Help!!! Need advice buying a BMW.

zx6ray32 · 01-09-2012, 01:26 AM

Hello E46 FORUM, I would really appreciate your advice in the following.

I'm looking in to buying a BMW and right now I'm trying to decide between a

* 2000 323i std 186000 miles for $6000
Or
* 2004 330i smg sport 90000 miles $11000

Which car would you guys recommend ? & why ?

My thoughts : ("One cost way less than the other but has a lot of miles.
The other is newer but cost more and has an smg transmission, which concerns me because I read somewhere it not very reliable and its a costly repair")

Thnx for taking the time to read my post. Every input is appreciated.

ElrichMeister · 01-09-2012, 01:39 AM

welcome, first i would suggest getting a PPI (pre purchase inspection) from an indy or someone who specializes in BMW's. 330i is far superior to the 323, and having an SMG trans is very rare for a non-m. It does have its issues and a costly repair if does crap out. its really what you can really afford, because it is close to the double the price, but you do have more than 100k less, and its 4 years newer. If the PPI checks out the 330 i would definitely get that

zx6ray32 · 01-09-2012, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElrichMeister

welcome, first i would suggest getting a PPI (pre purchase inspection) from an indy or someone who specializes in BMW's. 330i is far superior to the 323, and having an SMG trans is very rare for a non-m. It does have its issues and a costly repair if does crap out. its really what you can really afford, because it is close to the double the price, but you do have more than 100k less, and its 4 years newer. If the PPI checks out the 330 i would definitely get that

Thnx. Yeah I'm leaning more toward the 330i smg it seems fun to drive. I will definitely check into getting that PPI, about how much do you think it should cost ?

beeemerdude · 01-09-2012, 02:08 AM

go for lower clicks despite auto. u'll have many more years of driving pleasure despite extra loot.

don't buy someone else's high-miler

3rdmd · 02-04-2012, 04:00 PM

I would continue to look around. The less costly vehicle is a big risk and the 330i has a GREAT engine but the SMG trans is also a risk. Assuming that you will be parting with $11k I would look for a 2003 330xi with a Steptronic transmission or a manual transmission.

jfoj · 02-04-2012, 04:10 PM

Would stay away from the earlier cars if I were you.

Personally, I probably would not buy anything older that 2003.

Just search the subframe issues as well.

Also steer aware from any of the ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicles) as well. You should not have many in you state, but you never know where cars come from.

Search ULEV and you should find info. I believe you can tell pretty easily from under the hood?

BBBoy323i · 02-04-2012, 04:17 PM

I have a 2000 323i auto, its enough power for me in Hawaii. I think 6k for a 323i with 186k is way overpriced. I bought my 323i with 130k for 5.5k including two sets of wheels!

sonnybobiche · 02-04-2012, 04:35 PM

Let me put it to you this way... my 323i cost slightly less than that one, and it has 100,000 fewer miles.

BBBoy323i · 02-04-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonnybobiche

Let me put it to you this way... my 323i cost slightly less than that one, and it has 100,000 fewer miles.

Well I think location has a lot to do with price. I consider my car a steal at $5500.

sonnybobiche · 02-05-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBBoy323i

Well I think location has a lot to do with price. I consider my car a steal at $5500.

Yeah, sorry, I was referring to OP.

NJ323i · 02-13-2012, 01:24 AM

i got my 2000 323i 2 months ago for 6000. it has 119000 and its standard.

01-09-2012, 01:26 AM	#1
zx6ray32 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 11 My Ride: Bmw e46 View My Garage	Help!!! Need advice buying a BMW. Hello E46 FORUM, I would really appreciate your advice in the following. I'm looking in to buying a BMW and right now I'm trying to decide between a * 2000 323i std 186000 miles for $6000 Or * 2004 330i smg sport 90000 miles $11000 Which car would you guys recommend ? & why ? My thoughts : ("One cost way less than the other but has a lot of miles. The other is newer but cost more and has an smg transmission, which concerns me because I read somewhere it not very reliable and its a costly repair") Thnx for taking the time to read my post. Every input is appreciated.

01-09-2012, 01:39 AM	#2
ElrichMeister Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Anaheim Hills, SoCal Posts: 265 My Ride: 06 325Ci M56 View My Garage	welcome, first i would suggest getting a PPI (pre purchase inspection) from an indy or someone who specializes in BMW's. 330i is far superior to the 323, and having an SMG trans is very rare for a non-m. It does have its issues and a costly repair if does crap out. its really what you can really afford, because it is close to the double the price, but you do have more than 100k less, and its 4 years newer. If the PPI checks out the 330 i would definitely get that __________________

02-04-2012, 04:10 PM	#6
jfoj Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 5,182 My Ride: '06 330CiC, '03 M5 View My Garage	Would stay away from the earlier cars if I were you. Personally, I probably would not buy anything older that 2003. Just search the subframe issues as well. Also steer aware from any of the ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicles) as well. You should not have many in you state, but you never know where cars come from. Search ULEV and you should find info. I believe you can tell pretty easily from under the hood? __________________ Solve your misfires, lean codes, rough idle - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=897616 Fuel pump failures - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=929501 Temp Info - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=964491 Hidden OBC Menu - Check Voltage, Temps, Fuel Level - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=239619 E46/E39 GM5 Door Lock Info - www.bmwgm5.com Lower hose fan switch O-ring - BMW #13621743299

02-04-2012, 04:17 PM	#7
BBBoy323i All show no go! Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,922 My Ride: 2000 323i Black/Gray View My Garage	I have a 2000 323i auto, its enough power for me in Hawaii. I think 6k for a 323i with 186k is way overpriced. I bought my 323i with 130k for 5.5k including two sets of wheels! __________________ Galaxy Black on Gray\|VMR VB3 18x8.5 225/40/18\|Depo Smoked Corners\|Painted kidney grills\|Smoked side markers\|Orion Lite AE\|Mtech II front bumper with CF splitters\|Smoked Eagle Eye LED tails\|Ebay Lip Spoiler/More Check out my college kids + e46 thread if interested! http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=870707

02-13-2012, 01:24 AM	#11
NJ323i Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Central nj Posts: 46 My Ride: 2000 323i View My Garage	mine i got my 2000 323i 2 months ago for 6000. it has 119000 and its standard.

01-09-2012, 02:08 AM	#4
beeemerdude Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: near Vancouver Posts: 488 My Ride: 05 325ci cabrio 5spd View My Garage	go for lower clicks despite auto. u'll have many more years of driving pleasure despite extra loot. don't buy someone else's high-miler

02-04-2012, 04:00 PM	#5
3rdmd Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 3 My Ride: 2003 330xi & 535xi View My Garage	I would continue to look around. The less costly vehicle is a big risk and the 330i has a GREAT engine but the SMG trans is also a risk. Assuming that you will be parting with $11k I would look for a 2003 330xi with a Steptronic transmission or a manual transmission.

02-04-2012, 04:35 PM	#8
sonnybobiche Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Cranford, NJ Posts: 50 My Ride: '99 323i View My Garage	Let me put it to you this way... my 323i cost slightly less than that one, and it has 100,000 fewer miles.

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