Should i go for a 330, 325 or 323?

[anonymous-user]

Hasn't the SE got the same suspension as the sport?

[Welshbeef]

BagOfOldRats said:

Hasn't the SE got the same suspension as the sport?

You can spec it to have it, likewise you can spec even just the i or ES models to have sport seats

[lambo_xx]

Ok thanks for all the help. I've found a 330 sport coupe that I'll go and view next week. Is there anything in particular i should be looking out for? Any common problems with them etc.

[Vee]

lambo_xx said:

Ok thanks for all the help. I've found a 330 sport coupe that I'll go and view next week. Is there anything in particular i should be looking out for? Any common problems with them etc.

Make sure it is a sport.
Look for black headlining & pillar trims, 225 wide front wheels, 255 rears.
Check the service history - call BMW, they'll confirm each time it has been to a dealer.
They're heavy on front suspension bushes, especially in built up areas with speed bumps. if they haven't been changed, budget on doing them - about £150.

Make an offer so low it makes you feel embarrassed - very few people are buying these things - you'll be surprised what you get one for.

Cracking value for money.

[bazking69]

PJR said:

323's are quite nice.. I used to drive one (E46 323i auto). Definitely wasn't slow. But I wouldn't describe it as fast either. These have a detuned version of the 325's 2.5 L engine. So it feels a little more lazy as a result. Particularly higher up in the rev band. Silky smooth though And as an added bonus, without trying too hard I could get 40mpg out of it on the motorway. Pretty damn good I reckon for a 6 pot petrol with a slush box.
Would have preferred a 330i though, granted!

P,

I have a 323Ci on an auto. No problems in 12 months of ownership apart from a waterpump and wear and tear. You can get them for peanuts at the moment too.
The 325 is marginally quicker, but the 330 is a huge step up in so many way ie much quicker, better brakes.
That said, even a 323 is quick enough for it's purpose. All down to personal preference and you are lucky to be able to deem such cars as a runabout! My next move if I do stay E46 like I plan is to skip the 325 and go straight to 330Ci, in the only way to have it obviously, a Sport.

[coltonbob]

I can only echo everyone elses comments. If you can afford the 330 then it has to be the one to go for. My sport has covered nearly 70,000 miles now and still feels very fresh. No issues with bushes etc however I did have to a full 4 wheel alignment done around 60k as the tyres on the rear were starting to wear unevenly. Likes a wee drop of oil too but nothing major, I probably top up maybe 1 - 1.5 litres of oil max between the 15,000 mile service intervals...

Aside from that I've had no issues whatsoever, great car for the daily commute!

[pstruck]

lambo_xx said:

Ok thanks for all the help. I've found a 330 sport coupe that I'll go and view next week. Is there anything in particular i should be looking out for? Any common problems with them etc.

Good luck and let us know how you got on. If you get it you will not regret it - lovely car!

[toastboy]

I've had a 330ci Sport for the past 70k miles and 3 years.

Faults I've had are:-
Tramlining
Door seal coming unglued both sides (common fault)
flat battery due to car phone
tramlining
passenger door handle failed (common fault)
oil level sensor failed (common fault)
drinks oil at the rate of 1l per 2000 miles (common fault)
Did I mention tramlining? New Tyres will help but not for long.

Overall though, the car's been fine, comfortable, fairly quick and a nice place to be.

[LMC]

The only problem I've had with mine (apart from the tramlining lol) is the water pump going. Not an expensive repair tho...

Oh, and the DSC...the week I got it I was about to pull out onto a big roundabout, really went for it (as you do with a new toy !) and the motor was screaming, pinging off the limiter, and I was stationary, never moved a friggin inch ! To say I was mortified is a serious understatement :blush:

[sniff diesel]

Welshbeef said:

I dont think even a 330i will seem "fast" to the OP who ownes a Porche. 230bhp at the end of the day in a heavy sedan & N/A is going to struggle to lift its skirts.

Depends what type of 911 the OP has: a 1972 2.4 Targa sportmatic or a 997 GT2?

[lambo_xx]

Once again thanks for the help. I've been looking at a few and the one I had my eyes on is now gone so I've had to have another look. I've found this one and it looks in good nic, but it seems really overpriced compared to similar cars with similar mileages and ages. What does everyone think?
http://www.jamespaul.co.uk/vehicle-details.asp?new...

[Vee]

Very basic spec and very expensive.
You should be looking at 52/03 reg cars for that money, with good spec too . . . satnav, hk, heated seats, xenons.

Hell you can have my 2 black/black 52 reg, 2 owner one for that much !

[pstruck]

Agree with Vee's comments above regarding that car. I paid only a little more than that for my 53 plate, high spec 330Ci Sport, with less miles.

Early coupes, especially he higher powered ones, are prone to the rear subframe mounts tearing out of the floor pan - so I would try to go as new as possible. I've yet to find a satisfactory answer as to whether this was sorted on later cars after it was recognised by BMW, but I guess it was. They are though generally repairing cars which have suffered this as it is a known design flaw.

Keep looking and you will find a newer, better spec car for your money. It is a buyers market and the price of larger engined cars is pushing prices down all the time.

[PJR]

toastboy said:

Tramlining

Thats the price you pay for rolling on 18's and having lowered/sports suspension im afraid. It's not so bad with new tyres, as the tread blocks move around enough to mask the effect, but as the tyres wear, tramlining becomes more and more pronounced with this set up.
It's not a fault however, just a consequence of the wheel, tyre and suspension option choice.

P,

[lambo_xx]

Ok thanks. I spoke to that dealer and he just wasn't prepared to knock nearly enough off. I've found another one and will probably go view in within the next week. I was thinking about doing an RAC inspection on it and was wondering if it was worth doing? Also what one is the best to go for? Description listed below.

"Book now

RAC offers three types of pre-purchase inspection:

* Essentials

(£125 member and £139 non-member)

A RAC inspection consisting of the most crucial checks to make before purchasing a car.

* Essentials Plus

(£189 member and £199 non-member)

RAC's fully comprehensive inspection features up to 166 checks, allowing you to make a decision with confidence.

* Prestige Inspection

(£349 member and £379 non-member)

Vehicles that require additional time due to higher specifications, qualify for our prestige inspection. If your vehicle is high performance, over 20 years old, a 4x4,or has an engine size exceeding 2999cc, please call our experienced sales team on 0800 085 2529 for further advice."