Hi Guys...and Gals.
New to the forum and been browsing a bit before introducing myself.
Time has come to upgrade the wife's car after a few snags the past 6 months with her car. Worst was the last issue where it was standing for almost 8 weeks trying to get it sorted...just could not find parts. Past 6 months that car has cost us over R20000! And nothing weird was replaced or fixed. It was one coil pack, major service with front discs and pads and a Ford timing belt kit (which we had to wait for almost 5 weeks from Ford!). January the ECU packed up...Ford don't supply anymore and had to get it fixed at DS Auto Electrical or whatever the place is called. And it's not that it's a uncommon car...it's bloody 2004 Ford Focus for crying out loud. Needless to say she lost all faith in it and just wants it gone!
We can't afford finance and will need to buy cash. Looking around a few BMW's caught my eye. I will be hard pressed to part with the same money for a Korean or Jap car than for a BMW!? Then the BMW have safety features that the Korean and Jap cars don't have. I'm well aware of the 'German Way' of preventative maintenance, I work on German printing presses, and understand that it will probably cost even more for the BMW, but then again...you get what you pay for hey!?
Also, I know 2 people who owns e46 318's. Both 2001 models and manual. One have over 260000Km and other over 300000Km and both still going strong and in everyday use. Both claim that's it the best and most reliable cars that they have ever owned.
Considering what I've read on this forum and elsewhere I've decided that a e46 320i manual facelift can be a good option for the wife. She probably drives about 5000Km a year max! This includes a few trips to her folks in Oudtshoorn...we're in Cape Town. Are there any reason why the e46 320i manual will be a bad idea?
Your input will be greatly appreciated!
PS...I own a 2015 Ford Tourneo Grand Connect bus. Last service, 35000Km, the brakes were shot! Ford charged me R6000 for front and rear brake pads plus skiming the front discs...including labour.
New to the forum and been browsing a bit before introducing myself.
Time has come to upgrade the wife's car after a few snags the past 6 months with her car. Worst was the last issue where it was standing for almost 8 weeks trying to get it sorted...just could not find parts. Past 6 months that car has cost us over R20000! And nothing weird was replaced or fixed. It was one coil pack, major service with front discs and pads and a Ford timing belt kit (which we had to wait for almost 5 weeks from Ford!). January the ECU packed up...Ford don't supply anymore and had to get it fixed at DS Auto Electrical or whatever the place is called. And it's not that it's a uncommon car...it's bloody 2004 Ford Focus for crying out loud. Needless to say she lost all faith in it and just wants it gone!
We can't afford finance and will need to buy cash. Looking around a few BMW's caught my eye. I will be hard pressed to part with the same money for a Korean or Jap car than for a BMW!? Then the BMW have safety features that the Korean and Jap cars don't have. I'm well aware of the 'German Way' of preventative maintenance, I work on German printing presses, and understand that it will probably cost even more for the BMW, but then again...you get what you pay for hey!?
Also, I know 2 people who owns e46 318's. Both 2001 models and manual. One have over 260000Km and other over 300000Km and both still going strong and in everyday use. Both claim that's it the best and most reliable cars that they have ever owned.
Considering what I've read on this forum and elsewhere I've decided that a e46 320i manual facelift can be a good option for the wife. She probably drives about 5000Km a year max! This includes a few trips to her folks in Oudtshoorn...we're in Cape Town. Are there any reason why the e46 320i manual will be a bad idea?
Your input will be greatly appreciated!
PS...I own a 2015 Ford Tourneo Grand Connect bus. Last service, 35000Km, the brakes were shot! Ford charged me R6000 for front and rear brake pads plus skiming the front discs...including labour.
