SHARE
THIS
LISTING
Exterior photo of 2000 BMW 323Ci

2000 BMW 323Ci

INQUIRE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE

Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 52,700 Miles

Engine: M52TUB25 2.5-Liter Inline Six Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Titanium Silver Metallic (354)

Interior: Black Leather Interior

Additional features:

Myrtle Wood Interior Trim

Sport Package:

—M Steering Wheel

—Sport Suspension

—Sport Seats

Premium Package:

—Power Glass Moonroof

—Power Seats

—3-Position Drivers Seat Memory

—Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror

Xenon Headlights

Style 44 17” x 8” Sport Wheels

Toyo Proxes 4 Tires

BMW Carpet Floor Mats

Time Capsule Condition

100% Stock and Unmolested

Clean Carfax

Obsessively Cared for by Previous Owner

Complete Records Including Fuel and Tire Pressure Logs

Washington / Colorado Car

Background

2000 BMW 323Ci exterior photo

The BMW E46 generation 3 Series is what many BMW-philes consider to be the last of the true driver’s 3 Series. The E46 occurred near the end of the sweet spot of technological evolution, power, weight, size, and simplicity. It was the last 3 Series before BMW’s marked shift from a driver-focused brand to a technology-focused brand. Don’t get me wrong, I love the modern BMWs, but the E46 came from an era where a simple 323i/325i could satisfy the discerning tastes of the driving enthusiast. The M3 and 330i ZHP were the most powerful E46s, and the XI model’s AWD is fantastic, but a sport-package 323i/325i Coupe is wonderfully pure. It has almost all of the luxuries of the M3, with none of the weight of the XI. The coupe form isn’t diluted with extra doors (that said by a sedan lover) and the power to weight ratio is in a sweet spot that is everything you need in a street car. The E46 offers plenty of amenities (subtle lighting illuminating the center console from above is my favorite), yet it is still connected and visceral. The 1999 and 2000 model year 323i had the M52TUB25 engine, that had slightly less horsepower than the M54 engine of the 325i, but it was more reliable and had a throttle cable instead of throttle-by-wire, meaning no throttle-by-wire delay. The sport package’s 3-spoke steering wheel, bolstered seats, suspension, and style 44 17” wheels add purpose. The E46 was so good that most had the wheels driven off of them, making low mileage examples hard to find. Proper ownership history and preventative maintenance are as equally important as mileage, as many examples have depreciated into the price point of entry-level buyers and neglect. Clean, low mileage, well cared for examples are becoming rare—very rare.

Summary

 exterior photo

That is exactly what this 323Ci is—a clean, low-mileage, well-cared-for example. The first owner purchased it on January 24, 2000, and it remained in his possession for the next sixteen years. He was a car collector who treated the 323Ci to the same meticulous care as his more precious cars. In addition to regular oil changes, dealer services, and preventative maintenance, he kept detailed fuel fill up and tire pressure logs. All records are included with the sale. We purchased it from him in October of last year and sold it to our hangar neighbors, but not before preventatively replacing the water pump and thermostat. It is offered for sale from them on consignment, as they are upsizing to a truck. With only 57,200 miles, it is one of the most pristine E46s I’ve seen in recent years. It looks, drives, feels, and even smells very much like it did the day it left the show room. It has spent the vast majority of its life in the car-friendly climate of Washington State, as a result the paint finish and clear coat are rich and vibrant and there is zero rust. Nor have the sun’s harmful rays hardened the interior—the leather is still soft and supple to the touch. The Carfax is clean and all panels are original. It is 100% stock and unmolested. It comes with the original bill of sale, all owners’ manuals and marketing materials (including a VHS cassette), two sets of keys, and all maintenance records.

Exterior

2000 BMW 323Ci exterior photo

I am highly critical of our cars and I could not find much on this example that wasn’t perfect. It presents exactly like a well-stored, fair-weather driven, low mileage 323Ci. There are a few superficial nicks and scratches commiserate with light use, but nothing glaring. The Titanium Silver Metallic paint (often called TiAg referencing the periodic table) is in excellent condition. The paint has no significant chips, nicks, peeling clear coat or other glaring defects. The front bumper cover and hood leading edge have none of the rock chips that most Colorado cars have. The VIN tag is in place, the Carfax is clean, and it has never been in accident. All trim is present and in good condition, but the left kidney grill is loose when the hood latch is pulled (a common issue). The headlights, fog lights, marker lights, and taillight lenses are all crystal clear and all lights operate correctly. The windshield has no cracks or pitting. The side and rear windows are perfectly clear. The Style 44 sport wheels are in excellent shape, but they do have curb rash. I can have this repaired for additional cost if desired. They are wrapped in Toyo Proxes 4 all season tires with over 60% tread remaining.

