Thoughts on a '99 323i 5 Speed

I'm looking in to buying this 323i that I saw at a dealer somewhat near my area and it really caught my eye. This car is from a dealer, I would just like some buying advice from you guys on it.


Price: $5,993
Mileage: 92,434
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual

fuck that

Originally Posted by MercForHire

fuck that

What's the problem you see?

I wouldn't pay over $4500.

Non-sport pack, dove grey (my opinion, but I hate that interior), and it's a 323i. I see these go in MD for around the same price all the time with better options. I would keep looking and find a 325 or 330.

1999
subframe crack
really ugly grey interior
cost too much

Buy this http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/3260174378.html

I will help you fix the front end if you're close enough to me. If I had the spare coin that thing would already be in my driveway.

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

Buy this http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/3260174378.html

I will help you fix the front end if you're close enough to me. If I had the spare coin that thing would already be in my driveway.

that is actually a good project. Can get it to look normal with $1000

Well, in consideration.

I don't mind the grey interior, and the price is not really a matter to me at the moment, considering after months of looking it was the best I could find.

Does anyone see any real reasons not to buy it or what I should be looking for in terms of condition? (Of the OP displayed.)

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

Buy this http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/3260174378.html

I will help you fix the front end if you're close enough to me. If I had the spare coin that thing would already be in my driveway.

I live in annapolis. Personally I want to buy a car that I don't have to put too much work into before it's usable, I'm gonna need to be able to drive it the day I get it for school/work.

Originally Posted by MercForHire

that is actually a good project. Can get it to look normal with $1000

Exactly I would LOVE to snatch it up as my DD beater but I really can't afford it at the moment

Originally Posted by McDeshen

Well, in consideration.

I don't mind the grey interior, and the price is not really a matter to me at the moment, considering after months of looking it was the best I could find.

Does anyone see any real reasons not to buy it or what I should be looking for in terms of condition? (Of the OP displayed.)

If that's the best you could find you're not looking hard enough/in the right places. I've seen much better deals go locally than that. I too live in Annapolis (well, Arnold, same difference)

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

Exactly I would LOVE to snatch it up as my DD beater but I really can't afford it at the moment



If that's the best you could find you're not looking hard enough/in the right places. I've seen much better deals go locally than that. I too live in Annapolis (well, Arnold, same difference)

Well, the weird thing is, I live in Arnold also (we all call it Annapolis), right across from AACC. Do you know any that are capable of running and are under 100k miles? That's just the one that I've found that fits my criteria the best. (Manual, silver/black, good interior, low mileage)

Mileage really doesn't matter much at all on these cars, trust me. What you need to look at are maintenance records and over all condition. I've had 3 BMW's with over 200k miles on them and none of them gave me any real mechanical issues. And when it comes to the E46 you're best off getting the best optioned car you can find (330/328 with sport pack, premium pack, etc) because they all get right around the same mileage and they all cost about the same to insure, why go for the lower model? I've seen plenty of 328's sell for under $6000 and 325's too. How wide is your search margin?

I wouldn't, you can do better for $6k nowadays

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

Mileage really doesn't matter much at all on these cars, trust me. What you need to look at are maintenance records and over all condition. I've had 3 BMW's with over 200k miles on them and none of them gave me any real mechanical issues. And when it comes to the E46 you're best off getting the best optioned car you can find (330/328 with sport pack, premium pack, etc) because they all get right around the same mileage and they all cost about the same to insure, why go for the lower model? I've seen plenty of 328's sell for under $6000 and 325's too. How wide is your search margin?

I can't really find any standout local 325's or 330's that are E46 for a decent price, I'm not sure if I'm not searching correctly or what, but the one displayed in the OP is definitely the best one I've found so far. I just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake buying this car.

I hear that, I'll help you do some searching tonight/tomorrow when I find the time and PM you the results

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

I hear that, I'll help you do some searching tonight/tomorrow when I find the time and PM you the results

Thanks, appreciate it. I feel like I've seen your car a few times in the area, the red 325.

Doesn't look too bad, if they are asking 6k you should be able to get it for less. However, I agree with the others that if you hang on a bit longer something better will come up.

Originally Posted by Brinkley

Doesn't look too bad, if they are asking 6k you should be able to get it for less. However, I agree with the others that if you hang on a bit longer something better will come up.

I've been searching for around 4 months for one in my price range that really sticks out as something I would want to drive for a few years, and this is the only one I've really gotten serious about. I could probably haggle the car down in price, but I still think it's a pretty decent price. Especially for the mileage.

Originally Posted by McDeshen

Thanks, appreciate it. I feel like I've seen your car a few times in the area, the red 325.

I have a 330, but yes, it is red

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

I have a 330, but yes, it is red

That's what I meant, 325 was crossing my mind when I was typing. I think I may have seen it at Arnold Station a few times. There's a really nice phoenix gold M3 that roams around that area if you've ever seen that. It's always been my favorite one.