my friend has 2000 323Ci - really pretty car. Needs revs to move though unlike a 400E
but once it moves it's a quick car. On the highway it gave my 400E quite a workout! (Due to it having 5-speeds I guess)
The I-6 also sounds really nice. The transmission is one of my favorite automatics. (His has steptronic) - It responds quickly and shifts smoothly. The brakes are typical BMW - GOOD!
harsh ride.. then again it handles really well.
the coupe just looks particularly stunning - too bad u can find at least one E46 in every city block in Boston :-p
I've always thought that the A/C controls are annoying at best, and the AC is weak.
Problems he's had:
A/C died? don't remember what it was.. but it was covered
squealing brakes - covered
t-stat broke
rattttttllees
CD player / navigation problem
auxiliary fan had to be replaced
there was also some weird noise from the intake but it didn't cost much to fix (an adjustment of some sort)
I think it's pretty reliable? I'd definitely take one over a W203 C-Class
Good luck!
-Holson-