2003 BMW 325i - $3500 OBRO - M/TA (Delaware)

SOLD!  Thanks.

Mine / totally affiliated.  Located in northern Delaware, near the DE Memorial Bridge / I-95, about 45 minutes from PHL or slightly farther from BWI.

Offered for sale is my 2003 BMW 325i sedan:

• 5-speed manual
• Sport (ZSP) Package
• Cold Weather Package
• Mystik Blau exterior / Grey leather interior
• Sunroof
• 128,000 miles

The Good:

• It's not black or grey
• No known rust or subframe issues
• Never wrecked
• Bi-xenon HID lights - OE option, nice and bright, with self-levelers
• All the pixels work - in fact, everything works (with some minor exceptions  - see the Bad below)
• A/C is ice cold and seat heaters feel like a hot stone treatment
• Engine, transmission, clutch, and differential all run strong - no noises or grinding
• Mobil1 or Rotella T6 synthetic oil in engine, Redline fluids in trans and diff
• 25+/- mpg all day long in mixed driving
• (4) Borbet Type E 17x8 wheels with serviceable Conti DW tires (shown)
• (5) BMW Style 96 17x8 wheels - (4) with serviceable Michelin Alpin snow tires, (1) as spare
• ACS-knockoff roof and decklid spoilers
• New overflow tank and thermostat (I have the parts; I will install or negotiate down slightly if you want to do it)
• (2) new window regulators - others are good
• Super trick billet adjustable clutch stop
• Comes with an airbag / service light reset tool
• Takata airbag recall has been performed on both driver and passenger sides
• BMW front license plate delete trim - license plate trim also included

The Bad:

• It's a 14-year-old E46 with almost 130,000 miles on it
• It needs the rest of the typical cooling system refresh (preventative only; it's never overheated)
• The remote doesn't work (the rechargeable battery is dead) - new key remote is about $150 from dealer, but I have to walk to the car to get into it anyway
• The audio on/off button doesn't work - I usually just turn volume to zero
• The radio and the rear defroster can both be used, just not at the same time because of RF interference from the defroster grid
• It leaks a little oil, probably from the filter housing neck o-ring - it doesn't spot the driveway, but smokes a little from under the hood on warmup until the drips burn off (this usually goes away after 10 minutes of driving when parked overnight; slightly longer if the car has been sitting a few days)
• Given its age and manufacturer, it could probably stand a valve cover gasket and/or VANOS seals

The Ugly:

• It's been parked outside all its life, and the paint is a little tired - should buff out, mostly
• I hit a deer about 4 years ago - 98% of the impact was on the windshield, but the hood has a few wrinkles where she slid across it, and I replaced the driver's side kidney insert with an aftermarket bit from Pelican
• Various other dings, but nothing major
• Minor curb rash on a few wheels, and the polished rims of the Borbet wheels could use refinishing if you care
• Interior is showing typical wear
• The headliner and pillar fabric are loose

I bought this car in spring 2006 as a CPO 30-month lease return with 23,000 miles on it.  Overall, I have loved owning this car, and it has given very little trouble.  It's easy to work on, but has had no major breakdowns ever.  I learned how to autocross in it and it has carried me to work every day without fail.  It's the easiest manual transmission car to drive smoothly that I have ever owned.  The Sport package seats are comfortable, supportive, and very adjustable.  It's a fantastic daily driver that just needs some refreshing to be good for another 75,000 miles or more.

The only reason I'm not making that commitment is that I already own my wife's recently-replaced 2004 TSX, which has half the mileage on it.  Strategically it made the most sense to buy her a new car this year, and tactically it makes the most sense to keep the Acura rather than the BMW.  But for somebody who will invest a little money and a weekend in this car, it will be a fun driver.

It's going on CL at a little higher price, but I'd rather keep it in the GRM family and so I can stay in touch with it.  I hope that Curtis73 and jthw8 will tell you that I'm honest and fair in how I represent and price my cars for sale.  If you've got any questions or want more pics, please feel free to ask.  Thanks!

Flickr album

I am kinda interested.  Will talk with wifey. Parents live about 1.5 hours from you. 

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :

Not in a real hurry. Get your thoughts together and let me know. 

Also, depending on where they live and what is interesting around there, we can talk about delivery or meeting in the middle. 

