loves it. First thing I did was take care of that neglected Alcantara wheel. Super clean otherwise. 209102091120912

[ELCID86]

The car is s beautiful, and my wife loves it. First thing I did was take care of that neglected Alcantara wheel. Super clean otherwise. 209102091120912

Nice work. Congrats.


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