BMW e46 320ci or 320cd?

Theboinkmaster

Hi

I'm possibly in the market to buy a bmw e46 320ci or 320cd coupe soon. Want the following:

- facelift model 2004 or 2005
- silver or grey
- msport
- leather
- manual
- full service history and well maintained
- less than 100k miles

Petrol costs aren't really an issue as mostly do city driving. Just wondering what people's thoughts are when comparing the two? Ideally id perhaps go for a 325ci however there aren't that many around.

Any thoughts on price? I've seen some asking €11-12k. I'm keeping an eye out on donedeal and bmw-driver.net. UK import isn't really an option due to time however i could go north - any recommended sites to use for NI?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Does it have to be an e46 Coupe ? Looney spending €10,000 on one tbh.

Theboinkmaster

RoverJames wrote: »

Does it have to be an e46 Coupe ? Looney spending €10,000 on one tbh.

Yes I'd actually be hoping to get the one i want for €6-8k perhaps?

I reckon that's realistic, I go for the petrol model, as you say a 325 would be the one to get if one popped up. The diesel ones carry too much cost premium and are obviously diesel which makes them a vastly inferior car for the low mileage driver. Folks selling petrol ones should be willing to accept anyway reasonable offers so don't let asking prices put you off.

bazz26

320cds are fetching silly money considering the newest models are not 5 years old. If fuel costs are not an issue in this country you will get alot more 325ci for your money than 320cd. The downside is the extra motor tax burden and the limited choice here. The petrol engine would probably be more reliable over time too.

Nice spec on this one:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201121202523751

high horse

Try http://www.usedcarsni.com/cars for cars for sale up north. I couldn't find any 325ci's that were manual. The red one posted above seems pretty good

Nonoperational

RoverJames wrote: »

Does it have to be an e46 Coupe ? Looney spending €10,000 on one tbh.

I think the E46 coupe is a real fabulous car. I'm considering one myself. I'd have one over the new one any day. 10k is a bit high but it should get you a real sorted one.

Theboinkmaster

Cool lads thanks. Petrol it is - think the 325 would be perfect but how would the 320 compare?

Still decent 177bhp and 6c, so think when im searching im going to look for both, and if happen across the 325 then it's just a bonus.

I'm coming from a 1.4L golf anway..... actually that reminds me how much do you think i could sell the golf for private? 2007 1.4L sportline 55k on the clock - i was thinking about €8k?

bazz26 - that linked one is absolutely perfect other than the colour! I'm only starting to look but at present think ill hold out for grey/silver with black leather. Would maybe consider red as i think it looks great but think id want black leather with it. However that red one seems a beaut.

MrDerp

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

bazz26 - that linked one is absolutely perfect other than the colour! I'm only starting to look but at present think ill hold out for grey/silver with black leather. Would maybe consider red as i think it looks great but think id want black leather with it. However that red one seems a beaut.

I wouldn't let red put me off. A good looking car can pull off red or white IMHO, and I think we're all agreed that its a good looking car

gpf101

gpf101 wrote: »

I think the E46 coupe is a real fabulous car. I'm considering one myself. I'd have one over the new one any day. 10k is a bit high but it should get you a real sorted one.

Yeah great cars but anywhere near €10,000 for a 320Ci is madness. I'd sooner have a 330i e92 saloon tbh.

Elessar

I own a 2001 E46 320ci silver coupe and it is a fantastic car. Still gets compliments and looks all the time when been driven around - it's a beautiful machine. An absolute pleasure to drive (except in the snow!) with plenty of poke when you need it (which kicks in after 3000rpm). Incredibly smooth engine and ride - your passengers will be telling you how smooth it is.

Make sure you get a decent spec one - mine was a UK import with black sports-leather seats, climate control, Harman Kardon sound system, msport alloys and a few others. At minimum I would look for leather and climate control. Irish spec ones tend to have less extras due to VRT.

Any questions about the 320 fire away.

Nonoperational

RoverJames wrote: »

Yeah great cars but anywhere near €10,000 for a 320Ci is madness. I'd sooner have a 330i e92 saloon tbh.

Ya you're right but I'd still be tempted to pay 10-12k for a mint 05/06 320cd. You'd expect to pay a bit less for the petrol alright.

Theboinkmaster

Thanks for all the replies - def go for a petrol 320 or 325. So just have to wait for the right one to come up.

Any ideas on what id get for my golf?

Theboinkmaster

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

...........
Any ideas on what id get for my golf?

Wouldn't have a clue really, one of the last of the 1.4s on cc tax, hard to gauge (for me) really.

Theboinkmaster

bazz26 wrote: »

320cds are fetching silly money considering the newest models are not 5 years old. If fuel costs are not an issue in this country you will get alot more 325ci for your money than 320cd. The downside is the extra motor tax burden and the limited choice here. The petrol engine would probably be more reliable over time too.

Nice spec on this one:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201121202523751

That one is growing on me, might have a look. If you were offering cash what would you offer?

Idbatterim

ok op, the below ended up going for 6.5k!

