Advise on a BMW

[Kai Baird]

Hi guys. My name is Kai Baird and I'm from South Africa.

I recently turned 18, and I am now in the market for a set of wheels. (I absolutely love Beemers)

I've been keeping my eyes open for BMW's on the market.
I need advise on what to look seriously at.

Basically, here are the biggest boxes to be ticked:

1:Fuel consumption/economy. i need something that's not going to break the bank every time i drive it. (so in my mind, that rules out all the 6 cylinder cars.....)

2:reliability. This is probably the biggest box to tick. I'm looking for something that doesn't require major cash to keep it in good condition, and that doesn't produce endless nightmares (i understand that all Beemers have running costs, but some no doubt less than others.)

3:comfort. this is the last on the list as the rest of the car is more important to me. Yes, there are really awesome extras out there, but i'm willing to compromise for a better looked after car in my budget. (electric seats Etc.)

No doubt I've overlooked certain things, such as driving experience. (I've been driving since i was 6, so i won't have a problem with manual. actually, manual would have to be a requirement, as this just makes the Beemer driving experience, as a whole, better.)

I really love the 3 series models. But advise is really welcomed.

My budget is: AT a push R85 000


I would really appreciate some input.
Thanks guys.

 

[yush1]

Welcome. I suggest a E46 320d LCi model or 120d first spec.
Reliable, light on fuel and not very expensive to maintain. Just check the damper pulley has been replaced. Good hunting. :thumbs:

 

[Jeremy.d]

Welcome. Most of us are from South Africa:skit:

Also, If you want a Beemer then you should post in the Bike forummgwaiting:

 

[Kai Baird]

Welcome. I suggest a E46 320d LCi model or 120d first spec.
Reliable, light on fuel and not very expensive to maintain. Just check the damper pulley has been replaced. Good hunting. :thumbs:

Hey man. OK cool. Appreciate that. I haven't heard absolutely wonderful things about the 1 series. A friend's friend told me to run as far as I can and as fast as I can. Thoughts on the 3 series e90's?

 

[DoctorJ]

E90 in that price bracket will most probably be a pre facelift 320i.

Not BMW's finest moment...at all.

I would rather go for a late model e46 then. 320d will give decent consumption, but diesels can become a bit pricey to maintain. Especially if you buy one that has been neglected.

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

Hello,

For that amount I am sure you can get a 320D pre LCI with a manual Gearbox and other bells and whistles.

If you want the LCI then you might have to give up a few creature comforts but its within reach.

1er are very nice beautiful things, I love the interior. Had buddy with a 120D E87 and never had a days issue. Just regular maintenance and respect for the car, If you respect your car then it will treat you nicely too

Good luck with the search and avoid E90 320i

:thumbs:

 

[Kai Baird]

Hello,

For that amount I am sure you can get a 320D pre LCI with a manual Gearbox and other bells and whistles.

If you want the LCI then you might have to give up a few creature comforts but its within reach.

1er are very nice beautiful things, I love the interior. Had buddy with a 120D E87 and never had a days issue. Just regular maintenance and respect for the car, If you respect your car then it will treat you nicely too

Good luck with the search and avoid E90 320i

:thumbs:

Appreciate the advise. What are common problems with the 120d? I'd just like to know what to beware of.

---

E90 in that price bracket will most probably be a pre facelift 320i.

Not BMW's finest moment...at all.

I would rather go for a late model e46 then. 320d will give decent consumption, but diesels can become a bit pricey to maintain. Especially if you buy one that has been neglected.

Yes, I've heard that diesels are pricey to maintain. There are many face-lift e90's around, that are just within my budget. But apparently some are prone to turbo failure and timing chain failure?

 

[SubLoaded]

Welcome.

You said you've been keeping an eye out on a few on the market. Which cars were they?

Your budget is very limiting. An older and well taken cared of car goes for higher than it's so called 'market value'. Anything that is cheaper is probably going to require some work/maintenance/repairs, which obviously means more money.

I've seen some pre lci E90 320d's within your budget however I would recommend taking someone who has some knowledge around these cars to have a look. A lemon can end up being an expensive liability.

If you're going even older (e46 etc) then remember that these cars have aged significantly by now and chances are if it's in good condition - it wouldn't be for sale (or cheap for that matter).

