99 328i to buy or not to buy

[divesliverstain]

I don't own a E46....yet. I'm seriously concidering purchasing a one owner 99 328i with 92,000 miles. It's in really good shape. It checked out fine on Carfax. It has the premium package. The price seems to be right. He's asking "in the 13s". I'll probably offer him $12,500. I'm sure it would be a good deal at $13,500 I really like the car but it's not exactly what I want. I really would like to get a two door with the sports package. I can live without those but the biggest flaw is that it has an automatic. Every other E46 I've driven has had a manual. The slushbox takes away from the experience IMO. Even though it was slower I enjoyed driving a 318d more. But then again that was on the autobahn, not the flat midwest roads. Right now I'm a college student so paying retail for a E46 just is not viable right now. Should I jump on this deal or wait until a 328ci, 323ci, or 325ci with the sports package and a manual comes along cheep? [???1] [???1]

 

[aNoodle]

Hard to say...but you're talking about the same car as mine so I'm biased. I went back and forth on whether to get auto or not. I still do. When i'm on twisty roads I want to kick myself for ever buying an auto. Then when I'm stuck in rush hour traffic, I think it's the best decision I ever made. (The best, of course, would be to have two cars...one of each.)

But don't settle. If you really want a stick...wait for one. You'll be stuck with the car for a while and you don't want to be thinking you made a mistake.

All I would get for my $42,000 is $12,500?!? Ouch. I'd say that's a great bargain. I would buy my car for $12,500. That's a steel. Realize that some work will need to be done at 100,000 miles...nothing crazy. Spark plugs and belts (both 100,000 miles deals). O2 sensors are 100,000 miles too but you can wait for a check engine light cuz they often go much longer than that. But for bargaining leverage ask him if he's had the radiator flushed, brake fluid, transmission and diff fluid.

 

[bmw2099]

I'm in the same exact boat as you man. I'm a frosh in college, and want to get into an E46. Ive looked into both the 4 door and 2 door, but have a passion for the 2 door (as my E36 was a 2 door). I've driven step-tronics and manuals, also with a passion for the manual (also which my E36 was). I'm convinced on doing it right this time. I want the whole nine (<--- whole nine yards). I'm waiting out until i can find a 2000 323ci, vs a 99 323 or 328. I think it's a wise move, not to mention sportier. I thought I could live with a 4 door, but the more I think about it, the more I realize i don't wanna live with a 4 door. The manual I CAN NOT DO WITHOUT!!!! best of luck!

 

[dm_longhorn]

Wait!

I've been in you guys's situations and the key is PATIENCE.

Don't jump the gun...

I waited long enough and I now own what i've longed for...

 

[jaime-330]

If what you really want is a manual Iwould say wait for one. at 92.000 miles you could be looking at some transmission work and to repair or replace an automatic will cost you a lot more, few months down the road. So go for what you really want WAIT!. One more thing Manual E46 are less expensive than automatics. So you may find what you really want for the same money and probably with less miles on it.

 

[Abdoman]

I would wait - if you really want a manual. Nothing takes away the fun more than settling for an automatic tranny when you really want a manual.

 

[JCinFW328i]

You are looking to buy the same car I have....and let me tell you what fun the car is. I bought mine with 96k miles for 13500, but the car is perfect exterior and interior (leather is perfect) and the paint is impecable. I am partial to manual, just love the drive and they are said to wear better than automatics. If you really want a manual I'd wait to get that because you dont want to regret not having it later; although, it is a BMW, there should be little regret at all.