jem2768 Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 I'm keeping the fingers crossed over the departure of my A3 and am contemplating a '99 328 (new shape... never was good with E numbers, sure theyre meant to be unhealthy anyways... ). Problem is, to get one, it looks like I'm going to have to fly to south of England for a couple of days and go and look at a few private sellers. For some reason there's a complete lack of them within a 200 mile autotrader search (I'm close to Belfast) . Sooo... what I want to know is, what should I be looking for beyond the obvious "is it in good nick" "has it a service history"? Is mileage tampering easy? Are there any particular areas where I might find oil leaks? that kinda stuff. Also... how big is the performance difference between the 328 and the 323? My impulse is to go for the 328, bigger being better an' all that, but mags like What Car seem to recommend the 323 over the 328. Opinions? Cheers guys for any help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snez22 Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 isn't the 323 a 2.5litre? i don't know if the 328 is a 3litre though. i'd get the 328. fuel consuption is almost the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem2768 Posted March 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 Yeah, the 323 is the 2.5 litre, the 328 is a 2.8 litre, the one the was superceeded by the 330.... nice but can't afford to go any newer than '99 so out of the question. Ok... maybe a question should be... "Where do all the BMW experts hang out?" Is there a good Bimmer forum (pref. UK / Europe) anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 Used to have exactly the car you are looking at. These cars are bombproof, take big mileages no problem. Without doubt go for a 328 over a 323. 328, 192bhp-206lbs/ft, 323, 170bhp-170ils/ft. 328 much more torque and one of the nicest engines anywhere, even now. When buying one, make SURE it has a full BMW history with MAIN DEALER stamps. A 328 without these has not been looked after as it should, let's be honest, if you could afford one when new, you could afford to service it properly! If the car has been looked after by one dealer, phone the dealer and find out what they know about the car. Only buy in SE spec, ie, climate, cd changer, auto wipers/dip mirror etc, if you don't buy an SE, you will have a very hard time shifting it when the time comes. Finally, just buy one with the highest spec and lowest mileage you can afford. I now have a 330ci, now there's a car....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 P.S. the model you are looking at is the e46. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem2768 Posted March 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 Thanks for that, that's the kinda thing I was looking for... Sounds like I'll definitely hold out for the 328SE. I still haven't managed to track down any kind of owners community that isn't heavily weighted towards the US market. There is a nice looking black 328SE in the 'trader with 37K on it... private sale, 12495. Looks good but obviously will warrant further investigation when (and if) I get shot of the A3. Just a nuisance I have to travel so far to see these things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 If it is the right car, then the distance is ok. There is some good choice, just remember when offering the seller your bid, bid low, he can only reject it and you come closer to what he wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3marc Posted March 26, 2003 Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 Jem try BMW forum , there are a few members on there with 328 e46 its not a bad forum , not up to the standards of TyreSmoke of course!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted March 26, 2003 Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 Sorry, forgot to add, the most important thing to remember, ONLY buy one with leather, if it hasn't got it, walk away. P.P.S. have you considered an e36 M3 coupe?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem2768 Posted March 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 LOL Yeah leather was actually number 1 on my list of must-have options. I've seen the way the cloth interiors wear in a slightly dodgy '99 328 down at a local garage and it's not good. I think the whole 323 / 328 which is better argument that I mentioned earlier may have been to do with weight distribution - how much heavier is the engine in the 328? does it affect the balance of the car thru the twisties? I remember reading one 318 owner saying that people reckoned the 318 was better over country roads cos it's lighter and turns in much quicker. Also that the 4-pot bimmer engines were actually more mechanically sound than the 6 cylinder jobbies. Sounds to me like a typical mine's better than yours style argument rather than based on any solid fact (hmmm, I think the guy came from that big country across the pond... not that I'd ever be in any way prejudice ). Personally I wouldn't go near a 4-pot Bimmer... what's the point? The MPG would seriously put me off an M3. There are a few around but I do a 40 mile commute each day in lousy traffic and need to be getting somewhere close to 30 whereas I reckon the M3 would be closer to 20... from the wrong side . I also prefer the E46 interior space & general appearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem2768 Posted March 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 [ QUOTE ] Jem try BMW forum , there are a few members on there with 328 e46 its not a bad forum , not up to the standards of TyreSmoke of course!!! [/ QUOTE ] Cheers! I'll have a wee peek today when I get a moment. Of course no board would be up to Tyresmokes standard... but they may have a couple more BMW owners, which seems to be something this place is lacking at the moment. Have to spread the word Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted March 26, 2003 Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 Trying to argue a case for a 4 over a 6 is laughable . BMW is built on the strength of it;s straight 6 3 series'. They constantly win any magazine group tests and are the best car in the class, PERIOD, any engine size. 323 v's 328 argument, if you got a 323, every time you saw a 328 roaring past, you would regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem2768 Posted March 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 [ QUOTE ] if you got a 323, every time you saw a 328 roaring past, you would regret it. [/ QUOTE ] Instead I just have to regret every 330 roaring past huh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loddrik Posted March 26, 2003 Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 Get an EVO then, not much come roaring past then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now