Buying Advice please ?

[Charlie Brown]

Hi there

A Newbie here from Dbn looking for some assistance please guys re choosing and finding a new car. I currently drive a 2000 model 318i manual with 226k on the clock and really love this car. She is in great condition but the time has come to upgrade to an E90.

With regards the new car I have about R220 to spend and from what I have seen I can either get newer Face lifted 320i or older 330i or 325i. I'm not fond of either diesels or auto, hence the above shortlist.

Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated - I'm also very fond of the sport package from a looks standpoint, but have heard that from a day to day standpoint they be very hard to live with. I'm sure there are previous posts in this regard, perhaps someone can direct to that thread(s).

Lastly and suggestions on where I can start looking for my new ride.

 

[Twinz]

All i have to say is if you have 220k to spend, then you can broaden the circle to the newer models out there. All the best. :thumbs:

 

[Raybimmer]

hi charlie Brown welcome to the afnatics family .
Having choices is not easy unless you are honest withn yourself . Is this a daily drive ? What is the condition of the roads you use ? Will the car be kept mostly under cover ?
The sport packs are nice , but if the roads are shit you may have tyre/rim replacements happening due to road damage . the ride on a 10 minute test drive may be awesome , after a few months it becomes hard !! If you keep the car under cover and the body clean then metalics are ok , otherwise white is the best colour . I am not a diesel fan , but they have good torque , if not sounding ice .
Good luck

 

[msm]

With regards the new car I have about R220 to spend and from what I have seen I can either get newer Face lifted 320i or older 330i or 325i. I'm not fond of either diesels or auto, hence the above shortlist.

You should be able to get a clean 330i M sport with that sort of money. There's not that much mechanical difference between the facelift and pre-facelift on the 330i motors (compared to the 330d, 335i, etc). However, shop around and you may be able to pick up a facelift model if you're lucky.

Don't bother with the 320i, else your first post after 1 month will be how to get more performance out it ...

 

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks all for the replies thus far, really appreciated and look forward to hopefuly getting a few tips from you guys on the forum should you hear about a car that meets my requirements.

@Raybimmer - yip it will be my daily driver, Dbn and surrounds have roads that are generally crap - worse than Jhb IMO. I Do Not / Will Not travel on dirt roads, I can't bear taking even my 12 year old 318i on them. Car is garaged at night and under-cover parking at work.
Buying second hand mean that one can't be too fussy with regards colour - but I must confess that I generally think that metalics are more forgiving and allow for 'polishing out' better than non-metalics, any detailers care to add their comments ?

I rate the sportpacks in Le Mans, Red and White - look awesome, but hear you on the long term comfort etc - I'm getting on a little bit now too and keep my cars for ages so exclusive pack seems to be the way for me.

Let me clarify the Diesel / auto refference - if I wasn't paying ie company car I'd be all over a Turbo diesel - I think that they make huge power and torque for their relevant cubic capacity and are really great to drive. Concerns over longterm running costs and skilled mechs, especially in Durban make it difficult for me to go that route.

Thanks Raybimmer for the input / advice - much appreciated !

@msm - I'm currently in a 12 yr old pre face-lift 318i - I think that there are ride on lawnmowers with more HP than my old girl - but I completely know what you mean.

 

[moranor@axis]

well seeing as you dont get annoyed with the 318i the 320i is an option, but it depends on how long you plan to keep the car

if you want more MP then go for the 320i if not i would go for an older car so and get less depreciation...

 

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks Moranor

It's like this - your brain tells you the 320 might be the more sensible option - newer, less milage more plan etc. Your heart says get a 6 cylinder, these around now will be the last 6's, all the new ones will 1.6 and 2.0 turbos and will never have that same sweet sound.

Definatley leaning towards a 6 cylinder.

I drive my mother in laws E36 328i from time to time - it's a'97 model with less than 55 000kms on the clock - sounds great, does like hell and is mint nic.

