3 Series Models

[Vtec Power]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to BMW, and well I thought that it's time to sell my Honda and we looking at getting the 3 Series, but now I am confused by all the various models and specs (ie. start, exclusive, sport, dynamic), does anyone perhaps have a list of what these options add extra to the vehicle? Also I'm looking for something about 2007, and priced below R210,000 if possible, what would you guys recommend, do I go for something with low milleage or is it find to go with something that has 100,000km and no motorplan, are the services as expensive as people make it out to be?

Thanx and apologies for all the questions.

 

[KING_RSA]

Welcome Dude:thumbsup:

VTECH on a BMW forum :dunno:




j/j

 

[Vtec Power]

Lol, well I currently have a Civic Vtec, so thought I'd keep my usual id, until such time I get a new car, then will decide on a new id I see you have a 320D, what milleage do u get and how reliable is it?

 

[KING_RSA]

Dude, check the current 3 series price list here

It has details of what is included in the Exclusive Pack and what is included in the Sport Pack

Also when you buying a car, get them chasis no, call a BMW dealer and he will be able to tell you what the car came with when it was sold.

---

Lol, well I currently have a Civic Vtec, so thought I'd keep my usual id, until such time I get a new car, then will decide on a new id I see you have a 320D, what milleage do u get and how reliable is it?

The car is still new, so no reliability issues yet. Before this had a 2008 323i, no issues

On a diesel, driven at national speed limits, you can get 1000km on a tank. On mixed urban and long distance, you could get 700-800km

 

[Niju06]

Hey dude, I was in your position a few months ago. I settled for a low mileage e90 320i with 22000km on the clock. Lower the mileage the better is what I think. I bought it from BMW, they have good offers with up to prime -4%. I got a good deal at prime -3.8%. I basically needed a good reliable car thats not going to be too heavy on petrol and I didn't want the headache of paying for services. So it worked out for me. I think go into one of the dealerships and ask them for their premium selection stock sheet. That'll have the car prices and the optional extras, mileage done for each car, car colour etc etc. You can then pick off what you like and ask to see it and if you like one, negotiate a good deal with them.

I've only had the car for about 2 or 3 weeks so i'm still on the tank that dealership filled up with initially. I've done one long trip about 200km and the rest has been urban runs and i've currently done about 650kms, i should get another 100km from the tank before I have to fill up. With all the urban runs i'm getting 11.2km/l, but on the long trip I was getting about 14km/l and that was with me pushing it a bit cos it was the first weekend I got it.

 

[Nastaliq]

I think go for a diesel, if you can find one that suits your pocket with low mileage. I drive my diesel hard, and i cant get it past 9L/100km.

most of the time it hovers around the 8.5/6/7 mark. And for power, it cant be compared to a 320i or in my opinion the 323i. obviously when you step up to 325i and 330i we talking more bucks, but then theres that nice 330d, which kicks like van damme!

Also, Niju06, that petrol isnt paid for by the dealer, you paid for it, along with the key ring they gave you, or mug, lanyard/ mats/ folder/ BM shirt.

when you buy a car from them, they charge about R2000 as a "fee". this normally covers your petrol/ diesel (a full tank), a valet, or their version of a valet (complete with dealer sponsored buffer trails and swirls), a gift (mentioned above), also this differs from car to car(if you buy a 7 series, you get better stuff than if you buy a 3 series....you get the idea).

I use to have a 320i and when i drove it hard, it got up to 14L/100km, for the kick it gives, it isnt worth it.

People on here make fun of the 320i, saying its like an asthmatic schoolkid, I never knew why, when i drove the 320i, but now that i drive a diesel, i wont go back to petrol.

but to every fanatic....his own. I enjoyed the 320i, but thought i was fooled when i drove a 320d. In the end, decide what suits your pocket fuelwise, cost wise and power-wise and go from there.

BMW AUC is usually a good place to start, but if you dont watch out, you can really get shafted. When i say really, i mean TOTALLY!!! So watchout....dont fall for the awesome sales speech....or the "theres another client interested in this car...if you want it, sign for it"!

Be careful, take your time and find what you want at the price you want. dont let the salesman "wine and dine you".

Fortunately, on here, we try to look after each other, so guys will tell you where to shop and where not to. trust these guys, they know cars, and know how salesmen can try to pull 1 over you.

