Buying my 1st BMW........appreciate advice!

[Darcy Tucker]

Hello from Toronto, Canada.
I am just starting to look for my first BMW car. I've looked around a bit and think I will likely buy a 325 or a 330.
The years I'm considering are 2001 up to the present 2005.
I would appreciate any help or tips to aid in my search, and particularly need help in understanding what the various letters after the numbers signify.
(example: 330 'CI', etc.)
Does anyone know where I can learn more about the different versions available?
Website, perhaps?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome aboard.

325i = 2.5 Liter Sedan
330i = 3.0 Liter Sedan
325ci = 2.5 Liter Coupe
330ci = 3.0 Liter Coupe
325Cic = 2.5 Liter Convertible (Cabriolet)
330Cic = 3.0 Liter Convertible (Cabriolet)
325xi = 2.5 Liter All-Wheel Drive Sedan
330xi = 3.0 Liter All-Wheel Drive Sedan

 

[Big Daddy]

Looks like Tom answered your major question. Welcome to the board and feel free to browse around searching various topics for information.

 

[Steve176]

Darcy- I just recently purchased my BMW. After I drove the 330 I was sold on that car. Both the 325 and the 330 are very nice, but, to me the 330 had the extra power that I liked. Good luck on your search, probably the best way is to drive the cars until you decide.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Thanks for the info Tom, and also to you and Big Daddy for the welcome.
I can see that the board is going to be a big help in narrowing my search down to the car I want.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Steve.......your car sounds like something I might end up with. I think I will definitely go for the 330 if I find the right total package. For me the wheels are very important to the look of the car. I like the oversize alloy rims myself.
I love the Cabrio but my girl wants me to buy a sedan. Go figure. lol
Have you driven the Cab in the winter at all?
I've always been curious how the roof holds up in the cold months, and if there are any
drafts, etc. coming in.

 

[echothreezero]

You can always change the wheels after you buy the car. I would NEVER buy a car based on the wheels it has on it. Choose the car, then choose the wheels - a good car with crap wheels will always make you happier than a crap car with good wheels - you can't see them when you are driving afterall.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Good point. I wouldn't buy the car solely based on the wheels though. I'm just hoping to find the right car that already has the wheels I like on it. Wishful thinking perhaps, but I plan on taking my time and checking out many different cars.
I do have a question that I couldn't find the answer to here on the site though.
Can anyone please explain what the various letter/numbers combos refer to?
For example: E46, E36, E90, etc.
Are there others as well?
Thanks.

 

[Militant-Grunt]

E36 is the 3 series body used from 1991-1998
Models available: 318ti, 318i, 323i, 323is, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is (is models are coupes, and the one ti is a compact the number after the 3 shows the liter size of the engine)

E46 is the 3 series body used from 1999-2005
Models available b4 facelift: 323i, 323ci, 328i, 328ci (ci is a coupe, i is four door)
Models after facelift: 325i,325ci, 330i, 330ci, 325xi, 330xi, 325it, 330it (it is touring version, xi is four wheel drive)

E90 is the 3 series body used from 2006-to god knows when..
Models available: 325. 330i, future models to come soon.

E36 - Image below shows an E36 M3 4 door.

E46 - Image below shows an E46 330i with performance package

E90 - Image below shows a 330i with sports package

So obviously the higher year you go the better do the engines get and the tech inside the car, Id personally go with a E46 330i if I were you, the E90 is in its first year so you dont know what kind of gremlins you can expect. I Hope this helps..

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Thanks MG. I appreciate the time and effort you took to respond to my question.
I'm actually starting to feel somewhat educated about the basics now. I'm 99% certain to go with the 330 but haven't decided on the model yet. The year range will likely be 2001-2004.
Any tips or input are always welcome, as my BMW journey has just begun.
Thanks again.

 

[Steve176]

Darcy - In regards to the winter with the convertible. I have an SUV that I plan to drive. So the car with be a May to end of October thing. I have only had the car a few weeks, but, absolutly love it. The car does have an insulated roof so you should be okay as long as you get snow tires. Take your girl for a ride with the top down - she will be sold on it!

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Thanks MG. I appreciate the time and effort you took to respond to my question.
I'm actually starting to feel somewhat educated about the basics now. I'm 99% certain to go with the 330 but haven't decided on the model yet. The year range will likely be 2001-2004.
Any tips or input are always welcome, as my BMW journey has just begun.
Thanks again.

If I were you Darcy I would go for a 2002 and above, 2002 is the year where all the sedans got the facelift. If you cannot afford that at least go with a 2001, as you get the 225hp engine and 330i badge vs 328i

 

[codex57]

The E46 facelift happened after 2002. But it was staggered. Using Militant-Grunt's list, I'd take out the coupes and converts from the list. The 2003 coupes/converts weren't facelifted yet while the sedans were. For example, my 325ci is pre-facelift. In fact, I specifically chose it cuz I didn't like the facelift and gave up some cool features (standard on the 04's) for the old look.