Looking to switch over to BMW. My first financed car.

[Quentin Legend]

Good afternoon fanatics,

You don't have a introduction sub forum (that I could find anyway) so I'll just introduce myself here.

My name is Quentin and I moved to Gauteng a few months ago, I work for Canon Business Centre Pretoria (Head office in Hatfield), Sales Rep.

I'm getting everything ready and doing all my research as I am planing on getting a new car in February / March next year, currently my money is on a new Kia Rio 1.4TEC @ R200k.

But since I've always wanted to drive a BMW and it's also a very popular brand at work, I've decided to consider a second hand BMW320d or 120d Coupe. :rollsmile:

My main concern is, naturally the maintenance. And yes I've spent the last 2 days reading up on the forums and using the SEARCH function, but there seems to be mixed views regarding maintenance on these cars. (I do between 2000-3000km's per month) :dizzy:

Budget is around R150k.

Any tips / advice / recommendations?

 

[RAArmstrong]

Welcome to the forum :thumbs:

New Members Intro Sub Forum: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/forumdisplay.php?fid=16

I dont own a X20d but there are plenty of them on the forum and they seem to be pretty reliable vehicles, but will let some of the more experienced owners chime in! :rollsmile:

 

[JodyD]

Welcome to the forum bud

Im sure the Diesel owner would help you
we have a lot of helpful gents here good luck
with your search :thumbs:

 

[Hellas]

Thread moved.

 

[ChefDJ]

Welcome to the forum bud :thumbs:

You can't go wrong with a diesel BMW :thumbs:

 

[Quentin Legend]

Thanks guys

Is R150 000 a reasonable budget for a decent 2007-2009 320d?

I'm going to be buying in February / March. Reliability and features is very important to me as I'm a rep and spend a lot of time in my car.

 

[ChefDJ]

For that price you could get an E39 M5 :rollsmile:




*just saying
:fencelook:

 

[Quentin Legend]

For that price you could get an E39 M5 :rollsmile:




*just saying
:fencelook:

Haha just looking for a reliable 320d with the bells & whistles.

If I can't find one by March, I'll play it safe and get the new Kia Rio for R50k more, but I'd prefer a BMW. :inlove:

 

[ChefDJ]

Or a 530d :idea:

 

[RAArmstrong]

For that price you could get an E39 M5 :rollsmile:




*just saying
:fencelook:

Haha just looking for a reliable 320d with the bells & whistles.

If I can't find one by March, I'll play it safe and get the new Kia Rio for R50k more, but I'd prefer a BMW. :inlove:

Dont spend MORE on a bloody Kia :fencelook:

Spend some time on the Auto Trader, there are some lovely cars out there... Look a Sportpack, much nicer looking :rollsmile:

OR do as Chef said and get a 530d :inlove:

 

[ASH]

Welcome to the forum

If you are looking at the Kia, have you also seen this new Renault Clio?

As a previous owner of a 320d, I can say if you find one in good condition have it checked out by a dealer, or knowledgeable BMW technician. The one I had was purchased out of M/plan and gave no problems during the time we had it, and this was the pre-facelift model 2005.

 

[Mrcloc]

If you're doing 2-3k km per month, then do yourself a favour and don't buy a small uncomfortable car. Even a 1 may be a bit uncomfortable (for me it is at least). Also, 320d is very light on fuel. Look for a 320d or 520d. The 5er is fantastic to drive, but it is quite big. You may also find a 530d and not a 520d - the 20ds are held tightly onto (in the price range, I would rather get the 20d).

That said, if your budget is up to R200k (for a new car), then drive some cars. Cars I would go drive include Polo (and the sedan), Jetta, Audi A4 (even the A3), Elantra as well as the Cerato / Rio / Soul. Test driving is fun!

I have driven many cars. 320d wins all the time. It's super comfortable, solid, high quality and fantastic engine. I owned an '05 320d - drove it to 145k km - perfect. Now my '10 320d is on 96k km and going strong - no issues to date.

Good luck!

 

[tman]

Welcome!

I have a 320d LCI - cant say much regarding reliability as Ive only had it for a few months (so far so good).

Economy vs power ratio is pretty much as good as it gets. I went down to the Freestate this weekend and after getting back I filled my tank again. Actual results were 5 liter per 100km and that includes some city driving in Bloem. :thumbs:

 

[ters]

If I can't find one by March, I'll play it safe and get the new Kia Rio for R50k more, but I'd prefer a BMW. :inlove:

You can not compare any other brand to BMW...... The confidence
you experience while driving a BM, will be transferred onto your sales skills! :thumbs:

I also do high mileages monthly, and enjoy every minute I travel in my office!! :inlove:



Ters.

 

[Quentin Legend]

Thanks guys!

Well today I went to Monaco Motors (guy called me this morning, after enquiring about a 320d on Autotrader) to have a look at a 2010 320d with 98 500km on the clock, full service history, Xenon lights, dual climate control, sunroof etc etc.

