Buying my first car SOS!

[TurboLlew]

320d is the answer regardless of the mileage you travel when up against a 318i.

It sounds like you want a 'sensible' choice, but unless something has drastically changed from whatever resulted in you not needing a car all this time, I would look at a more 'special' car in the form of an older M car (like E46 or E92) instead of spending all R700K... and then having some fuel and maintenance budget aside as well (unless of course you have to finance, but if you've been saving all this time (or have a sizeable amount saved), then well the world is your oyster. Most people don't explore this route because they don't have cash to acquire and/or maintain.

 

[Meep]

320d is the answer regardless of the mileage you travel when up against a 318i.

It sounds like you want a 'sensible' choice, but unless something has drastically changed from whatever resulted in you not needing a car all this time, I would look at a more 'special' car in the form of an older M car (like E46 or E92) instead of spending all R700K... and then having some fuel and maintenance budget aside as well (unless of course you have to finance, but if you've been saving all this time (or have a sizeable amount saved), then well the world is your oyster. Most people don't explore this route because they don't have cash to acquire and/or maintain.

honestly i agree with this statement, older m cars are also so much fun, my uncle has a usdm z3m roadster with the s52 and it is such a fun car to be in, the high quality leather, the sound of that na i6, the wind blowing through your hair, everything. And trust me, once you experience an m car, nothing similar compares to it https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...26753566?vf=2&db=1&s360=0&so=1&pl=1&po=1&st=2 this is imo the perfect fun daily car,a nd you have 200k to spare for maintenence and parts

 

[TBP88]

320d is the answer regardless of the mileage you travel when up against a 318i.

It sounds like you want a 'sensible' choice, but unless something has drastically changed from whatever resulted in you not needing a car all this time, I would look at a more 'special' car in the form of an older M car (like E46 or E92) instead of spending all R700K... and then having some fuel and maintenance budget aside as well (unless of course you have to finance, but if you've been saving all this time (or have a sizeable amount saved), then well the world is your oyster. Most people don't explore this route because they don't have cash to acquire and/or maintain.

This is the correct answer. If you've survived living close to work, you're single and don't do much stop-start traffic - get a Z4M.

I did, it's fantastic, fun, fast and at R700k you'll have enough for a clean one, maintaining and some small mods with enough to have a house downpayment even

 

[CK4LIFE]

320d or 520d anytime

 

[tman]

Dont buy the 318i, its going to be garbage and its going to depreciate like a pump and dump crypto scam.

Listen to the sane advice given here and get a 320d.

You can find one with ample motorplan left that will give you peace of mind. Then go fit the cosmetic goodies at Rennzport.

Mzansi edition is not special. It will not retain more value over a "normal" bmw. Its a marketing sham to catch gullible suckers.

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[tempogroove]

Ok I get it people. 320d it is
Guess I won’t be getting a BMW for Xmas after all. I’ll have to now start hunting for a 320d that has features I can’t do without such as HUD.. AND be within budget.
Then I’ll I need to do some research on how much retrofitted cosmetics cost. People keep saying adding the cosmetics myself will be “a fraction of the cost”. But honestly if the fraction is 3/100 then it’s not even worth mentioning

 

[///M Individual]

@FiRi@Rennzport can provide current pricing on G20 accessories so you can have an idea.

You may be paying the same price for a 320d M Sport without the cosmetic mods and some features of the 318i Mzansi but the 20d motor is that much more worth it.

 

[MR_Y]

Draw up a list of what you prioritise.
If you are not keen on rear wheel drive thrills, then there are other models, or even other brands, that you can consider.
If you want a HUD and other nice features and do not care much for how a car handles at the limit, then there other well priced car brands out there.
Block out the badge and just consider what you really need.

 

[NBN]

Wanting to buy a car at this time of the year is also the wrong mindset … in just a few weeks , it will be another year older , dealerships never tell you this but just call your insurance company and check the price difference a year makes when it comes to book values .

As others have said , 320d is a no brainer versus the 318 with cosmentic mods which you pay a premium for .

 

[tman]

Ok I get it people. 320d it is
Guess I won’t be getting a BMW for Xmas after all. I’ll have to now start hunting for a 320d that has features I can’t do without such as HUD.. AND be within budget.
Then I’ll I need to do some research on how much retrofitted cosmetics cost. People keep saying adding the cosmetics myself will be “a fraction of the cost”. But honestly if the fraction is 3/100 then it’s not even worth mentioning

Car shopping is not supposed to be a chore. Enjoy the search and take the time to educate yourself on all the features, engines, options etc.

Buying the right car will put a smile on your face every time you get in and go for a drive.

 

[tempogroove]

Ok since we’ve moved on from the 318i debacle. One last ask..

What about the 330i? I’m seeing a couple a little over budget but lacking a few bells and whistles with mileage +30k. 2021 model

 

[///Avi]

Ok since we’ve moved on from the 318i debacle. One last ask..

What about the 330i? I’m seeing a couple a little over budget but lacking a few bells and whistles with mileage +30k. 2021 model

The B48 motor seems to be fairly reliable and at times can be frugal too.

The thing to remember is the 4 cylinder petrol motors historically had more issues, were less smooth and became noisier at higher mileage. Long term B48 owners can give you some insight on how these motors are to live with. I would say just get the spec you want up front. Retrofitting can be easy but it’s such a schlep really. If you are retrofitting with OEM upgrades then the experience is definitely better but not always the most cost effective.

I would say a 330i is a safe bet.

