2000 e46 323i would you?

[M-technik-3]

Have an opportunity to get a dirt cheap 323i 4 door with nice colors and options. But it's got a blown head gasket. Dump a proper 2.5L or a 3.0 m54 or just do HG over?

Was just gonna use this as a DD and concentrate on my project for over the winter?

Thoughts? Always liked the E46 style in 4 door like the ZHP but they are not cheap yet and mileage of them is getting up there on most heck some are surpassing my vert and eS.

[decay]

gf and i have had our '02 330xi for about half a year now (up to ~87K at the moment) and the mechanicals seem very solid, engine is basically a detuned '95 M3 motor and even detuned and through AWD i enjoy the power delivery. would have been even cooler if we'd found a later 6-speed model, but the 5-speed is fun.

mechanicals seem solid but have had 2 issues from flaky wiring (CD changer, and brakelight becoming stuck on once) since summer ended. if you don't mind fixing that, then m54b30 and shorter final drive. go!

[M-technik-3]

Yeah, been thinking about it. Wants basically the money back out of mods into it.

Superleggra, coilovers and hids and an exhaust. Getting a decent M54b25 is not that hard nor expensive these days. On the other hand buying a m54b30 is about what I'll be buying the car for so I hesitant going that route.

[machined]

Even if you just fix the head gasket problem it'll still make a great daily. I love E46s. What colors/options?

[Julien]

5 speed : yes
steptronic: no

[decay]

Superleggra, coilovers and hids and an exhaust.

you know i have a nice set of e36/e46-fitment staggered superleggeras available, right? :D

[M-technik-3]

HK stereo CD43, sports seats and the darker silver, 5 speed roof. Open rear thou :(

you know i have a nice set of e36/e46-fitment staggered superleggeras available, right?

No but this car has a set on it and there are some local to me as well for 550 in 17"s

[n2bimmer]

Do it

[Restoman]

I'd have to fix the head gasket myself and enjoy the car. You could always sell it later on and most likely make a bit.

[M-technik-3]

Turns out to have a torn subframe... skip it. PSS9 and hard driving. Darn.

[n2bimmer]

Turns out to have a torn subframe... skip it. PSS9 and hard driving. Darn.

How much is he asking for it?. Torn subframe can even happen with a 90 year old women driving it.

[M-technik-3]

3500 and needs subframe and HG, so In my opinion nope.

[10Toes]

You might be able to get bmw to fix the subframe free for you.

[M-technik-3]

Yeah, I know but think it needs to be original owner. Haven't stopped by and talked with service adviser I know at local dealer.

[TexasTerp]

I thought about buying a 323i e46 from what I've learned, a significant amount of the 323i engine and drivetrain is 323 specific and was only made fr a few years for his reason, you can't just swap over parts from another e46. I didn't do an indepth search on it but that's at least what I found online.