Just viewed a bmw 325 compact...
Discussion
Lovely car! The one I saw was pretty mint low miler in silver, m sport version (Loads of those juicy M badges on things) didn't have leather seats (sobs) but in all had no marks on it what so ever bar a small amount of lacquer going on the bottom of the front bumper. Chap selling it seemed nice, a trader. said the car had an elderly owner who had stopped driving it, and it had only done 400 miles in the past year. Something I did hear though, was a sharp squeak coming from the engine as the car was fired up. Sounded like a loose belt or something similar. The noise vanished almost immediately but is it something to worry about? I'm pretty conservative when looking at new cars, I'll probably end up getting it checked before I hand any cash over anyway but what do you guys think? Thanks 
Have a look in the BMW section there have been a few enquiries about these in the past few months (including from myself), so there's a decent bit of knowledge about. I could be wrong but the ///M badges are superfluous, the 325 compact came in "sport" trim not "m sport", so the trader may (I repeat may) be telling porkies there.
As with other BMW "Sport" models, there will be plenty of "M" badges around - gearlever, steering wheel, along bottom of door frames, etc., these were factory standard on such models, NOT aftermarket. However, if you are referring to the exterior, if there are "M"s anywhere, they have been added post-factory.
The later move to rename Sport as M-Sport seems to have been an unimportant re-christening.
The later move to rename Sport as M-Sport seems to have been an unimportant re-christening.
To clear this up the 325 compact hatch came as Sport or SE, the Sport looked much better and sold a bit better, its not an 'M sport' but it is a 325 compact Sport.
so you get sport bumpers, skirts, sport suspension, seats and M sport trim inside. I've had a 325 Sport and SE and the sport was quite a bit nicer than the base model.
The compact reminds me of the 2002 touring which was an early attempt at this and it was a sales flop as well, not sure why as they are nice to drive.
so you get sport bumpers, skirts, sport suspension, seats and M sport trim inside. I've had a 325 Sport and SE and the sport was quite a bit nicer than the base model.
The compact reminds me of the 2002 touring which was an early attempt at this and it was a sales flop as well, not sure why as they are nice to drive.
Fox- said:
They are factory fitted so unless you fnacy taking a screwdriver to the alloys and steering wheel and driving around with little holes in the trim and missing door-sill covers that would seem a bit ridiculous.
Ahh ok! Kinda assumed it was one of those ///M BMWs where they had just put an adhesive sticker on the boot and every other panel! You should buy it!
Had my sport for over 2 years now, and still love it.
The sport models look so much better and handle better due to better suspension and wider wheels.
Think they look alot better than the coupe, are easier to drive hard and alot more rare.
Only issues I've had are having to replace the radiator and my ac pipe breaking.
Downsides, getting asked if it's wifes car, and everyone assuming it's a 316, although can be fun to prove them wrong as the sound near redline is addictive!
Had my sport for over 2 years now, and still love it.
The sport models look so much better and handle better due to better suspension and wider wheels.
Think they look alot better than the coupe, are easier to drive hard and alot more rare.
Only issues I've had are having to replace the radiator and my ac pipe breaking.
Downsides, getting asked if it's wifes car, and everyone assuming it's a 316, although can be fun to prove them wrong as the sound near redline is addictive!
Nice cars, I have the SE which is a great handling car in its own right. Averages 30mpg and as said sounds just great when you work the engine. Only negative is very tight to get passengers in the back, but ok for me as seldom require this. These cars are often quite well spec'd. They aren't popular so prices reflect this so dont pay over the odds and you'll get yourself a value for money very good car, quickish,reliable, rwd,......... yeah go for it.
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