Help me choose the right BMW.

[gadgesxi]

Short listed down to a few.
Some 325 and some 330 - not sure if there is a massive difference here, worth the extra cost for 330? can the 325 be tuned up?
And some manual and some auto. Always driven manuals so not sure about auto's even though i have test driven auto's and still not totally convinced - maybe it takes getting used to.

The shortlist:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1034432.htm
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

Thanks for the help!

[soprano]

I would get a manual, facelift (post 2003) 330 sport if budget will allow. Don't think any of the ads shown fit that bill though. If budget won't allow, would get a pre facelift instead.

ETA if you are considering cars other than manual have you thought of the switchtronic Alpina B3 3.3?

Edited by soprano on Tuesday 23 June 19:16

[gadgesxi]

are the autos that bad?

[soprano]

No, as autos go im sure its fine. Where do you live? What sort of driving do you do? Unless you do alot of town driving I would think you will enjoy the manual more.

[gadgesxi]

A roads and motorway every day for me!

[soprano]

I notice on another thread you have 10k to play with. With the driving you do, I would def get a 330Ci M Sport. For that money you should get a high spec, reasonable mileage facelift, a brilliant car. The manual facelift comes with a 6 speed box, rather than the 5 in the pre facelift which will help with economy on the m-way. I think it looks nicer than the pre facelift and lots of the 'niggles' that the E46 suffered from should have been sorted.

A superb motorway muncher and plenty of power to have some fun on the A roads.

[kentmotorcompany]

A certain Motor Trader I know has something that seems to tick your boxes on his website.
I've heard he is a nice chap too. Kent Motor something or other.

[gadgesxi]

yeah got 10k to spend but really dont want to, more like 8 or 9k and save the rest.

[gadgesxi]

kentmotorcompany said:

A certain Motor Trader I know has something that seems to tick your boxes on his website.
I've heard he is a nice chap too. Kent Motor something or other.

i bet your a bazillion miles away from liverpool!

[contracttor]

watch out for certain combos of 330i and 18's. They don't always give the best ride. Tramlining can be pain too. ALWAYS test drive etc. Suspension/track rods, ball joints blah blah...

///C