320/320d/120/120d e90 Help needed

[Katanator]

Good day guys, i'm new here on the forum. Not currently a BMW owner but looking to buy one now. Currently i'm looking for a 320 or 323 e90, 2007-2008 model with under 100000km.

If possible i would appreciate help with the following:
1. How much would be a appropriate amount to pay for a car in that range.
2. Are there any specific things to look out for.
3. What would average service cost me on such a car.
4. Can motorplan be extended and at what cost.

Thanks alot in advance and really love the site, certainly gonna stick around.

 

[Naruto]

Good day guys, i'm new here on the forum. Not currently a BMW owner but looking to buy one now. Currently i'm looking for a 320 or 323 e90, 2007-2008 model with under 100000km.

If possible i would appreciate help with the following:
1. How much would be a appropriate amount to pay for a car in that range.
2. Are there any specific things to look out for.
3. What would average service cost me on such a car.
4. Can motorplan be extended and at what cost.

Thanks alot in advance and really love the site, certainly gonna stick around.

What's your budget?

 

[moranor@axis]

you dont want a 320i...

 

[Katanator]

My budget is between 120000 and 150000 and ive seen several of these cars in that range, LOL ive read what u guys think about the 320 but the thing is i'm a student and on a tight budget so want best sustainable value for money so wil rather go for a 320 on low km's than a 323 on higher, wil save up for my M3 a bit later on, any help on the other questions?
Ta for fast response

 

[akash]

Dont go for a 320i fuel comsumption and power will dissapoint you.

I paid R180 000 for my 2nd hand 323i with sport pack with 80 000km, bluetooth, sun roof, etc, etc, etc.

Motorplan extentsion will cost you R7500 after 100 000km for an extra 10 000km with no extension on time.

Servicing is not bad at all. my oil change came to R750. I bought the oil and filter from BMW and paid R200 for the machie.

What to look out for. Check for oil leaks and basic things like that. BMW will do their own checks before they release the car, If buying and sportpack have the susepesion and alignment checked out.

Make good use of your motorplan.

 

[Katanator]

The thing is R180000 is a bit steep for me, I'm not really bothered by power output for now, since i'm not in a position to pick and choose, I understand its different for someone 5 years ahead of me in life.

If I get something with just over 100000km on the clock and I decide to not extend motorplan wil maintenance cost become an issue?
If I dont buy the car from a BMW dealer must I take it to BMW for a checkup before I buy and if yes what will it cost me?
Any help on my other questions in first post and what wil the cost of a full service be?

Sory for all the Q's but want to make sure I get the right thing before I buy and thanks alot for help so far.

 

[moranor@axis]

if you not sure you want motorplan why you looking at such a new car?
you do realize that it will drop way quicker in value than an older car...

if you dont want MP i would look at older cars...

 

[Bayn46]

To be honest you should look at something like an e46 325 or 330.

It will cost less, have more power, maintenance is not that expensive (cheaper than an e90) and with the money you save you can sort out any small problems that the car might have.

 

[Doomsdaya]

To be honest you should look at something like an e46 325 or 330.

It will cost less, have more power, maintenance is not that expensive (cheaper than an e90) and with the money you save you can sort out any small problems that the car might have.

+ 1

otherwise wait a while till the new 3 series is out, then you will see how the prices of e90's drop

 

[Katanator]

I was thinking in terms of resale value etc. Power really doesn't bother me since the choice is something like a polo 1.6 or BMW 320i. I don't think a BMW 320 bought for 130000 can drop that much more in a 3 or 4 year timespan. Looking at new car since I found it to be great value for money and harder to find older car in pristine condition.

Any help on my other questions?

 

[Spy007]

I got Gopher, C Pic Below, for R100k. E46 318 I tourer A/T.

For what your purpose is as a student yes 320 or 318 does not have enough power for SOME, but Fuel consumption is good and I am happy. Yes I would love to Buy bigger but you need to crawl before you walk etc.

