Buying e90 323i M Sport - Advice

[Quentin Legend]

Intro:

Good afternoon fanatics,

I've searched the forum and there doesn't seem too be a lot of info on the BMW 323i, as people tend to go straight for the 325i / 330i.

Right, so I've got an opportunity to buy a 2007 e90 323i M Sport manual. The seller moved to New Zealand a few months back, the car has since been staying with the parents, mostly in the garage.

Seller is willing to accept R100 000 for the car, which is R20k - R30k under market value according to Autotrader.

I was actually planning on buying a 135i later this year however R100k for a 3 series is not a lot of money. I test drove the car this afternoon, it drives a lot better than my current 1.6 Chico :fishwack: I'll then drive this car for a year or 2 then sell it and buy a 135i (started a business last year, would prefer to keep my monthly expenses moderate)

Car details according to Bimmer.Work:
2007 BMW 323i e90 M Sport Manual - 164 000km's
2ME M L.-a.w. Double Spoke 194 M/mix.t. .
249 Multi-function For Steering Wheel
302 Alarm System
337 M Sport Package
354 Green Stripe Windscreen
4AB Fine-wood Trim Burr Walnut
4AE Armrest Front Retractable
423 Floor Mats, Velour
428 Warning Triangle
441 Smokers Package
481 Sport Seats F Driver/front Passenger
5DS Luggage-compartment Emerg. Release
521 Rain Sensor
534 Automatic Air Conditioning
544 Cruise Control With Braking Function
548 Speedometer With Kilometer Reading
640 Car Telephone Preparation
663 Radio Bmw Professional
694 Preparation For Cd Changer
704 M Sport Suspension
710 M Leather Steering Wheel
715 M Aerodynamics Package
760 Individual High-gloss Satin Chrome
775 Individual Roof-lining Anthracite
8SD Underride Guard Countries
8SL Preparation For Trailer Tow Hitch
8SM Vin, Visible From Outside
8S3 Automatic Lock When Driving Away.
823 Hot Climate Version
861 Change Of Coding Data Set
864 Overseas/dealer Directory
877 Deletion Cross-over Operation
880 English / On-board Documentation

Some things I noticed:
#1 - The gearbox is a bit stubborn, takes a bit of power to get it into all the different gears. Could be due to the car standing for a while?
#2 - It also feels very under powered before 4500rpm? I know it's only a 323i but damn.

Is there anyone on the forum who could check the service history or comments on motorplan for me? I've got the VIN number.

Any tips or suggestions?

 

[sclass]

Go for it, you'll get the 135i when you and your business are firmly rooted in a couple of years. All checks for buying a used car apply though so do give this one a good looking over :thumbs: . May be biased but I believe the N52 to be the least troublesome (though also least popular) engine in the range :rollsmile:

 

[DieselFan]

If you look at auto trader price. Book is probably 20k under that.

Book on my 2007 320d wad 120k. Also the manual may have a slightly lower book value.

There's a thread to ask book value on the forum. Check there and then reasses

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Donovan2412]

Intro:

Good afternoon fanatics,

I've searched the forum and there doesn't seem too be a lot of info on the BMW 323i, as people tend to go straight for the 325i / 330i.

Right, so I've got an opportunity to buy a 2007 e90 323i M Sport manual. The seller moved to New Zealand a few months back, the car has since been staying with the parents, mostly in the garage.

Seller is willing to accept R100 000 for the car, which is R20k - R30k under market value according to Autotrader.