Kid needs hernia surgery and oral surgery so my play money pool is diminished.  Good luck. 

I'm sorry to hear that, man!  I hope everything goes well for the little one.

In reply to Duke :

Thanks.  He's alright just minor stuff but it all adds up. 

Been looking for an E46 for a while....but was sort of holding out for a clean 330i for the 6spd and moar powers.  

That being said, I live all of about 5 min from you :P.  Would love to take a look and see what the differences are.  If you're around this weekend I'm happy to buy you a beer at Stewart's for your trouble...or I can offer a complimentary test drive in something you may not have gotten to drive before:

This is a very good deal. 

In reply to Flynlow :

I can’t see the pic, unfortunately. Saturday I am tied up, but Sunday I’m planning on replacing the starter on the TSX. You’re welcome to drop by and have a drive in the BMW and/or the Manic Miata. 

In reply to Slippery :

Thanks!

 I hope that Curtis73 and jthw8 will tell you that I'm honest and fair in how I represent and price my cars for sale.

 Done and done.  Duke was incredibly accurate with the LeMans I bought from him.  He also makes a wicked cup of coffee.

And now that I'm half-heartedly looking for another car, I'm looking at this one.

Hmmmm.....

So does it have an LSD with the sport package?

Jaynen said:

So does it have an LSD with the sport package

Unfortunately, no.  BMW stopped putting LSDs in anything but M-cars for the E46 and later.  Some of the major BMW aftermarket vendors have LSD inserts or other options available.  Swapping to the BMW M-car LSD  requires a bit of work and extensive parts changes.

curtis73 said:

 I hope that Curtis73 and jthw8 will tell you that I'm honest and fair in how I represent and price my cars for sale.

 Done and done.  Duke was incredibly accurate with the LeMans I bought from him.  He also makes a wicked cup of coffee.

And now that I'm half-heartedly looking for another car, I'm looking at this one.

Hmmmm.....

I'd be glad to make it 2 for 2 with you.  Let me know if you want any details or closeup pics.  You can also contact Flynlow directly to ask about it.  He came by to drive it on Sunday, but it may or may not be what he's looking for.

One other item - it's had the Takata airbag replacement recall done for both the driver and passenger sides.

Duke said:

Jaynen said:

So does it have an LSD with the sport package

Unfortunately, no.  BMW stopped putting LSDs in anything but M-cars for the E46 and later.  Some of the major BMW aftermarket vendors have LSD inserts or other options available.  Swapping to the BMW M-car LSD  requires a bit of work and extensive parts changes.

If there is aftermarket support thats cool. It's probably better off becoming someones road car to love than beat to death as a track car anyway hehe

Mystic is such a pretty color on the E46's lines. Makes me a little sad about my boring silver!

That looks to be an aftermarket caliper peering out from behind the spokes of the rear wheel?

The Style 96 wheel pic is actually just hotlinked from somebody, though it happens to be the right color car. Brakes on my car are OE all round except for Akebono pads and Brembo replacement rotors. 

Chiming in now that I have my laptop and don't have to try and use the smartphone...

I got to meet Duke and drive the car on Sunday, and it appears to be in excellent shape.  No noises, pulling, suspension, steering or brake issues.  Car was dead quiet on the test drive, and appears to be in great shape.  Could use a quick detailing, but so could most of my cars .  Seller is a very nice guy, and the ad covers the details pretty well.  You should go drive it!

If I was just looking for a 4 door sedan daily, I would probably have bought it already.  As it is, I had been looking for 330's, and haven't made up my mind yet about going for a 325, still trying to decide!

Thanks, Flynlow, I appreciate the comments.  It was a hoot to get to drive your Cappucino, as well - thanks for bringing it over.  I still want to see you autocross it with us next spring.

I'll add that it is registered in Delaware through March of 2018.

My insurance on it expires on 24 October and while I can easily extend that, I'm mildly motivated to not have to.

It's on Craigslist at $3900. 15 minutes in and I've already gotten my first scammer. Somebody buy this.

You should try both bimmerforums and e46fanatics. 

I wish my son was 3 years older, I would buy it for him in a heartbeat. 

And, sold!  Kid and his dad came to see it, spent an hour crawling all over it, and drove it home. I’m gonna miss this car. 

Congrats!  Not surprised at all, it was a nice car.  Glad it sold quick.