Also E46 might just e a good start re your DIY skills as there is not much that you cant fix for under R1000.00

FYI the 320 E90 has same engine as mine. N46b20.

Consider 320D?


Oh and Welcome.

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e46, e46. Oh did I say e46.

I am not a big fan of the e90 ranges as I think the technology is taking over. Blow a fuse go to a dealer etc.

E46 DIY is easy and cheap and thats with OME parts.

 

[Katanator]

So does the e46 and e90 have the n46 engine, yes I did consider a 320d but (correct me if im wrong) dont their turbos have a tendency to go at 100000-200000kms on the clock
Any help on other questions in first post?(full service and maintenance costs etc)

 

[Spy007]

The N46B20 is a larger 2.0 L (1995 cc) engine.

Applications:

95 kW (127 hp) and 180 N·m (133 ft·lbf)
E87 118i
E90/E91 318i
105 kW (141 hp) and 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf)
E46 318i/318Ci/318ti
110 kW (148 hp) and 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf)
E46 318Ci
E85 Z4 2.0i
E87 120i
E90/E91 320i
116 kW (156 hp) and 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf)
E60 520i

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service cost on gopher last year.

Full service (not at Stealer ship) R1800.00 that included Liquid Molly x 2
Brakes. Pads Front 500 fitted, Back 500 fitted. (this is a nice easy DIY) Parts at Midas
Just did control arm buses was R1200 fitted.


Almost due again but I am a rep and have done 74k km since feb last year.
Tyres was R1700 for 2 fitted.

This is cheaper than my Getz and I did 375k in that in 5 years.

Also something to bear in mind. service intervals are 25k vs other cars that are 15k.

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So about R10k in the last 75k km. Again I travel a lot

 

[Katanator]

Would a 320d e90 with 100000kms + be a good buy or does their turbos give problems

 

[Bayn46]

IF something breaks on an e90 I would guess that it's going to cost a fair bit more than say an e46. The e46 is a very popular car, parts aren't hard to get and most things can be done as a DIY.

Your motor plan won't last that long if you looking for a car in that price range. I'm not saying the e90s are more prone to failure but for the money, an e46 would be a better car in my opinion. I looked at the e90 325 when i was shopping around and I prefer my e46 330.

You might also consider an older 5 series but I love the e46 shape.

Regarding the diesels, it does largely depend on the previous owner/s. I know some guys on the forum have over 200k on the clock with the original turbo still going strong.

 

[Katanator]

Nope the thing is if your not after power a e90 320 seems much beter value than a 330 e46 with high km's not true. Anyone here who currently owns a e90 3 series who can tell me a bit more on anual maintenance costs and service costs on these cars. Still think my best buy is a e90 320,323 or mabey 320d.
Had a chance to buy a spotless 320 e90 2007 with 106000 on the clock for R130000 wich I think is a pretty good deal

 

[andrewbuch]

E46 end of story (after reading yours)

For R100k you could get a decent E46 then save the other R50k for repairs

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Oh & also the 4cyl cars are not lower in fuel consumption than the 6 cyl cars..

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Our E90 320i sitting on 14l/100km at the moment...

 

[akash]

I kind of get the feeling you should maybe look at a 1 seris. if you concerned about the re-sale 1 seris models are not found as often in a dealership than a 3 seris and get snapped up quite quick if you want better consumption the 4 cylinder motor would work better in a smaller body.

My sister in law has a 120i i really enjoy driving that car.

 

[Spy007]

saw a 2005 320d wiff 110k on the clock fro r110k

Try carfind and c what is out there for what you have to spend
Willowcrest motors etc.

 

[Bayn46]

I have nothing against the e90's but in your price range you would be getting a car that is either out of motor plan or near the end so you would need to look at maintenance and reliability. Also, 100k km on a 2007 car vs a 2004 car is quite a difference.