Any thoughts on this car? e46 320ci

Theboinkmaster

See

http://www.grangemotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201106201191612

would auto put you off?

Anan1

TBH, manual would put me off that car. As would the wheels, but they're easily changed.

biko

Not at all but auto isn't for everyone.
Take it for a spin and see what YOU think.

brennarr

An Auto would make me go for it. Seats look super comfy:)

Owen

That e46 sport leather interior was the peak of BMW's design team's best effort. It's gorgeous. How they thought the e90 was an improvement is beyond me.

Stevie Dakota

Thats a lot of car for the money. 2 things, it will be thirsty, expect mid 20's around town and also that engine is known to like a bit of oil so keep an eye on that. I drove one once and found the ride a bit on the firm side so make sure you can live with that.

Nice car though.

Oh, and I would view the auto as a big plus.

Theboinkmaster

Thanks for the replies, I might either trade in or sell privately my 07 sportline 1.4L golf, any thoughts on what cost to change may be? You think that's a good price for this car?

Idbatterim

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24147

Auto would not be my cup of tea, less responsive, slower, heavier on fuel, more to go wrong...

Theboinkmaster

I got a great price on my own car so going down to view this afternoon.

Any suggestions on questions to ask?

An Ard Ri

i have one of these, albeit manual. Great car. MPG poor doing city driving 21-22mpg, but you can get 32-35 on the motorway. Very nice car to drive, and apart from changing brakes and tyres should should get about 35k miles trouble free driving before the usual stuff nedds replacing e.g. control arm bushings, expansion tank, etc. If you can get another few quid off the price i'd say go for it. The tax is high but is a very good drive and is still after 6 years, a very stylish car.

Idbatterim

my thoughts are I wouldnt pay anything over 10k for it, look at the other 318ci I linked to looking for E8950! the girl trying to sell it, hasnt been able to do so even at a knock down price for weeks. and its nearly exactly same as one your looking at...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/325-CI-C/201101200758544/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-E46-/201104201033308/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-SPOR/201113201779654/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/330-CI-M/201036199471542/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-COUP/201112201761923/advert?channel=CARS

I could go on and on and on. Those above prices are only asking prices. You could knock another up to 10% off them. All I wanted to do was highlight, how overpriced the one your looking at is. Also the dealer says its a 2L engine, it isnt, its 2.2 difference being about E200 in tax... If you go to sell that car in a year, Id say youll get slightly more than half of what you buy it for now... you can get an 03 facelift for less than half that price...

Victor_M

I'd sort of agree with Idbatterim, if you could sell your golf privately you'll get probably 1K more than the trade in, which in turn will give you a better bargaining position buying with cash to knock as close to another grand off the asking price (if they'll shift by that much, some of the bigger garages tend to dig their heels in on price even if they are way off the Mark)

It's way over priced but with 34K miles it's hardly been driven and has most likely had a very easy life, the condition of the leather interior would be a lot worse if it was a high miler, the drivers leather seats on the sports models are the first part of the car to start looking tatty.

P.s I'd prefer the manual, it's a great albeit thirsty engine, the sound alone makes feeding 6 cylinders worth while, and I love those alloys.

ottostreet

I have a 330ci, having it in auto would ruin it.

Go for it, they're a fantastic car. I just wish my tax was a bit lower

fmul9798

Mileage seems rather low considering the seat leather wear, though pic is hard to judge. UK import based on that reg. perhaps, so can mileage be verified? That would be my main worry.

Idbatterim

i wouldnt even look at a 320ci, the tax for a 325 is only E100 more and you get an extra 25bhp, fuel economy virtually the same, the 3L tax for me would just be too much. also I wouldnt waste my own time even humoring that dealer with a realistic offer, given what he has the car priced at!

Victor_M

ottostreet wrote: »

I have a 330ci, having it in auto would ruin it.

