New to BMW game

Firstly,welcome to the forum. The first thing I'd say is don't buy the car over here.Head off to the UK and save yourself a few quid.Much easier to pick up the higher spec models you're after.
If thats not for you and you're gonna buy in Ireland,be prepared to pay through the nose from a dealer.Personally I'd buy private and have a competant mechanic look it over before any money is handed over.

Not really aware of any major issues with the 320ci. try get a fully serviced low miler for peace of mind.

cheers lads.

heading to the uk is looking more and more the option. im aware of the tasks involved in doin so with VRT and the like. is there anywhere in particular were i will find what im looking for? or is it a case of searching autotrader etc one day and heading over the next?

MOT & HPI checks are most important here, so i presume just walk away if they are lacking. 

Ciaran

There are some reports of the 2.2 engine having a little thirst for oil, but it doesn't seem to be a harbinger of doom if it does use a little.

E46 weak points are the front track control arms, bushes and balljoints front and rear, rear springs (they can snap near the base - they don't need to be abused for this to happen), etc. 

What sort of year are you aiming for?

If buying in the UK, Autotrader is the main source (or the Top Marques version) and yes, its a case of keeping an eye out on a weekly basis and being able to move quickly if the right car comes up.  BMW UK Approved Used car section on www.bmw.co.uk is a good source for better spec'd, lower mileage cars but they won't be cheap.  Ignore any ad that doesn't list the mileage.  You can do an online HPI check at https://www.hpicheck.com/  Its not too cheap so you'll probably want to just use it as a final check on a car that you've already got a good feeling about.  Even if the vendor has already done a HPI check and offers you the paper work, do it again yourself.  Note the servicing dealer on the service book and ring them, the service manager will generally verify the details of the service history for you and may also give additional information about warranty work, other wear and tear items, etc.  Personally I wouldn't buy without a main dealer history.

Sunroof's are relatively rare on e46's in the UK so it'll take a bit longer to find one that matches all your requirements if that is a definite requirement.  Climate control should be standard and most 320ci's will have pdc, auto dim rear view mirror.  Not 100% sure but I think the coupes have elctric seat adjustment as std (at least the earlier ones did).  There wasn't an SE spec in the UK until fairly recently.  The M-tech option isn't common in the UK in the way that it was sold here.  They got a Sport spec that had a bodykit, 18" MV alloys, sports seats, etc.

For resale, colour is fairly important, so stick with the more popular, safer, (metallic) colours such as Titanium silver, Orient blue, black and avoid brilliant red or sienna red, sea green, etc.

The numbers available in the UK are huge so don't feel pressured in to making a rushed decision and don't be afraid to walk away if the car is less that an absolute 100% car.  They'll be more along in a minute.

Edited by Dergside

lads thanks a lot for your replies so far, much appreciated to hear it as it is from actual owners.
i dont mind waiting for the right one to come along as ive waited for a 3 series since i started driving nearly 8 years ago now!

Try buy from a BMW dealer, if not make sure it has a BMW warranty still on it. What this means is you can renew the warranty before it runs out for a cost. This should be entended every year. Once a BMW warranty is over, you can never get one again.

Having a BMW warranty is a good thing no matter what you might think. I made my mistake by getting mine without. Independent dealer I got it from is a nightmare.

Deerpark Motors, stay away from them. They are great when the try to sell you your car, after that they do not want to hear from you.

I'd presume it is nn_dd - providing its a manufacturers warranty and not a dealer warranty

I'm not sure that it is transferable because BMW seem to operate the UK and Irish business as two seperate organizations (this was very apparent when Mac was having his nikasil problems last year).  You may need to return a car to a BMW UK dealer (e.g. NI) for warranty work.

Ciaran I have the 2.2 M54 Coupe and all the current 6 cylinder engines burn a bit of oil and this is normal so no worries on that part I have had mine since new and have had no real problems the last one was with the fuel sender units which gave up working but got them sorted under a good will gesture other than that its a sweet little car. this is the last of the 2litre engines in 6 cylinder form as the next/current gneration are 4 cylinder 2 litres and the sixes don't begin till the 2.5 litre cars 

Topazman

Leave him alone John we are going to make him loose his mind

Yeah Richie you don't have them and no screwdriver also

Topazman

Ciars go for the manual and then install a ssk as this makes all the difference

Topazman