Having spent the last 15 years running around in new vehicles and some nice ones at that, 528i, Cherokee, etc, I figured it was time to ditch the depreciation for once. Forking out 1700 smackers for a mint condition 323i dating back to August 1985 was a calculated gamble. With a full service history and an engine that sounds as sweet as a very sweet thing, my logic is simply that if my lack of mechanical knowledge gets me into a real lemon, then even taking it to the scrapyard in twelve months will still have cost less than running a very average new car for the same period.
It goes like stink, and the handling offers far more entertainment than anything I've driven since my first proper car a 205GTI when I was younger and dafter.
The lack of toys like aircon and e/w takes a bit of adjusting to, but in the end it's turned me into a real anti-snob and I would rather take my lovely old banger than my wife's new 328, which is all very hi-tech, but a bit sterile.
If you get the chance, take an old 323 for a spin (pardon the expression), if you find a good one, you won't be disappointed.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 130 mph - 143 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
BMW 1 Series - Hatchback - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Automatic, 6 Speed Manual - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 127 mph - 122 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 140, 143 mph - 163, 177 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
Not bad intro, but info on what the car has to offer would have resulted in a higher rating (eg comfort, ride, equipment, insurance costs etc.). If you ever redo this op, please let me know and I'll reread it and review my rating :)
Aug 24th, 2000
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