 

[Coisman]

Lol, well I currently have a Civic Vtec, so thought I'd keep my usual id, until such time I get a new car, then will decide on a new id I see you have a 320D, what milleage do u get and how reliable is it?

imp:
I use to drive one of those... well... the ballade vtec, but now I drive a REAL car!!!!

 

[zaleonardz]

Welcome dude,

And I have driven honda as well, fantastic motor cars, so dont let anybody bite you shit

As for your request.....

How long is a piece of string really ?

Tell us a bit more about yourself.

Do you like something quick, something with more low down grunt ?
Do you tow a lot
Do you do your own maintance, or at least able to swing a wrench some what (example changing your own oil)

I am all for the buy a cheapy and keep her up to date yourself, but thats cause I work on my own cars, some are not in this boat.

With this in mind, your answer of car will be differant.

There are three schools of thaught here.

1. Buy something with motorplan, 60,000 on the clock, and pay 200 to 300k for it, and for that price its going to be something small like a 318 or 320, maybe a diesel.

2. Buy something mid range for 150 to 180k, something with 90,000 on the clock and still a bit of motorplan so you can still sort out stuff, but know that the car is going to drop 30k the second it goes off motorplan.

3. Buy a respectable E46 or early E90 3 series for 130k with like 100+ on the clock from a reputable dealer, find a good mechanic to support your needs.

4. Buy a good car for between 60 to 100k thats slightly older, take 20k up front, and replace all the common wear items, brakes, discs, shocks, suspension bushes, control arms, and you have a perfect car for like 120k

Some tips
Stay away from the following
120 or 320d
If its a high miledge, buy a manual
Do buy anything with a 330i or 330d badge (see comment above about manual)
Try and stay away from the 4 cylinder motors, the inline 6 is legendary in the BMW, and the V8's are astounding...

Or option 5.
Buy an E39 540 and be happy until all eternaty, and then when you really get addicted, buy a E34 540, and then buy an M5....

I like option 5.

Hopes this gives you some guidance, also search, many bits of discussions

 

[Raybimmer]

Option 4 of Zaleonardz is good , e39 540i with spares etc for say R80-100k and a e36 328i for R60k including spares etc as a daily ride .

 

[Rusty79]

Do buy anything with a 330i or 330d badge (see comment above about manual)

Um... say what? :thinking:

 

[zaleonardz]

uhuh

You heard me

THe 330 both petrol and diesel are legendary, and virtually industructable, as long as you keep them in decent oil and water..


They auto gearboxes suck though, specially on the 330d due to the high torque, but in a manual... oh baby....

 

[XMAX]

My advice is to buy an E90 (2007 model as you would like), with mid level mileage (75 - 95000 km). This will mean that you would have access to the slightly bigger engined cars (323, 325, 320d, 330d, or maybe even the odd 330i or 330d) with some motor plan still on it. this way you can get all the stuff repaired on motor plan and have a nice car to drive.

also for that price you could get some decent 5 Series (E60's), which are just awesome cars. I know, you may be saying that the 5 series are big cars, but when youre driving them, you feel like the king of the road, and theyre actually not as big as you picture them in your mind.

Im an Auto freak. So i love the BMW Steptronics. And if youre going E90 or E60, i havent heared any issues about the big diesels destroying the gearboxes on those cars. just the GM boxes of the pre 2004 330D that was a big issue. Afterwards, the ZF boxes were lekker.


If it were up to me, and i had that kind of money. I'd seriously look at an E60 5 Series. or maybe a 330D. But thats just me.

 

[Rusty79]

uhuh

You heard me

THe 330 both petrol and diesel are legendary, and virtually industructable, as long as you keep them in decent oil and water..


They auto gearboxes suck though, specially on the 330d due to the high torque, but in a manual... oh baby....

I read "Dont buy anything ..." :dunno: Something wrong wif my eyes last night, didn't get enough sleep the night before that :excited:

Just got my 330D, its awesome, 'cept ofcourse that it's auto which restricts any improvements I might want to make to the car.

 

[zaleonardz]

Rusty,

Thats wise.. the 330d is at the torque limits on the auto...

 

[XMAX]

@Rusty, Please visit the Showroom and post pics of your 330D.

We are all picture whores on this forum.

Pls specify the specs of your car, i.e. year, colour, mileage, spec (exclusive, sport, individual, base), extras (PDC, rear blind, sunroof), and if youre comfortable enough, the price you paid.

Thanks

All the picture lovers on this forum.

 

[Rusty79]

@Rusty, Please visit the Showroom and post pics of your 330D.

