No Reserve: 2004 BMW 330Ci ZHP 6-Speed

[pedro2u]

Just posted!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-bmw-330i-zhp-36/?utm_source=transactionalemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bat_model_notification

[illirep]

That m3 front bumper will cost the seller $3k+. Looks like a great car however


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BMWCurves]

You do wonder why the M-Tech II bumpers get replaced with M3 bumpers. Did they crack the front bumper and decide to replace it with something else? Did they prefer to replace it purely because they thought it looked better? Do they hate their car?

[pedro2u]

so, for 13 years of ownership, does Florida not record mileage that can be reported on the CarFax? That seems like an eternity.... 1st recorded mileage after mile 4 is 105K and 13 years later? Is that how it works in Florida?

[fredo]

I like the owner's explanation why he is selling : "midlife crisis purchase that does not meet real life transportation needs for us."

[pedro2u]

that M3 bumper appears to have been on the car when he bought it. Found the car with 105K miles for sale at a dealer for $10,900 with the M3 bumper already installed

https://topcheapcar.com/car/Used-2004-BMW-3-Series-330Ci-for-Sale-in-Loganville-GA-WBABD534X4PD97948

[BMWCurves]

that M3 bumper appears to have been on the car when he bought it. Found the car with 105K miles for sale at a dealer for $10,900 with the M3 bumper already installed

https://topcheapcar.com/car/Used-2004-BMW-3-Series-330Ci-for-Sale-in-Loganville-GA-WBABD534X4PD97948

Nice investigative work. Still doesn't explain what drives someone to slap an M3 bumper on a ZHP.

[fredo]

Someone test drove the car recently and posted these comments in BaT:

"I’ll chime in as I checked this car out recently when it was posted on Craigslist a month ago. When we met, the seller mentioned that the car had “good bones”. I would agree. It drove fine without rattles or any noticeable suspension needs. Drove straight and did the same under braking. Clutch felt fine and it shifted as it should. On mechanical condition, the car seemed really solid. Seller had receipts for all work done by a local BMW dealer

The cosmetics were the issue for me. Here’s what I recall:

1. The pass rear quarter has been painted and there is primer visible in the pass side door jamb.
2. Has some of the typical pillar cloth peeling
3. Center armrest is broken internally…very loose
4. Both bumpers have been painted and the shade of paint is off a bit
5. Due to having the M3 front bumper, the front fender liners don’t line up correctly. Car either needs the ZHP bumper installed or the M3 fender liners put in place.
6. Same goes for the front bumper vent tubes next to the fog lights. They don’t line up quite right due to differences in the bumpers
7. I didn’t notice paint fade on the side, but the paint on the hood and trunk lid is lacking in sheen…bit sun baked
8. The parking brake needs adjustment. It pulls almost to full vertical.
9. Wheels weren’t all curbed up like many of these cars have
10. Heat worked and AC compressor kicked on. Cold day so I can’t say how effective the AC is.
11. Rear interior side panels were both loose…I suppose they just need clips replaced?

If you are looking for a fun economical ZHP, this car “should” fit that bill. If you require everything be OEM, this may not be the best choice. I did not make an offer on the car although I’m still interested. I lean more towards the sedans (have 2 little guys riding in back most of the time)."

[pedro2u]

I'm still bothered by the 13 years with no recorded mileage or service since the day it was new? How is that possible? A dealer would have been recording the warranty services at least

It then appears after 13 years in hiding with an M3 bumper, and no service history?

Then... gets registered in Georgia for 14 months where it gets driven only 800 miles?
Then... gets registered in Missouri for 6 months and vroom......suddenly it gets driven 6,000 miles to it's current mileage

just needs some " s'plainin" for my tastes. There's got to be more here

[wstr75]

Reading this thread tells me I'm just going to bend over and take it when the day comes to part with my ZHP. I am the fourth owner. I did not keep most of the receipts for the work done (more then $10K of expenses since 2015. Although I could probably go to the two indys and get print outs). We recently damaged the front bumper when it hooked over a parking stop at a new restaurant here in town. My body shop guy said 15 years of similar, but lesser actions have made it a no go on repairing the front bumper so we bought what is supposedly a replacement but it does not have the cut-outs for the reflectors that ZHP coupes/verts have. It is at the body shop now. My wheels are curbed in places, the normal minor curbing. The car has 122K miles. Yada, yada, yada, etc.

