E46 323i---should we buy?

[sdram587]

Hello,

My girlfriend is still looking for a bimmer. We finally locate a 2000 323i that we like. The lowest the seller is willing to sell the car for is $20,000. If you guys think this is a good deal, we will buy the car. If not, we will take your advice and wait for a better deal.


Since I am not a BMW Pro Enthusiasts like many of you, I don't know much about BMWs and their values. I don't eat and sleep BMWs. I just drive the car.

Anyhow, the seller is an independent dealer so he probably bought the car from some dealer auction.

Here are some of the specs:

Year: 2000
Model: 323i
Condition: Prefect
Mileage: 30,000
Color: Oriental Blue
Interior: Tan/sand leather

17 inch rims
brand new tires
Viper 550 esp alarm system
and a CD changer


=) thanx

[Black Majik]

If you like it i suggest you take it to an independent mechanic for a basic checkup, if everything comes out fine get the car!

[vroo//M]

Go to edmunds for their TMV. I find this to be most accurate.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/bmw/3series/4dr323isedan/prices.html

[1995red318i]

Originally posted by Black Majik
If you like it i suggest you take it to an independent mechanic for a basic checkup, if everything comes out fine get the car!
yeah get it checked out first, and if everything is okay, go for it.

then you will actually have a 323 instead of just telling everyone you have one for the last couple weeks;)

personally i like the coupes better...but there are advantages and disadvantges to them as well. personal preference...nothing more nothing less:)

[b0rf]

Originally posted by sdram587
Hello,

My girlfriend is still looking for a bimmer. We finally locate a 2000 323i that we like. The lowest the seller is willing to sell the car for is $20,000. If you guys think this is a good deal, we will buy the car. If not, we will take your advice and wait for a better deal.


Since I am not a BMW Pro Enthusiasts like many of you, I don't know much about BMWs and their values. I don't eat and sleep BMWs. I just drive the car.

Anyhow, the seller is an independent dealer so he probably bought the car from some dealer auction.

Here are some of the specs:

Year: 2000
Model: 323i
Condition: Prefect
Mileage: 30,000
Color: Oriental Blue
Interior: Tan/sand leather

17 inch rims
brand new tires
Viper 550 esp alarm system
and a CD changer


=) thanx

Orient blue kicks ass.

:clap:

[sdram587]

Okay, since you guys think buying the 323i for $20K is a good deal, I will pass the information to my nagging girlfriend.

We (she) were suppose to buy a 323ci for $21K a few weeks ago. However, the deal went through the LAST MINUTE. We drove to MA to pick up the car and the owner change his mind at the last moment.

[bimmerforce]

get at LEAST a compression test
done !!!! (very important, pls. goto
pepboys they do it for ~ $40-50)

[sdram587]

Bimmerforce,

What is a compression test?

[bimmerforce]

hmmm ... ok ... in short ... a compression
test reveals the condition of the cylinders
and the compression and oil rings ...

it is done simply by pumping compressed
air in the cylinders :)

it's result can be somehow put in direct
correspondence with the efficiency of
the combustion if stochiometric ...

etc etc.

this is a 30 sec bad description of
what a compression test is ... search
online or on howstuffworks.com ...
for a more clear explanation ...

u basically do a compression test
(and hopefully also leakdown test)
because it tells allot about what state
the engine is in ... if compression
on a cylinder is too low ... no more
power and engine starts eating oil
at a higher rate tetcetcetcetce
etct etcetce

any pepboys should know immediately
what you are saying when u ask for it
... you are basically looking for SIMILAR
numbers across all cylinders ... around 160 ideally ... 140-150 still ok ...
a variation more than 20% for
any given cylinder is BAD NEWS.

just an idea ... my 94 325is with 150K+
miles on it has all compression numbers
in the 140-150 range ...

my 2c ...

[bimmerforce]

i hate to stress this out but maybe it helps:

NEVER pay more than $3k for a car
without doing a compression test !!!

[sdram587]

Thank You. I am so glad you that I ran across your post.

Another stupid question, can you please
explain "the leak test?"

Assuming that I buy this bimmer, since the car is still under warranty, do you think BMW will fix the engine if it fail or score lowly on the compression and leak test?

Also, do you have anymore specific test that I should do?

$20K is a lot of money for us College students =)
I want to protect my investment

[bimmerforce]

http://www.geocities.com/dsmgrrrl/FAQs/compression.htm

[bimmerforce]

well ... if i personally would buy a $20k
car i would insist on driving it myself
at least 1-2 hours in ALL conditions.

then i would do the following tests:

1. compression test
2. leakdown (see link above) test
3. check if ever over-revved (the
computer keeps revs in memory
in recent models of bimmers and not only)
4. check spark-plugs for running rich
5. ask for oil maintenance records
6. check differential and gearbox fluids
7. check for rust underneath the car,
check for ANY indication of flooding

etc.

i know ... $20k is not easy on a college
student (me included for now) ... so
that's why i am telling you ...

because it's a new car and
decently correct priced you probably
should be fine ... but always do a
compression test ...

also ... whenever you buy a car try
to put yourself in the shoes of the
seller and understand exactly WHY
he sells it ... don't be shy to ask etc.

if dealer ... oh well ... i never buy from
dealer ... but in any case be sure that
dealer makes around 15-20% profit
at least ... no matter how much he
convinces you he goes down ... etc.

good luck !

[iwannadinanm3]

well in that case, the seller is a dealer, dealers sell cars :) but i know wut u mean hehe. i think 20k's a pretty damn good deal for right now for that car. they go for about 20-21k at dealer auctions right now.