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Thinking of buying a E46 but dont which engine model to go for, 323i or 325i or 328i, i'am looking at 98/99/2000 models for around 3-4k.
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I had a 323i (2000 Model Year) - it had the 2.5l engine in it - fantastic both in terms of driveability and economy - I averaged 31mpg over 3 years and 80 odd thousand miles.
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Thanks, good to here from owners that have had these cars.
Did you have any problems in the 3 years of ownership?
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A friend has a 330i manual on a Y plate. One of the finest internal combustion engines I have ever experienced. Bags of power, spine tingling noise, utter smoothness, 31 mpg! Does nothing wrong.
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I have just bought an 51/02 325i touring. I get about 27 mpg but I suspect that is down to my heavy right foot and the fact it feels very heavy. The sound of the engine/exhaust note is music to my ears, I just wish I could turn it up a notch sometimes.
A couple of my friends implored me to get a 330i and I'm sure that is awesome but I am happy with the 2.5. It wafts alongs effortlessly but has a deceptive change of pace when required.
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I had an old 320i auto a few years ago C reg 85 model :)
Full of rust it was but it still drove like a BMW - man & machine etc., etc.
I used to enjoy driving it Grrrrrrrrreat cars
Gotta watch out for the old head gaskets I believe
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I would say - for the balance of performance and economy - the 2.5.
I had a T reg 323i (2.5L) which I bought at 3 years old with 80K direct from a leasing company with FBMWSH. I kept it 5 years and sold it with 190K. Very little went wrong, and it never used ANY oil even when it got over 150K miles. Superb drive and I consistently got 32/33 mpg on local mileage and 36 when on the motorway or touring. It also used to do more m.p.g. on Shell V-Power (enough to justify the 5p adder).
Once I got out of the BMW dealer network and found a good independent (there are loads around) servicing was cheap. In the first year of ownership it needed front suspension bushes - common problem - and rear coil springs, again a common fault but after that it was only service parts plus pads/discs/tyres.
Make sure the coolant is changed every 2 years (not 4 as BMW state) and change the gearbox and diff oil. Both the latter are supposed to be lifetime fill but the indy recommended changing both and it was only about £15 labour plus the fluids.
I did read somewhere that the power of the 323 was "capped" at 170 bhp in order to fit into a particular German Insurance classification - achieved by fitting the same inlet manifold etc as the 320 "6cyl". Therefore this engine was understressed and capable of very high mileages.
Great cars - the 4 cyl is good but you really need to hear and feel that 6 when the pedal goes down!
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Looks like the 323 is the one to get.
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