Which BMW 3 series is best? I'm looking for used BMW

sm32589g

sm32589g

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#21
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#21
The "i" in i.e. 325i does not mean its a sedan it means that it has an "i" cam and head. It is a little sportier than the "e". For you the best BMW would be a E30 thats the generation of 1992-1999, they are generally cheap unless you want a flawless one which should cost around $15k-$16k. I bought one of those E30's and it is beautiful. Maybe you could find a good deal like i did but don't expect it. BMW's generally last around 200k miles at least myn have. The 323's are a 2.5 liter engine as well, I thought you should know.
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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#22
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#22
sm32589g said:
The " For you the best BMW would be a E30 thats the generation of 1992-1999, they are generally cheap unless you want a flawless one which should cost around $15k-$16k. I bought one of those E30's and it is beautiful. Maybe you could find a good deal like i did but don't expect it.
Click to expand...

Blake, you may want to check the production years for the E30 series 3. [slap] [;)]
I am sure you meant E36....

P.S. Welcome aboard the board.... [thumb]
 
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epj3

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#23
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#23
///M SPEED said:
Blake, you may want to check the production years for the E30 series 3. [slap] [;)]
I am sure you meant E36....

P.S. Welcome aboard the board.... [thumb]
Click to expand...
Oh man, wouldn't it have been great if my e30 were worth 15 - 16k?? Hehe

BTW Sm32589g...my friend has a near pefect condition 1994 325i sedan - got it for $5200.
 
J

janet

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#24
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#24
I really am trying to understand this! Since I never see the letter "E" before numbers in the ads, I don't know what to look for. All I see are things like 328i or 312.....like that....no "E." So how do I figure out which ones are "E?"
xox!
 
Tom

Tom

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#25
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#25
janet said:
I really am trying to understand this! Since I never see the letter "E" before numbers in the ads, I don't know what to look for. All I see are things like 328i or 312.....like that....no "E." So how do I figure out which ones are "E?"
xox!
Click to expand...
Janet I wouldn't worry about the E anymore. The "e" in 325e meant it had an Eta engine. They were available in the 80's and were supposed to provide better gas mileage coupled with low emissions. The only problem was that they were very under powered.

Considering you might want something newer, the best one that will likey fit your price point would be a 325 or 328 built whithin 96-98.
 
sm32589g

sm32589g

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#26
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#26
Oops i made a goof i ment E36. E30 is 1984-1991. E36 is 1992-1999. I reccomend the E36. I have a E30 and a E36. My E30 is a 1989 325ix. My E36 is a 1999 323is with the M package no wing though it's still nice. My uncle has two 1987 325e's, one he replaced the engine components with an "i" cam & head it's pretty nice. But his other "e" is astonishing when he purchased it it was in perfect condition 13k miles on it no scratches what so ever (until he drove it back to California from New York). It was showroom it still to this day has the new car scent. The BMW dealer offered him a brand new BMW for it, he turned it down. Any Beemer in there also.
 
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sm32589g

sm32589g

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#32
"That looks like a E46 body to me."


Wow you are officially a moron go on ebay or autotrader and you can see them my car is a 323is 1999 with the m package it is a E36. 1999 is when they started making the E46 but there were still quite a few E36's made.
 
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epj3

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#33
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#33
sm32589g said:
"That looks like a E46 body to me."


Wow you are officially a moron go on ebay or autotrader and you can see them my car is a 323is 1999 with the m package it is a E36. 1999 is when they started making the E46 but there were still quite a few E36's made.
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Correct - I dont think bmw made an E46 coupe till model year 2000? I think 99 coupes were still e36's.
 
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northstar

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#34
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#34
sm32589g said:
"That looks like a E46 body to me."


Wow you are officially a moron go on ebay or autotrader and you can see them my car is a 323is 1999 with the m package it is a E36. 1999 is when they started making the E46 but there were still quite a few E36's made.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are correct. I am an moron.....
 
N

northstar

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#37
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#37
epj3 said:
Correct - I dont think bmw made an E46 coupe till model year 2000? I think 99 coupes were still e36's.
Click to expand...

If you would look at the "BMW Discussion Topics" page of this forum, you will see that E46 is from 1999 - 2005. Those are the same years as stated by the "BMW Magazine".

The following is from the "BMW Magazine" for the E46:
"The introduction of Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, now applied to exhaust as well as intake valves, increased power and fuel economy on 2.3 and 2.8 liter six-cylinder engines, the only ones offered in 3 Series models in the U.S. This was another break with tradition. Midway through the production run, the 3 Series' engines were bumped out to 2.5 and 3.0 liters. In 2000, the convertible was introduced. ................."

Is it correct to state that 1999 3 Series in 2.3, 2.8, 2.5 and 3.0 liters are all E46 ?
May be some of the experts on this board can shed some light.

Again,I am just a moron trying to seek the truth. Thank you.
 
N

northstar

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#38
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#38
northstar said:
If you would look at the "BMW Discussion Topics" page of this forum, you will see that E46 is from 1999 - 2005. Those are the same years as stated by the "BMW Magazine".

The following is from the "BMW Magazine" for the E46:
"The introduction of Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, now applied to exhaust as well as intake valves, increased power and fuel economy on 2.3 and 2.8 liter six-cylinder engines, the only ones offered in 3 Series models in the U.S. This was another break with tradition. Midway through the production run, the 3 Series' engines were bumped out to 2.5 and 3.0 liters. In 2000, the convertible was introduced. ................."

Is it correct to state that 1999 3 Series in 2.3, 2.8, 2.5 and 3.0 liters are all E46 ?
May be some of the experts on this board can shed some light.

Again,I am just a moron trying to seek the truth. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Just to confuse this issue more, looks like BMW in 1999 makes the e36 in the coupe and convertible. I know I am confuse now. Oh well, I guess it is not that important after all, not unless you are buying a 1999 BMW 3 Series. Oh well..............................................
 
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epj3

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#39
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#39
northstar said:
If you would look at the "BMW Discussion Topics" page of this forum, you will see that E46 is from 1999 - 2005. Those are the same years as stated by the "BMW Magazine".

The following is from the "BMW Magazine" for the E46:
"The introduction of Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, now applied to exhaust as well as intake valves, increased power and fuel economy on 2.3 and 2.8 liter six-cylinder engines, the only ones offered in 3 Series models in the U.S. This was another break with tradition. Midway through the production run, the 3 Series' engines were bumped out to 2.5 and 3.0 liters. In 2000, the convertible was introduced. ................."

Is it correct to state that 1999 3 Series in 2.3, 2.8, 2.5 and 3.0 liters are all E46 ?
May be some of the experts on this board can shed some light.

Again,I am just a moron trying to seek the truth. Thank you.
Click to expand...
No, I'm saying that the 1999 COUPE was an E36 - since bmw didn't make the E46 coupe till 2000. The 1999 FOUR DOUR SEDANS were E46's.

As for the same reason 1992 325i's were E36's, and 1992 325ic (convertible's) were E30's.


Here's the FACTS. In the USA;
E36 328i COUPES were built until April, 1999.
E36 sedans were built until April, 1998.
E46 323Ci (COUPE) was built starting in 11/1998
E46 328i COUPES were started in 11/1998.

Confusing, eh?
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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#40
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#40
Tom, I think she is referring to the "E" in the model types; E30, E36, E46, E39 etc.....

I could be wrong, but it is how I interpreted her statement....

*EDIT* Nevermind, I didn't see the second page when I made my post....
 
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