discussion Looking for a Clean 320d - Budget R350k

MLorgat

MLorgat

Member
As per the title, I'm looking for a clean F30 320d (LCI) if anyone has or knows of anyone who has 1 - Budget is R350k but can come up (especially if it's a G20)

It's for my younger brother, and this is the budget pops gave him. I recommended he look at a newish Japanese, South Korean or Chinese car, but he's dead set on the beemer. This is gonna be his daily for a long time to come, so I wanna get him something that's not gonna trouble (as these rarely do if mantained)

Please reach out with advice as well (he's only 19 and daily drives a Corolla, so this is a decent step up, but will require more expensive Maintenance)
 
Nishcat_M140i

Nishcat_M140i

///Member
Even though the title says 320d LCI, I'm gonna rock the boat a bit and play devil's advocate for R350k or less:

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW 3 Series 335i M Sport for sale in Sandton - ID: 28147554

Used 2015 BMW 3 Series 335i M Sport For Sale - R 339 900 - ID: 28147554
www.autotrader.co.za www.autotrader.co.za

EDIT: Since he's only 19, a 320d would be a lot more safer to buy. Being young age and having a fast car, we tend to land ourselves in trouble (I know from experience).
 
Last edited:
Y

YozTruly

Well-known member
For his age, I would try to convince him to go for a 120d (either the coupe or the hatch). A saloon seems a bit too much for a 19 year old.

Autotrader has a few of these (from “reputable dealers” and there is some change to be had for R350k. Enough change for some decent exterior mods.
 
Nishcat_M140i

Nishcat_M140i

///Member
I completely missed out the fact that this is a 19 year old kid when I posted the 335i ad.

There definitely are a lot of F30 320d LCIs for sale within this price range.

I myself was also looking at a 320d as a daily, but considering that 320i prices are a bit less, I decided to opt for the B48. The 320d's I was looking at were extremely high mileage and had a lack of options, compared to my 2018 320i I currently daily drive, yet it was a lot less than the D.

Of course the 320d is definitely the more reliable car and more fuel efficient, but the B48 has proven to be a fairly good engine with decent fuel consumption over time. Its a massive improvement over any past 320i that's for sure. I did a trip to the south coast and I averaged around 5-6 to and back which is impressive for a petrol. As much as I had to replace certain parts, like my waterpump and oil filterhousing, these things are bound to happen on any aging car, and it also comes down to how well the previous owner maintained it as well. Ever since, my car has been extremely solid.

I'm sure @Sabretooth tiger can also add some insight about B48 ownership as he's owned both.

Can't go wrong with either.
 
Sabretooth tiger

Sabretooth tiger

///Member
Nishcat_M140i said:
I completely missed out the fact that this is a 19 year old kid when I posted the 335i ad.

There definitely are a lot of F30 320d LCIs for sale within this price range.

I myself was also looking at a 320d as a daily, but considering that 320i prices are a bit less, I decided to opt for the B48. The 320d's I was looking at were extremely high mileage and had a lack of options, compared to my 2018 320i I currently daily drive, yet it was a lot less than the D.

Of course the 320d is definitely the more reliable car and more fuel efficient, but the B48 has proven to be a fairly good engine with decent fuel consumption over time. Its a massive improvement over any past 320i that's for sure. I did a trip to the south coast and I averaged around 5-6 to and back which is impressive for a petrol. As much as I had to replace certain parts, like my waterpump and oil filterhousing, these things are bound to happen on any aging car, and it also comes down to how well the previous owner maintained it as well. Ever since, my car has been extremely solid.

I'm sure @Sabretooth tiger can also add some insight about B48 ownership as he's owned both.

Can't go wrong with either.
Click to expand...
My sentiments was exactly the same when I shopped. Really wanted a 20d again, but like for like, mileage, spec and condition the 320i was a no brainer in my book. For similar 20d I would have paid roughly R90k more back in 2023. Considering I have only done 35 000km in the 30 months I've owned the car I would never have made the difference of price up in fuel. My car has also been tuned for the last 2 years and 27 000km and I've had zero issues. Gearbox and usual services on time and she gets pushed hard often.

Would I have bought the 20d if prices were similar for condition, spec and mileage? Most definitely.
Do I regret my B48. Not in this life time. I honestly love this car.
 
Nishcat_M140i

Nishcat_M140i

///Member
MR_Y said:
19 year old = Suzuki Baleno 1.5, add some nice rims, upgrade sound system. Sorted.
A slow car that can be driven hard, be abused and just shrug it off. It can even skip maintenance and not cry.
Click to expand...
Another good one is the starlet cross or fronx as well. They a bit more on the safer side compared to the others. Only thing about them is 4 Speed Auto feels lazy especially up hill.

Kia Rio is also pretty nice as well.
 
F

FILV

Well-known member
Hi there

On some items maintenance will cost the same as for a Toyota.
Oil service you looking at around R1800

Perhaps go for a non Msport. As he is only 19 and probably yet to learn patience and wita nd with all thsee pot holes on the roads, replacing 19 inch run flats wont be cheap.
 
Sabretooth tiger

Sabretooth tiger

///Member
FILV said:
Hi there

On some items maintenance will cost the same as for a Toyota.
Oil service you looking at around R1800

Perhaps go for a non Msport. As he is only 19 and probably yet to learn patience and wita nd with all thsee pot holes on the roads, replacing 19 inch run flats wont be cheap.
Click to expand...
If a dad has R350k for his kid to buy his first car, a BMW, at 19, then 19inch runflats wouldn't be problem
 
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