2nd hand BMW. Any advice?

[monte]

Hi there my Nephew has his heart set on a BMW 3 series. Obviously he wants to get the best he can for the £6000 he has to spend.

Has anyone here got any experience with the 318, 320 models? both Diesel and Petrol are an option.

Petrol seem to be cheaper to buy 2nd hand.

This garage had 2. Both petrol, both new shape 55 plates in silver. Both £5990. One was 318se and the other 320se.

318se (lower milage) has been sold but he is going to see the 320se tmrw morning.


Any opinions on this? Good price? Engine etc?

http://www.regentgrangecarsales.co.uk/used-cars?page=2

[monte]

Whoops…. this is the correct link. 



http://www.regentgrangecarsales.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-series-320i-se-4dr-bolton-201218467589233

[tony_danza]

They're not the lightest of cars, so oddly having a smaller engine can make for worse fuel economy, as you're having to thrash the thing to get it to move.

If he can squeeze a little more, then get him to look for a 320si - homologation special with a handbuilt engine and loads of trick bits, certain to hold its value better than any other small engined 3 series and a samn sight more fun.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/200502/bmw_3series.html

[R32UK]

I would also say get an auto 

[Baz300]

I had an e46 318 auto a few years ago and it was honestly the worst car I have ever driven, was so underpowered for the car

I traded it in for a 330ci after 3 months and loved the 330 and had a year of trouble free motoring from it.

For that sort of money I wold look at a 320cd with a m sport kit and full leather (facelifts look horrible without the m sport)
They get 50mpg and still hold there value very well (I lost £3k on my 330 in a year)

The golf gti I have now is the only car that i feel is as good as a drive as the BMW just that the golf is a little bit quicker

[Baz300]

Sorry didn't look at the link first it's e90s not e46s

I was looking at a e90 coupe before i got the golf but would of been at least £13k for a decent spec model,
I would of went for a mid 2007 on as they all have efficient dynamics from then on.

Also looked at the saloons but to get one with leather etc was far too much for age and mileage etc

Also for me between the gti an e90 335coupe and e46m3 insurance was all the same price but a type r was an extra £200 a year

[monte]

Thanks for the replies so far! 

Only prob is that he is stretched his budget to max of £6000.

Is it a case of getting a diesel if he want an economical BMW?

I doubt he will find many new shape ones for 6k


Any opinions of the one in the advert? It would appear that the guy doesn't sell junk! Which is good 


Those 320si ones are very nice, but a bit too much £££'s 

[Baz300]

There are some GTI s  for 6k

[andrewparker]

I looked at length at getting a 320si a while ago. I test drove a few and they are superb. However they seem to have pretty serious reliability issues. They're also very thirsty, more so than a GTI, and nowhere near as quick.

[monte]

I looked at length at getting a 320si a while ago. I test drove a few and they are superb. However they seem to have pretty serious reliability issues. They're also very thirsty, more so than a GTI, and nowhere near as quick.

Do u think the lower powered 320 SE is a thirsty car.

He doesn't want the car for speed!

The one he is looking at has 16" alloys 

Does anyone know what spec 18" wheels and tyres he would need to look for on eBay.

(for this car)...

http://www.regentgrangecarsales.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-series-320i-se-4dr-bolton-201218467589233

[tony_danza]

If it's 6k firm, then I'd be looking at the best of the E46 market, rather than the dregs of the E90.

[bacillus]

Also being a BMW, make sure the indicators work...   

[andrewparker]

£6k is too little for an E90 in my opinion. Far better to look at an E46, but a decent one will still have high miles.

Have you seen the one Nathan has for sale?

[bakili]

I had 318i e90 in past, I can say that it was pretty economical car for 2ltr and also very under powered. I used to get 45+ mpg on long run if driven steady. Also I find it unreliable, especially 320i. Lots reports on injector issues with 320i.

320d is better choice, but with 6k budget you struggle to find good example.

When buying e90 pre 2007 model, check air con unit. Turn aircon on full and open vents, check for white type powder (corrosion from aircon evaporators) As pre 2007 cars had faulty evaporators fitted made by Denso, and they do corrode which causing white powder dust type blowing from vets. Its dash out job, and BMW kept my car for 5 days.