Advice to get a 2009 323i

[E46Fanatic]

Both 323i and 325 is beautiful. Some of our forumer adviced me that 325 is not suit for town use since it is too sporty. Ha..323i is more suitable. Schwepps, i am not sure the place you live.But my place is a small town.

Do at least take the 325i sports for a spin before committing on the 323i. The ride harshness is subjective as we all have different levels of butt sensitivities. The LCI 325i sports is much more comfy due to the revised shockers and new gen RFTs. So it might just be right for you even around town. Also when you are in the 325i, make sure you rev it to redline and hear the engine scream at 7k rpms. Lovely experience.

 

[Schwepps]

Both 323i and 325 is beautiful. Some of our forumer adviced me that 325 is not suit for town use since it is too sporty. Ha..323i is more suitable. Schwepps, i am not sure the place you live.But my place is a small town.

It's not really THAT sporty. It's just right for town use, and when you're on the open road, you can enjoy flooring it. What's the diff, small town big town? Traffic is bad in both. The 323 and 325 use the same engine, the N52B25. Just that the 323 is detuned and that's where the frustration can come in, when you know the extra horses are there under your bonnet but just can't access them.

BTW, ensure the dealer you buy from is an authorised BMWM dealer and not a grey importer. Otherwise you won't enjoy the BSRI/warranty cover at all dealers that I mentioned. :wink:

 

[seanchen78]

Do at least take the 325i sports for a spin before committing on the 323i. The ride harshness is subjective as we all have different levels of butt sensitivities. The LCI 325i sports is much more comfy due to the revised shockers and new gen RFTs. So it might just be right for you even around town. Also when you are in the 325i, make sure you rev it to redline and hear the engine scream at 7k rpms. Lovely experience.

Dear E46Fanatic,

Yes, the 1st BMW that i test drive is 325i sport. This is the car that 'open' my eyes. I also tried the 323i and did agree that it seem slow at the starting, as i have to step harder on accelerator in order to move it. Is this happen to all 3 series? ( since the JB SA told me so)

I had do a simple calculation and find that 325i really over my budget. Just hate myself....

 

[seanchen78]

It's not really THAT sporty. It's just right for town use, and when you're on the open road, you can enjoy flooring it. What's the diff, small town big town? Traffic is bad in both. The 323 and 325 use the same engine, the N52B25. Just that the 323 is detuned and that's where the frustration can come in, when you know the extra horses are there under your bonnet but just can't access them.

BTW, ensure the dealer you buy from is an authorised BMWM dealer and not a grey importer. Otherwise you won't enjoy the BSRI/warranty cover at all dealers that I mentioned. :wink:

Dear Schwepps,

Many thanks for your remind. I did check from BMW website. The KL/Melaka Sales Center can be found in the dealer list. In this case, i think it is okay to get 1 from either 1 of them. Am i right?:top:

I will be meeting SA from Melaka tomorrow afternoon. Don't know what kind of deal he will propose to me.

" What's the diff, small town big town? Traffic is bad in both." Ha...it is true. Wherever i go, traffic seem to be a big problem.

 

[Schwepps]

If they're in the BMWM website then they're dealers, and you get all the benefits of buying from BMWM.

If the 325 is out of your budget, just get the 323 if you find the right colour and the financials are reasonable. Don't quibble about a few '000s and end up not having your dream by Christmas! Anyway, the 325 is nothing compared to the 335, which is nothing compared to the M3, so you should stop where your wallet ends. Even the 320 will give you a great driving experience, and unless you must drag race, the power doesn't matter as much as the driving experience. You can't beat the souped-up racerboy winged-cars anyway, because that's not what BMWs are about.

Hope you get your Christmas present! :top:

 

[Ennui78]

Well said!! Sound advice.

If they're in the BMWM website then they're dealers, and you get all the benefits of buying from BMWM.

If the 325 is out of your budget, just get the 323 if you find the right colour and the financials are reasonable. Don't quibble about a few '000s and end up not having your dream by Christmas! Anyway, the 325 is nothing compared to the 335, which is nothing compared to the M3, so you should stop where your wallet ends. Even the 320 will give you a great driving experience, and unless you must drag race, the power doesn't matter as much as the driving experience. You can't beat the souped-up racerboy winged-cars anyway, because that's not what BMWs are about.

Hope you get your Christmas present! :top:

 

[seanchen78]

If they're in the BMWM website then they're dealers, and you get all the benefits of buying from BMWM.

If the 325 is out of your budget, just get the 323 if you find the right colour and the financials are reasonable. Don't quibble about a few '000s and end up not having your dream by Christmas! Anyway, the 325 is nothing compared to the 335, which is nothing compared to the M3, so you should stop where your wallet ends. Even the 320 will give you a great driving experience, and unless you must drag race, the power doesn't matter as much as the driving experience. You can't beat the souped-up racerboy winged-cars anyway, because that's not what BMWs are about.

Hope you get your Christmas present! :top:

Yes, yes. Comparing between model is unfair since that's the purpose for that model to be in the market.

Thanks, Schwepps.

 

[seanchen78]

Dear Sean, nowadays most of my friends here go to Ingress Auto because of their competitiveness and also high customer service. Quill is new *i think, i may be wrong* as I saw it near Jaya 33 yesterday when I meet up with 3 skillful n knowledgeable BMW mechanics..ahahahahhaha. There is also Sapura Auto..I'm sure you are aware right.

If you want, you can call Ingress Auto and ask for Norman or Damien Cheh (both siblings). Tel: 03-7721 2288

Dear Rachel,

Thanks. I will call the number. I see. Haha..I thought AB, IA, Quill & SA are all the same group.

