Prospective 330 owner, may need a reality check

[Sed57 0]

Hi guys, first post, so I apologise if I'm in the wrong place.

Here's the deal - my beloved '94 Celica gave up the Ghost last week, and I'm also an avid fan of manual cars - which are super difficult to find in NZ. I figure, if I have to get a manual, I may as well get a nice one, so I started setting my sights on Beemers.

Here's the thing - I'm a student, which is partly why I can't justify spending the 1.5k I was quoted to fix up my Celica (knowing there's other things that are going to go wrong with it down the track). I know there's a stigma about euro's being expensive, but I'm wondering how much more would I be spending? I've love for some feedback from you guys on any recent work you've had done, and I can compare this which what I've been paying thus far for my Celica.

By all means, if you guys think I'm dreaming, let me know. I may need a solid dose of reality to stop me from buying something I simply can't afford to run.

Thanks for anything you're able to suggest!

[zero 1160]

What is your budget, and I presume you are looking for an e46?

[Sed57 0]

Correct, E46. Budget is 5k, and up until now I've been looking at 320's in the 3.5-4k region (or at least could be haggled to this place). Two 330's have popped up around the 5k mark prior to haggling, which made me look into those as possibilities.

[BM WORLD 1265]

330i are far better than any 320i etc , but at that price you need to really check how good they are

maybe a 323i 325i 328i would be a option

all will use more gas of course , depending on how driving

 

main thing to look for is that it has a ZF automatic  , 

jap ones use GM autos which are not very nice

 

[Sed57 0]

Thanks for that. I am skeptical as you say about any that are in that price range and seem too good to be true. How can I distinguish between the ZF and GM? Is one a "true" auto and the other a tiptronic one?

[BM WORLD 1265]

2 hours ago, Sed57 said:

Thanks for that. I am skeptical as you say about any that are in that price range and seem too good to be true. How can I distinguish between the ZF and GM? Is one a "true" auto and the other a tiptronic one?

build sheet . vin number , carjam , get underneath and have a look

[Sed57 0]

13 minutes ago, BM WORLD said:

build sheet . vin number , carjam , get underneath and have a look

Looks like it is a ZF, the only other auto I can find out about is a 4 speed, the one I'm looking at is 5.

[BM WORLD 1265]

On ‎28‎/‎08‎/‎2016 at 1:33 PM, Sed57 said:

Looks like it is a ZF, the only other auto I can find out about is a 4 speed, the one I'm looking at is 5.

vin number or rego will help , can look it up