Go for it, they're a fantastic car. I just wish my tax was a bit lower

+1 I had a manual 328Ci, it was a great all rounder 26-28 mpg, 193 Bhp, went like a scolded cat. Probably the best all rounder I've owned ( the M3 was a better car, but most of the better bits I couldn't legally take advantage of and the running costs were a fair bit higher, but I digress)

Just sell the golf privately and haggle hard.

Idbatterim

The main panel that wears on the leather seats is the side one where the driver gets in, I had mine replaced for E90 for leather and labor...

Theboinkmaster

Dealer offered me €11k for golf which seems very good compared to what i think id get privately. Though obviously they are compensating for this being expensive.

I thought the price seemed reasonable considering the low mileage and 1 year warranty?

So cost to change just over €3k. In this model I'm specifically looking for low mileage, silver and msport with those exact alloys. So this car ticks all the boxes other than the auto, and perhaps price.

How would i verify the mileage - maybe naively im assuming because it's grange motors it's legit

Idbatterim

if you view it and do proceed, get a car check report, garage should have that themselves though! then get it checked with AC car sales or another bmw specialist prior to purchase, their checks cost E149!

Victor_M

I sold my wife's '05 1.4l black sport line golf (very quickly) 8 months ago for 8K.

I know lots has happened in misery Island since then, but surely you could get a bit more than 11 for it privately, I was very surprised by the level of interest in it at the time and it sold in a matter of days. Young men seem to think a sport line golf is the pinnacle of pouseur motoring! You could do worse than giving it a try.

bryaner

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Dealer offered me €11k for golf which seems very good compared to what i think id get privately. Though obviously they are compensating for this being expensive.

I thought the price seemed reasonable considering the low mileage and 1 year warranty?

So cost to change just over €3k. In this model I'm specifically looking for low mileage, silver and msport with those exact alloys. So this car ticks all the boxes other than the auto, and perhaps price.

How would i verify the mileage - maybe naively im assuming because it's grange motors it's legit

Do a cartell on it..

Theboinkmaster

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

How would i verify the mileage - maybe naively im assuming because it's grange motors it's legit

I would agree that it's legit considering who is retailing it.

Idbatterim

the garage may not have clocked it, but how many owners and garages hands had it been through, Id guess from age roughly 2 so far... could well be a uk import as has been suggested...

run_Forrest_run

would anyone question 2 owners and only 34k miles, does that seem odd at all?

Stevie Dakota

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

would anyone question 2 owners and only 34k miles, does that seem odd at all?

If the car checks out and is sound who cares how many owners its had?

Theboinkmaster

Just back from test drive. From the condition inside and out id say the mileage is genuine. The guy who owned it lived and worked in town, so mainly used at weekends.

Reloc8

Only that if someone is telling you porkies on one aspect of it, they might be telling you more on others.

I wouldn't buy a used car at that price point without an independent mechanical assessment, paid for by me, generating a written report for me as well. You'll know exactly what you're getting, or it will save you a great deal of trouble.

Car looks great though - nice motor.

run_Forrest_run

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

If the car checks out and is sound who cares how many owners its had?

yeah I suppose. Just don't know why two owners would drive it so little and then sell it but I perhaps they wanted to keep its value and get a decent upgrade etc.
It's just me then, I buy a car and keep it until it's time to upgrade way down the line.

batman2000

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Just back from test drive. From the condition inside and out id say the mileage is genuine. The guy who owned it lived and worked in town, so mainly used at weekends.

Dont be fooled by the looks of the interior. Spend €30 and do a check on either
www.motorcheck.ie
or
www.cartell.ie

Its worth the piece of mind...Trust me...

L-M

14 grand :O

My brother paid 10 for a black diesel one the same as it about 2 months ago. I wouldn't even pay 10 for it. I borrowed my sisters 320ci for a few hours there about a week back. The sound is absolutely gorgeous, but it was an utter sow on juice. She finds it horrible on juice to, but she only travels a mile or two to and from work. Auto is the only way to go for Bmw's IMO, they don't feel rightr as a manual.

