First time BMW buyer, looking to buy 323i

[DreamB]

In terms of buying the 323i, its a detuned 325i which can be tuned to increase the power from 130kw (2006 model) to 160kw 325i power because its the same engine, gearbox, etc.

Yes the 320d has more torque because of the turbo, but on open road top end i reeled in a 320d.

Remember when buying your car you must think of maintenance costs as well, as a diesels require more service intervals than a petrol engine, also you will need to adopt a certain driving style on a diesel to ensure longer turbo and engine life, if you decide to keep the car past motorplan(which will not be hard), if possible find out from the dealer what the car was used for by the previous owner and what kind of driving they did.

Also think about your daily driving conditions and which would suit you better.

Best i can advise would be to try and test drive each car if possible.

Then make your decision.

Good luck.

I commute between Midrand and Jhb on a daily basis for work. I always try to beat the traffic by leaving early and knocking off early.

Don't do too much driving during weekends other than the occassional shopping malls and driving to friend. I only do long distance when I drive home to KZN which is not that often. 3 times a year max.

---

In terms of buying the 323i, its a detuned 325i which can be tuned to increase the power from 130kw (2006 model) to 160kw 325i power because its the same engine, gearbox, etc.

Yes the 320d has more torque because of the turbo, but on open road top end i reeled in a 320d.

Remember when buying your car you must think of maintenance costs as well, as a diesels require more service intervals than a petrol engine, also you will need to adopt a certain driving style on a diesel to ensure longer turbo and engine life, if you decide to keep the car past motorplan(which will not be hard), if possible find out from the dealer what the car was used for by the previous owner and what kind of driving they did.

Also think about your daily driving conditions and which would suit you better.

Best i can advise would be to try and test drive each car if possible.

Then make your decision.

Good luck.

 

[" N1KHAR-ZN "]

You can't go wrong with a BMW. Sheer Driving Pleasure!

 

[habmwlo]

323i is a great car to buy, for me I would choose white color

 

[akash]

In terms of buying the 323i, its a detuned 325i which can be tuned to increase the power from 130kw (2006 model) to 160kw 325i power because its the same engine, gearbox, etc.

Yes the 320d has more torque because of the turbo, but on open road top end i reeled in a 320d.

Remember when buying your car you must think of maintenance costs as well, as a diesels require more service intervals than a petrol engine, also you will need to adopt a certain driving style on a diesel to ensure longer turbo and engine life, if you decide to keep the car past motorplan(which will not be hard), if possible find out from the dealer what the car was used for by the previous owner and what kind of driving they did.

Also think about your daily driving conditions and which would suit you better.

Best i can advise would be to try and test drive each car if possible.

Then make your decision.

Good luck.

I commute between Midrand and Jhb on a daily basis for work. I always try to beat the traffic by leaving early and knocking off early.

Don't do too much driving during weekends other than the occassional shopping malls and driving to friend. I only do long distance when I drive home to KZN which is not that often. 3 times a year max.

---

In terms of buying the 323i, its a detuned 325i which can be tuned to increase the power from 130kw (2006 model) to 160kw 325i power because its the same engine, gearbox, etc.

Yes the 320d has more torque because of the turbo, but on open road top end i reeled in a 320d.

Remember when buying your car you must think of maintenance costs as well, as a diesels require more service intervals than a petrol engine, also you will need to adopt a certain driving style on a diesel to ensure longer turbo and engine life, if you decide to keep the car past motorplan(which will not be hard), if possible find out from the dealer what the car was used for by the previous owner and what kind of driving they did.

Also think about your daily driving conditions and which would suit you better.

Best i can advise would be to try and test drive each car if possible.

Then make your decision.

Good luck.

---

Then i would say go with the 320d in automatic.

 

[Crewzer]

Go with a 320d, the 323i lacks power in town driving and is bit thirsty.

 

[DreamB]

You guys have been totally awesome..
Off to carfind.co.za

 

[XMAX]

Dont forget Autotrader, Junkmail motoring and the ever famous Gumtree.

 

[herr bmw]

i went from a 1,9 tdi golf 5 to a 323i,power is about the same ,and im getting 10,8km/l combined.
plus point on the bmw is there is no turbo(R37000)to put a new one in at vw,no labour.
can tcomplain about the bmw as im not a race junky,old age setting in,but it isnt shy to do 200km

 

[DreamB]

Hi guys,

So I've been doing some searching, a lot of searching i.e.
Found a white 325i with sports pack and sunroof 2009 model (Facelift) with 42 000 km's on the clock.

It is R280 000. The guy added 18" wheels for R10 000.

I did quite a bit of searching and frankly I think it's a good deal. For that price you can get an old shape 325i.

Just wanted your views guys before I sign the papers. Should be today or tomorrow :excited:

Oh, please excuse my ignorance. Does the 325i have turbo?

 

[XMAX]

2009. That would be a facelift model, right?

If it is, then it seems to be a good deal.

also, you will have factory motorplan.


just wondering if youve considered the e60 5 series. Awesome cars. great value for money.

 

[akash]

Yepps that the face lift model, sounds like a good deal. No the 325i does not have a turbo.

