![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:13 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
The pros: e46 BMW, wagon, AWD, beautiful blue paint, comes with winter tires, near by and easy to go check out in person, needs some minor work that I can do or get help with, priced under $3K. The con:
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automatic
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:20 |
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I always like to say that half or more of what you are buying in a used car is its service history. I have a 2002 325xi wagon with sport, winter, and premium packages. Pretty much the best all around car I've ever had. Watch out for its baggage though...
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:23 |
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Automatic isn't a deal killer! I almost would rather have an auto because traffic sucks and my knee hurts sometimes when it's really cold out.
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:25 |
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I dont have traffic around here. If I lived in the city I would have an auto. Even single day of being stuck in traffic on the BQE in my e30 with its heavy clutch and short stiff shift linkage sucked miserably.
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:26 |
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Manual swap!!!
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:26 |
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That is exactly what I want right now but one that needs minor repairs to bring it to a reasonable price for me.
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:27 |
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It was so easy on cars up to the mid 90's. I think it is a lot more tricky on newer cars. Especially this AWD car :(
![]() 12/15/2013 at 23:35 |
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I think I came to the realization that after after a certain year, maybe sometime in the mid-2000s, an automatic in anything other than a track car really isn't that bad. Heresy, I know. I spent a long time trying to find a manual 5er in decent shape, and finally ended up buying my first automatic in 20 years of driving. I can shift it myself when I want, or just let it do its thing, and the sport mode actually shifts most of the times that I would, and after a month or so of driving it, I really don't mind it at all.
Then again, I also have enjoyed having heated seats, so I must be getting old. But after 8 years of DDing a mid-engined convertible, I have no complaints about the auto except that it can never seem to find the right time to hit third.
![]() 12/16/2013 at 00:06 |
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hit the forums and google.. it can't be too hard on an E46!
![]() 12/16/2013 at 00:21 |
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3k!!!! Are they really that cheap!? Anyways, BMW autos are great autos. Very smooth. Just stay away from manual shift mode. 1 second delay from moving the shifter to the car changing gear.
![]() 12/16/2013 at 01:14 |
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4WD / AWD is risky without a warranty. When parts crap out, they tend to do it in multiples and expensively. As a high mileage 4WD owner (160k miles Montero) and and a BMW owner (E39), the idea of both of their repair bills mixing into one (AWD BMW) would keep me up all night.
I mean, it's something as simple as tires with unmatching tread depths that mess these things up. that simple.
![]() 12/16/2013 at 01:23 |
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As an automatic E46 xi owner, it is a great car. However, I bought the 330xi so I can't comment much on the 325. I will say that for me, I was absolutely adamant about having the sport package. I hated the rectangular airbag steering wheel.
The automatic is a good one, just don't bother with Shift mode. If you use your foot, the automatic will shift just how you want it to. But, you will miss the manual. I guarantee it.
More importantly, what does that BMW need, being so cheap? And what are those wheels?
![]() 12/16/2013 at 06:53 |
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Needs a window regulator, o2 sensor, thermostat installed and exhaust work. The wheels are winter steel wheels with included snow tires. My dad had an automatic 330xi. At the time he was getting old and had sworn off manual car as working a clutch could be hard on him (he was coming from a manual truck). It was really nice but after that he got an 528i manual and said he would have liked the 330 so much more if he had had it with a manual.
![]() 12/16/2013 at 10:44 |
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:P
'01 325ix Manual + sport pack
$6000
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/424587…
![]() 12/16/2013 at 11:12 |
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I agree, the autos in the E46 is one of the most tolerable around. They shift how you expect and want them to, in sport mode they hold the gears longer and aren't anxious to upshift. Don't get too spun up about it until you have driven one.
![]() 12/16/2013 at 12:44 |
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Be prepared to shell out about $1k or more. From one BMW fixer-upper to another, have realistic estimates.