I was actually planning on buying a 135i later this year however R100k for a 3 series is not a lot of money. I test drove the car this afternoon, it drives a lot better than my current 1.6 Chico :fishwack: I'll then drive this car for a year or 2 then sell it and buy a 135i (started a business last year, would prefer to keep my monthly expenses moderate)

Car details according to Bimmer.Work:
2007 BMW 323i e90 M Sport Manual
2ME M L.-a.w. Double Spoke 194 M/mix.t. .
249 Multi-function For Steering Wheel
302 Alarm System
337 M Sport Package
354 Green Stripe Windscreen
4AB Fine-wood Trim Burr Walnut
4AE Armrest Front Retractable
423 Floor Mats, Velour
428 Warning Triangle
441 Smokers Package
481 Sport Seats F Driver/front Passenger
5DS Luggage-compartment Emerg. Release
521 Rain Sensor
534 Automatic Air Conditioning
544 Cruise Control With Braking Function
548 Speedometer With Kilometer Reading
640 Car Telephone Preparation
663 Radio Bmw Professional
694 Preparation For Cd Changer
704 M Sport Suspension
710 M Leather Steering Wheel
715 M Aerodynamics Package
760 Individual High-gloss Satin Chrome
775 Individual Roof-lining Anthracite
8SD Underride Guard Countries
8SL Preparation For Trailer Tow Hitch
8SM Vin, Visible From Outside
8S3 Automatic Lock When Driving Away.
823 Hot Climate Version
861 Change Of Coding Data Set
864 Overseas/dealer Directory
877 Deletion Cross-over Operation
880 English / On-board Documentation

Some things I noticed:
#1 - The gearbox is a bit stubborn, takes a bit of power to get it into all the different gears. Could be due to the car standing for a while?
#2 - It also feels very under powered before 4500rpm? I know it's only a 323i but damn.

Is there anyone on the forum who could check the service history or comments on motorplan for me? I've got the VIN number.

Any tips or suggestions?

How many kilos?

 

[Quentin Legend]

How many kilos?

Apologies, I must have deleted it by accident when structuring my original post.

I've edited it in, 164 000km so roughly 18 000 - 20 000km per year.

 

[Donovan2412]

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...es-320i--fpa-8a8183505139c1b0015143fd9df274e8

 

[operator323]

You ll never go wrong with a straight six,i have 323i e90,ve been driving it for more than 5 years without serious problem,only electric waterpump tend to go after 80 to 90 000km,which is a common problem on this cars,other than that just normal service and fixing oil leaks,like valve cover gasket because of alluminium bolts snaping.

 

[Quentin Legend]

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...es-320i--fpa-8a8183505139c1b0015143fd9df274e8

Thanks bud, but that is a 320i and non M Sport for R85k.

The deal I'm looking at has lower mileage, M Sport Pack etc and I'll probably be able to get the price down to R90k in the end.

The 323i isn't a power beast but I'll get used to the comfort and driving pleasure of the BMW, a 320i on the other hand... now that is pushing it performance wise

You ll never go wrong with a straight six,i have 323i e90,ve been driving it for more than 5 years without serious problem,only electric waterpump tend to go after 80 to 90 000km,which is a common problem on this cars,other than that just normal service and fixing oil leaks,like valve cover gasket because of alluminium bolts snaping.

Hi bud,

Thanks for the reply!

+- what does a replacement water pump cost?

Is it normal for the gear changes to be a bit stiff, especially reverse?

PS: Is there anyone on the forum who is able to check for motorplan comments or service history? Or do I just walk into BMW, give them the VIN number and ask for the print out?

 

[operator323]

@QUETIN,for a replacement pump you looking at between 5k and 6K,from the stealers(dealers) 7k..

 

[individj]

i would want to pay like R87 500. the 323i is less desirable & he has left the currently. he doesn't have to go through the shit of selling it.

 

[Quentin Legend]

Thanks gents, I was also thinking of the R85 - R90k mark, depending on whether there is anything wrong with the car.

We couldn't find the service book in the car, they then called him, the service book is with him in New Zealand (accidentally moved with them) so I could either have him scan the book through to me... I'd much rather prefer the info directly from BMW.

No one has answered this yet, who would be able to check the cars history if I provide the VIN number?

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

 

[Quentin Legend]

Bump

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

 

[LuranchtE90]

You should be able to see what was done on Motorplan via BMW. The rest would be updated in the service book after 100 000km..

Ask if he could scan you work done on the car from 90 000km.

 

[sash]

you can phone BMW with the VIN, accident history Cois can help you. i would suggest you drive another 323i msport that is selling at the top of the end of the scale, possibly with lower mileage and compare.