BMW 325CI Advice please
Discussion
My brother has decided to look for a coupe and has always been fond of the e46. He has found a local one for sale within budget of around £3k. Any help or advice on these particular cars:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...
E46s are great cars and the Coupe is a real looker. 
I had a 2002 325ti Compact for a few years and loved it.
The prop donut might not be too bad, but the boot floor probably wouldn't be economic unless you can DIY it.
Look out for rust everywhere and expect to have issues with the cooling system like a bowed radiator, split expansion tank, etc. Mine needed a cooling system refresh a few months after I bought it on 80K miles and was starting to get very rusty underneath, which is partly why I sold it.
I had a 2002 325ti Compact for a few years and loved it.
The prop donut might not be too bad, but the boot floor probably wouldn't be economic unless you can DIY it.
Look out for rust everywhere and expect to have issues with the cooling system like a bowed radiator, split expansion tank, etc. Mine needed a cooling system refresh a few months after I bought it on 80K miles and was starting to get very rusty underneath, which is partly why I sold it.
culpz said:
I'd try and plump for a decent 330 if you can. The 320, 325 and 330 all have the exact same engine but with different power outputs, so you're better off with the one with the most that also gives the exact MPG. With that being said, I wouldn't turn down a decent example 325.
320 is a 2.2, 325 is a 2.5 and 330 a 3.0.Similar engines just different capacities.
318 is a 2.0 4 cylinder
One in the link looks ok.
Damage to drivers seat which is common.
Pre facelift so personally I would get a facelift car if he can.
Didn't the boot floor issue get sorted for the facelift?
Speaking from recent ownership experience of the E46 there are three things you can check. All these had to be fixed on mine and I didn't notice them as it was a cheap car with a lot of problems so I didn't check anything before buying it. 130,000 miles. 2002.
1. Oil filter housing leaking oil. Can be quite a fast leak if it has gotten into its stride. Not hard to fix but not a nice thing to have to put up with if it's in progress.
2. Gearbox bearings. Was whiney so I replaced the gearbox. Not a hard job on these cars but I ended up having to change a pretty new looking clutch at the same time as they're not the same on all years of E46. Different number of splines on the gearbox input shaft. Replacement gearbox was £50 and the clutch kit was around £170.
3. Problematic wandering handling. I never really got to the bottom of this but while the gearbox was out I changed the rear bushes on the front arms and that seemed to help. Potentially it was tyres. I had the alignment done. It improved but never entirely fixed. There must be some common issue which causes it but never found out what and sold it before it was fully solved.
Despite these issues I really liked the E46 and would have another. It's basically a perfect car.
1. Oil filter housing leaking oil. Can be quite a fast leak if it has gotten into its stride. Not hard to fix but not a nice thing to have to put up with if it's in progress.
2. Gearbox bearings. Was whiney so I replaced the gearbox. Not a hard job on these cars but I ended up having to change a pretty new looking clutch at the same time as they're not the same on all years of E46. Different number of splines on the gearbox input shaft. Replacement gearbox was £50 and the clutch kit was around £170.
3. Problematic wandering handling. I never really got to the bottom of this but while the gearbox was out I changed the rear bushes on the front arms and that seemed to help. Potentially it was tyres. I had the alignment done. It improved but never entirely fixed. There must be some common issue which causes it but never found out what and sold it before it was fully solved.
Despite these issues I really liked the E46 and would have another. It's basically a perfect car.
oilslick said:
I suggest you look at the MOT history for that car. I wouldn't touch it with someone else's bargepole.
Doesn't seem that bad really. For the type of car it's about average. Look up this one... see what I mean: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310122...
There is this one but we’ll it’s a lot for a 330ci:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306028...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306028...
It looks like a good one, but that's more than I'd pay for a 19 year old 330Ci!
Unless you really want an E46 you could get a good E92 330i for less than that and early ones have the N52 engine that I prefer to the M54 in the E46s, although later ones have the N53 which has some issues which is why I avoided when I was looking for my E90 330i.
Unless you really want an E46 you could get a good E92 330i for less than that and early ones have the N52 engine that I prefer to the M54 in the E46s, although later ones have the N53 which has some issues which is why I avoided when I was looking for my E90 330i.
Mr Tidy said:
It looks like a good one, but that's more than I'd pay for a 19 year old 330Ci!
Unless you really want an E46 you could get a good E92 330i for less than that and early ones have the N52 engine that I prefer to the M54 in the E46s, although later ones have the N53 which has some issues which is why I avoided when I was looking for my E90 330i.
It does look good. But expensive, my brother isn’t fused but has decided that he wants a 3.0 petrol within his budget.Unless you really want an E46 you could get a good E92 330i for less than that and early ones have the N52 engine that I prefer to the M54 in the E46s, although later ones have the N53 which has some issues which is why I avoided when I was looking for my E90 330i.
culpz said:
I'd try and plump for a decent 330 if you can. The 320, 325 and 330 all have the exact same engine but with different power outputs, so you're better off with the one with the most that also gives the exact MPG. With that being said, I wouldn't turn down a decent example 325.
I had an E46 330i Sport back in the day (BV51TWZ) and it was one of my favourite cars (Imola Red with Light Beige Leather and Wood Trim). A colleague had a 325i Sport and was a little disappointed with the performance. He considered replacing it with some kind of Saab 9-5 Turbo thing because it had a decent power output. He eventually bought a 330i Sport and absolutely loved it.
Rob 131 Sport said:
I had an E46 330i Sport back in the day (BV51TWZ) and it was one of my favourite cars (Imola Red with Light Beige Leather and Wood Trim).
A colleague had a 325i Sport and was a little disappointed with the performance. He considered replacing it with some kind of Saab 9-5 Turbo thing because it had a decent power output. He eventually bought a 330i Sport and absolutely loved it.
I love the Imola Red it’s a lovely colour. It’s hard finding one in budget.A colleague had a 325i Sport and was a little disappointed with the performance. He considered replacing it with some kind of Saab 9-5 Turbo thing because it had a decent power output. He eventually bought a 330i Sport and absolutely loved it.
Mr.Nobody said:
Mr Tidy said:
It looks like a good one, but that's more than I'd pay for a 19 year old 330Ci!
Unless you really want an E46 you could get a good E92 330i for less than that and early ones have the N52 engine that I prefer to the M54 in the E46s, although later ones have the N53 which has some issues which is why I avoided when I was looking for my E90 330i.
It does look good. But expensive, my brother isn’t fused but has decided that he wants a 3.0 petrol within his budget.Unless you really want an E46 you could get a good E92 330i for less than that and early ones have the N52 engine that I prefer to the M54 in the E46s, although later ones have the N53 which has some issues which is why I avoided when I was looking for my E90 330i.
But Imola Red is rare, and does looks fantastic. My 325ti Sport Compact was Imola, and while I had it my nephew bought a 325i Sport Touring the same colour.
A bit of Imola love just because!
He’s going to have a look at this:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/63121986...
It’s not far, within budget and looks in better condition that the OP coupe one.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/63121986...
It’s not far, within budget and looks in better condition that the OP coupe one.
He’s going to have a look at this:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/63121986...
It’s not far, within budget and looks in better condition that the OP coupe one.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/63121986...
It’s not far, within budget and looks in better condition that the OP coupe one.
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