Sell my e46 323i for e30 325i?

[Garrett1021]

Hey guys i was wondering if you guys can help me make this decision..

So i have this e46 323i that everyone who know me calls the money pit. it has 130,000 miles and ive had i for maybe 10,000 of those and its costs me full brakes, brand new tranny, new clutch,multiple little problems and last but not least its been out of commission since summer started because of the dreaded subframe hole problem.

Now i know i should love this car.. as.. i am a huge car guy. a few months ago i bought a 964 (see in my avatar and i guess ill attach pics below) and im keeping the e46 to daily drive... but thats the problem, its just plain NOT fun to drive, especially compared to the 911.

now my brother has a z4 3.0si and ive driven that quite a lot and i love it. im not saying bmws dont have soul.. but my e46 is about as souless as it gets.

i just dont have the passion for that car that i do for my porsche or my brothers z4 (heck even for my dads 2CV.)

so its finally come to the conclusion that i want to sell it and get something much more fun.. something with more soul.

the e30 was an obvious choice!! my number one choice would be a 325 from 87-91.

id love to sell the bmw for (dreaming here) 6 or 7k. (thats about how much ive put into it these past two years)

and picking up a real nice condition e30 for about 5 and putting a few grand of upgrades into it, like refreshing the suspension and fixing all problems with it and such.

basically my goal for the car, is get it to stock, and then do some tasteful upgrades, like maybe some nice wheels and lower springs (no offence to anyone out there but im not into stance so i would only get it to the point where the wheels were about level with the wells and be done)

also exhaust. i like my cars loud. the 323 is about straight piped and the 964 (in a week) will be straightpiped too.

So this is my plan. trade the 323 heavy souless boat for a nimble little e30.

can anyone chime in with some helpful info here?

by the way ive never taken my cars to a shop, i do all work myself.

thanks a lot guys

-Garrett:)



heres some car pics...

[e30Villain]

First of all, Welcome to the forum!

Second put up some bigger pics of the Porsche.

Third, there is a huge difference going from an e46 to an e30. I've driven plenty of e46's and i would disagree that it doesn't have soul. Perhaps your just not as into it as you'd think. E30's are great cars for daily use and for fun. Go test drive a few e30's and then see if you can make a decision. I'm sure once you own one, you too will have the e30 addiction.

[slammin.e28]

It's a 323.....yes ditch it for an e30.

If it was an e46 330 it would be fun. It's not.


You'd be getting good to get over $5k for a 323, but maybe fixed up and spit shined you could sell it to some kid on C'list who doesn't really know.

[redsubdivisions]

I can see why you dislike your E46. I never really liked early model E46's. My facelift 330i sedan is a blast to drive.

But I am envious of your 911, though.

[Garrett1021]

First of all, Welcome to the forum!

Second put up some bigger pics of the Porsche.

Third, there is a huge difference going from an e46 to an e30. I've driven plenty of e46's and i would disagree that it doesn't have soul. Perhaps your just not as into it as you'd think. E30's are great cars for daily use and for fun. Go test drive a few e30's and then see if you can make a decision. I'm sure once you own one, you too will have the e30 addiction.

ahh i see what happened with the pics, im getting bigger ones right now! and i think the fact that ive dumped so much money into it really left a sour taste in my mouth

[Garrett1021]

It's a 323.....yes ditch it for an e30.

If it was an e46 330 it would be fun. It's not.


You'd be getting good to get over $5k for a 323, but maybe fixed up and spit shined you could sell it to some kid on C'list who doesn't really know.

im planning on a good all day detail, im talking compound, polish and then wax... then ill make a video and put in on craigslist and hopefully itll sell fast!

[Garrett1021]

I can see why you dislike your E46. I never really liked early model E46's. My facelift 330i sedan is a blast to drive.

But I am envious of your 911, though.

thanks a lot!

heres bigger pics for you guys:

WARNING ZOOM OUT

[slammin.e28]

Dat Citroen.....

[10Toes]

Is the 323 an auto?

[Garrett1021]

Dat Citroen.....

Thats my dads:D

[Garrett1021]

Is the 323 an auto?

nope 5mt

[Garrett1021]

Does anyone know what exhaust this is exactly? its from my e46 323i, it is just a straight pipe with what seems to be a glasspack or something near the end? can anyone chime in here?

[slammin.e28]

Looks like something someone cobbled together for the sake of loudness.

[Garrett1021]

Looks like something someone cobbled together for the sake of loudness.

Hahaha I wont disagree with you there!!

The sounds it does make though... are glorious:razz:

[Spitfi-r]

Nice Porsche!
I've got a 2001 330 and an 1989 swapped 325.

The e30 is definitely a better driving car, but my e46 makes a better DD (safety, comfort, etc).

I owned my e46 first and now love my e30.

My e46 will be replaced long before my e30.

So make the switch. You'll be happy.