 

[DreamB]

2009. That would be a facelift model, right?

If it is, then it seems to be a good deal.

also, you will have factory motorplan.


just wondering if youve considered the e60 5 series. Awesome cars. great value for money.

Nah didn't consider 5 series.. a bit too big for me.

 

[Mphoza-ti]

This is the mail i got from Club Motors Fountains, maybe it might help:

At Club Motors Fountains, exceeding expectations is a promise we live up to. And for a limited period when you purchase a new BMW 320i, we'll upgrade you to a BMW 323i at no extra cost. Take advantage of this limited offer and drive off with more exclusivity and more performance with the same repayments.
For further information and to book a test drive contact Juan Broedrich on:
Tel: 012 322 8546
E-mail: [email protected]
Offer available on a new BMW 320i Sedan until end June 2011 and subject to trade-in. Not available in conjunction with any other BMW 3 Series offer. Model shown with optional extras. Terms and conditions will apply.

 

[Shayel]

Hey, i'm selling my 2008 Sport model 320i for R250,000 and very negotiable.I bought it brand new and can't keep it any longer so some lucky dude is going to score a luck with it!

 

[zaleonardz]

Ok,

Now for my view on the subject, stuff this low miledge premium price paying bullshit, been there, lost the money, ended up paying a fortune.....

BMW's do NOT explode mysteriously when they hit 101,000 on the clock. I would look at a 2006 or 2007 model with 100,000 on the clock going for 100k if not more under then what you are willing to spend.

The 6 cylinder BMW motor is indestructable, provided that they dont overheat, and have decent lubrication. Do a search on the forum for guys that have had problems with a 6 cylinder that has not been a sensor or something small.

Yes, the auto boxes are an issue, granted, so buy a manual, more fun anyway.

Things such as control arms, diff bushes, propshaft couplings, all of these things go...

But rather do this, buy a BMW for 160k (and you can buy some nice cars for 160k) slightly older, but then give somebody like Gizmo or Werries or Zeemax or or or like 30k to de do wear items, replace the above, replace water pump, replace brakes, and you have saved yourself a cool 75k, bought a higher spec car, and will suffer a lot less on the depreciation scale....

I would look at a clean E60 545 for 180k (case in point Gizmo on the forum), my ex PRISTINE 730d with like 115k on the clock is on the dealers floor now 189k, and there are MANY MANY other examples.

Good mechanic, basic knowledge so you know when somebody is talking crap, and you dont need to buy a 300k car.

My E39M has now like 210,000 on the clock, I drove her down to margate 2 weeks ago, my wife has put like 6,000 on the E46 I bought her, gopher has done bucket loads of miledge, my dads partner has over 330k on the clock on his 330d, just think about it

---

See this thread to support my argument, and these are some fairly older cars..

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=19954&page=2

 

[Jakkals_F30]

I have to agree with zaleonardz here..

Been around for long enough to know what the BMW are all about and i have to say if you look after them they will look after you...
Yes there's normal wear and tear items you will have to replace once the mileage picks up on the car and that is to be expected as you will never find a car that nothing will ever break or wear out.. if you find one of those let me know i will buy one... lol lol..

all in all the 6cyl engines are damn good.. my dad's previous 528i - he sold it with 280k on the clock and there was no issues whatsoever with the car, no puffs of smoke or anything. reason for selling is he wanted something with way less mileage on it and yes he was bloodys sad when he got rid of it. To give you an idea as to why i brought that up. My dad's driving style - start the car... drive slow till he's sure the engine is warm enough not to cause any damage and then he floors it.. look i know my old man drives fast but even driving the car hard everyday there was no issues with that motor whatsoever..

My e30 320i - had 180k on it when i sold it. no issues with the motor but yes other little things had to be replaced. E30 325i ACS - also around 180k no issues either..

If they had decent reliability then they will have now.. well that's my view at least.

Then now having the E90 323i - yes it's a detuned 325i but in my stupid mind it says the following. ok the car hasn't got the power the 325 has but it might be even better because if it's slightly detuned there's less stress on components inside the engine so it might just last forever... my dumbass theory i know :mmm:

Having said all that - if you take care of your car she will take care of you..

 

[prospect]

Hi guys,

So I've been doing some searching, a lot of searching i.e.
Found a white 325i with sports pack and sunroof 2009 model (Facelift) with 42 000 km's on the clock.

It is R280 000. The guy added 18" wheels for R10 000.

I did quite a bit of searching and frankly I think it's a good deal. For that price you can get an old shape 325i.

Just wanted your views guys before I sign the papers. Should be today or tomorrow :excited:

Oh, please excuse my ignorance. Does the 325i have turbo?

Take it!!!

 

[DreamB]

Just a quick one guys. Is the 18" wheels worth the extra R10 000?
How much would they cost me at BMW, the sales guy says they go for about R40 000 citing that the R10 000 he's offering me is a bargain.

 

[XMAX]

I dont get this "added 18" wheels".

surely the selling price should be for the car as it stands in the showroom. Fight the f#$er cos I think that he might be trying to mess you around.

 

[Yulz9081]

Bargain with them, they just trying to make a quick buck. Typical salesman tactic. Should be 280k as is, if push comes to shove drop him to 5k for the wheels.