E46 325i (or 323i)

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Since selling my MX-5 a year ago, I've been itching for a cheap weekend/2nd car and have been wondering about getting a cheap BMW, having never before owned one.

I've noticed how cheap the E46 325i is at the moment. Seem to be about 50% of the price of comparable 330is.The 323i is often even cheaper. They really do seem very unloved!!

Just wondered how they are rated by BMW owners/fans on here. Obviously slower than a 330i, but still a nice straight six and more often than not they seem to be manuals whereas most 330s for sale. are autos in my experience. I seem to remember EVO magazine back in the day saying the 325i was actually the sweeter steer,

Anyway, having seen several sub £1500 examples on facebay wondering whether it would be worth it, or likely a potential ruinous money pit. Instead I could get a Jap couple like a Celica VVTLI, or a cheap Clio 172. Obviously these are very different cars, but they all tick the weekend car that could also go round a track, box. I do however feel the need to scratch a BMW itch that started after nearly buying several E36/£39s and £46s over the years. In some ways, I feel its the final chance before prices go up....

Cheers.

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Just to clarify, my daily driver is a diesel so I want a petrol! Don’t mind if it’s slower than a 330d, I just want the sound and experience of a n/a straight 6. I’ve searched for 328s and they’re rare. They only make 1 bhp more than the 325i and a bit more torque so performance is only a tiny bit faster...

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Good call! I like the 325ti too !

If someone was selling one cheaply....

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Are they really ALL that bad, or did you just buy a clunker?

I'm interested to know, as I have heard that E46s can become money pits, but equally, there are others like the contributors above, who have cars with really high mileage that still drive well.....

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• 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?

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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!

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.......