Just another newbie... but struggling to make a decision!

[MadMurry 0]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, fantastic site you've got here. I read through some of the posts and everyone seems extremely helpful. Great to see a community like this.

Everyone come here for different reasons.. my reason is that I'm currently struggling to make a decision since I've got NO experience with BMW's.

I've got an Altezza 1998 Z-edition. Bought it March 07 for $14.5k. Tiptronic, 4 cylinder BEAMS engine, slightly lowered with HKS exhaust and 17" Works mags. It's currently got 132000kms on the odometer. Drives really nicely, but didn't get the performance I expected.

I've been offered the opportunity to swap my Altezza for a BMW 330Ci 2000. It's got full AC Schnitzer body kit, Schniter exhaust, Schnitzer side mirrors. It's in fairly good condition however a few little things which will be fixed before the swap is done (slider under the sunroof seems to have gone off it's rails, wheel alignment and I might have to go half on a replacement for a headlight cover.. if I don't have to replace the whole headlight assembly). It has 182000kms on the odometer since the previous owner lived in New Plymouth and worked in Palmerston North - she has however regularly serviced it and I've got all the paperwork.

Probably not the best idea to ask the question on these forums, but any input appreciated. So many people discouraged me, but none of them ever owned a BMW.. so, would like to hear from you guys. I need some positive input, but be honest and realistic.

I have attached some photos of both vehicles.

Thank you very much

Edited December 26, 2008 by mythan

[Guest Simon*]

Do it

[bravo 35]

I'm biased as the rest, but take it from someone who considered buying a 'tezz in a moment of weakness - you'll love the 330.

Just make sure you get a mechanical check from a BMW specialist first. CANNOT EMPHASISE THIS ENOUGH.

[e30plz 1]

And again, Do it

Edited December 10, 2008 by //James

[greenday-rulz21 6]

As Simon said! Do it.

All the people that advised you not to have obviously never driven a bimmer. Once you've driven one its very hard to go back.

K's don't nessicarily matter, its how its been looked after. It sounds like a lot of the k's are on long distance driving which is a definite benefit.

Good luck

[SIR E30 68]

Your heart is saying BMW.. I can tell

DO IT

[Cale 36]

Being as unbiased as possible, go for the e46. The 330Ci is a very nice BMW.

You have summed it up in your post already. They are on a totally different level to each other.

[Andre3000 55]

Pre-purchase check - once you go bimmer you never go back

[crazyarab 6]

330CI is a really nice car however it's nearing the 200k mark...

You have to consider that selling it is going to be REALLY hard and re-sale value will drop significantly.

If you after a car that you are going to use for a long time to come, then do it.

If you thinking of upgrading again in the near future then sell the tezz and get a lower Kms bimmer .

[westy 614]

It looks a nice car, but to be honest I'd go the factory motorsport version. So much more fruit.

The 3ltrs are a great engine , but E46s are expensive to repair so get a check at a specialist and warranty.

[hotwire 352]

From the usual totally biased perspective - 330i any time - no disrespect to the tezza but not in the same league - just look at them both:-

Agreed with all said already - get it proffesionally checked etc or maybe consider a lower milage one.

On the "people discouraging" issue - these cars always attract negative vibes from those that know no better about them. Drive one & you'll be converted!

BMW one way or another- Do It!!

[kiwi535 538]

i am totally biased towards the BMW too.BUT,the 330 will probably be more expensive to maintain,and parts less readily available aftermarket.BMW tend to make thir engines pretty efficient so it is hard to get more power cheaply.They arent rocketships from a standing start but they will prolly be going faster than you realise.I would try to get a manual.....

[Apex 693]

You can fix those headlights with wet sand paper (600,1200,2000,2500) and a good plastic polish.

[greenday-rulz21 6]

You can fix those headlights with wet sand paper (600,1200,2000,2500) and a good plastic polish.

You can't fix cracks like that.

[MadMurry 0]

Hi guys,

I appreciate all the input and feedback. Now that I've driven the car a bit more, it would be too hard to go back to the Altezza. I'm going to schedule a service and get a check on the car to see if there's any issues.

I've been browsing around for a second hand replacement for that headlight, certainly not something that's readily available. Will be calling a few yards and see if they have any. The crack goes up underneath the bit where it clips on to the black plastic.

If anyone tracks one down, please let me know

Thanks!

[tonylauno1 7]

I see I'm actually a little late, so have you got it yet?

What everyone has been saying is true, there is no comparison. It's hard finding another car which handles as good as this and still have that much luxury.

One word of caution for people who has not owned a European car before, BMW do cost more money to maintain than Japanese cars. Ask the person selling for receipts if he has owned it for a few years to get an idea.

Watch out for the auto transmission, try driving when cold to see if it shift smoothly, see if it will hesistate before downshift. Any idea if a transmission flush has been performed?

Since it is approaching 200k kms things which might go wrong are, Cooling system (waterpump, tensioner, fan clutch, thermostat housing, new coolant) Others which might be a problem are control & trailing arm bushings, window motor. It's just a lot of little things which all adds up when keeping it in good health.

By the way, my experience with 2 BMW are all M52 engines, this would be a M54 so I don't know if it applies.

Just remember that European cars are made for a good time but not a long time, always buy quality.

[MadMurry 0]

Hi!

Thanks for your input.

I have indeed made the swap - the traction and obviously performance in the BMW is just so much more than what the Altezza could provide. I'm not making use of all the little features yet (e.g. memory settings for seats) but enjoy little things like being able to open windows with my remote especially with the car baking in the sun while I'm at work.

The car's going for a wheel alignment on Monday and to check out an issue with the braking. I don't know if it's the brake disc (limited knowledge about cars) but it's like it brakes, then relaxes, then brakes etc (everyone in the car can feel it) until the car stops. It feels like something is bent because the delay in brake/relax increases as the car slows down - if I went 100km/h and lightly applied brakes it almost feels like ABS studder.

Also, my oil light stays on for about 10-20 seconds when I start the car and then goes off. Have checked oil levels and they are inside the boundaries. Normal?

When I initially looked through the service history, I thought I saw the water pump was replaced bout 6 months ago. Will have to work through them again.

After that I'll schedule it for a service. Anyone have experience dealing with BM Autobahn Limited in Mt Manganui??