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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
What is it like to own E46 323CI
- Thread starter Fuad
- Start date
GoCart
///Member
I had a 2005 325ci which I sold a year ago....
It was a great car, and if it was an auto, I would have probably still be driving it.
Ample power for a daily driver, and fuel consumption was more than acceptable.
Changed is for a auto diesel...
I suspect the 323ci will offer much of the same.. make sure it was maintained well.
It was a great car, and if it was an auto, I would have probably still be driving it.
Ample power for a daily driver, and fuel consumption was more than acceptable.
Changed is for a auto diesel...
I suspect the 323ci will offer much of the same.. make sure it was maintained well.
I would also say pay special attention to the big ticket items.. Cooling system, clutch and the air-conditioning system. Oil leaks are to be expected around the tappet cover, but look at the filter housing and rear main seal (if you can get the car on a lift). Owner service history is a must.
My Bro has a 2003 325CI its an amazing car! More than enough power and not too bad on gas as a daily driver...
Just make sure the one that you are swapping for is 100% mechanically. When things go wrong you better have deep pockets:thumbdo:
Ensure that the car has been serviced regularly and it goes into all the gears smoothly...
You shouldn't have too many issues provided it was taken good care off.
Its a big step up from the Honda you are going to enjoy every second of it...Congrats:rollsmile:
Just make sure the one that you are swapping for is 100% mechanically. When things go wrong you better have deep pockets:thumbdo:
Ensure that the car has been serviced regularly and it goes into all the gears smoothly...
You shouldn't have too many issues provided it was taken good care off.
Its a big step up from the Honda you are going to enjoy every second of it...Congrats:rollsmile:
Guys you know what I just feel like I have to say this.
First and foremost thank you to all of you who took your time to respond to my post you don't understand how I appreciate it and I would like to justify why I am so appreciative.
You see as most of us when we buy a vehicle of a certain brand what is the way to find out more about the vehicle and the brand. You join a couple of related forums and ask for advice. Now this is purely the reason why I would drive a BMW or VW any day because our communities care for their fellow members and brand owners and share information willingly and freely.
I owned My Honda for a little over a month now and prior to that had a little import civic as well in all the time I asked on Honda forums for advice on the cars and parts availability and common issues this I did on the Honda Owners forum and also on the Facebook forums and all I can say is they are a bunch of arrogant and selfish douchebags.....not one reply to any of my posts or requests except for one member who invited me on a run.... I promise you not even one reply I even posted there that their community is lacking and they are selfish.
Guys once again thank you all for responding and I will be super proud to drive the German Brand once again because you guys make it worth it....
Fuad
Cheers:cartel:
First and foremost thank you to all of you who took your time to respond to my post you don't understand how I appreciate it and I would like to justify why I am so appreciative.
You see as most of us when we buy a vehicle of a certain brand what is the way to find out more about the vehicle and the brand. You join a couple of related forums and ask for advice. Now this is purely the reason why I would drive a BMW or VW any day because our communities care for their fellow members and brand owners and share information willingly and freely.
I owned My Honda for a little over a month now and prior to that had a little import civic as well in all the time I asked on Honda forums for advice on the cars and parts availability and common issues this I did on the Honda Owners forum and also on the Facebook forums and all I can say is they are a bunch of arrogant and selfish douchebags.....not one reply to any of my posts or requests except for one member who invited me on a run.... I promise you not even one reply I even posted there that their community is lacking and they are selfish.
Guys once again thank you all for responding and I will be super proud to drive the German Brand once again because you guys make it worth it....
Fuad
Cheers:cartel:
+1 on cooling system, i had oil leaks around dipstick seal on both my e46, powersteering pump can go, control arms most certainly, steering rack replaced, rear tail light connectors can burn out (common issue), expansion tank (bottle cracking), fuel pump. seals around front doors can lead to cabin noise.
My brother and I have owned 4 x e46 (330i x 3 and 325 x 1), these are similiar problems on all of them and we had them while still on plan.
cracking cars (my soul was basically entwined with the car) - but maintenance on these can literally sink you.
My brother and I have owned 4 x e46 (330i x 3 and 325 x 1), these are similiar problems on all of them and we had them while still on plan.
cracking cars (my soul was basically entwined with the car) - but maintenance on these can literally sink you.
Arbee
Honorary ///Member
I once owned a 323ci auto, albeit it was a short ownership of around 4 months.. Pretty much the same wear and tear items as any E46. Cooling system, LCA's.
I loved the car, sold it to my house but i was sad for many months and then bought the E39. Just make sure that it comes with a FSH, once you have it, speak to Gizmo for some preventative maintenance.
Thank you for these kind words. Really means a lot!
I loved the car, sold it to my house but i was sad for many months and then bought the E39. Just make sure that it comes with a FSH, once you have it, speak to Gizmo for some preventative maintenance.
Fuad said:
Thank you for these kind words. Really means a lot!
I can confirm that suspension bushes, cooling system, power steering pump and oil leaks will give you grief on an E46. Here are a few more things I can think of.
Don't know about the coupe but on the sedan the window regulator mechanism is not built to last, so check all the windows. Also check other toys like electric seats and sunroof if fitted. Check that the boot opens when you press the button. The wires can break.
Ask if the clutch has been done yet. Sometimes the flywheel has to be done at the same time and it is not cheap. It will good if this the clast has been done already as they do not last forever. Ask about the alternator as well. Mine has needed bearings and a voltage regulator.
Check that the CD changer is still working. If the seller tunes you that he took the discs out for the sale, make him put some back in and play a few tunes. If the A/C is not blowing cold, do not fall for that the line that it just needs a re-gas. It could be something big like the evaporator, which will cost more than R10K to fix.
An E46 should come with four keys - two big black ones with remote control, a grey service key and a little plastic wallet key. If a remote key is missing it will be close to R2K to get a new one.
Don't know about the coupe but on the sedan the window regulator mechanism is not built to last, so check all the windows. Also check other toys like electric seats and sunroof if fitted. Check that the boot opens when you press the button. The wires can break.
Ask if the clutch has been done yet. Sometimes the flywheel has to be done at the same time and it is not cheap. It will good if this the clast has been done already as they do not last forever. Ask about the alternator as well. Mine has needed bearings and a voltage regulator.
Check that the CD changer is still working. If the seller tunes you that he took the discs out for the sale, make him put some back in and play a few tunes. If the A/C is not blowing cold, do not fall for that the line that it just needs a re-gas. It could be something big like the evaporator, which will cost more than R10K to fix.
An E46 should come with four keys - two big black ones with remote control, a grey service key and a little plastic wallet key. If a remote key is missing it will be close to R2K to get a new one.
I had a 325Ci and loved it. Solid quality build. All the same issues as everyone above. Control arms, expansion tank and my alternater went too. If possible those warranty packages can help. I paid R6k and the above fixes at BMW were well over that. Auto is sluggish until you get the rev's up. I would recommend the manual, would be a much more enjoyable drive. Auto kinda heavy on fuel in traffic, but not bad on open road. Silky smooth straight sixes! And it still looks great
I've had my 325ci for 5 years now and they almost the same as the sedan maintenance wise. Window mechanism is different to the sedan so you don't have that issue. My starter packed up, was replaced by gizmo, looks like the coupe imports might have a smaller unit. Send me a pm if you want to have a look and feel of mine.
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