After four years together, I recently sold my W124 Mercedes Benz.
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/204912/1985-mercedes-benz-w123-230e
I wanted another toy to keep my W123 Mercedes Benz and my MINI Cooper S company.
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/219162/2003-mini-cooper-r53
I wanted something with more power, preferably a six cylinder BMW but I considered various other cars.
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/222034/dream-car-5k-purchased-page
A couple of days ago I watched an old episode of Wheeler Dealers, the one with the BMW E46 M3. That was enough for me to know that I needed an E46 Coupe in my life.
A bit of searching on Auto Trader revealed this wonderful car, located 1 mile away from my house. Yes, that's right, the car was located walking distance from where I live. Fate?
The seller was a small time trader and an absolute gentleman. You couldn't wish for a nicer bloke. He got the car from another trader who took the E46 in part exchange and before selling he sorted out a few issues, including a couple of small rust bubbles, a worn driver's seat bolster and replacement gear lever. He sent me photographs of the defects, so I know exactly what has been done.
The car appealed to me as it is original and in excellent condition. Its only had 4 previous owners, the last of which, a doctor with a double barrel surname, had it for almost three years. The car came with a full service history and a lot of bills, including very recent bills for new brakes (2 calipers and all discs and pads) and various suspension bushes. The doctor spent thousands on the car over the past three years.
I always do a bit of internet stalking on the previous owners and it seems that the doctor is doing alright for himself. This is his Hertfordshire pad.
So, what have I bought? It's a 2005 (September) registered 325Ci Sport, in 5 speed manual flavour. Why a 325? I know. I wanted a 330 but this one was too good to miss. I drive like the chauffer from the Miss Daisy film nowadays anyway and the extra horsepower of the bigger six would be wasted on me. The car has clocked up just over 100k miles and apart from the tinted side repeaters, its completely standard, just the way I like it. Luckily, the original repeaters came with the car and will be re-fitted today.
The spec is just right. Silver with black leather is a great combo. Inside, the car has electric front seats and electric everything else. The only surprising feature is the rear parking sensors, which work a treat.
The car was well presented by the seller but I have plans to detail it, touch up a couple of small chips and stick it back in the garage and use it as another dry weather only toy (the same as my Mercedes Benz and MINI Cooper). The only real jobs that need doing are an oil change (the last service was done not many miles ago but 18 months ago) and the clutch, which bites ok and isn't slipping but needs renewal to bring the biting point down.
It's so pretty.
Apart from the peeling soft coatings on the central console (between the seats), the interior is in great condition.
I need to clean the underside of the bonnet, otherwise the engine bay doesn't need any work.
Apart from one small stain, which I hope will come out, the boot is mint.
Once I sorted out my insurance and tax, I popped up the road to fill the tank. Ouch.
The E46 will reside in the garage, next to my Cooper. As soon as the logbook comes through, I will stick my private plate on the E46 - G9PTC.
More soon.
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/204912/1985-mercedes-benz-w123-230e
I wanted another toy to keep my W123 Mercedes Benz and my MINI Cooper S company.
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/219162/2003-mini-cooper-r53
I wanted something with more power, preferably a six cylinder BMW but I considered various other cars.
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/222034/dream-car-5k-purchased-page
A couple of days ago I watched an old episode of Wheeler Dealers, the one with the BMW E46 M3. That was enough for me to know that I needed an E46 Coupe in my life.
A bit of searching on Auto Trader revealed this wonderful car, located 1 mile away from my house. Yes, that's right, the car was located walking distance from where I live. Fate?
The seller was a small time trader and an absolute gentleman. You couldn't wish for a nicer bloke. He got the car from another trader who took the E46 in part exchange and before selling he sorted out a few issues, including a couple of small rust bubbles, a worn driver's seat bolster and replacement gear lever. He sent me photographs of the defects, so I know exactly what has been done.
The car appealed to me as it is original and in excellent condition. Its only had 4 previous owners, the last of which, a doctor with a double barrel surname, had it for almost three years. The car came with a full service history and a lot of bills, including very recent bills for new brakes (2 calipers and all discs and pads) and various suspension bushes. The doctor spent thousands on the car over the past three years.
I always do a bit of internet stalking on the previous owners and it seems that the doctor is doing alright for himself. This is his Hertfordshire pad.
So, what have I bought? It's a 2005 (September) registered 325Ci Sport, in 5 speed manual flavour. Why a 325? I know. I wanted a 330 but this one was too good to miss. I drive like the chauffer from the Miss Daisy film nowadays anyway and the extra horsepower of the bigger six would be wasted on me. The car has clocked up just over 100k miles and apart from the tinted side repeaters, its completely standard, just the way I like it. Luckily, the original repeaters came with the car and will be re-fitted today.
The spec is just right. Silver with black leather is a great combo. Inside, the car has electric front seats and electric everything else. The only surprising feature is the rear parking sensors, which work a treat.
The car was well presented by the seller but I have plans to detail it, touch up a couple of small chips and stick it back in the garage and use it as another dry weather only toy (the same as my Mercedes Benz and MINI Cooper). The only real jobs that need doing are an oil change (the last service was done not many miles ago but 18 months ago) and the clutch, which bites ok and isn't slipping but needs renewal to bring the biting point down.
It's so pretty.
Apart from the peeling soft coatings on the central console (between the seats), the interior is in great condition.
I need to clean the underside of the bonnet, otherwise the engine bay doesn't need any work.
Apart from one small stain, which I hope will come out, the boot is mint.
Once I sorted out my insurance and tax, I popped up the road to fill the tank. Ouch.
The E46 will reside in the garage, next to my Cooper. As soon as the logbook comes through, I will stick my private plate on the E46 - G9PTC.
More soon.
