[Cesc]

I need a few answers on a used BMW 320Ci that I am evaluating. I looked around the forum but this is one car which has next to nothing written about it (except a 2007 thread by a member who saw it at a used car dealership in Mumbai).

So I am looking at a 2003 320Ci with 48k on the odo. Apart from the fact that it is a VERY clean car (not even a scratch anywhere) I know precious little about it. I had actually gone to buy another car when I saw the 320Ci standing right behind it. I am not a fan of the 3 series (guess this model is a pre-3 series model) but this one looked really beautiful. However before I bid for it I need a few pointers:

a) Price: I have absolutely no idea about how much it is worth. Considering that BMW formally entered India 2007 I do not even know the sticker price on this one to calculate depreciation. The owner is interested in around 14L though.
b) Papers: This should be an import right? What are the papers I need to check so that I do not land into trouble later.
c) Servicing: The owner services all his cars at A**. I am not an A** person and BMW A** will cost a bomb. Would I have trouble sourcing parts from outside? I currently get all genuine parts for my Skoda from a good dealer in Kashmere Gate. I am guessing parts should not be a problem if sourced from Europe.
d) Experience: This is pretty much going to be my daily drive. If somebody has any experience with this car can they please share if this is going to be an issue (and also share their ownership experience).
e) Convertible: This is a convertible so if there is something specific to convertibles that I should be checking then please advise.

I am talking to the owner tomorrow so please share your thoughts ASAP.

[Catalyst_delhi]

14 lacs looks a tad high for this car. If the service history is clean maybe worth it. Please have a look at the vacuum and electricals on this car. Used this car for a short while in Australia, It was an import there as well. Got it from a lebanese , Had major with the wiring harnesses. But a great car!

[Aroy]

That is nearly 9 year old car. Normal depreciation would place it at 20% of its original value. So assuming that it is an import of between 20L & 30L, 5L is the maximum value.

factors against 14L price
- 9 years at 10% cumulative = 80% down.
- Petrol cars have a lower resale.
- Convertible cars have a lower resale.
- BMW repairs are quite expensive.
- Carwale has a few low mileage 320i for around 12L.
- A new Petrol BMW 320i can be acquired for marginally above 20L if you negotiate hard

Please check these sites to get an idea of what you are in for
BMW 320ci Convertible - BMW buying advice please | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum | Honest John
Cyprus - bmw 320ci convertible 2003 triptronic auto: The AngloINFO Forum
BMW 3-Series 320Ci Convertible Buying Guide

[GTO]

Tell the owner to dream on; when you get the newer, Indian BMW for <15 lakhs, who in his right mind would spend 14 big ones on an import that's marching toward its 10th birthday!

I give this car a thumbs down. If you have 15 lakhs to spend, look up the Indian BMW 325s. Plenty available in Delhi & Mumbai.

[BeamerBoy]

BMW Lovers at times do maintain their cars amazingly well. I hope that this is the case for this BMW. Nevertheless 14L is definitely on the higher side unless you are in absolute love with this model.

Also it should be considered that an Importer handled BMW may not be absolutely clean. It might be that it is a collection of cars i.e. Transmission, Engine, Control Units from different sources. There are multiple such cars in Mumbai.

If the car is clean, no change in odometer reading etc then the owner should not have any problems in sharing the chassis number details with you and allowing you to cross check with the BMW Dealer. In case you need any help, pm me the chassis & reg. number. I'll try to dig for some information.

[Cesc]

Thank you everybody! To be honest I quite like the car but considering the feedback I have got from you guys the price for sure is on the higher side. It really is a VERY clean example of a 320Ci. I looked up a couple on ebay UK and not one of them came closer to how well this has been kept.

Re. a newer 3 series petrol - I really don't like the looks of the current gen 3 series.

Couldn't meet the owner yesterday. Looks like we will talk only after Holi. I will try to get him closer to 8 lakhs and see if he plays ball. Otherwise I will drop it. Will keep you guys posted.

[barcode]

My friend picked up a 20 month old BMW 320D CE for 18.5L plus some finders fee for the dealer.

At 14L a 10 year old car is a joke. or a rip-off - however you look at it.

[mayankk]

Am sure youd be aware of hammond's 850Ci, but the crew ran a check on his car...could be some pointers in there..
An inspection of Hammond's £6.7k 850CI - BBC Top Gear

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Cesc

Thank you everybody! To be honest I quite like the car but considering the feedback I have got from you guys the price for sure is on the higher side. It really is a VERY clean example of a 320Ci. I looked up a couple on ebay UK and not one of them came closer to how well this has been kept.