Interior

 interior photo

The Black Leather and Myrtle Wood interior is also in excellent condition. It is as soft and supple as the day it left the dealership, having none of the normal hardening or fade that all BMW leather gets from use and UV exposure. The Myrtle Wood trim does have a few hairline cracks in the clear coat on the driver’s door handle and shifter. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpets are clean, with no stains or tears. BMW carpeted floor mats have protected the carpet. The seat leather has no tears, failed stitching, or bolster wear. All power seat motors, memory switches, and seat heaters work. The instrument cluster, stereo, and HVAC displays have no failed pixels. There are no warning lights on and no system check messages. The BMW Business stereo and Premium Sound system sounds fantastic. The HVAC panel functions correctly, the heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The heater blower is quiet and the final stage resistor functions correctly at all fan speeds. The storage compartment forward of the shifter has no scratches. All power door locks, the sunroof and windows work exactly as they should. The sunroof shade is correctly on its tracks. The trunk carpet has no wear or stains. The tool kit, factory jack, and spare tire are present and in good condition. All owners’ manuals are present and two sets of keys are included.

Mechanical

 engine photo

When you buy a used BMW, you buy the previous owner’s stewardship. I have a maintenance log since new showing regular oil changes, brake and coolant flushes, gearbox and differential oils, and lots of preventative maintenance. The “Old School” Lifetime Maintenance Schedule has been strictly followed. BMW dealers or independent BMW specialist shops completed all work. Items of note are:

  • Water Pump
  • Thermostat and Housing
  • Radiator
  • Power Steering Hoses
  • Passenger Side Airbag
  • Front Control Arm Bushings
  • Brake Pads and Rotors
  • Final Stage Resistor

I also have detailed fuel fill up, gas mileage, and tire pressure logs from the first owner. To say he was meticulous is an understatement! As it sits, this is a turn-key 323Ci and probably one of the nicest examples in the country. It drives and feels exactly like a properly maintained sub-60K mile car should. No common issues are present. The M52TU engine fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It doesn’t spot or leak. The clutch and shifter are smooth and precise. The suspension is compliant and there are no clunks, rattles, or other abnormal drive-train noises. The brakes are firm and it passes emissions with no problems, which we pay for. It will certainly need continued care and maintenance, and it deserves it, but that should not be for some time.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBABM3344YJN62385
  • Type: BM33
  • Model: 323ci – USA
  • Development Code: E46 (2)
  • Chassis: COUPE
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 2
  • Engine: M52/TU
  • Displacement: 2.50
  • Power: 168 Hp (125 kW)
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Color: Titanium Silver Metallic (Titansilber Metallic – 354)
  • Upholstery: Standard Black Leather (Standardleder/schwarz – N6SW)
  • Production Date: 11-05-1999

Optional Equipment

  • 210 Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • 290 Style 44 Sport Wheels Lt/aly Wheels Star Spoke 44
  • 403 Glass Roof Electric
  • 431 Auto-Dimming Review Mirror
  • 438 Wood Trim
  • 441 Smokers Package
  • 459 Power Seats with Memory
  • 473 Armrest Front
  • 481 Sport Seats Driver and Front Passenger
  • 520 Foglights
  • 522 Xenon Headlights
  • 534 Automatic Air Conditioning
  • 640 Car Telephone Preparation
  • 662 Radio BMW Business CD
  • 676 HiFi Loudspeaker System
  • 692 CD Changer I-bus Preparation
  • 694 Preparation for CD Changer
  • 925 Shipping Protection Package
  • 926 Spare Wheel

Standard Equipment

  • 226 Sports Suspension Settings
  • 256 Sport Multi-function Steering Wheel
  • 354 Green Stripe Windscreen
  • 550 On-Board Computer
  • 823 Hot Climate Version
  • 832 Battery in Luggage Compartment
  • 845 Acoustic Belt Warning
  • 853 Language Version English
  • 876 Radio Frequency 315 MHz
  • 992 Number Plate Attachment