discussion 2013 330D M Sport Buyer Advice Needed

[AshG108]

Thanks for this and all of your advice, it's certainly given me a lot to think about, not just on this one, but also when approaching future sales.
While I would definitely still like to buy a 330D as some point, I'll take a step back from this specific one, and rather go back to the drawing board for now. 🙏

You are most welcome!
We have this forum to do exactly this, share experiences and help each other make as logical and solid choices as possible, we all have gotten the itch and fell in love and wanted to buy on impulse... Just not @Bugger - he has mastered the "So I have done a thing this weekend while getting out the shower..." ha ha ha!

Good luck in your hunt, send your specs and budget and you may actually get a clean car pop up that you looking for from here?
Watch our other thread where guys post great finds as well.

 

[M3boi]

Since you are based in Cape Town, there are a few good cars we see but the main oke that you want to really get good info from down there is @M3boi - this okes is a fusspot of note BUT this leads him to finding unicorns.

Oh hai!
Yeah, from my own personal experience, rather wait for a low mileage car to pop up. Don't settle for something high mileage, you'll be asking for headaches.

I was hell bent on finding a low mileage E90 320d or preferably 330d M Sport, but to be honest they just don't exist. I waited for about a year before I found my 320d non-M Sport and to be honest, I don't regret the purchase at all.

Would M Sport have been nice? Sure. But again, I would've MUCH rather had my 69k km standard 320d that was properly looked after over a 150k km+ M Sport. My car is now on 88k km and the only thing I've done is servicing and replaced the belt and tensioner. It really has been so good to me, and I am more than happy with the power with just a downpipe. I've had 5 different dailies and I can easily say this has been the best I've had so far, I enjoy it WAY more than I did my Fiesta ST.

I do think I will move on to an F15 X5 next year though. Not because I'm not enjoying my car, but I do miss having a big car and being able to go have some fun off-road and tow stuff when needed (Lemons car etc). Also have a puppy incoming, so X5 would be more practical.

 

[Bugger]

You are most welcome!
We have this forum to do exactly this, share experiences and help each other make as logical and solid choices as possible, we all have gotten the itch and fell in love and wanted to buy on impulse... Just not @Bugger - he has mastered the "So I have done a thing this weekend while getting out the shower..." ha ha ha!

Good luck in your hunt, send your specs and budget and you may actually get a clean car pop up that you looking for from here?
Watch our other thread where guys post great finds as well.

You know me too well!

 

[boost3d]

Buy the best example you can afford, preferably with documented service and maintenance history, diesels are relatively reliable but cost alot more money to resolve issues then their petrol equivalents should things go wrong. The one thing that made me walk away from any prospective vehicle with the ZF 8 Speed was if the gearbox was not serviced, if you have access to tools like MHD you can check to see if the clutches are within spec by yourself ( thanks to @Riaad for that insight) , a gearbox rebuild is a pricey affair so best to dodge this bullet right from the onset.

Do your own homework in terms of doing Natis checks and if possible, checking to see if there is accident damage or motorplan comments as there are way too many sharks and dishonest resellers out there. Lastly if you are Jhb based, its worth letting @Clint@MMS AUTO do a vehicle inspection for you.

Best of luck