Re. a newer 3 series petrol - I really don't like the looks of the current gen 3 series.

Couldn't meet the owner yesterday. Looks like we will talk only after Holi. I will try to get him closer to 8 lakhs and see if he plays ball. Otherwise I will drop it. Will keep you guys posted.

The owner is trying to charge a bomb because its a convertible, and an import. What all features/options does it have?

Do get the price down since you can get 3 year old 325i's for 18l and those will be superior to drive.

If its an auto then forget it, it will be irritatingly slow.

The main thing to check is the convertible roof for things like leaks, tears etc.

If it has been maintained at a.s.s then check the service history, surely he will have it.

[ajmat]

First check whether the hood mechanism works, raise / lower serveral times.
Take it for a wash and see whether it leaks

If either of the two walk away or spend - hood mechanisms require specialist knowledge and fitting a new hood requires skill

[Cesc]

Originally Posted by mayankk

Am sure youd be aware of hammond's 850Ci, but the crew ran a check on his car...could be some pointers in there..
An inspection of Hammond's £6.7k 850CI - BBC Top Gear

Thanks mayank. I will check out the link.

Originally Posted by akshay1234

The owner is trying to charge a bomb because its a convertible, and an import. What all features/options does it have?

Do get the price down since you can get 3 year old 325i's for 18l and those will be superior to drive.

If its an auto then forget it, it will be irritatingly slow.

The main thing to check is the convertible roof for things like leaks, tears etc.

If it has been maintained at a.s.s then check the service history, surely he will have it.

To be honest I don't know what all features it has. Seems a lot of these were sold in the UK so I have looked up specs from various websites where these are up for sale.

AFAIK this is an autobox. However I had let the owner know at the outset that I will test drive extensively before even negotiating and he agreed to it. If I dont like how it drives then its a no go.

Point noted about the roof. Re. service hsitory he will definitely share that with me. Problem is we hardly had a 2 minute chat since somebody was waiting for me so details are kinda sketchy.

Originally Posted by ajmat

First check whether the hood mechanism works, raise / lower serveral times.
Take it for a wash and see whether it leaks

If either of the two walk away or spend - hood mechanisms require specialist knowledge and fitting a new hood requires skill

Points noted. Will check the mechanism.

All this if I like how it drives and the owner is willing to climb down substantially from his asking price.

I had actually gone to buy a E 270 CDI from him. That car was also pretty clean and incidentally going for 14L. Had 82k on the odo (2005 model). Had full service history (which I saw), drove like a dream and had new tyres, battery and headlights (all changed a month ago for a cost of 3L at the A**). I was going to negotiate the price on that down to around 12.5L when I saw the 320CI.

[Sameer_C]

Originally Posted by Cesc

Thanks mayank. I will check out the link.



To be honest I don't know what all features it has. Seems a lot of these were sold in the UK so I have looked up specs from various websites where these are up for sale.

AFAIK this is an autobox. However I had let the owner know at the outset that I will test drive extensively before even negotiating and he agreed to it. If I dont like how it drives then its a no go.

Point noted about the roof. Re. service hsitory he will definitely share that with me. Problem is we hardly had a 2 minute chat since somebody was waiting for me so details are kinda sketchy.




Points noted. Will check the mechanism.

All this if I like how it drives and the owner is willing to climb down substantially from his asking price.

I had actually gone to buy a E 270 CDI from him. That car was also pretty clean and incidentally going for 14L. Had 82k on the odo (2005 model). Had full service history (which I saw), drove like a dream and had new tyres, battery and headlights (all changed a month ago for a cost of 3L at the A**). I was going to negotiate the price on that down to around 12.5L when I saw the 320CI.

Hi Cesc,

I was looking at buying an e46 325/330i and came across this forum. Just wanted to know what the final outcome was, did you finally end up making a deal?

[Cesc]

Hi Sameer,

Nope I did not go for it. The owner was acting up so dropped it.

[Sameer_C]

Originally Posted by Cesc

Hi Sameer,

Nope I did not go for it. The owner was acting up so dropped it.

Well i'm still hunting for one, any possibilities for any contact details of the guy? Probably a dealership name or something so that i can look him up?

[Cesc]

I dont have any contact number. The guy's house is a few kms away from mine. His cars are parked in a garage with his drivers hanging outside the garage. I will go ask the drivers at the first instance and will let you know.