 

[R!Yo]

I agree with what most have said, moving on from the 318 discussions, you may not find exactly what you're looking for in most 3 series.
E.g. HUD, 90% will not have this because they simply aren't spec'd with it - because all these options begin to add up and push your base spec into a different price bracket, making it no longer feasible to buy the said 3 series you started with (if you use the BMW configurator, you'll know what I mean). So, you're going to have to forego some "needs" but you'll end up with a better car in the long run.

If you're deadset on buying a G20 (it's not a bad thing, these cars are beautiful and build quality is a decent step up), the 330i is also a good choice. Way more power and fun factor than a 318 will ever be.

 

[TurboLlew]

I agree with what most have said, moving on from the 318 discussions, you may not find exactly what you're looking for in most 3 series.
E.g. HUD, 90% will not have this because they simply aren't spec'd with it - because all these options begin to add up and push your base spec into a different price bracket, making it no longer feasible to buy the said 3 series you started with (if you use the BMW configurator, you'll know what I mean). So, you're going to have to forego some "needs" but you'll end up with a better car in the long run.

If you're deadset on buying a G20 (it's not a bad thing, these cars are beautiful and build quality is a decent step up), the 330i is also a good choice. Way more power and fun factor than a 318 will ever be.

Excellent point: You will find cars that have the 'core' stuff. You won't struggle to find a car that has a sensible combination of things but unlikely to find someone who has maxed everything out. I had this chat with someone complaining about why all the M140s don't seem to be 'well specced' (which is a matter of opinion, because plenty of M140is have decent options.... but 'well specced' here seems to mean 'maxed out' LOL...) Why would they be? If they were fully loaded, the cost would be high enough that the first owners would have bought something else instead.

What are the features outside of a HUD that you can't do without? You'd be surprised at how many of these things you don't actually use and in some instances even become irritations.

330 is definitely a great option. You will be pleasantly surprised test driving one!

 

[tempogroove]

.What are the features outside of a HUD that you can't do without?

Gear shift paddles
Lane departure warning
Ambient interior lighting (yes I like RGB)
Spoiler kit

I wouldn’t say I can’t do without them but it’s something I’d have preferred upfront. Also not sure if they can be “OEM” retrofitted features or if they’ll be entirely 3rd party - which I don’t wanna do.

And thank you all for the responses. The search has begun.. again.

 

[MR_Y]

Gear shift paddles
Lane departure warning
Ambient interior lighting (yes I like RGB)
Spoiler kit

I wouldn’t say I can’t do without them but it’s something I’d have preferred upfront. Also not sure if they can be “OEM” retrofitted features or if they’ll be entirely 3rd party - which I don’t wanna do.

And thank you all for the responses. The search has begun.. again.

My 2c

Gearshift paddles on a non performance car are really more gimmicky than anything else. Especially given that the ZF box is paired really well with even the base model engines. You may pull the paddles maybe 5 times max in your overall time with the car. Unless, you are carving your way through a clear, twisty road often, and need to be in the best gear, paddles are really not necessary.

LDW does not work well on SA roads. We have crap lane markings and LDW is going to annoy you more than anything else. Unless you have the full on self driving cruise control, just LDW by itself is rather pointless.

Ambient lighting looks good. Agree.

Spoiler kit looks good. Though on a non-performance car, it may be seen as pointless. However, I did have M stickers on my F30 in my younger days. So, each to his own.

 

[tman]

My 2c

Gearshift paddles on a non performance car are really more gimmicky than anything else. Especially given that the ZF box is paired really well with even the base model engines. You may pull the paddles maybe 5 times max in your overall time with the car. Unless, you are carving your way through a clear, twisty road often, and need to be in the best gear, paddles are really not necessary.

LDW does not work well on SA roads. We have crap lane markings and LDW is going to annoy you more than anything else. Unless you have the full on self driving cruise control, just LDW by itself is rather pointless.

Ambient lighting looks good. Agree.

Spoiler kit looks good. Though on a non-performance car, it may be seen as pointless. However, I did have M stickers on my F30 in my younger days. So, each to his own.

^ This.

I've had this on my last 2 vehicles. On my current vehicle I have not used it once. ZF box takes care of everything.

@tempogroove with this being your 1st vehicle I suspect you might have a perception of how important some of these "must have" options are, and how often you will use them on a day to day basis. Have you test driven any vehicles as yet? Get behind the wheel if you have not already and get a feel for whats really important for you.

 

[70007]

My 2c

Gearshift paddles on a non performance car are really more gimmicky than anything else. Especially given that the ZF box is paired really well with even the base model engines. You may pull the paddles maybe 5 times max in your overall time with the car. Unless, you are carving your way through a clear, twisty road often, and need to be in the best gear, paddles are really not necessary.

LDW does not work well on SA roads. We have crap lane markings and LDW is going to annoy you more than anything else. Unless you have the full on self driving cruise control, just LDW by itself is rather pointless.

Ambient lighting looks good. Agree.

Spoiler kit looks good. Though on a non-performance car, it may be seen as pointless. However, I did have M stickers on my F30 in my younger days. So, each to his own.

Totally agree with this. Paddles a waste on the base models and even more so on diesels. LDW is just plainly annoying, I disabled mine.

I normally prefer the following as dealbreakers if not included:

- M-sport
- Sunroof
- Adaptive LED’s
- Comfort access (not in the past but have now become used to it and it’s really nice)
- allround cameras
- at least HK
- ambient lighting as a nice to have, but will normally be included if specced as above


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