discussion Help me decide on a daily ride

[KarshS]

Howzit Guys,

So i have added responsibilities at work and i need to travel between locations around GP.
I live in Centurion and my business is spread across JHB CBD, Sandton and Randburg.
With loadshedding and traffic the e36 is out of the question to daily.
I been using the M340 more often as it just makes life easier to move around with however its racking up the mileage.

So the need has come to get another car to travel with.
The requirements: Needs to be Auto and needs to have AC. Budget is between R150k to R250k.

This is my current search:
BMW F Series: 120d, 220d, 320d, 420d, X3 20d. These choices are around the 2013 models. Theres a couple of 330ds in the price range but high mileage or really poorly maintained and i really dont need a 30d for my needs. Mileage on the 20ds are around 120k km to 200k km. Obviously im looking at the lower ones closer to the 100k mark. There are a number of non Msport 20ds that are much cheaper around the 150k mark and the M Sports start from around 180k. Prefer the M SPort just for the seats which i find much more comfortable that the non M Sports.

I would also look at the VAG range, Theres a couple 7 GTI's in the price range however i seem to be looking at the BMWs more since i find it more comfortable to drive.

If you was in my position, what would you look at? I have not driven any other brand apart from VW and BMW. Only brand i would not look at is an Audi (Dont ask me why)

 

[Bonez0124]

I'd just use the 340i, it ticks all the boxes and if your budget is 150-250k that's probably what you'll potentially 'lose' on the 340i with higher mileage if you wanted to trade it in at a later stage (or whatever the reason is for keeping the km low on it?). It's 150-250k to buy a daily, but then there is additional maintenance, insurance, anther fuel bill etc etc....

 

[///M Individual]

You are on the right track already bud.

Definitely 20d over the 30d for your needs.

This will be my order:
1. 120d (will be the most economical and there are not many around)
2. 420d coupe or GC (probably same consumption as a 320d but looks sexier)
3. 320d
4. X3 20d (will be the heaviest of the lot but also pretty practical and might just become the family favourite)

I left the 220d out as I don't like the F22 shape but if you find a good one nothing wrong with it.

For M Sport seats you could even get away with a Sport line if cheaper.

 

[KarshS]

I'd just use the 340i, it ticks all the boxes and if your budget is 150-250k that's probably what you'll potentially 'lose' on the 340i with higher mileage if you wanted to trade it in at a later stage (or whatever the reason is for keeping the km low on it?). It's 150-250k to buy a daily, but then there is additional maintenance, insurance, anther fuel bill etc etc....

This has crossed my mind as well and its reasonable thinking.
But heres my dilemma. I dont like parking the 340i just anywhere, i get really pissed when theres a new scratch or bump. So im very paranoid when i park somehere. People these days dont care about other peoples property. Once the 340 is out of plan it becomes alot more expensive should something go wrong. Adaptive shocks as an example are expensive to replace should you hit a pothole.

Theres pros and cons either way.

 

[KarshS]

You are on the right track already bud.

Definitely 20d over the 30d for your needs.

This will be my order:
1. 120d (will be the most economical and they are not many around)
2. 420d coupe or GC (probably same consumption as a 320d but looks sexier)
3. 320d
4. X3 20d (will be the heaviest of the lot but also pretty practical and might just become the family favorite)

I left the 220d out as I don't like the F22 shape but if you find a good one nothing wrong with it.

For M Sport seats you could even get away with a Sport line if cheaper.

Yes i figured out yesterday the sport line has sport seats which is now also part of the search.

The 220ds are not common in that price range and im a big guy, not very comfortable jumping out of a 2 door car.

 

[henriZA]

I'll go for the X3 20d. A nice alternative to a platkar. Pre-LCI you should get a nice one.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

If you can get your hands on one, a 120d would be perfect for your needs.

"edited"

Buy something low risk and low on maintenance. No point in paying more or less in between your current cars for insurance and maintenance for something you need to cover some extra mileage or do as TP88 suggested. Or think a little bit left field. Something that can actually tick more of the boxes your other cars cannot.

 

[TBP88]

This has crossed my mind as well and its reasonable thinking.
But heres my dilemma. I dont like parking the 340i just anywhere, i get really pissed when theres a new scratch or bump. So im very paranoid when i park somehere. People these days dont care about other peoples property. Once the 340 is out of plan it becomes alot more expensive should something go wrong. Adaptive shocks as an example are expensive to replace should you hit a pothole.

Theres pros and cons either way.

I'd imagine a pothole hit bad enough to cause suspension damage would be an insurance claim, not a motorplan one?
I'd suggest just using the 3 series as your daily. It's what it was built for. At 150-200k you're getting something older and less comfy for a small fuel consumption saving with a huge added headache of maintaining and insuring it?

If you're heading somewhere you *KNOW* you don't want the 340 to go, just uber. 150k is a shitload of ubers...

 

[AshG108]

Karsh - What about the Toyotal Starlet or Suzuki Baleno?

