My 21-year-old daughter is coming to visit for about four months, and I decided I'd rather buy a car for her to use while here rather than rent. So, after looking for what she wanted (a Mini Cooper) unsuccessfully, I came across a 2003 BMW 325Ci. I think it's also referred to as an E46. Mileage: just over 200K kilometers. Paid for it and changed the registration yesterday, and put it in the shop today. Having all the rubber hoses replaced (the heat here is terrible for hoses); a full tune up (new plugs, etc.); Changing all the fluids and filters; tire alignment and balancing (tires are good.. about 75%, probably less than a year old), and, well, that's about all it needs besides a good detailing. Paid just over $5,000 for it, and the shop estimate to do everything above is about $300, so all in, I'll have less that $5,500 into it. It's white (actually, kind of an off-white), fully loaded (including sun roof), tan leather interior, has the 'facelift' body panels and rear deck lip, and runs like a champ. Pictures AFTER the detail! Mike
kid? white BMW? what could possibly go wrong? [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZVrnd9V7sk]Kid crashes BMW M3 into rocks (2012) - YouTube[/ame]
hmmm.... that reminds me.... check the airbags... Thanks for that, Chas... Anyone interested in a cheap 325??? Mike
One of our students has one and races it on the Nürburgring. Tell your daughter that he highly recommends the car for that purpose. Good choice.
What a great "good dad" thing to do, Mike. Is she going to ship it home after or does it become Mister Seal's Autocross Toy
Assuming it's still in one piece, I'll either keep it for a while as a spare (insurance here is only $110 a year, no matter the car, for liability), or sell it. Probably way too much trouble to get it shipping back and Federalized. It's a Euro model, I'm sure, since that's what they sell here. Mike
That kid doesn't know the road, I've driven it many times and he didn't even react. Dumbass. The E46s are great cars, what's it in the shop for?
My son has a 325ci which I bought for him. Has 250,000 miles and still running strong,although he hasnt raced it at the Nurburgring. The common issues are leaks at the thermostat,wear in the front A-arms, oil leaks from around the oil pan. It a good safe car. and little money so no big loss.plus its built like a tank so she will be safe. Have fun.
Bought the sedan version for my daughter 2 years ago. Good choice. It should run another 200km without much trouble. I have a 2006 coupe as my DD. Bought it new. Love it, but probably would not get the sport suspension again for daily use. Handles great, but ride is harsh. Is yours an auto or stick? Sold my 318is with 235K miles with the original clutch.
It's an automatic. What surprised me was how well (smooth, quiet, with no smoke or other concerns) the engine runs. The only thing not 'original' (as far as I can tell) are the lights. The front lights have been converted to Xenon and the rear lights have been 'upgraded' (according to the Mechanic who is working on it)... I'm not sure what that means, but in five or six days, after I get it from the detail shop, I'll post some photos. Mike
Thanks for that, Andrew. I'll be going to the shop to check on it on Saturday (shop is closed on Friday) and will take a look at the thermostat housing and the oil pan. I already checked the A-arm bushings, and they look good, as though they've probably been replaced at some point. Should be fun! Mike
I'm still trying to figure out what shop would change all the hoses, plugs, fluids and filters and detail it for $300! Around here you would be looking at about double that.
ANY shop would here, except for the dealerships. Work, especially labor, is very inexpensive here. I can get mechanics from Syria or India to work for me all day for $25. Mike
What sold me on the 2003 we bought was the cleanliness of the engine compartment. It looked like it had just been installed. Two years later, it is still spotless and no one has touched it. For it's intended purpose, it's a great choice. My daughter also wanted/wants a Mini. But they are just so freakin' expensive for what you get.
You are so right on the Minis... even here, the price is out of sight! And, the parts costs are higher than a Cat's Ass... and, you can only buy parts at the dealership. There aren't enough here for the independent parts houses to carry them. The engine compartment on this 325 is, like all cars in Kuwait, absolutely a shambles. The dust and dirt here just get in everything and everywhere. It's unavoidable. Mike
