BMW 323Ci

Scuzi · 26 Jan 2006 at 19:29

I was considering changing my car to a BMW 330Ci but after getting insurance quotes I was put off. With 4 points on a CD10 I was getting quotes in excess of £3000. I tried all the 3 series coupe models, 318, 323, 325 and the 330. For some reason all of them came out at over £3000 apart from the 323Ci which was quoted at £1200 :eek:

I don't understand the massive difference but I'd be interested in getting the 323Ci as it would be cheaper to buy and a hell of a lot cheaper to insure. I'd be able to get a better condition example for my budget (£10,000 absolute max) anyway.

What is the general concensus on the 323Ci as opposed to the 330Ci. What are the differences apart from the power? Am I right in saying that the 323 has the 2.5l straight six? I'm not bothered about massively fast cars, my current car has 180bhp and a 0-60 of just under 8 seconds but to be honest I very rarely get to use the performance so as long as the 323 isn't a hell of a lot slower I would be quite happy with it.

I think they look quite well with the BMW factory body kit, are these easy enough to get? How much would I expect to pay for one?

Thanks

[TW]Fox · 26 Jan 2006 at 19:35

The problem with the 323Ci is that it is a prefacelift model. It was available only between 1999 and 2000. If the factory bodykit you refer to is the one I think it is - the Sport kit (ie, M3 style front bumper etc), it was never available on this car - it didn't appear until after the 323 was replaced with the more powerful 325Ci.

I like them but cannot help thinking they offer very poor value - £10k is a LOT of money for a 7 year old car. Have you considered a saloon - these have lower residuals so you'd get a newer example for your money - you'd be able to get a 325i or something. These are nearly 200bhp rather than 170bhp offered by the 323.

Get a quote from Admiral, btw. I'm pretty sure I'm the same as as you and they'll insure me on anything up to and including a 540i 4.4 V8 for £1150.

Scania · 26 Jan 2006 at 19:36

Don't forget the 323i has a 2.5 engine.

Edit, just read the first post! yes mate, its a 2.5

Freefaller · 26 Jan 2006 at 19:36

I do like the Ci's. They look really nice

What year you looking at?

The 323 has about 170bhp I think, and it is a 2.5L straight 6, with tims to 60 under 8s too. Plus it's a well balanced RWD car, so it should be rewarding to drive too. There's not much difference in MPG or spec other than the performance of different models really from what I can tell. Obviously you have all the different trim levels etc...

edit: just saw what Fox posted... didn't realise they didn't make them after 2000! Seems silly.

energy · 26 Jan 2006 at 23:03

The 323, if I'm not mistaken, had 192bhp? Or did the 323 have a detuned 2.5?

For what its worth, and assuming it does have the 192hp engine, I've driven the E36 325i and can say you will probably be happy with the performance - it was quite rapid just keep the revs up and the windows down

They sound quite good these 6 cyl BMW units

[TW]Fox · 26 Jan 2006 at 23:06

It does not have the 192bhp engine, it is detuned.

Morba · 26 Jan 2006 at 23:34

170 for the 323, great engine that has masses of potential with a few mods.
like fox said tho, it will be the prefacelift, which for 10k is a hard deal.
a few more k would get you a nicer post facelift car, but you will take the hit on this insurance :/

gruppe m (replica) induction / bbtb (exchange item) and a chip will see you to 200bhp :]

disco Stu · 26 Jan 2006 at 23:42

I'm saddly getting rid of my 323ci convertible..........utta hoot to drive,sooo smooth and go's when it needs to.

gaz1234 · 5 Feb 2006 at 17:20

Well ive been quoted £800 on a 330ci sport which im collecting on saturday, im 26 with no no-claims!

NickXX · 5 Feb 2006 at 17:37

gaz1234 said:
Well ive been quoted £800 on a 330ci sport which im collecting on saturday, im 26 with no no-claims!

Who's that with mate?

Snaggle · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:05

Most probably www.itstocheapfora26yearold.com
unless its tpft .

Persil

Garrett · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:11

Persil said:
Most probably www.bullsh!tinsurance.com
unless its tpft .

Persil

Surely depends mostly on his postcode?

My M3 is just over £800 PA fully comp in hants postcode (i'm 31 though)

Snaggle · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:15

Do you have 0 no claims?

Persil

Garrett · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:23

Persil said:
Do you have 0 no claims?

Persil

Yep, as I was previously on as a named driver with girlfriend as main driver on last policy - made the mistake of thinkig no claims was transferable to me..

Quote for my old postcode (NW1) was around 2 grand though!

Snaggle · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:27

All prices quoted include insurance premium tax

Car quoted BMW 330 CI SPORT COUPE 2000-2005 2979cc COUPE Manual Petrol
Search date 05/02/2006 Protected NCB No Years NCB 0

COMPANY PRICE APPROX
EXCESS LEGAL
COVER COURTESY CAR PAY MONTHLY
(subject to credit policy)
Admiral £714.00 £350 included included available by phone
Direct Choice £733.87 £600 +£17.00 included 1x £113.03 + 10x £73.00
Kwik-Fit Insurance £791.53 £450 +£30.00 included available by phone
Direct Choice £825.90 £450 +£17.00 included 1x £128.75 + 10x £82.00
Direct Choice £864.02 £500 +£17.00 included 1x £132.54 + 10x £86.00
Screentrade £959.18 £350 +£22.05 included available by phone
Swiftcover.com £986.74 ? +£17.50 extra 1x £180.90 + 10x £90.45
Local Broker £1145.72 £450 +£20.00 included available by phone
Auto Direct £1167.67 £500 +£29.00 included 1x £175.15 + 10x £111.16
Auto Direct £1167.67 £500 +£29.00 included 1x £175.15 + 10x £111.16
Norwich Union Direct £1199.99 £220 +£18.00 extra 1x £215.98 + 10x £108.00
Local Broker £1217.04 £300 +£20.00 included available by phone
Insureandgo £1240.21 £500 +£20.00 included 1x £250.04 + 9x £124.47
Insureandgo £1240.21 £500 +£20.00 included 1x £250.04 + 9x £124.47
Quote-A-Car £1247.39 ? +£21.00 included available by phone
Local Broker £1258.41 £250 +£20.00 included available by phone
Quote-A-Car £1261.21 ? +£21.00 included available by phone
Auto Direct £1319.85 £250 +£29.00 included 1x £197.98 + 10x £125.65
Its4Me £1332.90 £250 +£9.95 included 1x £243.92 + 10x £121.96
Swinton £1332.90 £250 +£9.95 included 1x £243.92 + 10x £121.96
Quote-A-Car £1368.42 ? +£21.00 included available by phone
Insureandgo £1377.01 £450 +£20.00 included 1x £277.40 + 9x £138.08
Insureandgo £1394.40 £250 +£20.00 included 1x £280.88 + 9x £139.82
Insureandgo £1414.37 £450 +£20.00 included 1x £284.87 + 9x £141.80
Endsleigh £1672.86 ? included included 1x £334.57 + 11x £138.37

For me at 36 at a soso postcode ... Might be possible but have my doubts

Persil

NickXX · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:41

Woah, how did you general all that Persil?

Jez · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:49

Persil those multiquoters are absolutely useless and everyone here knows that, confused.com quote me almost double from some insurers as i get direct from their website.

£800 at 26 isnt that amazing on a 330CI, if he lives in a good (as oposed to soso) area, it makes a huge difference

gaz1234 · 5 Feb 2006 at 22:30

NickXX said:
Who's that with mate?

Admiral, oh it was a 10 monther though!

gaz1234 · 5 Feb 2006 at 22:38

Persil said:
All prices quoted include insurance premium tax

Car quoted BMW 330 CI SPORT COUPE 2000-2005 2979cc COUPE Manual Petrol
Search date 05/02/2006 Protected NCB No Years NCB 0

COMPANY PRICE APPROX
EXCESS LEGAL
COVER COURTESY CAR PAY MONTHLY
(subject to credit policy)
Admiral £714.00 £350 included included available by phone
Direct Choice £733.87 £600 +£17.00 included 1x £113.03 + 10x £73.00
Kwik-Fit Insurance £791.53 £450 +£30.00 included available by phone
Direct Choice £825.90 £450 +£17.00 included 1x £128.75 + 10x £82.00
Direct Choice £864.02 £500 +£17.00 included 1x £132.54 + 10x £86.00
Screentrade £959.18 £350 +£22.05 included available by phone
Swiftcover.com £986.74 ? +£17.50 extra 1x £180.90 + 10x £90.45
Local Broker £1145.72 £450 +£20.00 included available by phone
Auto Direct £1167.67 £500 +£29.00 included 1x £175.15 + 10x £111.16
Auto Direct £1167.67 £500 +£29.00 included 1x £175.15 + 10x £111.16
Norwich Union Direct £1199.99 £220 +£18.00 extra 1x £215.98 + 10x £108.00
Local Broker £1217.04 £300 +£20.00 included available by phone
Insureandgo £1240.21 £500 +£20.00 included 1x £250.04 + 9x £124.47
Insureandgo £1240.21 £500 +£20.00 included 1x £250.04 + 9x £124.47
Quote-A-Car £1247.39 ? +£21.00 included available by phone
Local Broker £1258.41 £250 +£20.00 included available by phone
Quote-A-Car £1261.21 ? +£21.00 included available by phone
Auto Direct £1319.85 £250 +£29.00 included 1x £197.98 + 10x £125.65
Its4Me £1332.90 £250 +£9.95 included 1x £243.92 + 10x £121.96
Swinton £1332.90 £250 +£9.95 included 1x £243.92 + 10x £121.96
Quote-A-Car £1368.42 ? +£21.00 included available by phone
Insureandgo £1377.01 £450 +£20.00 included 1x £277.40 + 9x £138.08
Insureandgo £1394.40 £250 +£20.00 included 1x £280.88 + 9x £139.82
Insureandgo £1414.37 £450 +£20.00 included 1x £284.87 + 9x £141.80
Endsleigh £1672.86 ? included included 1x £334.57 + 11x £138.37

For me at 36 at a soso postcode ... Might be possible but have my doubts

Persil

Like i said its a 10 month policy!

Type of cover : Comprehensive
Manufacturer : BMW
Model : 330 CI SPORT COUPE
Driver(s) : Insured & Named Driver
Years NCB : 0 Years No Claims Bonus
Term : 10 months
Class of use : Social & Commuting

Total Premium : £724.78

Doubt it all you like!!!

[TW]Fox · 5 Feb 2006 at 23:15

It's not exactly cheap policy of the year is it? Only a few hundred quid less than I've been quoted on a 530i..