Description
If you’re the kind of person who isn’t prepared to pay ridiculous prices for the “halo” models or someone who prefers a more subtle approach to performance cars then this car needs no introduction.
The no holds barred M3 might steal the headlines but the M54 powered 330i is the perfect alternative. Developed at a time when technology was used to enhance the driver’s experience rather than diluting it with “nanny” add ons.
This particular car is a 2003 model, first registered on 14th August 2003. I am owner number 4 and I acquired the car in February 2016. The car left the factory on the 24th of July 2003 and is officially Mystic blue metallic (A07) with a beige interior. The following are highlights of the build sheet;
226 sports suspension
338 M sports package
481 sports seats
522 xenon lights
524 adaptive headlights
710 M leather steering wheel
716 M aerodynamics package
210 dynamic stability control
The car has a full service history, BMW main dealer, one non franchise and during my ownership independent BMW and self servicing. I acquired the vehicle with 86500 miles and it’s now showing just over 103000. I have a folder full of service records and receipts for work carried out myself. The airbag recall was done in 2017. The “sealed for life “ gearbox was serviced in 2018.
Also in 2018, I had the car resprayed, it started out as replacement front wings due to rust but we decided to just do the whole car. Since then, the car has been dry stored in the winter hence the beautiful condition of the paint. The previous owner told me that the roof had been replaced, there is no evidence in the file but the roof fabric is in good condition, and crucially, no leaks. There is one piece of evidence of previous leaks in the form of rust around the rear speaker grill.
Although I have only used the car in summer I have undersealed it every year since 2020 with Lanoguard.
Any essential maintenance has been carried out.
The car just passed its MOT with no advisories.
The car is in excellent condition for its age but it is a 21 year piece of machinery and has a few minor issues that a new owner may wish to address.
On my to do list is the following;
Refurb the alloys, they were done in 2018 in a darker shade than factory supplied. They need attention, not desperately, but I was planning to redo them to factory colour.
The fabric roof could do with a re-dye, my neighbour has a sparrow colony in her jungle and that has resulted in some bleaching of the fabric.
The CD player is broken and there is a loose wire to the driver’s side speakers. I have been listening to my phone through a Bluetooth adapter.
There is some damage to the rear of the front passenger seat, minor but irritating.
On the plus side, the rest of the car is excellent for a vehicle of this age. I have had a bit of a love affair with the 3 series since I drove a six cylinder model in the mid 80’s. I couldn’t believe how smooth it was and vowed to get one. I had various six cylinder 5 series E39’s but it took me 30 years to get a 3 series. It was worth the wait. By the time I bought it BMW had moved onto the E46 and the M54 engine and they nailed it. It’s my favourite engine of any car I have owned and has proved to be extremely reliable. The power delivery is so smooth and combined with the sport’s suspension (exclusive to the convertible) makes for a superb combination. The sports seats are also extremely comfortable and the car is good for longer distances as well.
I am only selling the car because I now have a dog and I am not comfortable driving around with him in a convertible. As you can see from the MOT history I have only covered 5000 miles in three years.
Any inspection welcome and happy to chat to you, all questions will be answered honestly.
1 I will not respond to the following
2 How low can you go?
3 I am an engineer on a Baltic oil rig
4 I agree to your terms and conditions I will send my representative
5 Any text with the word “mate”
Please send more photos
Apart from those conditions I am very approachable
