Need some input and advice please (3 series related)

[Phoenix]

Hey guys.....

As some of you may know i have a new addition to the family on the way and for obvious reasons i need to change from a 2 door "Sports Car" to a 4 door family saloon. I'd like to stay with BMW and i find myself with the following option....

i'm thinking of selling my car :bawling: , a '95 328i convertable for 75k onco. It has about 165k km on her now. Pics are at http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=11486

She has less than 2k km's on a new prop coupling, and centre bearing and less than 1k km's on new rear tyres and clutch. Do you guys think this is a reasonable price?

Secondly, an acquaintance of mine is selling his e46 320d manual for 50k. I'm unsure of year model at this point but would like to know what are common problems with these cars? i know that his car also has 160k km on it, he is on his 3rd turbo :thinking: (through BMW) and the car still has it's CATS in place. It was his wifes car and this guy takes really good care of his vehicles.

Any help or constructive advice would really be appreciated guys!

 

[gconry18]

4 door M3. Perfect family car.

 

[Phoenix]

LOL, believe me if the budget allowed for it, it'd already be parked outside!

 

[gconry18]

Why not just keep your car and get another E36 4door. Like a 318 or 320. They are rather cheap and easy to find and that way you wont have to give up the your car because you will regret it for a very long time.

 

[Phoenix]

I know ill regret it but i only have 1 car port in my security complex and my better half doesn't have a license yet. Plus I'd hate to see my car standing gathering dust. I love my car to death but this is both a logical as well as a financial decision.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
I would keep the 2 door for now. :excited:
Can't see how it's going to be problem for the next few years. :thinking:
You got a boot, you got back seats, it's just you got 2 doors.
Boot should be big enough for amm the baby stuff,
and the back seat big enough for a baby seat. :thumb:
So I am really struggling to see why you need to sell? :dunno:

 

[Phoenix]

Hey Coisman,

I tried fitting a friends pram in the boot and lets just say it didn't fit.....at all. The compartment where the roof goes into takes up too much space and is and awkward shape. And the 320d seems to be a good deal apart from the turbo problems which concern me. It's really difficult accessing the rear seats due to only having 2 doors. All in all it's just going to be too awkward to keep her.

I'd rather make the sacrifices now and adjust to everything that i can before the baby arrives. You probably saw her at the meet and greet and saw her condition. Do you think my price is reasonable?

 

[gconry18]

Well... let me see. I can 'steal' the car, you then buy a new car with the insurance payout and in a couple of years your car magically appears in your driveway again.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Mmmmm.... you mean the black one that had all the kids in taking photo's???

 

[Phoenix]

Yip, Thats the one!

 

[Coisman]

imp:
the access to the rear seat cant be that bad??
and you aint gonna have the top down with the baby on board,
so hew come a pram can't fit in the boot??
O well, it looks like your mind is made up.
Personally I would skip the diesel, and go for a petrol,
maybe a well looked after 325/328 E46.
What price you looking to pay/buy for?

 

[Phoenix]

It's a solid compartment that the roof goes into, so roof up or down makes no difference because the space is taken. Looking at paying 45k-60k if i can get 75k for mine. Thats why this 320d sounded like such a good deal, otherwise i'd have to go e36 328i 4 door in order to get good quality for my price range.

---

Dam Coisman....you're making me think twice about giving her up.....

 

[Coisman]

imp:
I would REALLY stay away from the diesel, espesially with a new baby on the way.
You know, that "what if" factor...
what if the turbo goes, R10k+ to fix??? with a newborn in the house???
I don't think so, why not go for something like this...
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=12441

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imp:
http://vehicletraders.co.za/BMW/mod...private/second_hand_sales_of_used_cars_1.html

---

imp:
Tell you what, if you see something you like, and want to check the owner history,
I can do that for you. But I really think the diesel route is the wrong route for you.

 

[Phoenix]

Forgot about the turbo....very good point there buddy. OK, 320d is out of the question. I love the e36 so i think, instead of e34 i'd rather go e36 328i (4 door) due to their very cheap price, and then use the extra $$$ to replace things that might need replacing.

OR

Just keep the convertable and find a really compact pram, and then sell the 'vert when the little Crib Midget gets too big and hopefully by that point my student loans are paid off and i can afford a 330i or something similar.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Here's another ad for an E46 325i
http://www.chelstonmotors.co.za/

 

[JustNN]

Its all about family and making the right decision to accommodate your new family, let the vert go(if you get the right price) i would stay away from that 320d if its already gone through 3 turbos:mmm:.
Search around and you can get a e46 320i to 325i from R55k to R65k, even a f/l.

 

[Sankekur]

+1 for 325 or 328 e36 or e46, but I can tell you know you are going to have a hard time finding a decent shape e46 328i, for some reason most of them for sale have been pulled through someone's ass (strange). Rather look for a e36/46 325i or an e36 328i and stay away from the diesels.

 

[Diablo Jnr]

I would stay away from the E46 320d. To many people have had problems with them, especially the turbo's. Think the turbo is about R20, last i heard. Why not get an E46 328i instead.

 

[Tscotten]

I am with Coisman...and not....i love your car!...and i can see so do you...the baby ...well you can get a compact pram..no need to get those BMW sized prams for the baby, small is easier to handle, lighter to pick up and put in the car, unlike the BIG, expensive comfortable space taking prams...rememeber the wife has to get the damn pram in and out of the car...so small, compact light is what you should go for, which solves the boot problem....and alot of other problems from the back and forth carting of your little bundle trust me...been there...

I say keep the car for now....bit of a shelp to get the baby in and out of the car seat...but if your wife is small and short....i cannot see an issue. If however she has long legs and is maybe bigger ...then its gonna be an issue, especially when the darling baby burps up alot of milk and you need to get to the baby quickly...in which case...what space do you have oin the back?...from the pics and all the kids in the fromt and back i cannot see an issue....
my 2 c worth.....but trust me on the small copmact pram thingy!

tash:wave:

 

[moranor@axis]

keep the 2 door can you honestly say its not worth the extra effort...