BMW 3-Series Saloon (1998 - 2005) 323i SE 4d (2000/W) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I don’t really fit into the stereotype of a BMW 3-series driver. In my opinion, the car says that I like subtle-looking prestige saloons. A lot of people try and beat you off the mark at traffic lights, especially young guys in their kitted up small hatchbacks. I often don’t bother rising up the bait but it’s sometimes nice just getting the engine spinning above 3000rpm and leaving them far behind in your rear-view mirror.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They all seem to really like the car, mainly in terms of comfort, but they always seem nicely surprised when your right foot gets heavy and you get to high speed rather quickly, or you perform a smooth, safe overtake. My mates often jibe me about it being a family car, but hey…

Would you buy this car again and why?

I’d definitely buy another E46 3-series again, but I would have to go for either the 2.8 or 3 litre petrol or the 3 litre diesel. The 170bhp 2.5 litre is punchy, but does leave you wanting more, especially in a heavy car like this. The car is very comfortable, quiet and stable - it soaks up bumps with ease and feels solid and tank-like on the road. Insurance costs aren’t too bad either (23 year old with 2 years NCB and no points – touch wood!).

What are you likely to buy next?

I think I’d stick with BMW, but I’d need to go for a bigger engine model. The new 3 series is starting to grow on me more but I love the styling of the E46. I’d probably go for a late-model E46.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£7,500

When did you buy the car?

March 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

Reasonable deal... I paid slightly more than the average, mainly due to the low mileage and service history. The car was/is in very good mechanical and aesthetic condition and had recently undergone its major and expensive ‘Inspection 2’ service. The car also came with 12 months MOT and 6 months tax... I also think I got a good deal on the part-exchange for my 1993 BMW 318i SE.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Low mileage, subtle bodystyling, friendly dealer, full service history (mostly BMW), reasonably good part exchange deal... The main reasons I chose this particular manufacturer and model were: Rear Wheel Drive, Inline 6 cylinder engine. Comfort and smooth driving quality of BMW.

What was the dealer like?

Very friendly. The dealer had been in business (same management) long before I was born (I'm 23). The few reviews I managed to find on the Internet all reported good service. The staff were all polite and helpful and answered all questions to the best of their knowledge. They also didn't have a problem with me rooting through all the documentation and receipts that were with the car. They didn't even want to be with me while I test drove either - handed me the keys, put the trade plates on and away I went... The dealer was Autocars of Tupton.

What's it like to drive?

That inline 6 cylinder engine really does make a difference! I'm not a boy racer but it really does put a smile on your face when you floor it - very smooth and pins you to the seat! Fuel economy is surprisingly good for a reasonably powerful petrol car. On long motorway runs I get 36-41mpg, 32-33mpg on a combined cycle and only about 24-29mpg in towns and cities. The car is perfect for motorway cruising and the engine is up to the job. 50-70mph isn't too good but you never need to change down, even on steep-ish motorway hills. Town driving can be tiring in this car; the clutch, steering and gearbox are very heavy and this often results in my back aching. I'd recommend an automatic if you do a lot of city driving. The stability control and ABS do seem a bit intrusive at times, but they do

What's it like to park?

Hmm, visibility through the mirrors is reasonably good. It's impossible to see the back of the car so you're always cautious as to how far back you can go. I always seem to under-estimate which is good and prevents scratched bumpers. I don't have parking sensors, but I've always got by without in the past. The cars manoeuvrability and turning circle is pretty good for a mid-size saloon car and the steering is quite heavy; you can feel that it’s fixed on the road - which I like.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The 'Check Engine' light came on a few weeks after I bought it (strangely after I refuelled at a slightly run-down Esso garage). The fault was 'Cylinder 1 Misfire'. I reset it and it hasn't returned within 4 months... I've recently replaced the rear brakes (disks and pads) at a cost of around £80 for OE parts. This is easy enough to do yourself if you're handy with a spanner. The air-con also smells when switched off after being run for a while. This might have to be checked out professionally. I prefer the windows down anyway...

What's most practical about your car?

The car can comfortably seat four 6ft adults when required. There are also quite a few storage places inside the car for 'clutter'. The boot is quite big but trying to get anything big in it is a nightmare and things often end up being carried on the back seat. The back seats don't go down on this car either, (it’s an optional extra) which makes it VERY impractical for carrying long or bulky loads (get a roof rack or a Touring model). This said though, the boot’s more than big enough for carrying 3 peoples luggage on a weeks holiday.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and climate control. The cruise control’s great when you're tired and just want the car to take over part of the driving. It's only good on very open roads, dual carriageways and motorways with little traffic around. If traffic starts getting quite dense, then I just have to switch it off and take over.