BMW 320/325Ci/320Cd M-sport (E46)

ciarsd

Lads and ladies, kind of on the lookout for a clean BMW E46 M-Sport Coupé (facelift model).

Necessities:

* Facelifted model (> late 2003 reg on)
* M-Sport
* 6-Pot petrol, but consider 4-Pot diesel
* No larger than 2500cc
* Manual
* Service history documented
* Leather

Nice to haves:

* Bluetooth
* Xenon headlights

Colour preference:

* Any colour really, although..
* Steel Grey
* Steel Blue
* Titan Silver

---

* Not really after any black shades but will consider every car at this stage!

Cheers for any help!

Leonard Hofstadter

I'd have the petrol every time, yes tax would be a b!tch but the tax savings on the diesel will be a pittance compared to the almost certain inferior reliability.

The manual 320 diesel has a DMF so that's €2k down the drain every 60,000-100,000 miles and that's before we get to injectors, swirl flaps(most famous for going on 530ds but also very common on 320d), and of course what 320ds of that era are famous for... lunching turbos.

Yes the petrol like the diesel has MAF problems and like every BMW the cooling system will fail eventually but I'd still rather be paying to replace a MAF than a DMF or a turbo I know that much. Even if you were going for autos I'd still choose petrol because of the reliabilty.

The petrol obviously will sound a lot better(if that kind of thing is important) being a 6 cyl too, so it's no contest for me anyway. Because of tax etc I would expect that the petrols are cheaper making it all the more of a reason to buy one over the diesel.

You only live once and you should think about that when buying, there'll be plenty of time for a diesel when you're older;)!

WacoKid

Why 4 pot diesel or 6 pot petrol!? Surely you have these mixed up. There is no refinement with a 4 pot diesel and it rattles like a cutlery drawer! A 6 pot diesel (330d) on the other hand is a fantastic engine.

Anan1

WacoKid wrote: »

Why 4 pot diesel or 6 pot petrol!? Surely you have these mixed up. There is no refinement with a 4 pot diesel and it rattles like a cutlery drawer! A 6 pot diesel (330d) on the other hand is a fantastic engine.

There's no denying that a 6 cylinder diesel has a less unpleasant rattle than the 4 cyl, but in terms of acoustics neither can hold a candle to the 6 cyl petrol.

cadaliac

6 pot petrol, no contest. Unless you are doing serious milage to offset the cost of petrol versus diesel, I would not bring the hassle of a unreliable diesel engine upon myself.

ciarsd

All valid points lads... however that was not the intent of my post!

As you can see I'm on the lookout for a decent/clean facelifted coupé. Either a 320Ci or 325Ci - 6 cylinder petrol.
If all else fails I would give consideration to a 320Cd... but a 6 cylinder petrol is where the heart is leading the searching!

Cheers

MarkN

For what you're looking for I'd go to www.bmw.ie and search used cars.

The criteria you're looking for will be easier to find at a main dealer.

ciarsd

Thanks Mark, been there too. Looking across the water as well, but 36% VRT is having a knock-on..

jayok

Pity - I have all of that but Automatic

Edit: I should elaborate: a 03 325Ci M-Sport Black facelift, with dark tanned leather (heated), bluetooth, harman carman upgrade in metallic black, with FSH from BMW then AC Car sales.

WacoKid

I have been 'browsing' with regards to importing a good BMW, circa €25k, and the price diff is not really there any more. It may even come to buying in UK + VRT is more expensive....swings and roundabouts!! :eek:

ciarsd

WacoKid wrote: »

I have been 'browsing' with regards to importing a good BMW, circa €25k, and the price diff is not really there any more. It may even come to buying in UK + VRT is more expensive....swings and roundabouts!! :eek:

I hear you, there is zero in it when it comes to a petrol car... couple of quick quotes I've done, was actually working out more expensive than the going rate over here. Currency aint helping either.