Price is R169k.

Fell in love with the car, its absolutely amazing!

My mind is definitely made up, waiting until February is going to be a b*tch :nonono:

Will also see if I can find a 530d.

EDIT: @ASH - Renault Clio's run in the family, I personally don't like them, k*k slow and loses value faster than a BMW (Or feels that way anyway).

 

[ChefDJ]

Will also see if I can find a 530d.

:joy:

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Can't go wrong with a well looked after BMW.. :thumbs: I also drive a lot and would rather do that in an awesome car :rollsmile:

 

[RAArmstrong]

Will also see if I can find a 530d.

:joy:

+1 :joy:

You'll be able to find some very decent E60's in that price range :rollsmile:

 

[Andy1GP]

Good afternoon fanatics,

You don't have a introduction sub forum (that I could find anyway) so I'll just introduce myself here.

My name is Quentin and I moved to Gauteng a few months ago, I work for Canon Business Centre Pretoria (Head office in Hatfield), Sales Rep.

I'm getting everything ready and doing all my research as I am planing on getting a new car in February / March next year, currently my money is on a new Kia Rio 1.4TEC @ R200k.

But since I've always wanted to drive a BMW and it's also a very popular brand at work, I've decided to consider a second hand BMW320d or 120d Coupe. :rollsmile:

My main concern is, naturally the maintenance. And yes I've spent the last 2 days reading up on the forums and using the SEARCH function, but there seems to be mixed views regarding maintenance on these cars. (I do between 2000-3000km's per month) :dizzy:

Budget is around R150k.

Any tips / advice / recommendations?

Firstly welcome :wave:

Forums are nice places where we share our experiences with cars. But very few people can give you all the answers you need.

My advice is to join in one of the meetups/breakfast runs or other get togethers and speak to some of the fanatics that own a similar car to what you're looking at. And even better speaking to someone that works on those cars and knows them well. They're your best bet and getting all the answers you need.

Thanks guys

Is R150 000 a reasonable budget for a decent 2007-2009 320d?

I'm going to be buying in February / March. Reliability and features is very important to me as I'm a rep and spend a lot of time in my car.

You can look at 330d's in that price range as well. Consumption is not that much more than you think. Driver satisfaction is that much more though.

Year model is ofcourse very appealing since you get more features. Hands free blue tooth, pull away assist mp3 player etc.

It's hard to know if you've found a good one since you don't know what you're looking for yet. Again if you join a meetup you'll quickly get a feel of what a cared for BMW looks like and drives like. There should be no compromise. They do drive THAT good. Even the pre owned ones. (the cared for ones of course)

Enjoy the search

 

[Quentin Legend]

Good afternoon fanatics,

You don't have a introduction sub forum (that I could find anyway) so I'll just introduce myself here.

My name is Quentin and I moved to Gauteng a few months ago, I work for Canon Business Centre Pretoria (Head office in Hatfield), Sales Rep.

I'm getting everything ready and doing all my research as I am planing on getting a new car in February / March next year, currently my money is on a new Kia Rio 1.4TEC @ R200k.

But since I've always wanted to drive a BMW and it's also a very popular brand at work, I've decided to consider a second hand BMW320d or 120d Coupe. :rollsmile:

My main concern is, naturally the maintenance. And yes I've spent the last 2 days reading up on the forums and using the SEARCH function, but there seems to be mixed views regarding maintenance on these cars. (I do between 2000-3000km's per month) :dizzy:

Budget is around R150k.

Any tips / advice / recommendations?

Firstly welcome :wave:

Forums are nice places where we share our experiences with cars. But very few people can give you all the answers you need.

My advice is to join in one of the meetups/breakfast runs or other get togethers and speak to some of the fanatics that own a similar car to what you're looking at. And even better speaking to someone that works on those cars and knows them well. They're your best bet and getting all the answers you need.

Thanks guys

Is R150 000 a reasonable budget for a decent 2007-2009 320d?

I'm going to be buying in February / March. Reliability and features is very important to me as I'm a rep and spend a lot of time in my car.

You can look at 330d's in that price range as well. Consumption is not that much more than you think. Driver satisfaction is that much more though.

Year model is ofcourse very appealing since you get more features. Hands free blue tooth, pull away assist mp3 player etc.

It's hard to know if you've found a good one since you don't know what you're looking for yet. Again if you join a meetup you'll quickly get a feel of what a cared for BMW looks like and drives like. There should be no compromise. They do drive THAT good. Even the pre owned ones. (the cared for ones of course)

Enjoy the search

Thanks for the excellent advice!

When is the next Gauteng get-together?

Will I really be able to find a 2008-2010 330d with relatively low km's on the clock for around R150k?

All I've seen for that price range is well looked after 320d's with +- 100 000km on the clock?