2001 BMW 325 Convertible |
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Wolfie
Newbie Joined: 19-April-2007 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 19-April-2007 at 14:06 |
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Hi, New to the forum and potential BMW owner. I'm considering buying a 2001 BMW 325 Convertible but am wondering what to look out for before making any decision i.e. wear and tear engine wise, body etc. Also, what would a service be likely to cost? Thanks. |
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The blue bullet
Senior Member II Surfs Up! Joined: 09-April-2007 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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Welcome Wolfie! My advice is make sure it has a good service history and get a qualified mechanic to give it a once over. These things will go forever if looked after right. I'm sure some of the other guys here will give you some better advice but you won't regret your choice of marque! Robbie. |
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Daveco
Really Senior Member I Joined: 23-June-2006 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 253 |
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Welcome wolfie, proud owner of a 325 myself, great car, and quicker than a Golf GTI despite what other people tell you!
Joking aside, Robbie's post is bang on, if you find one with a full service history, and relatively low miles you'll be fine. If you need someone to give a prospective car a once over, there are plenty of mechanical minded folk on here to help you out! If it's on carzone stick a link up and we'll give you our professional opinion... Edited by Daveco |
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past-01 318ci auto, '01 318ci
present-'04 325ci sport future-no house and a 5 car garage |
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Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
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Wolfie Most of the things to watch out for will be similar to the saloons and coupes, so track control arms are a wear and tear item as are the wishbone bushes. Both will manifest themselves as the car feeling a bit wayward at speed or low level clunking on manhol covers and the like. I'm guessing that the doors are similar to the coupe's and so the exterior door handle can give up the ghost. Dealers will tell you that it means a new handle and bowden cables but the truth is that they can be easily and effectively repaired without replacement (unless you are buying from a dealer then insist its replaced). As a softtop obviously the condition of the hood is critical because they are a pricey item to replace and any mishaps in the electric mechanism will be time consuming to repair. Ask the seller about oil consumption. The m54 engine fitted to these cars can have a bit of an appetite. It doesn't really seem to spell trouble but its worth being aware of. A half litre every couple of tanks of petrol is not unusual. On my 330Ci it seems to have been helped by a switch from the BMW standard grade of long life oil (0w30 iirc) to mobil 1 5w30 at an interim change. If you change grade then an interim oil change at about 7.5k mile intervals would be advised. Mine hasn't budged on the dipstick in the past 2-3k miles or so where it needed topping up every third tank or so beforehand. |
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Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
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Wolfie
Newbie Joined: 19-April-2007 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Welcome wolfie, proud owner of a 325 myself, great car, and quicker than a Golf GTI despite what other people tell you!
Thanks for the advice. Carzone is where I found the model I'm planning to view - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=616854 69,000 miles and priced @ €28,950 Edited by Wolfie |
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635CSi
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 683 |
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My father had a look at a few 3 Series Convertible's when I was with him and I noticed they are usually kept very well. Just check the maintenance and that it hasn't been clocked and they do tend to be very much overpriced. |
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635CSi
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 683 |
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Thanks for the advice. Carzone is where I found the model I'm planning to view - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=616854 [/QUOTE]That seems a tad overpriced imo, you could have this for only 3.5k more: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=656804 They are no more heavy on the juice than the 325 and you can't beat it for value for money! I'd get the mileage checked though. |
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Wolfie
Newbie Joined: 19-April-2007 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Wolfie
Great advice there. Thanks, appreciate it! |
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Wolfie
Newbie Joined: 19-April-2007 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Thanks for the advice. Carzone is where I found the model I'm planning to view - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=616854
Thanks but I should have stated my budget was max €30,000 and I want to keep it under 3.0 litre (based on an accountants advice!). I'm also hoping to trade my current car so will probably have a better chance with a dealer. Edited by Wolfie |
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635CSi
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 683 |
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Fair nuf! That 325Ci is at a respected dealer with warranty so that means peace of mind I suppose. Edited by 635CSi |
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