Considering a 325ti Compact...

[chumley]

I'm about to say goodbye to my beloved Chimaera 500 and need something more practical, but a bit fun too.

One of the options I'm considering is a 325ti Compact and I wondered if there's anyone here with any experience of them. Thinking about spending about £15k and would be interested particularly in any comments on residuals & how easy they are to shift if/when I fancy a change.

I've heard the handling is a bit blunted by the weight in the nose compared to lesser compacts but is still entertaining (and apparently light years ahead of the 318ti I had a few years back with the pre multi-link susp at the back).

Any comments much appreciated.

Thanks.

[tw99]

My Dad's got a 325Ti in a horrendous light metallic green/gold colour (there's a few of these around, I think they are all original Demonstrators from the launch, no-one in their right mind would order that colour from new!). He likes it, having had in order a 316, 316, 323i, 325i, 325i, 325Ti since 1978.

Personally I really dislike the looks, I'd go for an E46 Coupe for preference, even though they're probably a little bit slower for the equivalent engine size.


>> Edited by tw99 on Friday 8th October 14:51

[baz1985]

The E46 compact is the best to drive out of all the E46s apart from the M3 & Alpina B3 of course. Though the interior is not as good a E46 coupe in terms of quality. The pace is very good, and driving on the limit in one is more fun. Plus its cheaper than the equivalent 325 coupe. About 15K should get you into an 02/52 or 03/52 depending of mileage. But residual are not as good as a regular E46 when new, but buying at 18/24 months the difference levels out. I'd buy privately as the car would still have a years BMW warranty anyway.

Baz

[chumley]

Baz/tw, thanks for the input, much appreciated.

[320td]

baz1985 said:

The E46 compact is the best to drive out of all the E46s apart from the M3 & Alpina B3 of course. Though the interior is not as good a E46 coupe in terms of quality. The pace is very good, and driving on the limit in one is more fun. Plus its cheaper than the equivalent 325 coupe. About 15K should get you into an 02/52 or 03/52 depending of mileage. But residual are not as good as a regular E46 when new, but buying at 18/24 months the difference levels out. I'd buy privately as the car would still have a years BMW warranty anyway. Baz

I agree with everything said apart from the comment on interior quality which is nonsense. The interior in the Compact is exactly the same as other 3 Series models apart from a different door trim design so there is nothing to worry about regarding quality.

I would also urge you to try the 320td - the 2.0 diesel really is very good and in the compact, being lighter than the other 3 series models, it really does go well - and gets 50mpg on a run as well.

I got my 320td Sport six months ago (in preference to the 325ti!) and it is still suprising me with its blend of pace and economy, it is built like tank and is comfy on long trips as well.

A very, very good car.

Andy