[dougal19]

Hi,

I'm looking at buying my first BMW, a 2006 E92 325i, and have found this one for sale at just under £6K. Not mentioned on the website is the fact it only has one key.

I've asked the garage to check if the wheels are genuine or replicas and am waiting to hear back. Does it look like a good deal, and is there anything I should look out for when I go to inspect the vehicle?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Edit: I should note I know I'm paying extra to buy through a trade dealer rather than private. Last time I bought private the check engine light came on the next day and cost £600 to fix so I'd like to avoid that this time with a warranty and some peace of mind!

[richk84]

I think those wheels look like mv2's which came on e46 models

[richk84]

Also you need to find out what engine it has, n52 or 53

[Thermobaric]

It's N52.

[dougal19]

Yeah, it's an N52 engine which I prefer as I think it's meant to be more reliable/less problems than the N53. Does £6K seem about right for it or should I try and haggle it down considerably?

[sleepysnake]

I think I would pay around £5250 - it looks like the seats are not sports seats.

My 330i bought recently with 105k miles cost me £4200, however mine didn't have xenons, but did have sports seats, iDrive etc.

[essex_lad]

The wheels aren't e92 wheels they are e46 wheels. N52 is good but you can't get more power out of it like you can the n53 325i. I think it's quite expensive TBH I would keep looking about. Mines for sale. I would try and get an msport if I was you because you will always wish you had one.

[dougal19]

I didn't think the price was that bad, considering the mileage and spec. I've struggled to find any others with the spec I want (325i/E92/Manual/<80,000miles/<£6K) so I was pretty happy to find this one. I'm not too bothered about it not being M-Sport, I may buy a bootlip spoiler off eBay anyway. Not really bothered about the power either, it'll be miles faster than my 1.6L Focus!

Thanks for the info on the wheels though, I was struggling to find much on them and worried a little after reading a thread on replicas. Hopefully the dealer will get back to me saying they're genuine!

[ben-e92]

Originally Posted by dougal19

I didn't think the price was that bad, considering the mileage and spec. I've struggled to find any others with the spec I want (325i/E92/Manual/<80,000miles/<£6K) so I was pretty happy to find this one. I'm not too bothered about it not being M-Sport, I may buy a bootlip spoiler off eBay anyway. Not really bothered about the power either, it'll be miles faster than my 1.6L Focus!

Thanks for the info on the wheels though, I was struggling to find much on them and worried a little after reading a thread on replicas. Hopefully the dealer will get back to me saying they're genuine!

Says deposit taken so did you go for it in the end?

I have a n52 325i and its a good car reliability wise. Mines on 95k and all that has needed doing is a gasket. Thirsty on fuel though, 18-22 around town depending on how you drive, about 240 to a tank/£75. On the motorway you can get 400 plus driven sensibly.

Ben

[dougal19]

Haven't gone for it yet, I put a refundable deposit down last week to secure the car as I can't go see it until Saturday (10th). I'm pretty hopeful about it as it ticks all the boxes for the criteria of car I wanted. I'll report back on Saturday with the news if I pick it up!

[ben-e92]

Originally Posted by dougal19

Haven't gone for it yet, I put a refundable deposit down last week to secure the car as I can't go see it until Saturday (10th). I'm pretty hopeful about it as it ticks all the boxes for the criteria of car I wanted. I'll report back on Saturday with the news if I pick it up!

One thing to look out for on these engines is the hydraulic lifters. Which is basically a tick tick tick noise which comes from the engine bay. Look around the valve cover for oil leaks as well, as the gaskets usually fail sometime or another. But I think most important of all is a good service history, mainly the oil changes

[dougal19]

Originally Posted by ben-e92

One thing to look out for on these engines is the hydraulic lifters. Which is basically a tick tick tick noise which comes from the engine bay. Look around the valve cover for oil leaks as well, as the gaskets usually fail sometime or another. But I think most important of all is a good service history, mainly the oil changes

Thanks for the help. It doesn't have a full service history as it's apparently missing the record of it's first service. It does have recorded services at 44K, 55K, and 66K though, and will be serviced before I buy it. Does that still sound acceptable?

[ben-e92]

Originally Posted by dougal19

Thanks for the help. It doesn't have a full service history as it's apparently missing the record of it's first service. It does have recorded services at 44K, 55K, and 66K though, and will be serviced before I buy it. Does that still sound acceptable?

What you could do is ring up your local BMW dealer and they usually will tell you about services its had with them from just the reg, which you would assume up to 44k would be with BMW themselves.

[WonderBang]

Had mine 2.5 years now. N52 325i MSport. 48k on the clock now. Only needed a new battery and O2 sensor (and new plugs to go with the repair), two Angel eye bulbs on front. So touch wood, for me it's been a very reliable car and never skipped a beat.

DEFFO recommend the engine if you are happy with the circa 215BHP output. Bein a 6 pot it does feel great and would be for you especially coming from your ex-car.

Good luck with purchase and keep us updated.

[hazkirby]

If you haven't already done a deal those alloys are mv2s off E46 or E60. Either way the offsets won't be stock or the car will be fitted with spacers, or they may be replicas. No issue with any of this if you are happy with the way it looks. I think they look good.

Either way easy to negotiate in your favour

[dougal19]

Thanks for all the help guys. I went up yesterday to view it, and got a migraine on the way up! Sods law as I only get them about twice a year...

Anyway, after dosing up on painkillers I test drove and had a look around the car. Everything was great other than a couple of little things (cup holder stuck etc). Wheels turned out to be replicas so I got £500 off which I'm happy with. Had a great drive back home through the Peak District - can't think of a better way to enjoy a new car! Got up this morning excited and I've already fitted my new dashcam and fixed the cup holder, all good except slicing my finger open on the A-Pillar!

I've attached a few photos taken whilst stopping in the Peaks. Enjoy!

[Dormermike]

Very nice . Well done on spotting the reps! I wouldn't even think tocheck that

[dougal19]

Originally Posted by Dormermike

Very nice . Well done on spotting the reps! I wouldn't even think tocheck that

Haha, I only thought to do so after reading that drama filled thread about someone who bought some wheels off eBay that didn't say they were replicas and they turned out to be. Didn't even know it was a thing until then so glad I checked.

[Chappers 71]

Maybe some 230 wheels would look good, then I would say that as that's what I have on mine
You don't see many SEs about that haven't been made into sports or generally messed with.
Nice car, good choice. Enjoy