 

[ebby37]

Sean... make sure you dont get taken for a ride cos the SA's know that you are desperate
259K seems like too much for a pre reg. I bought mine for 258k pre reg and that was in March this year

I see that most of the pre reg 323 models are going for 250k now

 

[seanchen78]

Dear Ebby37,

Well, you are right. They seem to offer me a much higher price. I get 1 for 259K for Pre-reg and another 1 for 258K for Demo with 25k km mileages. I was laughing when i heard the price. 259K for a Pre reg with low mileage is still acceptable by me. But for the Demo, i frankly told the SA about the previous deal ( 249K for 3K km mileage, which offered by JB). The SA also agree with me his price is too high. After reporting to his manager, he replied with 230K. Furthermore that demo 323i was manufactured in year 2008. Well, i think they have aware that i am looking for 323i desperately.

There is another SA who haven't quote me yet. To be honest, i don't expect much now.

However, my wish to own a BMW never change and will not change. Maybe the timing not right.

 

[shaifulo]

Dear Ebby37,

Well, you are right. They seem to offer me a much higher price. I get 1 for 259K for Pre-reg and another 1 for 258K for Demo with 25k km mileages. I was laughing when i heard the price. 259K for a Pre reg with low mileage is still acceptable by me. But for the Demo, i frankly told the SA about the previous deal ( 249K for 3K km mileage, which offered by JB). The SA also agree with me his price is too high. After reporting to his manager, he replied with 230K. Furthermore that demo 323i was manufactured in year 2008. Well, i think they have aware that i am looking for 323i desperately.

There is another SA who haven't quote me yet. To be honest, i don't expect much now.

However, my wish to own a BMW never change and will not change. Maybe the timing not right.

bro,
skip the SA and talk straight to the boss. dunno about the rest but I'm quite close to Sapura Auto. Talk to Chippie the GM, his price would be as competitive as it could get at that establishment, unless you know the owner himself :top:

 

[Ennui78]

Be patient.......these sales guys are sharks. LOL. You pay to get a car and they get cash for all the running around you've done.

"You know you'll love the car no matter what...". That's what the SAs are trying to imply. Those demo units are driven pretty roughly too, I imagine. And all this, while the car is having her 'breaking-in' period.

If you know your wish to own a beemer won't change, then that's great - because you will obviously be driving one in the not so distant future.

 

[Schwepps]

Seanchen, if I were you here's what I would do. Forget the 'demo' - at 25k, it's a used car, not a demo. Assuming the 259k pre-reg is 0km and the right colour, negotiate some more and book it. If you wait a day or two, it may be taken already and you'll have to wait for the next batch.

BMWs are not mass market cars, so supply is always matched to demand. Buy them with passion, not with a view to cutting 1k here, 2k there. Close your eyes, plonk the deposit and imagine the pleasure you'll have over the Christmas and New Year season driving your spanking new 3 to party with your peers! :wink:

 

[seanchen78]

Seanchen, if I were you here's what I would do. Forget the 'demo' - at 25k, it's a used car, not a demo. Assuming the 259k pre-reg is 0km and the right colour, negotiate some more and book it. If you wait a day or two, it may be taken already and you'll have to wait for the next batch.

BMWs are not mass market cars, so supply is always matched to demand. Buy them with passion, not with a view to cutting 1k here, 2k there. Close your eyes, plonk the deposit and imagine the pleasure you'll have over the Christmas and New Year season driving your spanking new 3 to party with your peers! :wink:

Dear Schwepps,

Thanks for the words, i hope i can "have over the Christmas and New Year season driving my spanking new 3 to party with my peers!"

I had rejected the offer for the 25K Demo. The SA then offered 270K for his Demo 325 (also with a 20K mileage). Well, like you said, it is a used car. And my wife won't be happy if i buy this car for her.

I received another SA call today. 249K for pre-reg is 0km and he will reply in another 3 days for the color that i want. I think it is a reasonable price for 0 mileage. If i can get the right color(actually my wife don't have any argument with color, just dislike blue), i will definitely get it.

 

[jazzler]

Dear Schwepps,

Thanks for the words, i hope i can "have over the Christmas and New Year season driving my spanking new 3 to party with my peers!"

I had rejected the offer for the 25K Demo. The SA then offered 270K for his Demo 325 (also with a 20K mileage). Well, like you said, it is a used car. And my wife won't be happy if i buy this car for her.

I received another SA call today. 249K for pre-reg is 0km and he will reply in another 3 days for the color that i want. I think it is a reasonable price for 0 mileage. If i can get the right color(actually my wife don't have any argument with color, just dislike blue), i will definitely get it.

Well done mate. :top:

 

[benjovi]

Dear current BMW owner,

Is there anyone have the discount letter from BMW that I can use? This poor soon to be BMW owner needed one...

Thanks.

 

[seanchen78]

Bro Benjovi,

I was told by SA (JB) that they will look for this letter for us. According to the SA, it is not a problem for them to get this letter. I am not sure how true it is. But after i read your new thread, i begin to doubt what they told me.

 

[benjovi]

Bro Seanchen,

I think the SA will get it from their existing customer. Then again, in my state not many people are buying BMW, so it is quite hard for me to get one.

But, I hope if there is any of our forum member out there that are willing to let go of the letter, it will be really a great help.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Benjovi

I am willing to let go mine. But conditions on the letter states that I have to be present with the letter together with the new buyer to get the discount. Which state are u located at?

 

[benjovi]

Bro E46Fanatic,

I've pm you. Really appreciate your help.