Which 3 series - year/model - for a daily driver?

JCL · #1 10-16-2011, 11:43 AM

I would pick an E46 over an E36. You can find the 320 and 323, but the 325 is a more power without going up to the 330, which I don't think is necessary. 2002 was the most popular year, there will be more around. We had a 2002 325xi and it was bulletproof. I would look for a vehicle with fewer options, it is the options and electronics that are more likely to fail than the base vehicle. Our 325 had a manual transmission, no premium or sport, but it had heated seats as a special order (and they all have the cold weather package in Canada). When I advertised it I had calls immediately, and the first person to look at it bought it.

I wouldn't worry about lemon years, just look for a 2000 model year onwards, after they had built them for a year.

Last5oh · #2 10-16-2011, 05:30 PM

Thanks JCL.

I forgot to mention that 4 wheel drive would be ideal. Nomenclature-wise if it's 'xi' that that indicate 4 wheel drive?

JCL · #3 10-16-2011, 07:43 PM

Yes, xi is awd.

Our 325xi did better in the snow than my X5, on the same Michelin tires. That is due to the lighter weight IMO, and the manual transmission didn't hurt either. Ground clearance was not an issue at all, it would push snow deeper than the bumper quite happily.

blackbeauty · #4 01-05-2013, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

Yes, xi is awd.

Our 325xi did better in the snow than my X5, on the same Michelin tires. That is due to the lighter weight IMO, and the manual transmission didn't hurt either. Ground clearance was not an issue at all, it would push snow deeper than the bumper quite happily.

i'm no help bc i just got a 3 series a couple of months ago but still miss my X5. with that said, your post stuck out to me b/c i was actually nervous about driving the car in the snow and how much clearance i would actually in the snow. my X always plowed through everything but reading your post put me at ease somewhat.

FSETH · #5 10-16-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

I would pick an E46 over an E36.

and I had an e36 325i for 9 years.

Last5oh · #6 07-01-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

I would pick an E46 over an E36. You can find the 320 and 323, but the 325 is a more power without going up to the 330, which I don't think is necessary. 2002 was the most popular year, there will be more around. We had a 2002 325xi and it was bulletproof. I would look for a vehicle with fewer options, it is the options and electronics that are more likely to fail than the base vehicle. Our 325 had a manual transmission, no premium or sport, but it had heated seats as a special order (and they all have the cold weather package in Canada). When I advertised it I had calls immediately, and the first person to look at it bought it.

I wouldn't worry about lemon years, just look for a 2000 model year onwards, after they had built them for a year.

Thanks JCL!

More than a year later I finally pulled the trigger.
Got a 2002 3-series, but could NOT stop with a 325... ended up with a 330xi :-) see here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tml#post944016