Limerick man

Limerick man wrote: »

Auto is the only way to go for Bmw's IMO, they don't feel rightr as a manual.

The enthusiasts won't like that :pac:

Theboinkmaster

batman2000 wrote: »

Dont be fooled by the looks of the interior. Spend €30 and do a check on either
www.motorcheck.ie
or
www.cartell.ie

Its worth the piece of mind...Trust me...

OK will do, thanks.

What do you guys think of the cost to change? €3,200 from a 07 1.4L golf sportline

Also the tax is up in April so really €4k

L-M

RoverJames wrote: »

The enthusiasts won't like that :pac:

Just my own opinion. I'd say I've driven every form of Bmw (bar the likes of the M5's etc.) and I can only say I much prefer the autos, only due to the fact the manuals aren't nice to drive at all.

L-M

I think two grand would be a fair deal.

listermint

Limerick man wrote: »

Just my own opinion. I'd say I've driven every form of Bmw (bar the likes of the M5's etc.) and I can only say I much prefer the autos, only due to the fact the manuals aren't nice to drive at all.

Em, I dont even know how to answer that.






Suffice to say its an opinion..... :eek:

mkdon05

Nice car, I have an 03 saloon 320i auto. I'm selling at the minute due to costs to run it and maintain it (properly) but if you can deal with them, its a great 6pot.
The price of that one seems high to me. Mine is going for around 5k

Idbatterim

My brother paid 10 for a black diesel one the same as it about 2 months ago. I wouldn't even pay 10 for it.

I said that earlier, I reckon its worth 10k, at a push! no one is going to care what you pay for it, when you go to sell it... in an auto you would have to get atleast the 320ci, then again the manual 2L, from 05 came with 150bhp, it would be alot lighter on fuel than 320ci and only have 18 bhp less.

Leonard Hofstadter

Idbatterim wrote: »

I said that earlier, I reckon its worth 10k, at a push! no one is going to care what you pay for it, when you go to sell it... in an auto you would have to get atleast the 320ci, then again the manual 2L, from 05 came with 150bhp, it would be alot lighter on fuel than 320ci and only have 18 bhp less.

Yeah but an E46 320i has six cylinders, and that alone is reason enough to choose it over a 318i (the fact that it has 25 extra horsepower over an E46 318i is merely an extra reason to choose it):)!

Also, the E90 320i is really the replacment for the E46 318i, as the E90 320i has only 148 hp and has the same four cylinder engine the E46 318i had.

I'd be having a manual if I was buying a Coupe, but that's just me (if it was a saloon I'd probably choose the auto though).

The car the OP linked to looks really sweet, but is too expensive.

Theboinkmaster

captainspeed wrote: »

Yeah but an E46 320i has six cylinders, and that alone is reason enough to choose it over a 318i (the fact that it has 25 extra horsepower over an E46 318i is merely an extra reason to choose it):)!

Also, the E90 320i is really the replacment for the E46 318i, as the E90 320i has only 148 hp and has the same four cylinder engine the E46 318i had.

I'd be having a manual if I was buying a Coupe, but that's just me (if it was a saloon I'd probably choose the auto though).

The car the OP linked to looks really sweet, but is too expensive.

what do you think of my cost to change?

Idbatterim

ofcourse i prefer a 6 cylinder, my point is a measly 25bhp, when you consider it is a 6 pot and has only extra 25bhp and poor fuel economy compared to 318ci, I personally wouldnt buy one, Im looking at a 318ci at the moment, made a good offer on a 325ci, the best the buyer has received, but hes holding out for better, has been for a long time now... going from 318ci to 320ci to me is questionable, considerably poorer fuel economy and 200 more to tax, going from 320ci to 325ci, only extra 100 tax and virtually no difference in fuel.

