Cannot decide on which BMW...advice needed

[Koi]

Hey All...first post

Need some honest advice.....currently taking the plunge from Audi to BMW.

There's 2 cars that I am currently looking at but cannot decide on which will be the better buy.

If anyone can offer some good honest advice, please do so

Car 1.....2007 320D E90 Auto, 40k on the clock, xenons, Sunroof, 17's with new tyres....price R230k

Car 2......2005 325i E90 Manual, Satnav, TV, full I Drive with front and rear PDC, Sunroof, xenons, bluetooth, 47k on the clock, electric seats, electric rear blind,
side blinds, 17's with new tyres........price 185k

The 2005 has extended motorplan to Oct 2011 with option to extend to Oct 2012, the 2007 can be extended to 2014.

Both cars are in equally good condition and at 45k more just wonder if the 320d is really worth it over the 325i.

My heart says 325i but then logic tells me 320d cos it's lighter on juice and is newer altho 40k vs 47k I dont find that much of a difference.

Anyone willing to offer some good advice?

Even just vote by selecting the one from the pole options above....thanks

 

[zaleonardz]

Well,

Answer is, how many KM's do you do, if your a rep and your going to do 5,000km a month, its a no brainer, buy the diesel.

Otherwise, although I believe them to be totally reliable, you do not have turbo problems on the 325, injectors on the diesel is also very expensive. so out of motorplan you could pay.

Also, ask yourself the question, how much money are you really going to be saving on fuel versus an extra 45k you will be paying for the diesel, and its not just 45k if you take depreciation in mind over a further 2 years.

Next point, the 325 is far better spec'd then the diesel, meaning easier trade in.

Also the 325 will have about the same amount of torque as the 320d (correct me here anyone, I am guessing here).

Last point, the 2005 is more or less at the bottom of the depreciation curve, its not going to go down much, the 2007 still has a bit to go.

If it was a 330d, differant argument, but in this case without a doubt 325i.

 

[Koi]

thanks for the reply.......dont do much mileage....prob in the range of around 15k - 20k a year...my hearts set on the 325i and I have heard that they are extremely reliable.

You offer good advice....thank you

 

[e46 guy]

the 325

 

[Hellas]

325 is a never-say-die car. :thumbsup: One or two of them had coils trouble though, but that is easily sorted.

 

[Scouse]

I say 325 :thumb:

 

[George Smooth]

This one is a no brainer. Take the 325. Maintenance costs are high and its a easy car to sell when the mileage is high. The guys with the diesels battle to sell them when they 100k+ so take into consideration the knock you going to take when you sell the diesel as well.

 

[freerider]

I've had a 320d and now have a 320i, get the 325, just trust me on this

 

[Hoffi]

They don't call it being a PETROL HEAD for nothing. 320d awsome but my vote would be 325i any day every day.

 

[Truvalu]

Welcome and congrats on buying the 325i!!!

Please post pics soon!!

 

[zaleonardz]

lol...

I guess the general consensur is that the 325 wins

 

[Koi]

Guess it must be a no brainer with the poll results and replies here. Also like the fact that this is a car one could keep out of plan, that's the reason I'm selling my 2.0T as I'm so nervous having a turbo'd car out of plan....a n/a car I'm more comfortable with.

Car had quality check done today.....needs to have the front bumper replaced and the curb rash om rims sorted....expecting to get it next week Thursday...hopefully

 

[zaleonardz]

Once done, make sure they replace the regular wear items under motorplan

Things like bushes, control arms, oh and I just picked up something else.

The 325 is a manual, whereas the 320d is auto.

That seals the deal, the manual gearbox's are far more reliable then the auto's, and delivers a much more fun ride

 

[jaunef]

....currently taking the plunge from Audi to BMW.

Welcome, just a small thing it is not a plunge, but huge improvement

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Here is my oppinion...
1. depending on how long you plan to drive it for...
2. also how many km you travel in a year...
If you think you might have it for 3+ years, and the motorplan is important, go for the diesel. :thumb:
If you travel "moer baie" km's, each month, and you know that even if you take the diesel,
you are going to run out of km's before the years on the motorplan,, then go for the 325. :thumbsup:
I've actually owned both, first a 320d, and now a 325i, ok, E46 models,
but I love my 325i a 1,000,000million times more than I ever loved my 320d.
Like I said, motorplan is good, but if you run out of km's on the motorplan, it's beter to go then for the 325i.
hope my insight helps.
imp:

 

[Venda Boy]

325, but make sure you extend the motorplan and get FSH

 

[Leon328]

Take the 325. They never die and when they do, you go turbo the bugger and enjoy.

 

[Beast_Power]

Take the 325i, whoever tells you the diesel works you out cheaper, has not had a diesel themselves, and diesels are harder to sell afterwards !

 

[Philip Foglar]

Thing is, diesels are great if you buy them as new and/or if they aren't giving troubles. They are great to drive around town and often can put a petrol to shame for normal day to day driving. But I would go for the 325i hands down! It will use more fuel than the 320d of course, but it WILL put a smile on your face!!

 

[freerider]

If you have even a slight incling of mechanical knowledge, i wouldnt even bother wasting money extending the motorplan, i absolutely love working on my car, and its the labour prices that kill, not the parts prices.