Help me decide what to get.

[novio]

By the power of Greyskull, I call upon all you FANATICS to help me decide what BMW I should buy. With all our powers combined, I have no doubt this thread will yield good results!

Ok, here's the deal:

Currently I own a e36 328i.
I travel between PTA and JHB every day.
I will probably have around 160k to spend on a newer BMW.

I want to keep the next car for as LONG as possible, with the LEAST amount of problems, and with the BEST possible fuel consumption (since etolls will come eventually).....but I also want to smile with pride every time I look at that car in the garage...i.e. nothing under a 2L engine

So, I ask you, FANS, diesel or petrol, 3 series or 1 series.....what would you choose if you were in my shoes?

I know the answers could vary, but I'm hoping to get some sort of idea to pros and cons provided by people with longer BMW experience than me.

Thank you all!

 

[Richard H]

I say 320d msport auto. Light on fuel, decent power, good looks, good price pleasure to drive

 

[Cole]

if saving fuel costs is your priority 120d (unless you have family then 320d).
for everything else choose 330i (said to the music of mastercard advert)

 

[moranor@axis]

e46 for sure i dont think the e90 is built to last at all if you get a 2.5l and slap a SC on it will be light on fuel when you not pushing it :rollsmile:

 

[Dippies]

for that price i will buy a 320d.

You will be able to get a decent one 2007 model, with low kilometers.

E90. :thumbs:

 

[novio]

if saving fuel costs is your priority 120d (unless you have family then 320d).
for everything else choose 330i (said to the music of mastercard advert)

MAN, you hit the nail on the head......I've been looking at those 3 specifically. 120d, 320d Sportspack.....and my beloved 330i.......

but what about the 330d.....power and fuel economy?

---

e46 for sure i dont think the e90 is built to last at all if you get a 2.5l and slap a SC on it will be light on fuel when you not pushing it :rollsmile:

e90 not built to last?

whats a SC? :rollsmile:

 

[Peertjies]

for that price i will buy a 320d.

You will be able to get a decent one 2007 model, with low kilometers.

E90. :thumbs:

+1 :thumbs:
Thats the next car i buy my wife.

 

[328ii]

SC = Super Charger

8?>

 

[///Shaun]

E90 320d MSport on the above budget or if budget can go higher E90 330d MSport

:thumbs:

 

[novio]

E90 320d MSport

:thumbs:

What kind of Xede powa can you give the 320d? if you have done lower range vehicles? I assume a remap would improve fuel economy too.

 

[Nic_s]

530d. The 5 series is super comfy for a chilled drive to work, has great space for holidays, and the 3.0L turbo diesel will hurl you to the horizon on a little amount of fuel... not as little as a 320d, but then you will have the extra power without the need to mod.

LZ has a 530d and he loves it.

 

[novio]

Not a huge fan of the looks of a 530.....even though they are quality cars.

The 330d and 320d seem to be coming on top, hopefully a higher budget will allow for the bigger engine when the time comes.

But I always wonder about the diesel's reliability.....or maybe I'm thinking about turbo diesels of the 90's. I'm hoping things have improved

 

[Gizmo]

Honestly I don't see why you want to get rid of your 328i, you will regret it every time you step into the new car you buy yourself...
I also agree that the e90 isn't built to last, they are disposable cars meaning you throw it away when motorplan expires.
If you are hell-bent on replacing the e36 then go e46 330i sportpack with low mileage, you get the looks performance and economy all in one, did I mention that maintaining one is far cheaper than any diesel will ever be.

Go price yourself a few common failure items on the diesel engines like injectors, turbos, fuel pumps and then see why the M54 trumps the M57...

 

[moranor@axis]

actually... whats wrong with the 328i? 160k should surely be able to fix any problem you have with it :rollsmile:

 

[Cchris]

320D :thumbs:

 

[novio]

Gizmo,

The biggest reason for selling is the wife.
Doing 120km per day is clocking the mileage on my current car.
Dont get me wrong, I love the e36, and if it was up to me entirely, I would gladly put 160k on maintaining her for years to come.

Another thing to consider is resell value. If I lived and worked in JHb, I probably would have kept her for a few more years.


Buuuuuuut....having said all that, the e46 was my 1st choice.....they are the flippen sexy cars. Nothing set in stone yet, this whole process is gonna happen in a month or so. and things could change. I just wanna get a feel for what people think. And since youre the second person to negate the e90's, i already start having doubts about them.

This is why I opened this thread.

 

[///Shaun]

E90 320d MSport

:thumbs:

What kind of Xede powa can you give the 320d? if you have done lower range vehicles? I assume a remap would improve fuel economy too.

Dont want to make this a Xcede thread , will PM you. We do all cars and anything in the BM range.

:thumbs:

---

530d. The 5 series is super comfy for a chilled drive to work, has great space for holidays, and the 3.0L turbo diesel will hurl you to the horizon on a little amount of fuel... not as little as a 320d, but then you will have the extra power without the need to mod.

LZ has a 530d and he loves it.

Agree with NIC as well , meant to say the 530d as well. Its one awesome car and very good value for money.

:idea:

---

I also agree that the e90 isn't built to last, they are disposable cars meaning you throw it away when motorplan expires.

IMO Sir you are way of track with those statements. I know lots of E90s with high mileage and no issues (off motorplan). Guess we all entitled to our different opinions. Ownership vs Opinion vs personal preference is what needs to be considered when searching any forum for any answer.

Its like a E30 325is, its not ownership or opinions or personal preference that makes one wants such a car , its a cult and following that gives a person the desire to go out and buy the car.

Anycase just my two cents worth

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Sensible choice: e90 320d

Reasonable choice: e60 530d

My choice: e46 330i M-Sport :thumbs:

 

[Bazza]

MANUAL!! ALWAYS MANUAL!!

 

[tcal69]

my friend got a e90 330d sportspack eariler this year for about R180k, I think was about 80k on the clock and manual, he is loving every minute of it:rollsmile:

I think he gets about 7.5l per 100km, which is awesome I thinkraise: