Another BMW E46 Sport Wagon!

In 2010 Jo and I bought a 2004 BMW 325XI Sport Wagon, or an E46 325XIT (Touring) in BMW speak.  I searched long and hard for a post-facelift with a manual for a good price.  I found it from a BMW enthusiast in Kansas City.  He had followed Mike Miller's Old School Maintenance Schedule, which is critical for any modern BMW to last beyond 100,000 miles.  It was a great car which we enjoyed on several road trips through both the winter and summer.  Unfortunately, when we came up a few grand short for our wedding, the car was the only option to make up the difference.  We replaced it with the Element and not nearly as much wedding cash as we would have liked.

Our Old Sport Wagon

Fast forward two years and Jo was sick of the Element.  I had grown to love it, especially as a hang gliding retrieve vehicle and mobile home in far away states.  The daily drive to Aurora had soured Jo on the "E", though so we started looking for another option.  I briefly went down the road of pursuing a 7th generation Honda Civic SI Hatchback.  It would be a super fun car, but the gas mileage wasn't quite high enough to sway me (or more importantly -- Jo).  The only other option was another E46 wagon.  Jo preferred it be an automatic, which meant it would have to be a later non-GM sourced auto transmission.  The search began and after wading through high mileage, non properly maintained, over priced options that a hand full of local dealers had I found the one.  It was a BMW Car Club member's car who religiously followed the Old School Maintenance Schedule.  His stack of receipts was impressive and proof that the most important factor in buying a used BMW is the owner.

The seller was a couple states away, but the premium of buying his car was worth the journey.  The specs are: 2003 BMW 325XI Sport Wagon, 86,000 miles Titanium Silver over Black / Brushed Aluminum interior, Cold Wx Package, Xenon Headlights, 17" Sport Wheels, 16" Winter Wheels w/ Blizzaks.  Other then the few options, the car was devoid of troublesome, weight adding, BMW luxury items.  It has manual seats, manual lights, manual wipers, etc.  When we landed in Moline, IL, the car was super clean and passed my thorough pre-purchase inspection without a hitch.  We closed the deal and headed back to Denver with no tags!  I figured that with the title, proof of insurance and a bill of sale I could probably talk my way out of being stopped.  Luck was on our side through, and we made it home the next day with no trouble.  As a bonus, on the way we bumped into Lee, who was on a Des Moines overnight, and had dinner.

Waiting to Get Picked Up in Moline, IL

2003 BMW 325XI Sport Wagon, 86,000 Miles, Cold Wx Package, Xenons, Manual Seats

No Temp Tags!

Black Interior w/ Brushed Aluminum

In Des Moines We Met Lee for Dinner

Iowa Sunset

Abandoned Beechcraft Travel Air in Nebraska