E46 325i (or 323i)
Discussion
I have a 02 330ci manual, it's 17yrs old and used every single day, in 3yrs its cost me a few oil changes and discs/pads all around.
No advisories on mot, never broke down.
It has a couple of rust spots coming through but they'll be sorted this summer.
Check cooling and suspension, look underneath (jacking points etc) for rust.
I paid £2200 for mine with 92k miles, manual box and history.
I can't see me parting with it, lovely sound, torque, and will lift its skirt and hustle off down the right kind of road, hates broken surfaces though.
No advisories on mot, never broke down.
It has a couple of rust spots coming through but they'll be sorted this summer.
Check cooling and suspension, look underneath (jacking points etc) for rust.
I paid £2200 for mine with 92k miles, manual box and history.
I can't see me parting with it, lovely sound, torque, and will lift its skirt and hustle off down the right kind of road, hates broken surfaces though.
330ti said:
Mr Tidy said:
I replaced my E46 325ti with an E91 325i - bad idea!
A year on I've replaced that with an E90 330i - so much better. 258 PS works pretty well.
I think we all know this by now .A year on I've replaced that with an E90 330i - so much better. 258 PS works pretty well.
Aren't most of us on here fans of older 3 Series?
Mind you your garage on your profile is empty!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Tuesday 21st May 00:28
Edited by Mr Tidy on Tuesday 21st May 00:32
- Bump**
However, it is "only" a 170 BHP 323i and its an auto so am I right in thinking it would be a tad on the slow side?
s m said:
That might give you an idea on performance
Manual box E46 323i but likely a bit heavier than an E36 so will be roughly ballpark similar
About the same as a GT86
That Toyota claim has 200bhp. Manual box E46 323i but likely a bit heavier than an E36 so will be roughly ballpark similar
About the same as a GT86
But an E46 323i with an autobox of that era is going to be slower than the manual alternative.
Don't buy it expecting exciting performance, but if their are other factors (condition, price, location, etc.) that appeal then why not?
Mr Tidy said:
s m said:
That might give you an idea on performance
Manual box E46 323i but likely a bit heavier than an E36 so will be roughly ballpark similar
About the same as a GT86
That Toyota claim has 200bhp. Manual box E46 323i but likely a bit heavier than an E36 so will be roughly ballpark similar
About the same as a GT86
But an E46 323i with an autobox of that era is going to be slower than the manual alternative.
Don't buy it expecting exciting performance, but if their are other factors (condition, price, location, etc.) that appeal then why not?
I had an E36 328 saloon for 6 years - it was a heavy one at 1420kg as it was SE spec, sunroof, leather, climate etc but it felt noticeably quicker than an auto.
I have a friend who breaks old BMWs so get to see a lot of old E36/46 variants
The E36 that I always thought was quite good to drive engine-wise if you can’t get a 328 was the 325 - different character to the 328 and liked to rev
Just my 2p worth
greenarrow said:
**Bump**
I've been tempted on Facebook marketplace by an advert for an old late 90s E36 323i. Its done 166K miles, but has had the same owner for the last 20 years and no advisories on any of the last 4 MOTS. Sticker price only £1,000 and it looks like a much loved car.
However, it is "only" a 170 BHP 323i and its an auto so am I right in thinking it would be a tad on the slow side?
E36 323i can be upgraded with M50 inlet manifold, BBTB (+/- remap/chip) to unlock some extra power.I've been tempted on Facebook marketplace by an advert for an old late 90s E36 323i. Its done 166K miles, but has had the same owner for the last 20 years and no advisories on any of the last 4 MOTS. Sticker price only £1,000 and it looks like a much loved car.
However, it is "only" a 170 BHP 323i and its an auto so am I right in thinking it would be a tad on the slow side?
s m said:
I think he was looking at an E36 rather than the E46 but if I was you greenarrow, I’d hang on for a manual, either in 323i or 328i format.
I had an E36 328 saloon for 6 years - it was a heavy one at 1420kg as it was SE spec, sunroof, leather, climate etc but it felt noticeably quicker than an auto.
I have a friend who breaks old BMWs so get to see a lot of old E36/46 variants
The E36 that I always thought was quite good to drive engine-wise if you can’t get a 328 was the 325 - different character to the 328 and liked to rev
Just my 2p worth
Both 325 and 328 great engines. The 325 much keener to rev and super sounding. 328 felt much lazier but deceptively quick.I had an E36 328 saloon for 6 years - it was a heavy one at 1420kg as it was SE spec, sunroof, leather, climate etc but it felt noticeably quicker than an auto.
I have a friend who breaks old BMWs so get to see a lot of old E36/46 variants
The E36 that I always thought was quite good to drive engine-wise if you can’t get a 328 was the 325 - different character to the 328 and liked to rev
Just my 2p worth
Auto wasn't that bad on my 325 tbh. Would get a shift on with Sport mode engaged holding the revs.
Edited by g3org3y on Tuesday 25th June 15:11
s m said:
That might give you an idea on performance
Manual box E46 323i but likely a bit heavier than an E36 so will be roughly ballpark similar
About the same as a GT86
I had that road test but threw it out after I decided a few years back I probably would never buy a 323!Manual box E46 323i but likely a bit heavier than an E36 so will be roughly ballpark similar
About the same as a GT86
Surprisingly good performance figures from just 170 BHP when you think about it. Quicker from 0-100 than a 306GTI-6 which had 3BHP less but was 230KG lighter and same 0-100 time as the 187 BHP 320d tested by Autocar only a month ago. I assume that 323is of this vintage actually made a bit more than 170BHP?
I agree, its probably worth seeking out a manual 325 or 328. The 323i I saw advertised simply appealed as its so rare to get a car of that vintage with one owner since 2000 and no advisories on the MOT!! It just feels like a cherished car, for just a grand.....there aren't that many E36s left now in that sort of original condition for that money.......
greenarrow said:
I had that road test but threw it out after I decided a few years back I probably would never buy a 323!
Surprisingly good performance figures from just 170 BHP when you think about it. Quicker from 0-100 than a 306GTI-6 which had 3BHP less but was 230KG lighter and same 0-100 time as the 187 BHP 320d tested by Autocar only a month ago. I assume that 323is of this vintage actually made a bit more than 170BHP?
I agree, its probably worth seeking out a manual 325 or 328. The 323i I saw advertised simply appealed as its so rare to get a car of that vintage with one owner since 2000 and no advisories on the MOT!! It just feels like a cherished car, for just a grand.....there aren't that many E36s left now in that sort of original condition for that money.......
Would definitely recommend the E36 if you're buying with the aim of having it as a weekend car. The E46 is brilliant but I've noticed that it lacks the noise and fun factor of the E36 a little bit. I also think that the E36 is a lot more attention grabbing as they're starting to look really cool in a classic way (IMO!). I'd definitely go with a manual 325/328, really nice to drive and a bit more involved than the auto, my 328i manual felt a lot faster than the 330i does Surprisingly good performance figures from just 170 BHP when you think about it. Quicker from 0-100 than a 306GTI-6 which had 3BHP less but was 230KG lighter and same 0-100 time as the 187 BHP 320d tested by Autocar only a month ago. I assume that 323is of this vintage actually made a bit more than 170BHP?
I agree, its probably worth seeking out a manual 325 or 328. The 323i I saw advertised simply appealed as its so rare to get a car of that vintage with one owner since 2000 and no advisories on the MOT!! It just feels like a cherished car, for just a grand.....there aren't that many E36s left now in that sort of original condition for that money.......
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