We are all picture whores on this forum.

Pls specify the specs of your car, i.e. year, colour, mileage, spec (exclusive, sport, individual, base), extras (PDC, rear blind, sunroof), and if youre comfortable enough, the price you paid.

Thanks

All the picture lovers on this forum.

I need my bro to take some pics with his nice Nikon camera, will post pics soon.

 

[Vtec Power]

Thanx for everyone's advice...After posting this, I got a buyer for my car who is most likely going to take it end of next month. Now the search begins more seriously...Basically I'm looking for something where I would enjoy the drive, I'm not too keen of the 4 cylinder either, as I just feel that it really isn't a BMW, if u know what I mean...The other options BMW has are great, I'm just worried about how expensive the services would be if I get one that is almost out of motorplan...Also I really like the Sport pack front bumper, is there anywhere I can purchase this somewhere else if I get the exclusive or something, what would the cost be? I drive around 15K a year, so I don't really put on alot of milleage...Anyone got any recommendations where I can look for cars besides the usual online sites?

Thanx once again.

 

[ryanetz]

Thanx for everyone's advice...After posting this, I got a buyer for my car who is most likely going to take it end of next month. Now the search begins more seriously...Basically I'm looking for something where I would enjoy the drive, I'm not too keen of the 4 cylinder either, as I just feel that it really isn't a BMW, if u know what I mean...The other options BMW has are great, I'm just worried about how expensive the services would be if I get one that is almost out of motorplan...Also I really like the Sport pack front bumper, is there anywhere I can purchase this somewhere else if I get the exclusive or something, what would the cost be? I drive around 15K a year, so I don't really put on alot of milleage...Anyone got any recommendations where I can look for cars besides the usual online sites?

Thanx once again.

Howzit, I had a 2002 330i (great car) i recently sold it for a 2007 320D for the following reason:

1) I do about 3500km /month (330i was killing me on petrol and maintenance)

The 330i was a great car and i loved it (especialy the sound) but as for the 320D i am also loving it! It is a great car all round and as for the comment about the 4 cylinder not being a real BMW . . . Well , thats really unfair to say especially when you have a HONDA :hammerhead:

In short terms get a 330i cause it is an amazing car but if you got a tight budget stick to a 320 cause ANYONE who has a 330i will tell you. . Just the sound of it will make you want to press it imp:

 

[Vtec Power]

Howzit, I had a 2002 330i (great car) i recently sold it for a 2007 320D for the following reason:

1) I do about 3500km /month (330i was killing me on petrol and maintenance)

The 330i was a great car and i loved it (especialy the sound) but as for the 320D i am also loving it! It is a great car all round and as for the comment about the 4 cylinder not being a real BMW . . . Well , thats really unfair to say especially when you have a HONDA :hammerhead:

In short terms get a 330i cause it is an amazing car but if you got a tight budget stick to a 320 cause ANYONE who has a 330i will tell you. . Just the sound of it will make you want to press it imp:

Lol, 4 cylinder engines are great, but I just feel that with BMW their 6 cylinders just sound awesome The 320d is a great car as well from what I'm reading, so maybe I should first test drive the various models before making further 'judgement' :thumb:

 

[akash]

Hey there

Good to see another one coming over to the darkside.

Have to disagree with Nastaliq on the e90 320D. With the e90 323i you will get the exact same engine as the e90 325i. I know cause i have one. Its only differs in software and exhaust manifold. Basically a detuned 325i at a fraction on the cost. Everthing else is 325i gearbox, brakes the works. Fuel consumption is not that bad for a 6 cyl. i get on average 8.5l per 100km and thats everyday traffic driving. Trip to Durbs best was 7.2lper 100km.

320d is only 5kw up on the 323i. Will be expense if turbo packs it in after motor plan is up. Theres all been issue with cat converters packing up at around 140 000km mark and the dreaded swirl flaps issues on the diesel. Servicing is done more often on a diesel from what i hear.

But the diesel cant be beat on economy.

When buying your car they will offer an extended motor plan to sweeten the deal, but make sure that this is done at THEIR cost and not added to the cars price, they will do a 20 point check insist on receive the report.

Thing to do yourself with the salesman at hand:

Check how clean the oil is.
Check the air filter( BMW changers air fiters every 100000km i've been told)
Make them run a diagnostic on the car and ask for the report.
Push for brake pads to be changed if you can.

Thats just my views.

sweet