Thoughts on cars i saw today and advice + help to check a BMW(merged)

Cyrus

hey guys went to see three cars today, first up was an orient blue 323ci that owen crinigan had. 17" mtech rims, light grey sports leather interior, climate control, 6 cd changer, MFSW.

Hasnt been valeted yet but looked in good nick, 52000 miles. Took her for a spin, no bangs or rattles, seemed solid, steering feel good, altho the odd twitch over bumpy parts of the road.

Bad bits - on the drivers seat the upper bolster is showing signs of wear along the edge (which it would u hit it getting in and out) can this be covered up a little or even repaired?

service history is not all bmw garages, first service was maxwell motors, the rest varies. the last service was done by a crowd in galway Cunningham higgins in galway who are the des cullen of that side of the world the rest seem to be independents or other garages, that said its been serviced 6/7 times in the 52000 miles and will be done again at crinigans were i to buy.

Seems like a nice car, and they seem like a professional outfit. they give a 12 mth warranty thats done with a warranty co who do a 125 point check before approving.

I then went to look at another orient blue in cambridge motor co, but they have not got it in yet and wont have til wednesday, very similar to above except with 48,000 miles, black sports leather, no climate and 16" wheels

I then went to look at a 01 topaz blue 320ci in motorvation, lovely car, nice spec, half leather sports seats, xenons, 17" wheels (not as nice as mtech ones on 323) drove well, little down on power vs the 323ci

Finally on my way home i spotted a nice 3 series coupe, turned out to be 318 auto, yer man made me take a spin, less said the better

So im kinda torn, the price diff between the 323 and the 320 would be circa 2,500. It would be a bit of a stretch to be honest, also tax is out on the 320, 323 taxed til nov so thats another cash saving. also motorvations warranty is 6 mths not 12.

So what do ye reckon one thing that concerns me with the 323ci, and maybe im being silly, but if s/h isnt all bmw is there a chance it could have been clocked? maybe not, doesnt look it on the inside

unkel

Cyrus wrote:

the price diff between the 323 and the 320 would be circa 2,500

Both are '01? It is a buyers market, so I would not expect to pay any more for a 323 compared to a 320. Play tough.

Cyrus wrote:

if s/h isnt all bmw is there a chance it could have been clocked?

Nought to do with having FBMWSH or not. Get a BMW dealer or a BMW specialist to hook the car up to a 'puter with BMW software. It will tell all

Cyrus

nope 323 finished in 2000, 320ci is 2001.

Can software tell ya about clocking? kinda hard to get a garage to let you let some do that?

wouldnt getting someone to give it a once over, any ideas??

O and scuse my grammar, the 323 is cheaper than 320

Cyrus

ive found a car i like but before spunking the guts of 20k on a car, id like to have someone with more knowledge give it a proper once over.

Can anyone recommend someone who would provide a service like this and a rough estimate of cost

car is located in rathgar, if anyone on here with mechanical knowledge could do it i can make it worth your while

Mayshine

You say the 323 has 6/7 services - is this just stamps in the book or actual invoices - I would tend to look for the invoices as this is a better way of tracking the milage on the car

Cyrus

just stamps altho they are from different places

junkyard

Cyrus wrote:

nope 323 finished in 2000, 320ci is 2001.

Can software tell ya about clocking? kinda hard to get a garage to let you let some do that?

wouldnt getting someone to give it a once over, any ideas??

O and scuse my grammar, the 323 is cheaper than 320

The true mileage is recorded in the key and the headlamp module so if you hook the car up to a diagnostic machine and the user knows what he's doing he'll find out quick enough.

Cyrus

bumpy

Big Balls

You sure the 323 ended in 2000? I know someone who had a gorgeous 2001 323 ci.

I'd go with the first if I were you.

Unkel is right, a 320ci is a lot easier to sell in this country, use that to your advantage.

Be wary of places though that are small little garages. Not saying any you mention are but I remember a very dodgy looking red BM Compact being for sale in one of the places you mention.

Cyrus

could u pm me the name of which place cheers