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27281

my bro bought 04 318 ci m sport today, leather interior, mfsw, climate control, 79k miles from dealer for E6450. That red one is worth low 7's at a push. It is a beauty though, and is worth a slight premium for that reason... It is still available, I checked last night on my brothers behalf. some other nice ones below also.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-Ci-m/201129203428370/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-M/201128203344090/advert?channel=CARS (mileage)

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27659

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2377640

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2359137

the 325ci is only marginally more in tax, same on fuel, but has quite a bit more poke than 320ci...

166man

If I was offering cash I would begin negotiations around €7250 and maybe get him to meet in the middle, go for around €7750.

Good luck

Theboinkmaster

Idbatterim wrote: »

ok op, the below ended up going for 6.5k!

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27281

my bro bought 04 318 ci m sport today, leather interior, mfsw, climate control, 79k miles from dealer for E6450. That red one is worth low 7's at a push. It is a beauty though, and is worth a slight premium for that reason... It is still available, I checked last night on my brothers behalf. some other nice ones below also.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-Ci-m/201129203428370/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-M/201128203344090/advert?channel=CARS (mileage)

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27659

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2377640

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2359137

the 325ci is only marginally more in tax, same on fuel, but has quite a bit more poke than 320ci...

Thanks Idbatterim - i was thinking €7k max myself. I'm dead set against a 318 - want at least a 320.

I emailed the NI one in grey there that you linked - but way too much. €8k plus €3k VRT = €11k so not a chance, though it did look awesome.

Idbatterim

thing is those cars would have been going for more than double that amount 2 years ago, I think they are nearly at giveaway prices, but they are only worth what people are prepared to pay and at the moment that is not much, that said I wouldnt lose the right car for the sake of E100-200! Ofcourse try and get it for as cheap as you can, maybe start bidding off around E6500 or slightly more... the reds and cream interior combo is gorgeous... I reckon its the nicest one available at the moment... Also you get extra 25bhp from 320ci to 325ci for increase in tax of E112. for the 325ci to 330ci its E935 to E1293 for extra 39bhp. Another thing, if you cant agree on a price you can always let him know, x is my best price and is good for say 2 weeks or a month etc, that way if he cant still shift, he wont go forgetting about you and selling it to someone else cheaper, which is exactly what happened to my bro! Because an offer he may not seem happy with now, may seem damn more appealing after 2 or 3 weeks of very few if any enquiries or serious offers...

Eric Cartman

go for the ci , if you can afford the tax on a 330 youd have a hell of a car for very little money , wouldnt bother with the diesel, not nearly as fun as the petrol

Idbatterim

Op, you can check out the 325ci I bought below in May if you wish, paid E8100 for it, but it had window tints, splitters and csl alloys which added value for me, also a new oem rad and water pump had just been fitted...

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21269

one thing! get the car checked before purchasing. I recommend Gary in Chelmsford motors. When your spending that money, you dont want to leave things to chance...

Nonoperational

Christ that's a cracker.

Idbatterim

thanks gpf101, she a beauty alright, took me a long time to find the right car! OP, if you tinted the windows on the red car, it would look unreal! My bro got a quote for E160 somewhere over northside...

Theboinkmaster

Idbatterim wrote: »

Op, you can check out the 325ci I bought below in May if you wish, paid E8100 for it, but it had window tints, splitters and csl alloys which added value for me, also a new oem rad and water pump had just been fitted...

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21269

one thing! get the car checked before purchasing. I recommend Gary in Chelmsford motors. When your spending that money, you dont want to leave things to chance...

Wow lovely car! Yeah I'd pay more if it was the right car. I'm going to hold out for the right colour i want - black leather interior and silver/grey/black/red paint. Happy to wait for the right one to come up - ill be all over the bmw-driver.net forums as ideally id like to buy from an enthusiast who has looked after it.

bazz26

Here are some more:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2359137

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2377640

BTW I'd have a 325 over a 320 any day.

Theboinkmaster

bazz26 wrote: »

Here are some more:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2359137

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2377640

BTW I'd have a 325 over a 320 any day.

Thanks for those bazz but id hope to get one a bit younger, more like 04/05. The red one is nice but hate those alloys and i don't like the red leather on the silver one. Think i may have to be patient

VolvoMan

RoverJames wrote: »

I'd sooner have a 330i e92 saloon tbh.

This '06 E90 325i Saloon looks pretty good value (ironic, considering Dermot Wallace is selling it!): http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/325-SE-M/201046200229582/advert?channel=CARS

It may have cloth seats and quite a poverty spec for such a big engine model, but that wouldn't bother me too much personally as long as I had that glorious straight six.

VolvoMan

VolvoMan wrote: »

This '06 E90 325i Saloon .............

It may have cloth seats and quite a poverty spec for such a big engine model, but that wouldn't bother me too much personally as long as I had that glorious straight six.

Your account hacked ? :pac:

In Summer 2012 I might consider an e92 325/330i saloon if they can be got for less than €7000 privately in minty condition.

VolvoMan

RoverJames wrote: »

Your account hacked ? :pac:

No, not at all.

I'm as much a BMW fan as the next person, as long as it's not the sh1te that's mainly bought for the badge.

Bearcat

Be very careful buying an older bm diesel. See swirl flaps and the inlet manifold cake up with crud due emission bottling.