 

[moranor@axis]

buy the e36 :fencelook:

if you can find an older car with enough MP for the time you plan to keep the car i dont think you can go wrong with a 6 cyl :rollsmile: and the depreciation will most lightly be less because it is older as long as you sell it with MP...

the most expensive thing by far with these cars is depreciation so really there is no down side to getting an older 6 cyl if it has enough MP left for you...

i would also wait a little till the market is flooded with e90s :rollsmile:

 

[Oooompie]

Charlie Brown - I changed from an E36 328i M to a E90 320d and am very pleased with the diesel. I was prejudiced towards diesels because of the old generation diesels. ( Going up Van Reenens pass with a Merc 240d in front of you battling up at walking pace and smoke pouring out the back)
Have you ever driven one of the diesels? Sure BMW in Durbs can service them as they are plentiful. It is as fuel efficient as a 1300cc in town and even lighter on the open road at speed. Plenty performance and great to drive.
Good luck with your hunting.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Check this out... https://app.bmw.co.za/dws/BPS/BPS/S...refrom=search&sessionId=201112271842341712678

 

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks for the advice Moranor appreciate it, I see you're in Pmb, I was at SMG Pmb week before last - not anything worthwhile.

:thumbs: on the waiting to see when the flood of e90's hit the market and I can pic up a good one.

Salesman at both SMG and Forsdicks telling me that I must buy now cause the F30 will be pricey so there'll be huge demand for good E90's - nearly LMAO - sure - I was born yesterday !!!

:ty:to Oooompie - maybe I need to drive one again - my parts and mech contacts at the stealership swear that the 320d is the best one in the range - but I just figure that they need re-occuring business and with the D it's great business for them > pricey.

I'm quite handy and have managed some rather extreme DIY's on my E46 and would like to continue - with a D that's not an option I fear I have no clue on what's what under the hood on them.

Will drive a 320d and comment.

 

[P Smit]

Hello Charlie Brown.

You must also decide if you're a performance or a looks guy. What type of performance do you require at least. If you plan to keep a car way after motorplan, the 4 cylinder will be much cheaper to maintain as to the engine and the suspension components, than a six cylinder.

In Durbs the 4 cyl 2 litre's pull like the 3 litre sixes up in the Transvaal! It is also true that the four will be lighter on fuel consumption.

Also take note that an older 3 litre at the same price as a newer 2 litre, will cost more to insure!

Also try to avoid a car with run flat tyres without a spare wheel.

Also look at the possibility that this car can become your future 2nd car, after which you can buy tour dream car and be able to not worry about exstra costs!

Sleep over it and do not make emotional decisions. You'll get the right car

---

I would like to add, if you are having a young family or exxpect babies to come in the future, don't consider a 3 series, unless it's a station wagon. Rather then opt for a 5 series. A popular one is the 530i, very economical, fast and spacious, a joy to drive. A friend of mine has a 325i sportspack wagon, silver, stunning condition he wants to sell. If interested I can send you his particulars. Transvaal car, no rust!

 

[moranor@axis]

Charlie Brown next time you in PMB let me know we can meet up im car shopping (second car) too right now so ill keep a look out for you if you like...

P Smit i have to disagree a bit about the 4 cyl being cheaper to maintain it shares most of its parts with the 6 cyl buying a few extra spark plugs and some extra oil is not going to break the bank :rollsmile: and if the e90 is anything like the e46 the smaller engines dont really burn less fuel (in real world) because you have to push it harder... the rest i completely agree with and the 5 is very good value for money

 

[Charlie Brown]

Awesome reply P Smit thanks for the array of very useful points covered in your reply. I'm not all about the performance but I'm sure we all wouldn't mind having the extra grunt that the 6's offer us.

Re the engines - the same 2.0 litre engine has been used in the facelifted E46, the current E90 and will carried over to the forthcoming entry level F30 - as far as I'm aware ?

When the E90 arrives will definately change to normal tires with space saver - enought evidence on this forum to justify this !

We have a 3yr old and that's it - no more kiddies thanks one is enough. Not a huge fan of the 5's - did the previous gen come in manual ?

Re the 325 wagon - I quite like them, pls send me deatils PM or what ever suits, year, milage, transmision, pics if possible too.

In no rush what so ever, don't have to sell my current car, will look and buy first when the right deal comes about and then sell the old girl.

