Educate me about BMW 3-Series (Ci)

Tesla · 25 Jun 2006 at 10:11

Hiya,

My Dad is going to buy a 3 Series Coupe.

I will list what we know and please add as much info and experiences as you can. The more we know the better.

Undecided on engine size, Ranging from 2.0 - 3.0. Opinions and views on them please.

Dad prefers an Auto gearbox. How are they?

What's the difference between the sports model (CSI) and the M-Tech models?

I believe they face lifted the cars in 2003. What changes were brought in?

If you had a budget of £20k what could you expect to buy?

If you had a budget of £15k what could you expect to buy?

If you had a budget of £10k what could you expect to buy?

Are there any other cars worth considering or is the 3 series that good?

All other relevant information is much appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris

Joe T · 25 Jun 2006 at 10:18

Just make sure you get a 'six.

Tesla · 25 Jun 2006 at 10:20

Joe T said:
Just make sure you get a 'six.

What size do these start at? 2.5?

paradigm · 25 Jun 2006 at 11:10

The autobox is fantastic IMO, and I don't like autoboxes. If you are looking at facelifts, then you really should be looking at minimums of 325Ci's and 330Ci's (320Ci is a little underpowered when coupled to the autobox IMO).

Apart from the change in lights/grille/front end, the facelift gave the coupe's uprated suspension, and a more positive steering "feel". Not to mention A/C was then standard across the entire range from mid 2001 onwards.

NickXX · 25 Jun 2006 at 11:15

Tesla said:
What size do these start at? 2.5?

320i 325i 323i 328i 330i 330d are all 6

318i 320d aren't.

NickXX · 25 Jun 2006 at 11:18

20k will buy a mint facelift 330ci.

15k will buy a facelift 330ci around 53reg. Expect higher than average mileage for this money.

You will struggle to get a 330ci for 10k.

stig · 25 Jun 2006 at 11:45

there is no difference between the Sports model and M-tec they are both the same unless your talking M3, the sports come with front bumper, lip spolier side skirts and rear vallance as well as sports bucket seats, alu trim , nice M badges everywhere and a nice chunky stearing wheel with big notches!

*S

325/330 all the way! you wont regret it.

[TW]Fox · 25 Jun 2006 at 12:25

First things first. CSi does not exist. CSi is a good TV series not a 3 Series

You are looking at a BMW 320/325i/330Ci - and this is available either as a Sport or an SE. Your budget is enough for you to consider 2001 onwards models so we'll discount anything older than that.

The Sport has Alcantara Sports seats, Carbon fibre trim, M-Tech sport suspension, 18" MV alloy wheels and M-Tech Sports bodystyling, as well as a small lip-spoiler on the boot and de-chroming around the windows.

The SE has regular seats, wood trim, regular suspension, 17" wheels and more restrained styling. As a result, it is cheaper.

The three engines you'll be most interested in are as follows:

320Ci - 2.2 170bhp M54 Straight Six. 0-60 7.7 seconds for manual
325Ci - 2.5 192bhp M54 Straight Six. 0-60 7.1 seconds for manual
330Ci - 3.0 231bhp M54 Straight Six. 0-60 5.9 seconds for manual

Autobox adds 0.5-1 second onto the 0-60 time. None of them feel underpowered, even the 320Ci is actually pretty good. I wouldn't especially look for a facelift Coupe as all that really changed were the front and rear lights and you've got far more chance of getting a good pre-facelift for around £15k than a good post-facelift. I've got no idea where paradigms AC thing came from but *ALL* 320/325/330Ci's have climate control and for the E46, always have done.

The main changes to the Ci range were as follows (Ignoring 4 pots):

Introduced in 1999 as 323Ci and 328Ci
Engine range refreshed in 2000 - new 320Ci, 323Ci became 325Ci and 328Ci became 330Ci.
Sport model refreshed in 2001 - gained M3 style bodystyling
Coupe range refreshed again 2003 - gained new lights front and rear.

Tesla · 25 Jun 2006 at 12:35

Was there an option of leather on the Sports models?

Joe T · 25 Jun 2006 at 12:37

Tesla said:
Was there an option of leather on the Sports models?

Undoubtedly. Probably around £800 iirc.

NickXX · 25 Jun 2006 at 12:38

Tesla said:
Was there an option of leather on the Sports models?

Yes, it was around £800 for leather, over a grand for Nappa leather.

Morba · 25 Jun 2006 at 22:56

£20k budget?

M3 :]

jamoor · 26 Jun 2006 at 00:16

Morba said:
£20k budget?

M3 :]

indeed but will running costs be similar?

Morba · 26 Jun 2006 at 12:51

jamoor said:
indeed but will running costs be similar?

of course not, servicing for a start is quite a lot dearer!

Noxis · 26 Jun 2006 at 23:06

[TW]Fox said:
First things first. CSi does not exist. CSi is a good TV series not a 3 Series

You are looking at a BMW 320/325i/330Ci - and this is available either as a Sport or an SE. Your budget is enough for you to consider 2001 onwards models so we'll discount anything older than that.

The Sport has Alcantara Sports seats, Carbon fibre trim, M-Tech sport suspension, 18" MV alloy wheels and M-Tech Sports bodystyling, as well as a small lip-spoiler on the boot and de-chroming around the windows.