We may not look firmly at these but they are decent value for money, they VERY decent on fuel and risk wise. They come in auto, airconditioning, many comfort features included.

 

[Benji]

Not to throw a cat amongst the pigeons, but Ive found a 325i or 330i usually go for less than the 320ds. How many km will you need to travel to make up the difference in fuel saved? I know you are looking at F-series, but at the lower end of your budget, you can pick up a clean E90 330i or maybe even a E46.

Personally, the added enjoyment of a 6cyl, potentially lower maintenance when compared to a turbo diesel and lower purchase price outweigh the higher fuel costs.

 

[KarshS]

Thanks Gents for the input.

Using the 340 as the daily does make alot of sense. got around 2 years left to pay it off so might as well use it until the wheels fall off...

@AshG108 was only looking at known brands, trying something new is fun and all that until a point you wish you just kept to what you know. Dont want to buy something and ill still want to jump into the 340 (Which is hard regardless which way i go).

@Benji I would love a 330i e90 or e46. Clean e46 is non existent these days. There a couple of 330i e90s for sale but, what makes that car special and enjoyable is to have it in a manual. I had a 325i e90 and i loved it. But to get them in auto up here in GP is not very satisfying. Very Sluggish and heavy on fuel with an auto box at our sea level. The diesels in auto caters for us up in GP.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

@AshG108 was only looking at known brands, trying something new is fun and all that until a point you wish you just kept to what you know.

Something here reminds me of a certain ring situation. 4 to be specific 😝

 

[r0ckf1re]

Buy a brand new swift lol


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[r0ckf1re]

Karsh - What about the Toyotal Starlet or Suzuki Baleno?

We may not look firmly at these but they are decent value for money, they VERY decent on fuel and risk wise. They come in auto, airconditioning, many comfort features included.

Good idea. I got 8 year warranty with the starlet

My lity will be driving it and I’d still have warranty


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[nabil_m_rs]

I think 320d all the way. Enough space, reliable, good on fuel and fun to drive. Can maybe do a stage 1 tune on it to get it close to 330d numbers.

If I were looking brand new, maybe a Vivo or a Kia Rio

 

[VinceM]

Do you already have the E36.

How much more in rand terms are you spending on petrol vs. capital outlay for a new car, monthly insurance payment and fuel.

Lets say you do 2000kms a month, your monthly fuel bill should be ~R5000.

Lets say you buy a R250k car, that is R4600 (roughly, lots of things to take into account such as deposit, bank risk rating, etc etc).
Then you insure the vehicle. Say you get a very good deal at R600.
Then you must poor petrol to use it, if it gives you average of 5l per 100, thats R2400.


Current situation: sunk costs + R5000 petrol

New situation: R4600 + R600 + R2400 = R7600

Unless you do more than 3000km a month,

 

[Eust]

I'd imagine a pothole hit bad enough to cause suspension damage would be an insurance claim, not a motorplan one?
I'd suggest just using the 3 series as your daily. It's what it was built for. At 150-200k you're getting something older and less comfy for a small fuel consumption saving with a huge added headache of maintaining and insuring it?

If you're heading somewhere you *KNOW* you don't want the 340 to go, just uber. 150k is a shitload of ubers...

Without a doubt. I don't understand buying old/cheap cars to drive long distance for most of the time, when you have a perfect daily like an M340i.

I would get a proper warranty and keep the R200k in the bond (which will save you likely R2500 PM) You also save on the insurance of the other car, maybe R500 PM. So you saving R36k P.A - that is you uber fund.
And since it's work related, I assume you get fuel paid for, or even better, reimbursed at AA rates?

I'd much rather even sell the M340i and buy an X3 M40d with less KMs and extend the plan or an G05 X5 30d, with the extra R200k budget.

I daily my X3M circa 80-100km a day and it's lovely, and I have a run around bakkie that I could use, but why? To save the filling up every 4 or 5 days versus every second week.....no chance. If you got it, drive it.

 

[Eust]

Do you already have the E36.

If so, How much more in rand terms are you spending on petrol (towards the e36) vs capital outlay for a new car, monthly insurance payment and fuel.

Lets say you do 2000kms a month, your monthly fuel bill should be ~R5000.

Lets say you buy a R250k car, that is R4600 (roughly, lots of things to the into account such as deposit, bank risk rating, etc etc).
Then you insure the vehicle. Say you get a very good deal at R600.
Then you must poor petrol to use it, if it gives you average of 5l per 100, thats R2400.


Current situation: sunk costs + R5000 petrol

New situation: R4600 + R600 + R2400 = R7600

Unless you do more than 3000km a month,

And driving a crappy car for > 3000 km a month, the pain I would feel when I know I have an M340i parked in the garage.....priceless 🤣

 

[Nick]

get a GS

 

[nabil_m_rs]

Another one I forgot to mention is the E82 120d coupe. Can pick up a later model lci for less than 200k. Shape also aged pretty well