[sugilun]

Hi all,
I'm new to here and I'm planning to buy a used E90 325i in the future. My budget is ~$40000. CAn some of the 325i owner tell me more about this car? Also, I want to know how much does it cost for a general service of the 325i?
Thanks,
Tony.

[kaishang]

It's a nice car. Used to own one in Western Australia. Lacks a bit of torque but the engine is very nice if you rev it. It will do 240km/h if you find a deserted road somewhere.

I'm guessing at $40k, it is going to be out of warranty so there is no particular reason not to use an independent garage. In that case the service won't be a whole lot more expensive than an ordinary car AFAIK although I've never been to an independent myself.

Unlike most cars, BMW uses condition based servicing so you can see from the onboard computer when the next service is due. If it is close and buying off a dealer, get 'em to service it as part of the deal. You may get a CBS item pop up at short notice well before the next indicated service though. This happened to me when the CBS indicated it wanted an air-filter.

Run-flat tyres cost about double what a normal tyre costs. It's also going to use more fuel than your diesel Golf.

[johnnydad]

I love mine, I think it really hits the sweet spot between refinement and an exciting and involving drive. It won't probably feel any faster than your Golf though, unless you can find a manual. Similarly, you can also look at 323i's and 330i's. The sport packs do give the cars a different flavour, and if value grip and handling, you may well be happy to put up with the ride. If you carry rear seat passengers often, do consider them on the test drives as it can get rather bouncy back there. But the dark headlining, sports seats and wheel add a lot to the ambience IMHO.

$40K ought to net you an early private sale car with 60,000km plus and likely no warranty.

Servicing costs as indicated are dependent on usage patterns to some extent. Oil services are asked for each 20,000km (I prefer do do half that) and cost $180-200 from a dealer. Every third change they suggest a new air filter and plugs - again I had mine done at the second given how dusty it gets here (and the car is running better than ever). That service was a bit over $400. Also brake fluid gets changed every 2 years from the build date - cost me $130. Brakes in my car will last 48,000 front and 50,000 rear and typically my use (inner urban, lots of intersections and roundabouts) is fairly hard on pads. I have the sport pack and so OEM tyres were quoted at $1900 a set. I managed nearly 30,000km out of the original RFT's. There are plenty of cheaper options - the standard 225/45 17's give access to a huge range of non RFT's also and a spacesaver spare is cheap. Even the sport's 255 rears have several good budget alternatives if you follow that route.

Fuel consumption? They are quite economical for a 1500kg six, but bank on 12-14l/100km in the city, 10-12 in the suburbs and 8's in the country.

The main worry I suppose is a major or expensive repair, but that's an issue with most used cars and there are plenty of good independent places around should something happen.

[David328M-Sport]

The E90 325i arrived in Australia mid 2005. I was pretty much first on the list to receive it. It has been and still is a superb car to drive. The only engine that has essentially stayed pretty much the same since the start. That has to tell you something that's good about the magnesium based engine construction.

Yes, I've had some wear & tear issues as well as component failures, but a 'general service' has not really existed for me, so I cannot faithfully tell you the cost, as there may be another item to change over, such as (only as an example) say the microfilter if you live in/commute to a dusty area.

The components are monitored by the computer and you can see when they need replacing by the dash display and/or idrive display. Reasonably comprehensive list.

If you do end up buying a 325i, do yourself and the car the biggest favour and buy/install the PBX Power Box piggy back unit that remaps the throttle response and gives the engine just a tad more power & torque for a big improvement in the car's performance. Lots to read about it on this site.

Best wishes.

[sugilun]

Sorry for the late reply, I was away from my computer for few days. Thx everyone for the reply. Is there anything that i need to pay attention to when i test drive the 325i (sorry i'm new to BMW)?

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by sugilun

Is there anything that i need to pay attention to when i test drive the 325i (sorry i'm new to BMW)?

Based on my 5 years with my 325i, no, not really. Enjoy the test drives. Just have it checked out by Andrew from SouthernBM (Moorrabbin) if you can.