PS - I see that you're buddies with @Jeremy.D so my advice stops here :fencelook:

 

[NtandoN]

1. Get yourself a 4 pot diesel, you've got fuel economy and performance sorted.
2. The comfort is a given in most BMW models.
3. Reliability will depend mostly on previous owner/s and how well the cars were looked after.

For R85k you're looking at an E90 320d that will require some maintenance, while the same amount might get you a good E46 330d mgwaiting:

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

Hello,

For that amount I am sure you can get a 320D pre LCI with a manual Gearbox and other bells and whistles.

If you want the LCI then you might have to give up a few creature comforts but its within reach.

1er are very nice beautiful things, I love the interior. Had buddy with a 120D E87 and never had a days issue. Just regular maintenance and respect for the car, If you respect your car then it will treat you nicely too

Good luck with the search and avoid E90 320i

:thumbs:

Appreciate the advise. What are common problems with the 120d? I'd just like to know what to beware of.

People that drive them are usually terrible people that can't stop talking about their fuel consumption and how much torque they have on their right foot in such a small package :roflol::roflol::roflol:

Nah I am just kidding, check out THIS thread, @Stompie has a nice detailed thread of his experiences.

 

[SubLoaded]

There are many face-lift e90's around, that are just within my budget.

Don't do it.

 

[DoctorJ]

You said your budget is 85k max. Is that just for the purchase of the car, or do you have some money set aside to do the usual preventative maintenance?

In the blink of an eye you can spend 10 to 20k on preventative maintenance.
My cooling system refurbish on my e46 330i was 12k easy.

 

[Jeremy.d]

PS - I see that you're buddies with @Jeremy.D so my advice stops here :fencelook:

Why? Can't you see that I passed him of to the rest of you?mgwaiting:

 

[Kai Baird]

You said your budget is 85k max. Is that just for the purchase of the car, or do you have some money set aside to do the usual preventative maintenance?

In the blink of an eye you can spend 10 to 20k on preventative maintenance.
My cooling system refurbish on my e46 330i was 12k easy.

85 is inclusive of whatever needs doing. That's why I need to be extra careful and particular about condition. :fencelook:

 

[TBP88]

If you have 85 to both buy and get the car up to good scratch then I'd say rather look about maybe for an E36 coupe, you could probably get a 325i coupe for around the 60k mark, this leaves you, lets say, 15k for maintaining and 10k as a buffer for fuel etc.

The good E46s are already becoming *very* pricey, somewhere on here there's a dude who has a 15 page wanted thread for a 330 (and I think he is comfortable dropping R100k on one of those).

I doubt you'd get a good E90 for the money you have, and if you do your budget will be stretched.

The E36 is extremely simple and a lot can be DIY'd, if you're 18 it means you can also spend some of your ample time learning on the car.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Get yourself an e46 330i M Sport and forget the rest! raise:

 

[Kai Baird]

Get yourself an e46 330i M Sport and forget the rest! raise:

Consumption?

 

[Jeremy.d]

Get yourself an e46 330i M Sport and forget the rest! raise:

Consumption?

13l/100km in traffic:biglol:

 

[yush1]

E46 330d would be perfect. :cartel:

 

[Riaad]

If you have 85 to both buy and get the car up to good scratch then I'd say rather look about maybe for an E36 coupe, you could probably get a 325i coupe for around the 60k mark, this leaves you, lets say, 15k for maintaining and 10k as a buffer for fuel etc.

The good E46s are already becoming *very* pricey, somewhere on here there's a dude who has a 15 page wanted thread for a 330 (and I think he is comfortable dropping R100k on one of those).

I doubt you'd get a good E90 for the money you have, and if you do your budget will be stretched.

The E36 is extremely simple and a lot can be DIY'd, if you're 18 it means you can also spend some of your ample time learning on the car.

hello:fencelook:

---

Get yourself an e46 330i M Sport and forget the rest! raise:

from where? :skit:

---

E46 330d would be perfect. :cartel:

agreed, however with said budget, you can comfortably get an e46 320d and still have some cash left for maintenance, an e46 330d (6 speed manual) is difficult to find, and i am doubtful that you will get one with your available budget.