First time car buyer

[wes van v]

I have a 2004 318ti and my insurance is around the R600 mark, full comprehensive cover. The car is perfect for what I need it for. It looks good and the fuel consumption is fairly decent I get 750km out a tank (highway mostly) and a tank costs around R730.

All these need to be considered. I have had no probs with the car, services are cheap and maintenance is low. The features, drive and safety I got with this compared to a polo. I would have been stupid not to take it.......

Sent from my GT-N7105

 

[Dewald Basson]

Hi,

Just to give you an idea the 2003 e46 325i F/L that i bought last year (November) with 122 000km ( now 136 000km) on the clock has already to date cost me around R 6K in maintenance (power steering pump & Pads + Discs, plus some new tools) and the first service is only going to happen end of this month. I did all the work on my car myself (I want learn more about mechanics ,get to know the car better and to save money).

If you drive any thing like me, you are going to pay for pertol, 10-11l per 100km . I pay close to R1800,00 for petrol a month. 90% city driving.
Insurance is R690,00 because i am only 25 this year.

Maybe this will just give you a clearer idea of the running costs & spares etc.

Just make sure you understand all the aspects of getting a car.

Otherwise good luck with finding something.

 

[Nikhil]

Hey bud to be honest I will settle for something smaller, the beemer will come at the right time. I’m 22 and have a 2 beemers and I get nailed on insurance E36 325i R750,00 Pm E46 330D R950,00 Pm and I really struggled to get insurance, at 19 I was paying R1350,00 pm for insurance so its damn expensive. Apart from that as a first time buyer if you finance you are going to get an insane interest rate well over 12% that’s if you have a decent credit rating. Apart from that maintaince is expensive if you can not DIY. Eventually you will also get tired of your rides stock appearance and will want to do mods and not having a budget to do that is extremely frustrating. So rather go for a polo or something similar give it a year or two and once you have built up your credit record and insurance history you will find that your car of choice becomes more affordable. Just my 2c.

 

[James-ci]

I am also thinking in the line of 116/118i.
Something like this, i think is decent, with good mileage:

R2700/m over 60 months, No dep, 12%

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...ndcommercialpricerangeszar/100-000-to-124-999

 

[wes van v]

I'm 22 aswell and I can relate with the insurance. They like to nail us. Specially if we have a BMW. Think before you jump into buying a big engine with a small budget. Tyres alone will render you bankrupt. I put 18's on my car 225/18/40 and each tyre costs around R1600 from Tiger and thats a average tyre (no conti sports etc) the smaller engines let the tyres last longer but the 330i etc and driving in a 'FUN' way will set you back every +-30 000km max (I stand corrected I don't own a 330i just a example).

Its fun but will not be fun when you sitting at home with a broken car.

My gf's sister has a vivo and I can tell you, what I paid for my car and what she paid for hers you can't compare the workmanship, I have a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, 10 airbags black leather, the car is solid and drives so much better on the highway. Rather go for something better and from what I understand you have a better chance of not being highjacked in a 318i or 118i than a VW polo. I say go for a 318i or a 118i. You get a taste for BMW and you can set your goals for a better 1 in the near future.

Thats what I have done, when I finish studying I'll be upgrading just my 2 cents aswell.

 

[individj]

petrol & tyres are my big spend on my cars...330i...but i don't mind..it is worth it

 

[andrewbuch]

Tyres alone will render you bankrupt. I put 18's on my car 225/18/40 and each tyre costs around R1600 from Tiger and thats a average tyre (no conti sports etc) the smaller engines let the tyres last longer but the 330i etc and driving in a 'FUN' way will set you back every +-30 000km max (I stand corrected I don't own a 330i just a example).

My 318i I get about 20k to 25k from tires!!!

 

[wes van v]

Damn... I have done +-17000km so far and mine still look new. I'm on the highway all the time. Just depends on quality of tyre and how you drive.

Sent from my GT-N7105

 

[andrewbuch]

Damn... I have done +-17000km so far and mine still look new. I'm on the highway all the time. Just depends on quality of tyre and how you drive.

Sent from my GT-N7105

Bridgestones!!

 

[RAArmstrong]

Damn... I have done +-17000km so far and mine still look new. I'm on the highway all the time. Just depends on quality of tyre and how you drive.

Sent from my GT-N7105

Bridgestones!!

Have heard that Bridgestones sometimes dont have the greatest tread life :dunno:

I got 60k from a set on Hankooks on my TDI Golf :fencelook:

 

[andrewbuch]

I got 12K kms out of a set of tires on my E30 318i that car was too much fun