Late E46 325ci

I'm looking at a few of the last E46s...specifically the '06 325ci and 330ci. IIRC, the 325i engine is just a smaller version of the 330i, correct?

Yes, just smaller. Look for a good repair history, especially the cooling system.

I loved my 330ci. Check for rear subframe mount cracks, cooling system replacement history, and CCV system replacement history. Otherwise they are reasonably tough cars and have brilliant interiors, great to drive too.

Interesting fact: BMW geared the small-displacement models higher than the larger-displacement ones. So where you'd think the 325 would get better fuel mileage than the 330, they actually don't, as they are turning quite a few more revs at cruising speed.

East Coast Mojo was trying to sell her blue 325ci. It's in great condition, maintenance records back to new, M3 seats, etc. Just sayin' - she may have already sold it or decided to keep it.

In related news, e46 M3 cabriolets are dirt cheap, under $10k at times, giving a bit to catch up on deferred maintenance. Even good ones are all under $15k. The engine needs a bit more care and feeding than the 2.5 and 3.0 but not dramatically, and the rest is basically the same.

Sonic wrote: In related news, e46 M3 cabriolets are dirt cheap, under $10k at times, giving a bit to catch up on deferred maintenance. Even good ones are all under $15k. The engine needs a bit more care and feeding than the 2.5 and 3.0 but not dramatically, and the rest is basically the same.

Actually, a few weeks ago I went to a local BMW dealer here to test drive a 128i 'vert, and the salesman said to me "We've got an M3 convertible for sale too". I forget what year it was, but it was a later E46 and I took a look at it. I wasn't allowed to test drive it because it was part of the Takata airbag recall and they weren't letting anyone drive those cars, but it was beautiful.

The 325i is pretty gutless. Getting a 330i won't cost you much more, if anything, considering how far these cars have depreciated.

I came to the exact same conclusion on MPGs versus the 325 when shopping for my '05 330i sedan, . Its probably no surprise that the 330s are also generally more heavily optioned than the 325s, if that's your thing. The 325 can scoot along nicely with the 5spd, but if you're looking for an auto the extra torque of a 330 makes a big difference. Easy cars to wrench on, you can do the cooling system refresh in less than half a day. I'm gutting up to do the rear subframe and differential bushings, which even the last of the e46s mostly seem to need by now.

If you're on the Facebook, check out the Spec e46 group, there are generally lots of cars for sale on there. The group has a gift for sniffing out good deals.

Great, now I need to find a 330 diff for my 325 wagon for better MPGs

I'm more than happy with the power of my 325. It's an auto used for commuting and family hauling, so I don't expect a lot from it anyway. But it's certainly not a dog when I mash the gas pedal.

If I was looking for a sporty sedan I would choose a 330 ZHP manual for sure.

Are the early E46 325ci's more problematic?

I have a potential trade with a local kid for his 01 coupe, 5 speed. Says he's done the water pump and thermostat.

In reply to DukeOfUndersteer:

'01 would be the first year of the M54 engine (325 instead of 323). I believe the factory attempt to strengthen the subframe mounting points came in '02 but it has been a while so i don't remember for sure.

Basically I wouldn't look at it any differently than any other E46, which means I would immediately check the subframe mounting points regardless of build date and then verify the rest of it has been maintained well.

Sonic wrote: In related news, e46 M3 cabriolets are dirt cheap, under $10k at times, giving a bit to catch up on deferred maintenance. Even good ones are all under $15k. The engine needs a bit more care and feeding than the 2.5 and 3.0 but not dramatically, and the rest is basically the same.

Those of us with M3 coupes view verts as future engine donors.

Sure, but I know the OP and that he is looking for a drop top toy.