The SE has regular seats, wood trim, regular suspension, 17" wheels and more restrained styling. As a result, it is cheaper.

The three engines you'll be most interested in are as follows:

320Ci - 2.2 170bhp M54 Straight Six. 0-60 7.7 seconds for manual
325Ci - 2.5 192bhp M54 Straight Six. 0-60 7.1 seconds for manual
330Ci - 3.0 231bhp M54 Straight Six. 0-60 5.9 seconds for manual

Autobox adds 0.5-1 second onto the 0-60 time. None of them feel underpowered, even the 320Ci is actually pretty good. I wouldn't especially look for a facelift Coupe as all that really changed were the front and rear lights and you've got far more chance of getting a good pre-facelift for around £15k than a good post-facelift. I've got no idea where paradigms AC thing came from but *ALL* 320/325/330Ci's have climate control and for the E46, always have done.

The main changes to the Ci range were as follows (Ignoring 4 pots):

Introduced in 1999 as 323Ci and 328Ci
Engine range refreshed in 2000 - new 320Ci, 323Ci became 325Ci and 328Ci became 330Ci.
Sport model refreshed in 2001 - gained M3 style bodystyling
Coupe range refreshed again 2003 - gained new lights front and rear.

Are you BHP figures the same for the Saloon versions? (I have gone back to my £10k budget on a 3-Series

). But it MUST be manual and MUST be 4 door and above all MUST be 6 pot.

NickXX · 26 Jun 2006 at 23:15

Noxis said:
Are you BHP figures the same for the Saloon versions? (I have gone back to my £10k budget on a 3-Series ). But it MUST be manual and MUST be 4 door and above all MUST be 6 pot.

BHP figures are all identical to the Saloons. The Coupe is the saloon with fewer doors and slightly different shaped body panels.

£10k will buy you a 330i Sport, or a 330d SE saloon (or a Sport which has been to the moon and back

).

GSXRMovistar · 26 Jun 2006 at 23:19

Budget yourself 15K and get yourself a very nice 330ci and just knock off cash depending on mileage. (Well that's what I did

)

[TW]Fox · 27 Jun 2006 at 01:25

Noxis said:
Are you BHP figures the same for the Saloon versions? (I have gone back to my £10k budget on a 3-Series ). But it MUST be manual and MUST be 4 door and above all MUST be 6 pot.

Yes its the same for the saloon, but the changes are as follows...

1998 - introduced as 323i and 328i.
2000 - engine replacement, 320i introduced, 323i became 325i, 328i became 330i
Late 2001 - facelift. New front lights, new rear lights, Sport pack added M3 style bodykit.

There *were* Sport models before late 2001 - they did have different bumpers to the SE but it was a lot more subtle. Also, at some point between the introduction and facelift, clear front indicators and new rear light clusters were added, but I don't know exactly when.

Noxis · 27 Jun 2006 at 09:43

NickXX said:
BHP figures are all identical to the Saloons. The Coupe is the saloon with fewer doors and slightly different shaped body panels.

£10k will buy you a 330i Sport, or a 330d SE saloon (or a Sport which has been to the moon and back ).

Moon and back hmm.... I was wanting the Sport version as I prefer the body kit.

[TW]Fox said:
Yes its the same for the saloon, but the changes are as follows...

1998 - introduced as 323i and 328i.
2000 - engine replacement, 320i introduced, 323i became 325i, 328i became 330i
Late 2001 - facelift. New front lights, new rear lights, Sport pack added M3 style bodykit.

There *were* Sport models before late 2001 - they did have different bumpers to the SE but it was a lot more subtle. Also, at some point between the introduction and facelift, clear front indicators and new rear light clusters were added, but I don't know exactly when.

I definitely want a post 2001 model (Call me a plate snob but I dont want a 'Y' reg, 51 plate or newer). Obviously wanting a 330 SE Sport if I can but I know £10k is stretching for that a bit.

What are the implications of mileage? I dont want too many miles on the clock maybe absolute max of 60k but would prefer below 50k.

Would I get more for my money NOT getting a Sports version?

(sorry for semi-thread hi-jack... although its all along the same vein

)

NickXX · 27 Jun 2006 at 10:18

Basically, the choices are 330i SE and 330i Sport.

The Sport comes with a lot more kit such as the Sport seats, sport steering wheel/gearknob/sills/black aluminium trim, uprated suspension, 18" wheels, different front and rear bumpers, lip spoiler - however other than the suspension, it's all looks, so the drive between SE and Sport won't be that different.

Sports hold their value well - so you will get more for your money if you opt for an SE. I personally had to have it with the body kit.

If you can stomach the mileage, you will also get much more bang for your buck. The general consensus is that high mileage is fine with these things, and that age tends to cause more problems.

Mine is a '52 reg (November 2002), and has now done 102k miles (bought it at 97k). Had the biggest service done last week, and the only issue they found was worn suspension bushes which will cost me around £100 (at a non-BMW garage). My interior and bodywork still looks fresh.

The only real issue to consider when looking at mileage is of course resale values, so you may need to sit down and do some sums.