2001 BMW 330Ci Coupe - Sports Package, Very Clean, w/ Extras

2001 BMW 3-Series Description

Thanks for checking out my car. This is my second vehicle, and I’ve decided that I’d like to simplify life and just have one vehicle in the driveway. This has been a fantastic car that has never let me down and never failed to put a smile on my face while driving it. I’ve maintained it very well over the past 8 years/40k miles of ownership. I hate to sell it, but I have made my decision, and this is the car that goes on the auction block.

This is my 2001 BMW 330Ci with 107,8xx miles on the clock. The exterior is Titan silver metallic, and the interior is black leather (not leatherette) with aluminum trim for that timeless look. It comes equipped with the sports package from BMW, known as ZSP. This package included a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a lower/tighter sport suspension, staggered M-badged style 68 wheels, and sport seats with adjustable thigh support and more aggressive side bolsters. The staggered 17x7.5 front and 17 x 8.5 rear M68 wheels have been replaced with a square setup from the E90 premium package, style 159, 17x8. These are wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDWs (225/45/ZR17). A proper 5-speed manual transmission (with CDV delete) is mated to the 3.0 liter M54B30 engine.

The car is completely stock except for the aforementioned wheels, clear indicators/sidemarkers from DEPO lighting, reverse/trunk-mounted lights (updated to facelift style), aluminum M-badged pedal covers (knock-offs from eBay that have held up really well!), and matte black kidney grilles. As with any 15 year old car, there are some minor appearance imperfections including small scratches, dents, and flaking paint. I have highlighted these to the best of my ability in the pictures. The paint is in excellent condition otherwise, and has held up very well for its age. The interior is also in great condition, but does have some appearance issues. The headliner is mint, however the A, B, & C pillars have started rejecting their fabric covering. This is a common issue with E46 models. There is a small separation in the driver’s side lower seat cushion. Other than that, normal wear for a 15 year old car.

On to the evidence that separates a BMW enthusiast from a BMW driver: maintenance! Preventative maintenance is key to any BMW outside the manufacturer’s warranty. All of the parts/fluids replaced have been preventative maintenance, with the exception of one of the very first issue I had (torn lower intake boot). In order, with mileage and/or dates, and repair shop if applicable:

WBABN53431JU20432

2001 BMW 330Ci, 5-speed manual

Silver over black leather w/ aluminum trim

March 2008 – 68,374 miles – purchased @ Burbank Auto Sales, Revere, MA

3/15/2008 – 68,493 miles – Oil change w/ Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic (Jiffy Lube)

6/5/2008 – 72,000 miles – four Nexen N7000 UHP tires (Town Fair Tire)

8/6/2008 – Four Bosch oxygen sensors, per-cat & post-cat (Quinns Auto)

8/26/2008 –Upper and lower intake boot/bellows, air filter, cabin microfilter

8/19/2008 – 77,900 miles – new windshield (JN Phillips)

8/20/2008 – 77,922 miles – Oil change w/ Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic (Jiffy Lube)

4/3/2009 – 81,179 miles – Oil change w/ Valvoline 5W40 synthetic (Valvoline)

4/9/2009 – 81,713 miles – Inspection pass

8/7/2009 – Zimmerman Z-coat brakes rotors (F&R), PBR Metal Master pads, sensors, brake bleed

9/19/2009 – Valve cover gasket, bolt gaskets, VANOS seals, expansion tank, upper & lower coolant hoses, water pump, coolant flush, lower coolant temperature sensor & o-ring, thermostat, A/C & drive belts, various parts for VANOS seals R&R (Tulley BMW)

10/13/2009 – A/C recharge (Firestone)

1/5/2010 – Air filter

5/2/2010 – Fuel filter, NGK speak plugs

5/4/2010 – 93,316 miles – Inspection pass

6/15/2010 – Front control arm bushings, Lemforder

7/17/2010 – Rear subframe inspection pass (BMW Shrewsbury)

9/26/2010 – Meyle HD front control arms, Meyle tie rods, Meyle HD sway bar links, new subframe bolts

11/3/2010 – Crack in wheel welded (RimPRO)

12/2010 – Noah car cover purchased

3/19/2011 – 96,000 miles – BF Goodrich G-Force KDW-2s

4/2011 – Leatherique treatment applied to interior leather

4/14/2011 – Four-wheel alignment (Concord Motorsport)

7/1/2011 – 97,344 miles – Inspection pass

4/2012 – Passenger seat occupancy sensor control module (eliminated ghost pass. airbag light)

