BMW 325ci ??

vectra

What are they like?
Power?
Alocholic on petrol?
Problems/issues?
etc
Just curious, might consider something like this next year if they are good

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2724762

Bearcat

I've had numerous 325is......including the exact same as this model....which is an auto. Of all the 325ci's on CZ I'd be chasing this ......low miles and looks well looked after. The car itself is a pleasure to drive, tight if little firm on the chassis but wonderful handling. Engine is a dream, not bad on the juice, loads of poke and mated to the auto gear box the gear changes should be seemless. I found the stereos in these models junk re quality of sound.....seats were comfy. I'd a lovely blue one of a similar year with the biscuit leather.

Word of caution,on inspecting these 325i's a well known issue as these engines get older is the hydraulic tappets weep. You'll find this out when you start the car cold and you'll hear a clatter up front.....it should disappear in a few secs as the oil feeds into them.....I'm aware its no biggie to drive a car with this initial tappet clatter but it sounds sh!te. Replacement of same is not complicated but you'll pay a size able amount with labour and the cost of those 24 lifters. So in conclusion.....try and test drive one from cold.

Best of luck

vectra

Sounds good.
Stereo wouldn't bother me as I would do an upgrade all round anyway,
As I say. It won't be that particular car as it will be next year ( October) when I will be changing.

166man

Always wanted one of those especially the 325 for some reason. There are however some lovely models of this motor available in the UK. Might find a nicer one there.

Sobanek

Bulletproof engines really, this one's got low miles so it's a plus as well. Great cars, comfortable, nippy and FUN.

-Corkie-

166man wrote: »

Always wanted one of those especially the 325 for some reason. There are however some lovely models of this motor available in the UK. Might find a nicer one there.

Same as that now. I had a 88 325is when I was 20... I wish i still had it along with my age too..:mad::(

166man

-Corkie- wrote: »

Same as that now. I had a 88 325is when I was 20... I wish i still had it along with my age too..:mad::(

Well being 19 it's going to be a while before I can afford insurance but it's one of those cars I would love to drive once even for that straight six sound.

I really like this one have been looking at it for ages, stunning motor, high road tax wouldn't bother me.



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201129403291090/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-from/3000/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/7000/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/transmission/manual/colour/silver/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/body-type/saloon/model/3_series/make/bmw/radius/1501/page/1/postcode/sw1a0aa/keywords/325i?logcode=p

guerito

I've been a passenger in a 325ci and an 2003 Audi S3 in the last couple of weeks and there didn't seem to be a huge difference in poke. Both seemed nice and grippy in the corners too. Can't find many people who criticise the beemer either. I'll be test driving both soon, will let you know how they compare if you like.

Vanbis

Lovely car and very low mileage. That looks like great value.

Saul Goodman

vectra wrote: »

What are they like?
Power?
Alocholic on petrol?
Problems/issues?
etc
Just curious, might consider something like this next year if they are good

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2724762

nice, but not as nice as an audi a4 quattro 2.0 dtm

guerito

Saul Goodman wrote: »

nice, but not as nice as an audi a4 quattro 2.0 dtm

Not as saloon-y, rare or pricey either. You're looking at around 14K landed for an A4 dtm. Plenty of well-specced e46 325ci's around for much less than that.

jebuz

I bought one of these about about a month ago and I'm finding it an absolute joy to drive! It Sounds and feels great and you really can notice the power of the 2.5 engine, well I would I was driving a 1.2 punto before this

I'm finding its quite thirsty on the petrol but manageable, road tax as you'd expect is high but hey I think it's still worth it for what you get. I got an 05 ci with 40k on it so very similar to yours. I have to agree with the comment on the poor sound quality, except mine's one step further, it only works on one side so I'm looking into doing an upgrade on the speakers, let me know if anyone could recommend a good place to go, dealer mentioned ICE in Ranelagh for audio upgrades.

ottostreet

Get a 330ci...ferocious pull out of it! The fastest car I've ever owned, it was amazing!

166man

ottostreet wrote: »

Get a 330ci...ferocious pull out of it! The fastest car I've ever owned, it was amazing!

I think on paper anyway the 325i beats the 330i because it's almost as fast in the real world, I think the tax is also quite a bit less and according to a friend of the family who has one, high 30's mpg is manageable on the motorway. Manual gearbox all the way though...

ShiresV2

Haha, I was just about to say that someone will be along soon saying "buy a 330". With Irish speed limits, Irish tax rates and a poor selection of larger engined cars in Ireland I think its hard to justify only looking for a 330. It's not going to be all that different a drive than a 325 or even the 2.2l 320, a bit quicker and a bit more refined in manual form due to the longer gearing and that's about it. If you want something significantly different buy a 316i or an M3!

Tea 1000

An A4 DTM is a bit "meh" though. There was an Irish one for sale about 8 months ago for reasonable money compared to the UK, but they're not a patch on something like a Mazda 6 MPS, which is better in every way.
The 325Ci seems to be the best blend of performance, nice engine, mpg and just about stomachable tax without going into the 4 figures!
The 330Ci's are nice too, and can get decent mpg, but you're looking at €350 more again on tax, which doesn't sound like much, but straw and camels back and all that!! M3's are in a different price league and performance league, and can't be compared to a 330Ci, they're aimed at different markets.

challengemaster

Few things to watch out for

(most important)

Rear subframe issue:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1033524_bmw-settles-e46-3-series-subframe-lawsuit-promises-to-repair-affected-models

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948066992482

The springs get brittle over time, so don't be too surprised if there's a break at some point and you need to replace them with Eibachs (better than original replacement) Seems very common

Front control arm bushings tend to wear quickly too

http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php/BMW_E46#What_should_I_look_out_for.3F

And there's a list of all the other stuff too.

Might be worthwhile checking bmw-driver for opinions too

challengemaster

Few things to watch out for

(most important)

Rear subframe issue:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1033524_bmw-settles-e46-3-series-subframe-lawsuit-promises-to-repair-affected-models

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948066992482

The springs get brittle over time, so don't be too surprised if there's a break at some point and you need to replace them with Eibachs (better than original replacement) Seems very common

Front control arm bushings tend to wear quickly too

http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php/BMW_E46#What_should_I_look_out_for.3F

And there's a list of all the other stuff too.

Might be worthwhile checking bmw-driver for opinions too

Scottfreee3

<SNIP>

MOD EDIT: No shilling.

Scottfreee3

Scottfreee3 wrote: »

<SNIP>

MOD EDIT: No shilling.

Sorry, forgot, can't advertise. I have a 325ci, I'm 21, it's my first car, very nice car to drive, I get between 37mpg country, 35mpg motorway and 23mpg city. But I strongly recommend upgrading the shocks as our roads will destroy the wishbones, bushes and control arms. Pm me if you would like a full overview on a 325ci and what to look out for. And when looking at a car, ALWAYS bring a jack and look under the car and check wishbones and bushes as the e46 model bushes and wishbones fail at around 100,000 miles.