Description
2002 BMW 330i SE automatic, four door saloon, dark blue with cream leather. 151,828 miles, MOT until 6th March, four previous keepers, road tax 445 a year.
This was my dad's car. He has given up his licence, which is the only reason it is for sale.
The history is what makes this one worth a look. It has been serviced throughout its life by Autobahn in Hexham, German car specialists since 1989, and the man who owns Autobahn is the person my dad bought it from. The garage that has maintained this car for years also used to own it. They still hold their notes and the new owner is welcome to all of them.
The 3.0 litre M54 straight six is the engine to have, 231bhp, smooth all the way round the dial and one of the best sounding sixes BMW ever built. With the five speed Steptronic automatic it is a genuinely relaxed car over distance, and there is a manual gate if you want to change yourself. It starts on the button and pulls cleanly.
SE specification, so cream leather, wood and silver trim, alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors. Detachable flange ball tow bar with a 7 pin socket, fitted years ago for my dad's work and only ever used with small trailers, never a caravan or anything heavy. Two keys and the dashcam are included.
Three things you should know before you travel.
The engine management light is on. It is a lambda sensor on the exhaust, a known and long standing fault that Autobahn have identified, and it will need a new sensor to clear it permanently. It has never affected the way the car starts, runs or drives, but it is there and it will need attention before the next MOT.
The air conditioning does not blow cold. It may only want a regas, although I have not had it investigated so I am not going to promise that.
The cream leather shows its age. No rips or splits, the driver's seat has the creasing you would expect after twenty four years, and the rear seats are in good order.
Otherwise the car is straight and solid, no dents and no accident damage. There is a small rust blister on the sill below the door and some paint loss where the sill meets the front wheel arch, both photographed so you can see exactly what you are getting rather than take my word for it.
The mileage is high, but these are motorway miles on a car looked after by people who knew it inside out.
Viewing very welcome in Sedgefield, County Durham. Bring someone who knows these cars if you would like to, I would rather you were confident than quick.