2004 BMW 330xi

If you haven’t been following the E46 market, it’s increasingly becoming more expensive to get into a clean M3. As the M3 has crept up, so too has the “ZHP tax” set in on the sporty brother of the M3. So are there still bargains to be had in the E46 world? Yes, there sure are.

It’s possible to find well-cared for cars that seem to shrug off their mileage much better than their predecessors, and today’s 2004 330xi is a great example of that. Although it’s got the best part of 200,000 miles on the odometer, you wouldn’t know it looking at it from any angle. And the seller has gone through some extensive maintenance to make sure you don’t have to. What you’re left with is a great looking, well-equipped all-wheel drive sedan for a budget price:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2004 BMW 330xi on Cars.com

Year: 2004
Model: 330xi
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 182,735 mi
Price: $5,000

Essentials:
2004 BMW 330XI
Oxford Metallic Green
Natural Brown Montana Leather
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Chassis: WBAEW53484PN35474
182,735 Miles Shown
3.0 M54B30 Straight-Six
5-Speed Automatic w/ manual shifting modes
Clean CarFax
Service records
Clear & Clean Virginia Title

This 2004 BMW E46 330xi is finished in Oxford Green Metallic over the rare Natural Brown Montana Leather and is equipped with the Cold Weather, Premium, and Sport package. This well-optioned example was leased from new and subsequently purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle by the previous owner out of Virginia. A clean Virginia title, Service records, Owner’s books, Original Keys, a CarFax report [Clean AutoCheck Report], and a new spare matching Continental Pure Contact tire are included. The car has been driven approximately 35k of its 183k indicated miles since it was acquired by myself in January 2017. Up-to-date service records include a successful inspection in February 2018 and a simultaneous replacement of the rear driveshaft. The car has received a full detail this July, and an oil change less than 1K miles ago. All recalls have been completed and the vehicle is up to date. Driver’s side airbag recall was completed in January of 2017 along with the passengers airbag recall in July of 2015. I have BMW service records dating back since new and all original new car warranty repairs that had taken place. I work for BMW at a certified dealership, which has allowed me to maintain this excellent machine with factory servicing equipment, genuine parts, genuine fluids, and special tools. I’ve wanted to be as clear as possible about any flaws found in the car and I’ve pointed them out below in the photos. If you have any questions, feel free to email me and I’ll be happy to get back to you as soon as possible. I’m willing to have any additional flaws addressed before the sale to ensure a happy transition.

Included in the sale of the vehicle are as follows:

Two fully functioning Master keys
One plastic valet Key
Owner’s Manuals [including the radio serial number card]
All servicing documentation
Five new and matching Continental PureContact [one as a spare]
One emergency tire air pump [powered by the cigarette lighter port]

New spare parts included in sale (uninstalled) [receipt included]:

BMW Genuine Inspection II Service Kit
Meyle Heavy Duty Front End Link – Left & Right (Includes hardware – featuring a four year warranty)
Ziza Master LED Interior Lighting Kit – Sedan
ECS BMW E46 Lip Spoiler
PowerFlex Performance Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushing Set
PowerFlex Performance Polyurethane Rear Sway Bar Bushing Set

Upon purchasing in January of 2017 several preventative measures were taken.
Preventative & corrective maintenance performed at 150K miles [using all genuine BMW parts and fluids]:

Coolant water pump
Thermostat
Five [one as a spare] – Continental Pure Contact Tires
Coolant flush
New genuine BMW battery
Starter Motor
Oil filter housing gasket
Oil VANOS Line
Upper intake boot
A/C Service [evacuation & recharge]
Fuel Filter & Pressure regulator
Coolant expansion tank
Coolant expansion tank cap
Front and rear differential fluid service
Front Differential output shaft seals
Transfer case fluid service
Replacement of all outer CV boots (both front and rear)
Inspection II service (oil change [5W-30], spark plugs, cabin air filter, engine air filter)
Power steering fluid flush
Brake fluid flush [BMW DOT4]
Resurfacing of headlight lenses
DISA Valve
Carbon charcoal canister & fuel tank vent valve
BMW fuel injection service & flush (for treatment of carbon build up)
Complete valve cover gasket replacement
Drivers door window regulator
Replacement of all door vapor barriers
Replacement of windshield lower cowling
New license plate bracket for the rear & new machine screws
Full detail
New fuel tank gas cap
Hood and Trunk BMW Emblems
4-Wheeled Alignment
VA State Inspection
Genuine Mud flap retrofit kit
Hood & Trunk shocks
Genuine Aux-port retrofit kit
New rear view mirror
Passengers seat occupancy sensor mat

Within the past 2K miles:

Front brake rotors
Front brake pads
Front brake pad wear sensor
Headlight washer fluid pump
Rear license plate light and button grip assembly [unpainted]

Within the past 1K miles:

Oil Service completed [5W-30]
Full Detail

I peruse my local ads daily, and it’s not hard to find a 330 for around $5,000. However, none of them look like this, and none of them have the history of this car. The combination of Oxford Green Metallic (430) and Natural Brown leather (N6NG) is also a great one, and the combination of packages applied to this car make it pretty unique. The Style 98s look great and I really like the subtle addition of the factory mudflaps. But beyond great condition displayed outside, it’s the preventative maintenance undertaken by the seller which really makes this 330xi stand apart. It’s not something you really ever see on these cars, as like the E36 they usually appear clapped out and with a lengthy list of needs. The aluminum block M54 is good for 230 horsepower and have proven very durable if properly maintained. While it’s true that the M54 hooked to an automatic and driving all four wheels won’t match the sportier models in the lineup for performance, this is still a lovely example of a very nice sedan with an impeccable history for a budget price.

-Carter