Hi all!

I'm a newbie and I just got my new to me 2002 330cic today! (First time BMW owner!)

I've had my car all of about 4 hours now and the first two things I'd wanted to add was a hardtop/a wind deflector and low and behold...

in a local ad both a HT (same color!) and the wind deflector is listed. They said they paid $2600 for hardtop and about $450 for the wind deflector ......

they have it listed "best offer"

do the e46's come already set-up for a HT (is there a kit I need to get or can I just drop it on?)
ideas on what would be a fair offer for both? (2 wks ago I saw a HT listed for an e46 for $400 with stand and cover (but I didn't own the car then); there is another one listed for $1400 (dif color) - being that I'm so new to this and one just cropped up I thought I'd inlist your help so I'm not researched challenged!Thank YOU!

1. probably not. they are not that difficult to install though.
2. check on ebay and e46fanatics.com and see what they are selling for to get an idea of what they are worth. I would think 1500+ would be fair. If they were my items and in perfect condition, I wouldn't sell for less than that. You can offer them a lower price and see if they are willing to negotiate though.

the top you saw listed for $450... was that on ebay? even with some scratches and minor dents, the top is still worth way more than that, especially for an e46. was that just what the auction started at or what the top actually sold for? occasionally there are people out there that dont know the value of them and end up selling them cheap because they think no one could want such a thing.

The $400 top (w/stand and cover) was on Craigslist and I almost was going to buy it before I had the car. Just a fluke I ended up with a white '02 because at the time I was looking at another car. I tried to find it on CL again but it seems once an ad runs out you can't do a search and find it again - at least I couldn't.

This car has the plastic covers missing where the HT sits so I was hoping there wouldn't be a need for any kind of install kit or w/e - just drop the top on it and go.

The seller just emailed me back -- the HT doesn't come with the stand and cover (and in my garage HA it's a must!) any idea on how much these go for?

The cover is about $30 (at BMW Dealerships) and the stand can be had for $100-200. As for the Blocker and Hardtop, I had both of these items with my 2005 330ci and I bought them both through the dalership. The Blocker was $500, the Hardtop was $3,000 and the Hardtop Kit (which you have to get) was $100. So, for everything it was right around $3,600. Based on what I see on E-Bay, craigslist and other sources a used E46 Hardtop goes for around $1,500 and the blocker goes for around $300. So, I would say ofer $1,500 and go up to $1,800 if they wont accept fifteen. Keep in mind you will still need the kit, but it is a very easy do-it-yourself installation, so you don't need to have BMW put it in!

If you don't buy them as a package, try e-bay for the wind deflector. $300 is rediculous.

Could someone tell me what the HT kits does because 3 places have said there isn't a kit at all (2 were dealerships) and one said there is. I have a 2002 330cic.

If I do need something is there a way to see if it is already installed? The mechanic (BMW only) thought it may've had a HT on it in it's past given both plastic plates that cover the openings in the the rear for the HT are missing.

Look where those missing plastic caps are. If there are round looking metal cylinders in there, then yo have the hardtop mounting kit already. If it is fairly open in there / flat, then you don't. Yes, there most definatly is a kit needed. Without it, the back end of the hardtop will not lock onto the car!!

Yea!!! They are in there! Will go look at the HT this weekend (wish is wasn't going to rain!)

Thank you so much!

If you found one in your color, you NEED to jump on it.

For the E36's, $800 - $1500 is the range that I typically see for hardtops. E46 could be more or less.

Wind Deflectors go for $150 - $250+ used.

Ask what they need to get out of it. ask what's the least they can take. A lot of people aren't good negotiators. if they throw out a # like 1500 or 1800 or 2000 for both, then you start bargaining.

I mean, even if you walked away with both for $1800, you could still feel good about it. I know many people that would pay $1500 for one and then still have to paint it. Especially if you have a rare color.

Pull the trigger, and don't let someone else buy it out from under you.

Oh, the stands are pretty ridicuously priced too... However, sometimes you get lucky! For example: I found a stand AND a cover on craigslist and they were asking $35 for both!!! I didn't even have a hard top yet and I threw down on that one! Turns out when I aquired my E36 with hardtop, it already had a cover & stand. So I turned around and gave the set I bought on Craigslist to my brother in law for the same $35 to use with his E46. (stand is universal). He was quite happy.

Or, you could do what I did... Buy a whole car with the hardtop attached, just to get the top!
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836715