 

[Henry330i]

HI, I here you about the diesels if you are a long term owner which it looks like seeing that you've kept your 318 for a long time.

Go the 6 I think you be happy with either a 325i or 330i there consumption is pretty much the same. Also except for looks I don't think the sport is for you. As you said the roads are shit and your no spring chicken any more:rollsmile:. So it looks like the exclusive is the one.

As for DIY if your are handy a 6 wont be a problem, nor would MP because you keep your cars for so long. Even if you get a new 320i a 5 year MP makes no difference you will keep it longer than that. Also that makes resale value less of a issue.

Go drive all of them take your time the right car will choose you.

 

[zaleonardz]

Im going to state pretty much what everybody has stated.

6 cyl and above. Fuel consumption is about the same, and dont waste your time with a 320...

You sound like a bit of a driver, so a 320 is not going to cut it at all, even in a manual.

Been driving my wife's 2002 E46 318 this whole week, and man what a lovely car, its really easy to fall in love with it.

Fuel consumption on the 6's are pretty similar there days, so i would go for a 325 or even a 330.

Have you considered the slightly larger BMW's, the 5, or even the glorious 7 series, you can buy a hell of a nice car for 150k if you look at the BMW "heavy metals".

Hell for 160k, you can look at a 2006 745, or even a 2007 530d if you shop smart.

However, heavy metals aside, just keep one thing in mind, do not buy now, buy in a few months time.

THe F30 which is the new 3 series is being released early next year, then your going to see the market flood with E90's going for the same value as a packet of chips...

Personal preference, avoid any 4 cyl, petrol or diesel, to take the M57N motor seriously, which is the 3l diesel, they are supurb.

I would vote, if I was in your position, the BEST money could buy, is a E60 530d still under motorplan. You then bring that car to me, and I will make sure that motorplan sorts out every little squak/moan/rattle on that vehicle.

I also know a good couple of dealers in JHB that hold quality stock, and can assist you with the purchase, KZN cars rust...

 

[Charlie Brown]

@ Moranor will do, up there once every 2 weeks, let me know what you looking for and I'll help out and if you need me to look at cars for you around Dbn - no sweat.

@Henry - thanks for the info, all very helpful.

Guess I'll be seeing few dealerships in the next few weeks and will keep you all updated.

Give me shout if you guys see anything pls.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks Leonard

Apreciate the info and agreed on the E46, I love my old 318, I bought her actually to resell it and ending up keeping her and haven't looked back.

I haven't looked at any "Heavy Metals" by boss in Jhb had a 530d with the full Schnitzer kit, chipped etc etc cost him about R550k 5 odd years back. Kept for about 20 000kms after MP and cost R30k in service and repairs so he sold it, got less the R100k when he sold it earlier this year / late last year. The depreciation on the 5 and 7's is mind blowing, but agreed you can get awesome 5 or 7 for 3 money. Problem is the mind-blowing repairs bill that accompany these awesome cars.

So agreed I'll wait a few months and get a great 330i when the F30's are being sold in droves, I'll contact you closer to the time re the dealer contacts etc - thanks.

On the rust topic - I thought that it was rubbish re the rust but I've just noticed that I've got surface rusts on both rear sill - the back plastics sill covers do not fit snug against the bodywork - this results in water being trapped underneath this and surface rust.

Leonard I'll take some pics and post for your comment if you don't mind.

In the meantime I'll start getting the old girl in tip top shape for the sale - anyone advise me on who is the resident expert on the pre facelift E46 318's got an oil leak and few other bits to sort ?

Thanks again to you all for the assistance thus far - great advice and much appreciated - will keep you updated on the search.

 

[m0lt3n]

Just start a new thread with whatever maintenance issues you got.

I just bought an e90 320d and it really does drive nice. But I would advise you to look carefully before you buy as I bought a lot of issues. (E90 issues, not 320d issues hehe)

 

[zaleonardz]

Thats where the fanatics come into place.

Maintance on these monsters if done smartly, is about the same, maybe a fraction more then the 3.

When the dealers see you in a 5 or a 7, they price the service accordingly, but with a lil bit of research, maintaning one of these is not that hard actually.

But keep us updated bud, and let me know if I can help.