uhlsta 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Hey people I'm in a bit of a dilemma on what to buy. The options are: 2000 E46 323ci NZ NEW - 179ks - Silver or 2001 E39 525i Motorsport - 157ks - Silver They both drive well. The 323ci has leather interior(sport), 525i only cloth Which is going to end up being more reliable, and value for money. They are both around the same price! Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liyi_92 37 Report post Posted October 10, 2012 E39 FTW! Then again I may be a little biased... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Hey people I'm in a bit of a dilemma on what to buy. The options are: 2000 E46 323ci NZ NEW - 179ks - Silver or 2001 E39 525i Motorsport - 157ks - Silver They both drive well. The 323ci has leather interior(sport), 525i only cloth Which is going to end up being more reliable, and value for money. They are both around the same price! Thanks The one that has been better looked after for the last 12 years will be the most reliable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1039 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 e46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 60 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 E46 all the way. The 525i is a bit of a slug and you will have much more fun in the 323i Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1258 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 e46 coupe will hold its value better too , and use less fuel , more fun to drive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ BMW 368 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Everything else being equal (condition) I would go for the E46 coupe over the 525i. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2122 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 as above, unless you need the space etc. i know i couldnt daily a 5 series Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 I thought you do Andy? Essentially the same engine and components so like Graham says, the one that has been looked after, well maintained etc is the one to choose from. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2122 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) I thought you do Andy? Essentially the same engine and components so like Graham says, the one that has been looked after, well maintained etc is the one to choose from. hell no! I have a company car for that most of the time, either an Econovan or a Mondeo (ssh keep that quiet!), or the E30 if i dont have it on that day. The current E34 is way too thirsty, and work is only 5-10 km from my house, so would be always running cold. I only daily 5 series's if i have brought one to do up and sell and i dislike the experience lol. Edited October 11, 2012 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ BMW 368 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) as above, unless you need the space etc. i know i couldnt daily a 5 series What makes a 5 series so unsuitable for daily driving? I usually train to work but if I'm working longer hours in the office I'll drive. Edited October 11, 2012 by NZ BMW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2122 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 What makes a 5 series so unsuitable for daily driving? :confused: I usually train to work but if I'm working longer hours in the office I'll drive. oh well thats just me. but i dont like the size, parking is a bitch, can squeeze through traffic etc, and unnessesary fuel consumption. others will disagree and say a 5 is better BECAUSE its bigger etc, thats why some of us daily MX5s and some daily Range Rovers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 For practicality and value the E46. I daily drive an E39 528i. I love it - particularly how it looks but it ain't cheap to run as a daily over short distances. Haven't driven a 525 but I imagine it's going to be considerably more sluggish than a 323 which is a much lighter machine. That said my 528 might not win any drag races but it's no slouch either. If you want comfort and style look for a cheaper E39 w/cloth then spend the difference upgrading the cloth to leather (costs about $2k). Wouldn't consider parking a great problem anywhere in New Zealand unless your driving a Dodge truck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) oh well thats just me. but i dont like the size, parking is a bitch, can squeeze through traffic etc, and unnessesary fuel consumption. others will disagree and say a 5 is better BECAUSE its bigger etc, thats why some of us daily MX5s and some daily Range Rovers. Interesting view point. After putting almost 35,000KMs on mine, daily driving it, I don't have any issues with parking or squeezing through traffic. The fuel consumption is hefty but bearable... I would like a cheap runabout but not viable. Edit: In response to Jeff: I could never see a reason to upgrade to leather seats for 2K.. Seems quite uneconomical when the car is probably only 10-15K. I suppose if you're planning on keeping the car for quite awhile then it could be worthwhile to you and everybody prioritises differently. Edited October 11, 2012 by Tristan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 (edited) Edit: In response to Jeff: I could never see a reason to upgrade to leather seats for 2K.. Seems quite uneconomical when the car is probably only 10-15K. I suppose if you're planning on keeping the car for quite awhile then it could be worthwhile to you and everybody prioritises differently. Agreed - but if leather in the E46 was a selling point I was pointing out that he could probably find an E39 that's cheaper because the interior's a bit fooked and he could use what he saves to upgrade to leather, which ain't that pricey. Personally, I'd go E39 every time but that's because I think it's one of the best designed sedans of all time but as an owner I know it's not that practical (and by practical I mean economical). Edited October 11, 2012 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Agreed - but if leather in the E46 was a selling point I was pointing out that he could probably find an E39 that's cheaper because the interior's a bit fooked and he could use what he saves to upgrade to leather, which ain't that pricey. Personally, I'd go E39 every time but that's because I think it's one of the best designed sedans of all time but as an owner I know it's not that practical (and by practical I mean economical). Yeah I agree with you here. I obviously have a biased opinion too but I love my E39, unfortunately I think she'll be gone soon but have really enjoyed it in the time I've had it. In regards to recovering seats, I've just gotten a quote for an unrelated project (ironic and somewhat hypocritical I know, but it was out of curiosity on a vehicle worth a lot more than your average E39) It'll be $2200 to have the seats fully recovered in a mid-size sedan with italian leather incl. 4 year warranty. Could probably find a cheaper place but that's a starting point. In relation to OP's question. I'd take the 525i. I've driven a couple and they were good cars. Fuel consumption I'd imagine would be much better than mine... It isn't a sports car but they're nice cars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeveus 81 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Pictures? IMO any 4 door sedan will give better resale value at the other end if you're worried about this, it should also sell faster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunner 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Is this the 323ci your referring to? Click Me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NZ BMW 368 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Is this the 323ci your referring to? Click Me FULL SERVICE HISTORY FROM NEW > Import. In my opinion - at least you know what has and has not been done to the car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Upon seeing that I'd probably go for the 323. Full service history, NZ new, looks tidy as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 This is outside my house today... Looks pretty tidy and low kms (though imported from HK so that may not be entirely accurate!). Has aftermarket angel eye headlights, aftermarket tail lights look a bit cheap: http://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=bwj488 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Nice wheels Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uhlsta 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2012 Correct, this is the one i'm looking at! Is this the 323ci your referring to? Click Me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted October 12, 2012 Looks good. Throw on a nice set of wheels and bobs your fathers brother. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huff3r 347 Report post Posted October 12, 2012 some daily Range Rovers. Hey! Don't knock it til you've tried it! It's good fun having a big (thirsty) car. Just gotta remember it's not so much fun when you can't afford to take it anywhere Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
