Confused about Ci's
Discussion
I'm looking into E46 3-series coupes at the moment.
I've seen three models of interest, the 318Ci, 323Ci and 325Ci. On the BMW site it doesn't seem that they sell the 323Ci new anymore - was this replaced with the 325, and if so, when.
After as much equipment as possible as well - was Sat Nav an option on any of the above mentioned cars?
What would you guys go for for £17k?
Many thanks in advance,
Simon
I've seen three models of interest, the 318Ci, 323Ci and 325Ci. On the BMW site it doesn't seem that they sell the 323Ci new anymore - was this replaced with the 325, and if so, when.
After as much equipment as possible as well - was Sat Nav an option on any of the above mentioned cars?
What would you guys go for for £17k?
Many thanks in advance,
Simon
The 323Ci / 328Ci was replaced in 2000 with the 325Ci & 330Ci cars (2000 - 2001 model year, W plate onwards). For my money, I'd go for a 330Ci manual which gives 231bhp, IIRC the 325Ci delivers just under 200bhp so feels a bit less pokey that the 330. The sort of money you're talking about should find you a medium miler 330Ci (c. 50 - 60K would have thought) or a slightly lower mileage 325Ci. For my money it's worth going for the 2000 - 2001 model year as the spec was significantly improved over the previous model 323 / 328 E46 (clear indicators, rear PDC, cruise, multi-function steering wheel, bigger alloys all became standard).
I recently bought a 1-owner W plate 330Ci from a BMW main dealer - it had all the above plus Harman Kardon speaker upgrade, Xenons, CD multi-changer, heated seats, full leather, sports seats, 17" alloys and 12 months BMW warranty for £16K. The only "downside" was 75K on the clock, but TBH the car feels as solid as the day it was made and the engine is just sublime (lots of torque, 30 - 34 mpg on average and doesn't appear to use oil).
If you can find a higher than average mileage car in the right colour and with the right spec you should be able to get a good deal on it as all the "oh dear, it's got a bit of a high mileage" numpties won't want to buy it.
HTH
Edited to say: sat-nav was a factory-fit option, but unlikely you'll find a car with it for £17K.
>> Edited by sidekick on Thursday 18th September 21:01
I recently bought a 1-owner W plate 330Ci from a BMW main dealer - it had all the above plus Harman Kardon speaker upgrade, Xenons, CD multi-changer, heated seats, full leather, sports seats, 17" alloys and 12 months BMW warranty for £16K. The only "downside" was 75K on the clock, but TBH the car feels as solid as the day it was made and the engine is just sublime (lots of torque, 30 - 34 mpg on average and doesn't appear to use oil).
If you can find a higher than average mileage car in the right colour and with the right spec you should be able to get a good deal on it as all the "oh dear, it's got a bit of a high mileage" numpties won't want to buy it.
HTH
Edited to say: sat-nav was a factory-fit option, but unlikely you'll find a car with it for £17K.
>> Edited by sidekick on Thursday 18th September 21:01
sccbishop said:
Thanks for all the info sidekick.
the 320ci (2.2 170bhp) replaced the 323 and the 325 replaced the 328ci and the 330ci was an add on to the range.... You'll get a nice car for 17k but not with sat-nav unless it has been to the moon a few times!!!
If nav is a must have smart-nav fitted for £699 and in many ways it is better than the factory option.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff