2005/6 BMW e90 320d pricing.

[dyllindd]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to buy either a 2005 or 2006 BMW 320d. My question is: What is a reasonable cost vs mileage trade off for this car. Had a look on Autotrader and Prices vary between R85000 and R160,000. I commute daily from Randburg to Hatfield (140km) and want to buy the diesel for its economy. Can use the Gautrain as well but I'm usually always late for my classes when I have to walk to UP campus or even take the bus.

Gautrain costs are about R2400 a month. would the 320d be a better option for me?

At what mileage are these cars better to forget about?

My budget is around R100,000 but I just can't justify spending it on an E46 diesel.

I am considering this one: http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...6483717020a/makemodel/make/bmw/model/3-series

P.S.

No Polo's! :fishwack:

 

[tman]

140km per day, I assume 5 days a week = 2800km per month. Add another 200km for weekend driving and you should be doing 3000Km per month.

Consumption wise you will pay less for Diesel than R2400pm traveling 3000km per month. Should you drive conservatively you can achieve a modest average consumption of 5.5liter per 100km or 18km per liter (maybe even lower depending on your driving style). That will result in a bill of around R2200pm

There are however a few additional factors and costs to consider:
1. Rising price of Petrol and Diesel
2. Ongoing service and repair cost of your 320d
3. insurance


Also, I would have the car checked out properly before making such a commitment. You don't want to buy a 7-8 year old car with the risk of a major component failing.

 

[Mo63]

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=49284

Just another option for you :=): I know the owner personally and he has maintained the car exceptionally well.Car is 100% mechanically.Had a chat with him.He is very negotiable as well..

 

[dyllindd]

Hey Guys,

So I saw this example at Cars @ Randburg on Autotrader and went to take a quick peek on my way home from campus last night.

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...nnesburg-fpa-8abef27a40337676014059242b9c2fef

I apologise for the lack of pictures. For some reason the posting site has been banned from campus computers. Will upload some when I get home.

So here are my questions:

I noticed that the rear tow hitch cover as well the headlight washer system covers are missing. How much would this set me back or should I try to work it into the cars price? Or should I just go shopping for them at a Gautrain station seeing as the stealers will take my dog and sell my mother into white slavery in Uzbekistan for those 3 covers.

I also noticed the headlamp washer holes are empty, whats up with that?

Why are some of the 2005 e90 door handles black while others are colour coded. I know from my ex e46 that only the exclusive and individual models had colour coded handles.

Judging from the pictures also, I assume that it's safe to say that the car has rear pdc but not front pdc.

Also, what do I need to find out regarding the swirl flaps as Ive heard they can destroy the engine?

And lastly, in living steel, the paint looks a little faded, could this be oxidization or did the previous owner wash the car with Goldilocks and 2k Thinners ;-) ?

Thanx guys, your insights are very much appreciated.:ty:

 

[dyllindd]

 

[Mrcloc]

320d is quite an expensive option, but awesome too! My 2005 one was in better condition than these look like and I traded it for R95 000 in January. So R100k isn't bad. Maybe get an auto. The manuals have a DMF which is a maintenance item, and if done properly it's a R25k - R30k job. If you get a manual, then you can probably replace the flywheel with a normal one, which will last forever and not make any noticeable difference (I believe it will even be better).

You can listen to the flywheel if it's wearing - depress the clutch so it just disengages. You will notice a vibration or that typical diesel truck sound, but harsher and louder than when the clutch is fully depressed or not at all.

In all honesty, there are probably cheaper and more reliable options out there. The E90's are fantastic and I never had problems after M/plan (proof is I bought one now with 93 000km on it), but you don't want to buy something that ends up costing a crapload to maintain.

On that silver one it looks like it has halogens, so the bumper is from another car (washers come with xenons). Suspect front accident. You can get the rear hitch cover, but you won't be able to get covers for where the washers went. You can probably DIY them.