E46 323. .

Concrete

Concrete

Concrete

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What are peoples opinions of them on here? What are the running costs on them like, as I am considering a P/X against the R34 with one. Obviously I would prefer a 330, but thats not an option. The specs are:

T-reg (1999) 90k miles
*semi-auto with sports mode
*electric windows (including rear windows that open side ways) cal also be opened with remote
*electric mirrors
*rear parking sensors
*electric rear screen sun visor
*rain sensing front vipers
*Climate control and air conditioning
*front fogs
*leather seats with front electric memory seats
*M3 replica 17ins alloys
*aero side skirts rear lip spoiler
*LED rear lights
*clear front indicators
*FSH with recent service
*front pds changed recently
*taxed until end of july
*MOT until 28/10/09
*car in topaz blue
*BMW business 6 changer cd/radio/cassette player

Its in good nick, and yes the wheels would be nuked from orbit immediately! Do you think the car would be worth 4k as a P/X?
 
I've got a T reg 323 ~97k miles :p

Great car. Same running costs as the others in the range more or less. Very smooth to drive. Keep a bit aside for problems with electrics.

Sounds a bit chav'ed up though? Any pics?
 
323i....all the running costs of a 330i none of the pace, it's not a sport, it's got fake m3 wheels, it's an auto and is absolutely bog spec bar leather......not a great buy =[
 
The most likely problem this car will have is a torn rear boot floor where the subframe mounts are. Although I expect BMW will fix it for nothing (they fixed my 1999 328ci late last year).

The amount of early 323 and 328 coupes that suffer from this is a hell of a lot, I expect even if it hasn't torn properly already then there will likely be fatigue cracks starting.

Even though I was aware of the problem with these models it happened to me soon after I got my 328ci, but as I said luckily BMW fixed it for nothing. Bare in mind that my care had a previous careful woman owner (colleagues wife) and this 323 seems to have been owned by a younger lad maybe, although mine is a manual which will probably mean woman gear changes putting more stress on the rear drivetrain. ;)

It's not a semi auto by the way, it's a normal BMW automatic.
 
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rG-tom said:
is absolutely bog spec bar leather......
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Remember kids, when buying a cheap BMW the thing that matters most is how many pointless extras you'll never use that you have over the already generous standard specification! Personally I'd ignore anything without the electric rear blind and electric steering column adjustment.

It's actually not 'bog spec' at all, it's a 99 so the electric memory seats, PDC, leather etc are all options and not standard fit.

Looks a bit shabby though.
 
I NEVER use my xenons, or my harman kardon, OR my heated seats........nope. never.

or maybe they get used every day and they make quite a big difference to the experience of the car....
 
rG-tom said:
I NEVER use my xenons, or my harman kardon, OR my heated seats........nope. never.

or maybe they get used every day and they make quite a big difference to the experience of the car....
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And you are going to find those options on a cheap 323i?! It's 10 years old, most of the 10 year old 750i's didnt have Xenons let alone 323 Coupes!

Buying a car at this end of the market and condition and history is 100x more important than whether it has a fancy stereo or heated seats because there are not many good ones left.
 
Harmon Kardon is certainly not an option I'd worry about, in fact it makes it worse if you want to upgrade the audio system properly. It's an option that is widely considered as being a waste of time, it's not even that good.
 
Cheers guys, as said its not a car I'm looking to buy but P/X and I know very little about BMWs. Exterior condition isn't so much of a pain as I'm actually planning on leaving this one on the street. What do you think it is *realistically* worth in today's market?
 
Concrete said:
Cheers guys, as said its not a car I'm looking to buy but P/X and I know very little about BMWs. Exterior condition isn't so much of a pain as I'm actually planning on leaving this one on the street. What do you think it is *realistically* worth in today's market?
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My 328ci was £2900 in November last year, although I got it from a friend who was offered just over £2500 as a trade in for a convertible 330ci so obviously that was a bit cheap. I guess it's a similar spec although mine has sports seats, black shadow line, 18 inch style 32 wheels (from new), anthracite roof lining, electric memory seats, electric sunroof and it is pretty mint. The dealer had already put it up on his website for £4000 before I stepped in with an offer to my friend. I'm guessing the dealer wanted a quick sale though.

However having said that, apparently 2nd hand car prices have risen recently?
 
I'm not sure on second hand prices, but I have put my R34 up at a very competitive price and had a near offer in cash so will have to think carefully about this. It definitely feels like the car market is starting to pick up again, but that could just be the first good weather in summer kicking off interest in performance cars again.
 
He wont get a 330ci for this money :)

The 323 looks quite nice, with a new steering wheel i'd live with that car. The only thing which is disappointing is the weedy engine.
 
Is £4k the set budget then? just thought that was mentioned as thats what the car is up for.
 
I suspect you may well become bored stupid with it in a short matter of time without a manual box to keep you at least a little bit interested. For 4k I would expect absolutely mint, SE spec or otherwise. The interior won't fry you in the summertime sunlight but again a wait for an alternative colour I am sure would be a benefit. This car appears to have been stood outside most of it's recent life, not a major thing just an observation.

Picture #1 really doesn't inspire me. There's lots more that could be said and I am going on again. Is it worth 4k? No.

2.8 - 3.2k, maybe.
 
Jez said:
with a new steering wheel
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Its got the same style wheel as fitted to my e36! :confused:

P1010011-3.jpg


bmwinside.jpg


I'd have thought the e46's wheel would have been different.
 
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