Looking at a BMW 325ci
Discussion
I'm going to have a look at an E46 coupe tomorrow. I always fancied one and what appears to be a very nice one has come up at a local trader. 52 plate 325ci sport manual, only 43k miles, 2 owners and full history, dark met blue with black leather, asking £3995.
It would just be a weekend car for me and I'd like something a bit quieter and comfier than my DC2, although I might run both for a while. If anyone's got any advice would really appreciate it.
It would just be a weekend car for me and I'd like something a bit quieter and comfier than my DC2, although I might run both for a while. If anyone's got any advice would really appreciate it.
RS404 said:
I'm going to have a look at an E46 coupe tomorrow. I always fancied one and what appears to be a very nice one has come up at a local trader. 52 plate 325ci sport manual, only 43k miles, 2 owners and full history, dark met blue with black leather, asking £3995.
It would just be a weekend car for me and I'd like something a bit quieter and comfier than my DC2, although I might run both for a while. If anyone's got any advice would really appreciate it.
Thats a lot of money for a 325. If you really want it make sure its totally mint - the front wheel arches start to rust around 10 years old and you could be in to quite a bit of money to replace them, as patching doesnt really hold it for long.It would just be a weekend car for me and I'd like something a bit quieter and comfier than my DC2, although I might run both for a while. If anyone's got any advice would really appreciate it.
As above, the 330ci does the same mpg with a bit more grunt but yours sounds like a reasonable priced low miler if in good condition.
They eat suspension bushings and are sensitive to tyres so tramlining may be a problem. Make sure the windows and mirrors work. There are stories of cracked rear suspension mounts but I believe these are on the pre 2000 models (maybe corrected on this).
Good luck.
They eat suspension bushings and are sensitive to tyres so tramlining may be a problem. Make sure the windows and mirrors work. There are stories of cracked rear suspension mounts but I believe these are on the pre 2000 models (maybe corrected on this).
Good luck.
Check that all of the electrics work.
Check the parking sensors work.
If it has a sunroof, check that it all works ok - the blind can get stuck in the 'open' position.
Check for rust around the wheel arches.
Get a 330ci instead of a 325ci.
Check the parking sensors work.
If it has a sunroof, check that it all works ok - the blind can get stuck in the 'open' position.
Check for rust around the wheel arches.
Get a 330ci instead of a 325ci.
Edited by georgejoshington on Friday 5th April 22:46
RUST!!!! Look very closely for any. My Dad was looking at a number of E46 330d's and they all seemed to share paintwork/trim corrosion issues. Grills seem to be a weak spot, and arches.
One had suffered some sort of brake line corrosion based failure, but dont know if thats model specific?
They all seemed to have a bit of surface rust around the suspension mounts in the front.
Its a shame really that it put my old man off looking at any more. I like the shape.
One had suffered some sort of brake line corrosion based failure, but dont know if thats model specific?
They all seemed to have a bit of surface rust around the suspension mounts in the front.
Its a shame really that it put my old man off looking at any more. I like the shape.
Edited by KM666 on Friday 5th April 22:51
Over priced at £4k
Nice low mileage but not worth a big premium over average mileage.
325 and 330 tend to be similar price used, hold out for a nice 330.
Check vosa not history for clocking
Check rear arches, front wings, boot lid for rust.
Patchy history = not genuine mileage.
Avoid light grey leather it wears really badly on these.
Nice low mileage but not worth a big premium over average mileage.
325 and 330 tend to be similar price used, hold out for a nice 330.
Check vosa not history for clocking
Check rear arches, front wings, boot lid for rust.
Patchy history = not genuine mileage.
Avoid light grey leather it wears really badly on these.
Just bought it! Picking it up next weekend once I get insurance and tax sorted. It really is in amazing nick, everything works (no sunroof), bodywork is perfect, not even a car park ding on it. So smooth and quiet to drive and quick 'enough' I would say.
It came from Carrs BMW at Bury St Edmunds new, was serviced there all it's life by the two previous owners both from Newmarket. Last owner just traded it in at Carrs where the brother of the trader I bought it from is sales manager, so it just seems like a really honest car. It would be a shame not to keep the BMW history up.
The computer was showing an average 30.5mpg which was a nice surprise, I expected 25 tops. Thanks for the advice, will get some pics in readers cars up soon.
It came from Carrs BMW at Bury St Edmunds new, was serviced there all it's life by the two previous owners both from Newmarket. Last owner just traded it in at Carrs where the brother of the trader I bought it from is sales manager, so it just seems like a really honest car. It would be a shame not to keep the BMW history up.
The computer was showing an average 30.5mpg which was a nice surprise, I expected 25 tops. Thanks for the advice, will get some pics in readers cars up soon.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff