Episode 56

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Published on:

15th Jun 2023

BMW 323Ci - An Affordable E46 Coupe For BMW 3-Series Fans On A Budget

00:00 - SHOW OPEN

00:40 - INTRO - BMW 323Ci - An Affordable E46 3-Series Coupe

The motivation for this episode (other than the fact that the E46 BMW 3-series is a great car) was a 2000 BMW 323Ci with the sport package and a 5-speed manual that I found on my local Craigslist. This is definitely a fun-to-drive, but under-appreciated version of that era's 3-series BMW. That's because many enthusiasts mistakenly believe the smaller 2.5-liter 6-cylinder in the 323Ci is under powered. Well, it may be under powered if you're trying to "win" a track-day lapping session at the local road racing course, but as a fun, affordable daily driver, it's hard to beat this budget BMW sports coupe.

04:55 - What Makes the BMW 323Ci A Bargain for Budget BMW Buyers?

With its sleek design, smooth running 6-cylinder inline engine, and luxurious, yet sporty interior, this model continues to be a popular choice for used car enthusiasts today. Here are some of the details:

  • Engine and Drive Train
  • Acceleration/Braking/Handling
  • Exterior Design
  • Options and Interior Layout

11:15 - Potential Problems Areas On BMW E46-Series Cars

  • Oil Leaks (Oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets)
  • Coolant Leaks (lots of plastic parts that deteriorate)
  • Crankcase Ventilation System
  • Front Lower Control Arms in the suspension
  • Window Regulators

16:30 - The E46 3-Series Has An Active Enthusiast Community

The E46 generation has a strong following among BMW enthusiasts, which means there is an active community of owners and resources available. This can be helpful when seeking advice, maintenance tips, or even finding aftermarket upgrades.

17:45- Typical Price Points For The BMW 323Ci

$5000-$7000 - Okay to decent "daily drivers" with some issues

$7000-$9000 - Good Solid Examples With Low to Medium Mileage

$9000-$11,000 - Some of best, low-miles examples will sell in this range. For example, a 2000 BMW 323Ci with manual transmission, 5-speed manual, but no sport package just sold on the Bring-a-Trailer auction site for $11,300.

Relevant Links:

MotorWeek Review/Road Test of a 2000 BMW 323Ci Coupe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGp1-mQoCpM

21:35 - WRAP UP/CLOSE - Model Year 2000 BMW 323Ci

Any E46 3-series BMW kept in good condition is a sought-after used car due to its strong performance, excellent handling and enduring enthusiast appeal.  And the model year 2000 BMW 323Ci represents an outstanding bargain under that E46 3-series umbrella.  

It has the same stylish exterior design, engaging driving dynamics, and well-appointed interior that make all 3-series cars of that era great, but the 323Ci just does it for a lower price – and in some cases a much lower price, than most of its siblings. 

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About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

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Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!