E90 BMW 325i SE...thoughts?

[Alv]

Been looking for a car for a while and after thinking I wanted a MK4 R32, then a 350z (I still would own both!) I have also looked at the 325i but the E90 as I really don't want a E46. I have no idea about these cars or if they are meant to be any good so wanted to know peoples/owners thoughts? Looking really for a 6 cylinder cruiser 200 bhp plus that can turn it on when it needs, it has to be an SE though as my budget is only around 5.5k or I would love a sport!

Thanks

Adam

[rallycross]

starting price for a high miles one is around £7k.
£5.5k might just get you a clocked or Cat D/cat C example.

[Alv]

Not where i've been looking, 55 plates with 70k upwards seem to be available for the 5.5k-6k mark. There is a couple on the trader, Ebay etc

[Alv]

Here's one, no leather though
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rallycross]

Alv said:

Here's one, no leather though
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

looks nice, HPI it first as its suspiciously cheap at that price.

this one looks nice

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-06-BMW-325i-SE-Huge...

Edited by rallycross on Friday 22 February 10:28

[Alv]

Very nice and great colour! always HPI cars it's a must as I don't want to get stung. They are coming down to a very reasonable price nowadays, love the look of them..

[300bhp/ton]

Alv said:

Been looking for a car for a while and after thinking I wanted a MK4 R32, then a 350z (I still would own both!) I have also looked at the 325i but the E90 as I really don't want a E46. I have no idea about these cars or if they are meant to be any good so wanted to know peoples/owners thoughts? Looking really for a 6 cylinder cruiser 200 bhp plus that can turn it on when it needs, it has to be an SE though as my budget is only around 5.5k or I would love a sport!

Thanks

Adam

There is nothing really wrong with the 325i. Just accept that it is a lower middle of the range vehicle from a lower middle of the range model line up.

If you want faster or more fun it can easily be had for this sort of money. However as "transport" to get from A to B the 325 isn't a bad vehicle. Just a little hum drum.

[Alv]

I know what your saying suppose I just like the look and with 218bhp it brings it that little closer to the E46 330. I would if I had a little more budget go for the R32 (had one previously) but they seem to be a little neglected at my price range. The BM to me still looks fresh and with a little lowering and some other OEM wheels it could look very smart plus it looks and would feel like a new premium car, I really do not want and Astra or similar

Thanks

Adam

[300bhp/ton]

Alv said:

I know what your saying suppose I just like the look and with 218bhp it brings it that little closer to the E46 330.

Isn't the E90 heavier?

I'm not saying it's slow. Just nothing special, more like white goods. In time I think they'll have an allure, but for now it simply ranks as a small engine not new BMW.

Alv said:

The BM to me still looks fresh and with a little lowering and some other OEM wheels it could look very smart plus it looks and would feel like a new premium car

Not sure it's a premium car tbh. In fact I'm certain it isn't. It's just an expensive mass market transport device.

It's nice enough for sure, but very little that's truly premium about it.

Unless of course perceived image matters. Many still seem to think BMW automatically means better than Ford or whatever. The reality is this isn't always the case.

Alv said:

I really do not want and Astra or similar

There are a lot more cars than just hatchbacks and BMW's out there.

[Alv]

Think i'm just too blinkered, after 22 VW's and 1 328i Sport I very nearly bought a 350z at the beggining of this week, I just couldn't get him to drop a couple hundred more for the new rear tyres it needed, still at 59k and a full dealer history and in kuro black 5500 was still cheap!

[300bhp/ton]

Alv said:

Think i'm just too blinkered, after 22 VW's and 1 328i Sport I very nearly bought a 350z at the beggining of this week, I just couldn't get him to drop a couple hundred more for the new rear tyres it needed, still at 59k and a full dealer history and in kuro black 5500 was still cheap!

So does this mean the 350z was out of budget, or you just wouldn't pay the asking price?

A 350z will be worse on fuel than a 325i, however I can't see how it compares on any level apart from being a car with 4 wheels.

The 350z is a purpose built sports GT, the 325i simply isn't.

That said, £5.5k gives a huge array of vehicles to look at and choose from, even more so if you don't box yourself in with age or make requirements.

For example,

I think if you are a petrol head of any kind, then you'd have to be stark raving mad to buy a 325 E90 over an e36 M3. There simply is no comparison, the M3 is superior in every important way. But it will be older.

[Mutton]

I’ve owned a 55 plate 325i SE since April last year and it fits the bill perfectly as a comfortable commuter car. The engine (N52 type) is lovely and smooth and sounds great above 5k rpm, although it lacks torque for a car this heavy. It averages 30mpg which isn’t great and needs 1 litre of oil about every 4000 miles. It’s certainly not a car for much enjoyment as it’s too slow (compared to my previous cars), although the handling is tidy. But as I’m only interested in it getting me from A to B in comfort and quietness it suits me fine. That second exciting car I need is well overdue though…

[Alv]

300bhp/ton said:

So does this mean the 350z was out of budget, or you just wouldn't pay the asking price?

A 350z will be worse on fuel than a 325i, however I can't see how it compares on any level apart from being a car with 4 wheels.

The 350z is a purpose built sports GT, the 325i simply isn't.

That said, £5.5k gives a huge array of vehicles to look at and choose from, even more so if you don't box yourself in with age or make requirements.

For example,

I think if you are a petrol head of any kind, then you'd have to be stark raving mad to buy a 325 E90 over an e36 M3. There simply is no comparison, the M3 is superior in every important way. But it will be older.

The 350z is in budget at £5500 but it will need some rear tyres soon so was hoping to get him down a bit so I don't skint myself in a few months time, it was originally up for 6k. I do perceive myself as a petrolhead and don't really need a car as I walk to work so it's sat doing nothing alot of the time on my drive but when we do use it (the girlfriend and I) it will be to Beverley, Durham and Hertford where family lives so sometimes I want something comfy and quick (BMW) or something i've never had before which is a 2 seater GT for a blast out. Honda's/V-tecs are out as I think they are the biggest load of st so i'm stuck at what to look at!

Wish I didn't like cars so much!

[stevesuk]

Alv said:

I know what your saying suppose I just like the look and with 218bhp it brings it that little closer to the E46 330.

We've got both in our family (an E91 325i and a E46 330 Ci - both manuals). Although in terms of BHP, there's not a big difference, the E46 feels much quicker. They both return about the same MPG too (if anything, the E46 is more economical on a run).

Difficult to compare like for like, because the E46 has twice as many miles on the clock, and is 3 or 4 years older. But on the plus side, the E91 looks and feels more modern inside and out (interior is helped if you get a decent spec with leather, iDrive and nav). Its been very reliable too - in 3 years of ownership, aside from routine servicing, the only fault was a leaking oil filler cap (which caused some dramatic smoke, but cost just £10 to fix!).

Most people think they need a 320d, or a 4 cylinder petrol. Enthusiasts will look for a 330i. So the 325i is kind of in the same "no mans land" as the 320i E46. So you should be able to pick up a nice one with a decent spec. for less money than other models. This was the experience we had when we bought ours... base model 320d or a fully loaded 325i for the same money. But just be aware that although rapid, it doesn't seem to have the raw pace of the 330 E46... unless its the extra refinement that hides it!

Edited by stevesuk on Friday 22 February 21:32