Cheers

[kaishang]

I can't think of anything in particular either. Check the tread on the tyres since RFTs cost about twice as much as normal tyres to replace. Check the on-board display on start-up for when the next service is. My power steering pump failed at about 12 months and 20,000km and was replaced under warranty, but that's probably a random. But your purchase is still going to be a 4-ish year old car with getting on 100,000km so stuff can go wrong.

Decide if there are any options you must have eg sunroof or iDrive/Nav or a creamy beige interior. Personally I don't think you need Nav as iDrive really only got user friendly in 2008 but I would never buy a BMW without a sunroof or light coloured seats, but that's just me.

I also don't think you want the stiff M-sport suspension in Australia and esp if you are in Victoria. You can't go go fast enough to make the standard suspension feel too soft so you would just have something that feels the bumps more. I've got the standard non M suspension now in Europe and it starts to get a bit floaty at 160km/h - so it ain't going to make any difference in Victoria. The standard suspension is also dirt-road friendly. I took my 325 on a lot of dirt roads.

The 325i runs best on 98RON or 95RON petrol.

Make sure you haggle.

Check it really is a 325i and someone hasn't just stuck a 325i badge on the back of a 323i. Check some joker has not set the on board computer to display miles instead of kilometers, so when you look at the odometer you are looking at only 61% of the actual kilometer distance traveled.

Enjoy the car, you feel good driving one

[bmwaddiction]

I bought a 2005 e90 325i, 27000k, mint condition for $42000 from Prestige Auto Traders at the start of the year.

Since then the prices have gone down by 1-3k depending where you look (for cars in similar condition).

Love the car, get heaps of compliments regularly. Have not had any issues at all but spent some money getting the local BMW dealer to install the Ipod integration and upgrade the stereo to Alpine spec.

Tips if you are buying s 325i and are not used to BMWs:

1. The steering will feel quite heavy on the test drive - do not be put off, its just the way BMWs feel (a bit more robust/sporty).

2. Check the logbook for regular services. Most cars that age would have had at least 3 services. If the logbook is empty it may indicate a poorly serviced vehicle or a new logbook / no service history. This will affect resale value as most BMW buyers expect a well service vehicle.

3. Check the tyres if they are runflats. Some dealers put on cheaper tyres to save money (yes I was caught out and had to buy 2 runflats at great expense).

4. Do a REVs and Accident check online. Should only cost about $20 in total but will give you a complete record of ownership/accidents/debt oustanding.

I hope this helps

[xxx7]

I bought an E90, 325i about a month ago and I'm happy with it overall. For the average price they're going for at the moment I reckon they're good value for money..

Goes good as it is but I'm hoping the BMS powerbox I'm about to order will improve acceleration feel a little..

Got an unscheduled service done at BMW Sydney today and the goods and services costs are as follows:

- Service standard scope = $35.00
- Engine oil service = $52.50
- Brake fluid service = $70.00
- Castrol SLX oil = $163.00
- BMW DOT 4 brake fluid = $29.95
- Oil filter = $28.32

Total = $416.65 including GST

Charlie.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by xxx7

Goes good as it is but I'm hoping the BMS powerbox I'm about to order will improve acceleration feel a little..

Although there are a few strange posts in the main NA section, coming from the US about how poor the BMS is, mine really turns the car into the way it should perform out of the factory.

The small but very noticeable increase in torque, power and, depending on your map setting, throttle response, does really help to make the car go quicker off the mark.

In my car, D is so much more responsive in Map 3 (the best setting for me) whilst in DS, it really becomes very 'aggressive' and exciting to drive.

Just ensure that your unit is properly installed of course. It really does work well for the cost and for what one can do to a NA engine.

Best wishes

[xxx7]

Dave

I'm not looking for super performance, however slightly better response off the mark would be great!

The engine in the 325i is great but I feel the factory settings are holding back the performance..

Thanks for the advice!

[BilLYtheKiD325i]

before you test drive the car make sure you adjust the seat positioning properly until you are comfortable and also the steering wheel position.

[sugilun]

Thx for the input everyone. Just one more thing, does it come with ipod attachment function?

[kaishang]

Has a 12V power socket and Aux-in inside the armrest. You buy a Y-cable from BMW to connect an iPod.