Victor_M

Idbatterim wrote: »

ofcourse i prefer a 6 cylinder, my point is a measly 25bhp, when you consider it is a 6 pot and has only extra 25bhp and poor fuel economy compared to 318ci, I personally wouldnt buy one, Im looking at a 318ci at the moment, made a good offer on a 325ci, the best the buyer has received, but hes holding out for better, has been for a long time now... going from 318ci to 320ci to me is questionable, considerably poorer fuel economy and 200 more to tax, going from 320ci to 325ci, only extra 100 tax and virtually no difference in fuel.

I'd agree, the performance gains vs additional costs on the 320Ci don't weigh up, my 328Ci had better fuel economy that the 320. Stick to a 318Ci ( boo) or do it right and get. 325/330:D

Idbatterim

stats taken from autotrader.co.uk

2l 318 manual, combined mpg 39.2, 9.3 sec 0-62 mph
2l 318 auto, combined mpg 34.9, 10.1 sec 0-62 mph
2.2 320 auto, combined mpg 30.1, 9.4 sec 0-62mph

my point being the 318ci manual is quicker than the 320 auto and way more fuel efficient, cheaper tax and possibly insurance.

Elessar

I have the exact same car as my daily drive (sports leather and all ) but in manual. Lovely car to drive, but expect it to drink fuel and oil. I've had mine 4 years and even though I'm itching for a change, it's still a beautiful car and is still a regular head turner. Costly to run but so worth it!

Expect 23/24 MPG around town.

veetwin

OP it is a lovely car you are considering but it is a tad overpriced.

Also you are going from a very saleable car to a very unsaleable car. 2.2 Litre petrol autos are about as desirable to most buyers as a dose of the clap.

Consider how long you will have it and what will happen the day you decide to change. It will not be any easy one to shift.

Having said all that I'd have it in a heatbeat with that spec including the auto and the low mileage. Should be trouble free if somewhat expensive motoring.

Idbatterim

IF the car were to be purchased for asking price, it will be worth marginally more than half of current price this time next year... thats what a private seller who knows the market will value it at... its only worth what similar ones are selling for, plus maybe a slight premium if spec if fantastic or mileage low etc...

VolvoMan

Limerick man wrote: »

Just my own opinion. I'd say I've driven every form of Bmw (bar the likes of the M5's etc.) and I can only say I much prefer the autos, only due to the fact the manuals aren't nice to drive at all.

It's funny, because I was under the illusion that a BMW 6 cylinder with a good manual gearbox can be one of the best cars you will ever drive.

I always thought the E46 was automotive perfection, but I couldn't help noticing this E92 325i recently: http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/Coupe,-A/201111201638352/advert?channel=CARS

It's been for sale for about a month, so I would say a good cash offer would buy it.

VolvoMan

VolvoMan wrote: »

I always thought the E46 was automotive perfection, but I couldn't help noticing this E92 325i recently: http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/Coupe,-A/201111201638352/advert?channel=CARS

It's been for sale for about a month, so I would say a good cash offer would buy it.

I've looked at that add quite a few times over the last few weeks. It seems quite reasonably priced for what it is.

Theboinkmaster

Thanks for all the advice lads - I'm going to leave it and wait until next year and get a more powerful, newer one. I wasn't mad on the auto gearbox and couldn't justify the additional running costs for what it is, think id need more bhp.

Idbatterim

what about the below op?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1952277

Theboinkmaster

Idbatterim wrote: »

what about the below op?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1952277

That looks v nice but wouldn't like that colour leather. I'm going to wait a year or two and actually get a more powerful saloon of the current model - maybe a 330 or something. Probably have to go to the UK to get one as most here seem to be 320s.

Idbatterim

there are actually quite a few 330's around at moment, see below, the dealer has had the car for months, asking price has dropped quite alot, Id imagine they would take somewhere around 9k... its a beauty, but I couldnt stomach the tax, the 325 is my cut off point... you mentioned going for something more powerful, did the 320ci auto leave you underwhelmed?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/330-CI-M/201036199471542/advert?channel=CARS