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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > Australia > New 320 Touring or Used 323 Touring



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      05-25-2008, 07:43 AM   #1
mmmmQuattro
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New 320 Touring or Used 323 Touring

Hi all,
I am considering getting my wife a 3 series touring.
I would love the 335 touring, but don't want to spend that much, as I want to save up for a 135 convertible.

I know that the 320 isn't as fast as the 323, but there isn't too much difference. Having driven the 320, it isn't all that bad and since we live basically in town, we rarely go over 60km / hour.

So, the question is...
Do I get a new 320 without the M Sport kit, but with the colour combo which I want (Alpine White + Terra) and all the options I want.
I would then get some aftermarket wheels.
OR
Settle for a year old 323 M Sport which has 12,000km on it, is silver, which is nice, but just plain black (really dark gray) interior and is minus the following options:
1. Xenon lights, iPod integration / sat nav etc.
2. Heated seats
3. Upgraded HiFi

There isn't too much difference in the money and I really expected the 320 to be like an old E36 318, but it is actually Ok.
So now I am confused
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      05-25-2008, 08:28 AM   #2
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I see in your sig you've got a 330ci vert & an ML320, how old are they?
I'm just curious as to why your considering the 320i?
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      05-25-2008, 04:53 PM   #3
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The 330 is 5 yrs old and has done 29km.
The ML320 is 8 yrs old and has done 87km.

We want to keep the 330, but the ML320 is painful to drive and has really uncomfortable seats (to the point of getting constant back - aches). Otherwise, the ML is very practical.
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      05-25-2008, 05:37 PM   #4
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I think the answer is in your origional post. Your second option was to "Settle" for a year old car. Either car will be as good as one another but when spending this sort of money, you should go with what you really want. The biggest plus for the 323 is the m-sport kit and that large first year depreciation that it had just gone through. The options you mentioned it doesn't have I can deffinitly live without.

A BMW 6 cyl will always be a rewarding drive but the current 4 cyl is not a bad unit for city drive. Good luck with your choice.
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      05-25-2008, 06:10 PM   #5
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I'd go for 323, just cos better value for money and 6cyl is 6cyl.

Regarding options,
2) upgrade xi fi - while listening mp3 - not sure it's worth it
3) heated seats - not in au, if it's -20 and freezes off your balls then yes.

I would not settle, go in a shop put cash on table say this is how much I have and this is what I want.
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      05-25-2008, 10:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maigais View Post
I'd go for 323, just cos better value for money and 6cyl is 6cyl.

Regarding options,
2) upgrade xi fi - while listening mp3 - not sure it's worth it
3) heated seats - not in au, if it's -20 and freezes off your balls then yes.

I would not settle, go in a shop put cash on table say this is how much I have and this is what I want.
you sound like a hard bargainer mate...
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      05-26-2008, 02:29 AM   #7
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I would honestly go for the 320i.. Especially if you aren't going to racing around everywhere. It's the colour combo you want with the right options, and it is brand new.

To me the right combo, and new = a no brainer
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      05-26-2008, 05:56 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jp330Cic.au View Post
Hi all,
I am considering getting my wife a 3 series touring.
I would love the 335 touring, but don't want to spend that much, as I want to save up for a 135 convertible.

I know that the 320 isn't as fast as the 323, but there isn't too much difference. Having driven the 320, it isn't all that bad and since we live basically in town, we rarely go over 60km / hour.

So, the question is...
Do I get a new 320 without the M Sport kit, but with the colour combo which I want (Alpine White + Terra) and all the options I want.
I would then get some aftermarket wheels.
OR
Settle for a year old 323 M Sport which has 12,000km on it, is silver, which is nice, but just plain black (really dark gray) interior and is minus the following options:
1. Xenon lights, iPod integration / sat nav etc.
2. Heated seats
3. Upgraded HiFi

There isn't too much difference in the money and I really expected the 320 to be like an old E36 318, but it is actually Ok.
So now I am confused
for what its worth - I would wait for the right 323 to come along. But the inline 6 engine is very important to me and a huge part of the BMW experience - what about you?
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      05-26-2008, 08:24 AM   #9
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2011 BMW 320d  [10.00]
+1 for the 323 M sport, you cant beat the silky smooth inline 6 cyl engine..
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      05-26-2008, 09:09 AM   #10
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If you ask me, then it is the 323, you can't beat a BMW inline 6 for refinement

But really, vgr02 put it best

Quote:
Originally Posted by vgr02 View Post
I think the answer is in your origional post. Your second option was to "Settle" for a year old car. Either car will be as good as one another but when spending this sort of money, you should go with what you really want...
To me, "settle" is the operative word, if you feel like you are settling, then you feel like you are compromising. Don't compromise, get what you really want, and forget about what everyone else thinks...
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      05-27-2008, 05:14 AM   #11
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323 M-sports is what i would go for but i love the M-sports suspension and body-kit so i am definately bias in my opinion. The engine of course is another plus.
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      05-29-2008, 11:25 PM   #12
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So this decision gets more complex...

You know when I normally choose a BMW it is for me, so it is all about emotion - I choose the motor (fastest I can afford), I choose the interior and exterior colour.
When I am choosing for my wife - it makes life harder. She wants Gold / Artic Silver, black or Sparkling Graphite. I want Titanium Silver or Alpine White(hey I have to wash one black car already)
She doesn't care about the motor - I want the six.

But now with the deals BMW are offering with finance, it seems that a new M Sport 320 touring will be around the same (within $3k) as a demonstrator, one year old 323.
As the deal ends 30 June, I still don't get the exact specifications that I want. But I have to spend another $10k to get exactly what I want, which may not be worth it.

