Bmw 323 buying advice

heggie

Hi, looking at a 99-00 bmw 323 2.5 litre, any problems with them or things to look out for?

CountingCrows

Aircon fan control unit is a common fault. Check the fan at all speed settings

Eoin

If you're buying from the UK, it might be affected by the Nikasil issue. I think it's the same engine in the 5 series. Would your budget stretch to a 325?

listermint

At that age make sure Springs/shocks are in order.

More than likely will require replacement - budget this cost in.

unkel

eoin wrote: »

If you're buying from the UK, it might be affected by the Nikasil issue.

Only affects cars with that engine if it was built before March '98 iirc. Should have no nikasil issue on a '99 car unless it was registered very late or something

Eoin

unkel wrote: »

Only affects cars with that engine if it was built before March '98 iirc. Should have no nikasil issue on a '99 car unless it was registered very late or something

True, but there isn't really a hard and fast rule which is why I mentioned it. I'd still go for the newer 325 engine though. I test drove a 525 (M54) and a 528 (M52 engine) on the same day, and the newer engine was much nicer.

heggie

thanks guys, are they hard on petrol ?

Eoin

heggie wrote: »

thanks guys, are they hard on petrol ?

Are you looking at a manual or auto? I don't think they will be much worse than a smaller 4 pot engine, and a lot nicer to drive. The 320 with the 2.2 engine is also nice, but I don't think you would be looking at significant savings. Despite what I said about the 325, the 323 is still very nice in its own right.

Andrewf20

E36 or E46?

I have an E36 323i and love it to bits but have had a few bills to take care off. Lets know and I can give more details.

Ferris

Get a 320, 325 or a 330, the 323 is only 0.3s quicker to 60 than the 320, they both have the same power output and the 323 has 2.5L tax.

heggie

i'm not sure if its e36 or 46 (whats the difference?), it has what look like 18" alloy wheels, leather sports interior, coupe. I was originally looking at a 318, but I think this works out better value, even with the higher tax as I don't do too much milage. I'm coming from an old 1.6 honda, so speed isnt too important to me, just a nice motor - I'm actually not buying it because it's 2.5, just love the look of this one.

Eoin

e36 is the older model. I am pretty sure you're looking at an e46.

heggie

ah ok, it has the slightly rounded headlights rather than square, so presumably e46?

Eoin

e46:


e36:

heggie

e46 is it then

Eoin

I know you say you're not pushed about the speed, but do bear in mind that tax (and possibly insurance) aside, you're probably not going to save a huge amount by going for a 318.

Check out www.bmw-driver.net/forum and you should get some good info on the running costs, as I'm sure a good few of the members there either own or have owned a 323.

heggie

thanks, from all i'm being told and reading, the 320 up seem to be a totally different car, and worth it it seems. Thanks for all the help

Eoin

heggie wrote: »

thanks, from all i'm being told and reading, the 320 up seem to be a totally different car, and worth it it seems. Thanks for all the help

I think there were two 320 engines - one 2.0 litre, and one 2.2. The 2.2 is the one to go for.

unkel

And both were straight six engines. The 2.0 was the smallest 6 pot BMW did and the extra cylinders is why most people would would recommend that one over the 4 cylinder cars like the 316 / 318 etc.

Eoin

I presume they correspond to the same engines in the 520?

unkel

Yep identical with identical model numbering afaik. Except of course that BMW didn't do a 4 cylinder petrol anymore in the 5-series since '96 (E39 model)

DubTony

I bought a 00 323ci (is that an E46) with just 29K miles on it just under 3 years ago. I've put 70,000 miles on it (I know, it's a crime) and have only had to replace the shocks and a few bits on the front suspension. (Apart from when I stuck it in a ditch and replaced a bunch of the front end). I drive everyday on the worst roads in the country, and I'm very fond of taking the racing line through bends, so there's no surprise that the shocks went (passenger side was v.bad).

This is a beautiful car to drive. It holds the road well (just don't pull off the gas suddenly in a bend - well, I think that's what happened ). Apart from the suspension work (and the crash) I've had no problems. Mileage is ok for me (long country roads). Mine's an automatic / tiptronic-thing, I average 28 to 30 mpg. I've got a very heavy right foot and use the gears quite a lot when overtaking and slowing for bends. In the city that plummets to around 22 to 24.

Every beemer I've ever been in has had some sort of problem with air con and heating. My old mans '01 520 has a heater that comes and goes and the a/c in mine can take forever to clear the windows.

Eoin

DubTony wrote: »

Every beemer I've ever been in has had some sort of problem with air con and heating. My old mans '01 520 has a heater that comes and goes and the a/c in mine can take forever to clear the windows.

Very common problem on the e39, normally the final stage resistor that needs replacing.

Johnny Utah

The pic shown by Eoin above is the facelift model of the E46, which was available from 2003-2006. If you're considering a 323 from 2000, then it will be the pre-facelift model, which looks like this:




Notice how the front indicators are a different shape to the facelift model. Also, you can buy clear indicator lenses for the pre-facelift model, which would look better imo.

Ferris wrote: »

Get a 320, 325 or a 330, the 323 is only 0.3s quicker to 60 than the 320, they both have the same power output and the 323 has 2.5L tax.

+ 1

Puncell

Andrewf20 wrote: »

E36 or E46?

I have an E36 323i and love it to bits but have had a few bills to take care off. Lets know and I can give more details.

Ye but yours is a crappy 1996 model.....you for got to mention that Andy.
And a few bills......5 crashs in less than 2 years totaling nearly 8000 is more than a few bills, anyway whts the car worth, tops maybe €400-500...

ottostreet

Puncell wrote: »

Ye but yours is a crappy 1996 model.....you for got to mention that Andy.
And a few bills......5 crashs in less than 2 years totaling nearly 8000 is more than a few bills, anyway whts the car worth, tops maybe €400-500...

lol.

Eoin

Johnny Utah wrote: »

The pic shown by Eoin above is the facelift model of the E46, which was available from 2003-2006

You can still get it in M-tech form from before then though, right?