5/5/2012 – VANOS/solenoid oil pipe & crush washers, lower intake boot

10/25/2012 – Blower motor resistor

11/14/2012 – Oil level sending unit

4/6/2013 – New windshield (JN Philips), new hood cowl cover/windshield wiper trim

10/28/2013 – Air filter, new expansion tank cap

5/22/2014 – Transmission rod/selector bolt

5/21/2014 – Fuel tank cap, fuel tank breather valve

6/13/2014 – 102,056 miles – Inspection pass

10/13/2014 – Front calipers replaced with rebuilt units, replaced rubber brake hoses from hard line to caliper, fluid flush with Super Blue racing brake fluid

4/6/2015 – 103,727 miles – Takata airbag recall, new front passenger airbag module installed

5/19/2015 – DISA o-ring replaced

7/7/2015 – 104,145 miles – Inspection pass

As mentioned, I have had zero problems with this car from the day I bought it. It has been extremely reliable and never left me stranded. I would not hesitate to drive this car across the country tomorrow. IF I were to be keeping the car, I would do the following:

1)1) Springs/shocks on all four corners. The original set up is getting tired.

2)2)Reinforcement plate and/or strut brace to correct shock tower “mushrooming”. Easy enough to do when replacing suspension. Not a serious issue, but should be addressed.

3)3)A/C diagnosis. Currently non-operative. It will hold a charge for a few months, but then doesn’t blow cold. Likely a small leak somewhere, which can be found with UV test.

4)4)Sunroof repair. The sunroof tilts up to the vent position and can close, but it will not fully open/retract. Another common issue on E46s. I have read it is most likely plastic debris caught in the tracks. The headliner must be removed to extract the debris.

5)5)Replace rear left lower trailing arm. It is bent slightly from a tow truck ratcheting it down. It’s been that way since I’ve had it- the BMW tech mentioned it to me last month during inspection.

6)6) Drive it. It’s a fun, cheap car with a ton of life left in it.

There is ZERO rust anywhere on the car. Quite rare for a northeast-based car. I have never driven this in salt, sand, snow or muddy conditions. It spends the winter months under a Noah car cover, with a full gas tank mixed with Sta-Bil, and the battery disconnected. It gets washed and waxed before and after winter hibernation, as well as at least twice a month during spring/summer/fall. It’s been clayed once a year for the last 6 of 8 years I’ve owned it with Meguiars clay bar kit. The interior gets wiped down with a damp microfiber towel frequently, and the leather cleaned/conditioned with Lexol. The interior has never seen Armor-All, as it will eventually dry out any vinyl/leather/plastic that it comes in contact with.

Included with the car is:

Noah car cover, purchased in 2011, in mint condition, with cable and Master lock

Full size style 68 spare in trunk

BMW oil bottle holder and kit in trunk

Floor mats (not pictured installed in the car- they are in the trunk)

Reflective sun protector

Service history from when I bought the car in 2008 until recently

Two (2) keys- one key fob and one valet key

Bentley service manual

Three (3) gallons genuine BMW coolant (blue color). One is from 2009, and the others from 2011- it’s your call if you want to use them or not, but they’re included.

Ten (10) quarts of Mobil One 0W-40 full synthetic motor oil

Two (2)+ quarts of Re Line D4 ATF Manual Trans fluid/power steering fluid

Two (2)+ quarts Red Line 75W-90 gear (differential) oil

Six (6) Hengst & Mahle oil filter kits (filter, drain plug crush washer, oil filter housing o-ring)

One (1) Mityvac 7000 oil evacuation system

One (1) Oil filter housing gasket

One (1) Hengst air filter

One (1) spare disa valve o-ring

Set of front brake rotors and pads, ~80%+ life left (left over when all four brakes were replaced with the Turner Motorsports kit)

Set of spare Continental belts – A/C and drive belt

Two (2) replacement roundels for hood

One (1) replacement wheel center cap

Please contact me if you are interested in checking out the car and going for a drive. I’m located in Hudson, MA 01749. I feel like the price is fair- I’m not a dreamer who wants $12k for a car that has a KBB value of $5k. However, I invite you to take a test drive and let me know what you value it at. I am hoping to sell this car soon. This car is listed for sale in a few locations, so it is “subject to prior sale”, if I am not able to remove the listing fast enough once it sells. Thanks again for looking!

Full 188 image gallery: (please copy and paste into your browser)

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/etan_atsim/library/330Ci