I am leaning towards the 1 year old 323, but another dealer tells me that it is a 'press car' so it has been thrashed.
Would you buy a 'press car' if it is one of those, or is it a risk?

I once bought a Z3 2.8 which was used in the celebrity race for the F1 in Melbourne. I didn't know when I bought it and it was fine until I sold it.
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      05-30-2008, 12:29 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jp330Cic.au View Post
So this decision gets more complex...

You know when I normally choose a BMW it is for me, so it is all about emotion - I choose the motor (fastest I can afford), I choose the interior and exterior colour.
When I am choosing for my wife - it makes life harder. She wants Gold / Artic Silver, black or Sparkling Graphite. I want Titanium Silver or Alpine White(hey I have to wash one black car already)
She doesn't care about the motor - I want the six.

But now with the deals BMW are offering with finance, it seems that a new M Sport 320 touring will be around the same (within $3k) as a demonstrator, one year old 323.
As the deal ends 30 June, I still don't get the exact specifications that I want. But I have to spend another $10k to get exactly what I want, which may not be worth it.

I am leaning towards the 1 year old 323, but another dealer tells me that it is a 'press car' so it has been thrashed.
Would you buy a 'press car' if it is one of those, or is it a risk?

I once bought a Z3 2.8 which was used in the celebrity race for the F1 in Melbourne. I didn't know when I bought it and it was fine until I sold it.
323 has warranty? Well trashed - driven bit faster, couple of slides all normal stuff I'd, so not sure it's trashing.

On another note am seriously getting upset by BMW Adelaide.
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      05-30-2008, 12:44 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maigais View Post
On another note am seriously getting upset by BMW Adelaide.
Really!
Why?
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      05-30-2008, 01:57 AM   #15
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1) Promise to call back - do not do that twice
2) Never got actual invitation to 1st series presentation (told me great stories about that when I was signing contract)
3) Bmw driver days, I do not think they have them. Cos if they are 3 times a year, thats every 4 months, and they at least should know approx it will happen.

Now #1 and #2 shows me service level, not calling back is just something I personally hate and never do to my customers even I have bad news.

#3 is 50% of sale to me.

+ BMW is German company and they sell luxury cars - I expect German punctuality and service.
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      05-30-2008, 02:01 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jp330Cic.au View Post
So this decision gets more complex...

You know when I normally choose a BMW it is for me, so it is all about emotion - I choose the motor (fastest I can afford), I choose the interior and exterior colour.
When I am choosing for my wife - it makes life harder. She wants Gold / Artic Silver, black or Sparkling Graphite. I want Titanium Silver or Alpine White(hey I have to wash one black car already)
She doesn't care about the motor - I want the six.

But now with the deals BMW are offering with finance, it seems that a new M Sport 320 touring will be around the same (within $3k) as a demonstrator, one year old 323.
As the deal ends 30 June, I still don't get the exact specifications that I want. But I have to spend another $10k to get exactly what I want, which may not be worth it.

I am leaning towards the 1 year old 323, but another dealer tells me that it is a 'press car' so it has been thrashed.
Would you buy a 'press car' if it is one of those, or is it a risk?

I once bought a Z3 2.8 which was used in the celebrity race for the F1 in Melbourne. I didn't know when I bought it and it was fine until I sold it.
A few wise words for you mate.
- never let the dealer push you into a sale. The june 30 deal end date is just fluff to try and get you to sign up there & then.
- never compromise, be patient, don't settle for second best and wait until you find what you want for the price you want. (Under reasonable assumptions).

As for the 323i press vehicle, i wouldn't be apprehensive, but it wouldn't prevent me from purchasing, you can use this as a way to get them to drop the price. Remember it's them that want your sale and selling high end cars is only going to get harder for these guys going forward in the current economic climate.
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      05-30-2008, 05:23 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maigais View Post
1) Promise to call back - do not do that twice
2) Never got actual invitation to 1st series presentation (told me great stories about that when I was signing contract)
3) Bmw driver days, I do not think they have them. Cos if they are 3 times a year, thats every 4 months, and they at least should know approx it will happen.

Now #1 and #2 shows me service level, not calling back is just something I personally hate and never do to my customers even I have bad news.

#3 is 50% of sale to me.

+ BMW is German company and they sell luxury cars - I expect German punctuality and service.
1. Welcome to the real world... We all hate it
2. I am on the amiling lisr for all new model launches, events and the BMW magazine, and do I recieve any of these? No
3. Don't hold your breath
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      05-30-2008, 08:13 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by astra View Post
1. Welcome to the real world... We all hate it
2. I am on the amiling lisr for all new model launches, events and the BMW magazine, and do I recieve any of these? No
3. Don't hold your breath
2. Ouch

3. Yes, I grasped on that. Thats why I am fussing.

1. I know this is a real word, and I am smart enough to use my cards while I can, for now I still need to provide 99% of money, if they can't provide what they promised - I will cancel.

There is exact same car in melbourne for 4k cheaper - and I can get it now.

I guess, to bit explain, why it is so important, once you change side of globe, you do not have friends etc. And since humans are such a community animals. This was one of the ways how to find ppl to catch up with to share common interest.

Of course I am still part of Latvian bmw community, but getting together is bit different.

And yes my au bmw community is great too!
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      06-02-2008, 01:06 AM   #19
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I ended up going for the new 320 M Sport Sparkling Graphite
- 18" 193 wheels
- Front PDC
- Adaptive Xenons & Navigation
- Folding Mirrors

Not really what I wanted and I paid too much, but I am a sucker when it comes to BMW and their techo options.
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