New Car Questions..New To Forum

[RuMIROCZ]

I am new to this forum as of today. I've been looking into buying a car in the next couple of weeks. I have right now a 1988 Camaro IROC-Z and a 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro. I'm selling both and looking at spending about $22,000 or less on another car.

I'm looking at used 328's and 325's. I'm trying hard to stay under the 40,000 mile mark and hoping to get either a 1997 or later so I could still have a warranty left. Does anyone have any recommendations? What are the major differences between the two? Are there any known problems that anyone knows about for 1997 and later? How about some GOOD information websites? I'm totally lost when it comes to BMW's and don't want to make the wrong choice on the car I get. What things should I be looking for when I check the cars out?

Thank You In Advance for anyone that responds to this.
Stephen Cavallo

[csieminski]

I do not know much about the mechanical aspects, but since no one else has replied, I will answer whatever else I can.

Regarding the 325 and 328, the 2.5L inline-6 in the 325 was stroked to 2.8L in 1996.

325: 328:

189 hp @5300 rpm 190 hp @ 5300 rpm
181 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm 207 lb.-ft. @ 3950 rpm

All sources I am aware of describe the 2.5 as a very pleasant, reliable engine with no major problems. The 2.8 should be at least as good.

As far as affordability is concerned, for $22K you should be able to get a good 328 or a superb 325. If you are interested in the security of a warranty, you may want to check out the BMW certified pre-owned program. This program certifies all late-model cars with less than 60K miles and warranties them up to 100,000 miles. You may be able to afford some '97 328's under this program, but they will likely have more than 40K miles. If a warranty and low mileage is really important to you, try looking at a CPO '98 or '99 323is coupe (170 hp 2.5L inline-6). Still, there shouldn't be any problem with a low-mileage non-CPO 325 or 328.

For informaton, look up anything on the internet you can find about the E36 (that's the '92-'98/99) 3-Series. Since these are extremely popular BMWs, there should be a ton of information. The December 1995 issue of Road & Track magazine has a First Drive of the 328i which explains a lot of improvements over the 325.

Hope this helps.

Craig

[crayzayjay]

My cuz has a 325i and a friend has a 328i. Both excellent cars, but the 328i has a much "smoother" engine and therefore slightly more pleasant to drive. Handling is exactly the same as far as i can tell, and economy is better in the 328. The 328i is slightly more urgent and the added torque is also useful. Hope this is of some help

cheers,
jay

[RuMIROCZ]

=)

[crayzayjay]

yw