I've got the wherewithal to simply give the car to a deserving party at a really low valuation and that is likely what I'll do one day in the next year because rather than have someone chirping at me about some freaking detail that's wrong about this 15 year-old, high mileage vehicle, I'd rather have no chirping and see a happy smiling face instead. I'll eventually take the step of walking away from my sweet ZHP simply because we have too many cars, I'm getting older, distractions (my ZHP is a distraction because there is usually something that requires attention every month or so) are really costly for a person in my situation and, besides, it was a good trip getting to know the BMW world through the purchase of a 107K mile ZHP convertible in early 2015.

Summary: I do respect folks who desire pristine cars with low miles, all original everything, all records, all doubts removed, yada, yada, yada, etc. They are on one side of the proverbial bell curve and I'm on the other side of the bell curve with the folks who are ok with pretty darn good but not perfect. This next comment is likely going to be like finger nails being pulled across a brick to many: I actually am relieved when our new car gets its first scratch or blemish because perfection is then no longer available. It is mentally freeing to me when that happens. Ca la vie. Different strokes for different folks. I usually buy used cars rather than new cars because they already have the scratches and they already have had the big depreciation hit. You know the routine.

[pedro2u]

I understand and agree with everything you've said...... There's nothing wrong with owning any car and using it as your daily driver. I'm an old man and I've had many. I sold my 2002 745i this spring with 230K miles on it and it was a tired ride, but I still loved driving it. It was no show car.....

And I have a 2006 Ford Escape with 185K miles and its far from pristine..... but I enjoy it for what I use it for.....

My comments are focused on cars that are represented as pristine, typical of the cars I often expect on BringaTrailer. So when one comes up on BaT, I expect the bar to be set higher. And scrutiny should be expected to confirm it's worthy of the praise. If the seller is forthright and brings an honest representation in advance of whatever he's selling (good or bad), the marketplace appreciates that - that's my kind of seller, and the sell price tells the real value of the car

[wstr75]

Pete, thanks for this information. You and I are on the same page. We are also seeing things the same way regarding the folks on BaT bending the truth or, worse, flagrantly committing what appears to be fraud with auto road odometer mileages. Curious, did you sell your 745i to an individual or to a dealer? Was the low mileage car you recently purchased the replacement for the 745i?

Speaking of older cars, this link gets into all the data our newer cars are collecting and sending out to the cloud about us owners. The ending section wraps up saying the tech guy hacking the car drives a 1992 car and alludes to how it does not collect data. Our ZHPs are old enough to be "personal stealth" rides.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/12/17/what-does-your-car-know-about-you-we-hacked-chevy-find-out/

[pedro2u]

wow, interesting read on the data cars are collecting on us... thanks for sharing

I sold my 2002 745i to a private party for $1,000. It still ran great, but was leaking transmission fluid and the repair would cost more than it was worth. And I told that to the buyer..... For me, I knew that if the next problem with that car caused it not to run, I wouldn't even be able to sell it... Great car and it served me well

I've been a car guy my entire life, and the low mileage 2008 E92 with 18K miles was purchased just because I couldn't not buy it..... It was irresistible! The seller had listed it poorly on Craigslist and got no attention, and when I finally contacted him and saw the car, I realized what a steal this was. Ended up just being a dirty beautiful car with no miles on it - that I'm proud to own. I changed it's look a bit, added 19" M wheels and sport seats and made it mine.... I'm almost 70, but this car brings out the kid in me. And it is deservingly sitting in storage for the winter with my ZHP

[bandwagn]

Reading this thread tells me I'm just going to bend over and take it when the day comes to part with my ZHP.

Not everyone has a garage queen with a binder full of maintenance records. The internet can be a double edged sword when it comes to these things - the research helps one become an informed buyer and make the right choice for them.

Enjoy the car and worry about resale if the time comes.

[racer2086]

Yeah, I expect a lot more for things on BaT, which is also why I feel like the prices go for higher.

FL has no inspections, so there is no mileage recording. If taken in for service, the mileage may be recorded and then whether that gets reported further so carfax can dredge it up is another question.

[fredo]

Current bid is $6,400. Auction ends today at 3.25 PM CST.

[fredo]

Sold for $8,500. :roundel