Noob alert

[hozer]

Howzit BMW veterans
New to all this but hoping it would be a good idea.
Not sure how to do this into, as like I said. My first time. Please go easy
I'm due for an upgrade and looking at a 2009 BMW 320d with 170000 on the clock. Hoping you guys could help me out with positives, negatives, and hopefully some costing ideas on parts that should soon need changing. Would average 4500km a month, 85%highway driving. If that would help with estimates. Helping make my decision easier would be great
Thanks guys. Looking forward to all the good times ahead

 

[SylisM]

Welcome to the forum budd.

 

[hozer]

Thanks man.

Appreciate your time taken to reply

 

[Nobz330i]

Welcome

I heard and read that the 320d’s are bullet proof so you wouldn’t go wrong...

 

[hozer]

Welcome

I heard and read that the 320d’s are bullet proof so you wouldn’t go wrong...

Howzit and thanks for the reply.

A little concerned after reading through some of the posts, people complaining about turbos, and timing chains. Also a different page complaining about the aluminium headbolts causing crap. Any ideas about this or are these just people that are snotty because they don't have the cars?

Just wondering.

Thanks

 

[Wes]

Welcome bud.

At 4500km per month you already know that whatever you're driving, you would go through regular wear items (tyres/brakes) faster than most people.


Regular maintenance and you should be ok. They aren't difficult cars to maintain out of Motorplan and parts prices are pretty reasonable if you shop around and plan ahead.

If the car you are after is a Manual then even better, as I would rather deal with a clutch replacement than a gearbox replacement at 200000km (just an example).

A good aftermarket warranty is maybe something to think about for the big ticket items.

If you have made your peace with the above then it should be a great experience.



Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 

[hozer]

Welcome bud.

At 4500km per month you already know that whatever you're driving, you would go through regular wear items (tyres/brakes) faster than most people.


Regular maintenance and you should be ok. They aren't difficult cars to maintain out of Motorplan and parts prices are pretty reasonable if you shop around and plan ahead.

If the car you are after is a Manual then even better, as I would rather deal with a clutch replacement than a gearbox replacement at 200000km (just an example).

A good aftermarket warranty is maybe something to think about for the big ticket items.

If you have made your peace with the above then it should be a great experience.



Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

Howzit and thanks for the reply.

Now that is a great idea of what's to come. I was expecting the wear and tear. Honestly can't be as bad as what I have now with my polo. 3 years and R180000 in parts only later I am now fully fed up. So yes.

Tyres I'm ok with, planning on taking those run flats off anyway as honestly. Seems like a waste. I'd rather do 100kilos with a "marie-biscuit" than pay extra for rubber. . . . Especially with the potholes we have here.

I was however looking at the auto as I am getting a bit lazy with all the driving. I know, what's the point but still. . . Anything to look at with the autos? If I do go that way(probably).

Car would probably stay with me for the foreseeable future, minimum of 6-8 years, so 324000- 432000 km above the current 170000. . . Would you think there would be a better option to go for a newer 2010 320d with 107000 on the clock, or no real difference. . . .

I do apologize if I am asking a lot. Just really don't want to make the polo mistake again. .

Thanks again for the reply

 

[Wes]

If you had to deal with those kinds of headaches with the Polo then you should be ok with the 320d.

It's not uncommon for them to still be going strong into the 300000km range, some guys have gone alot further as well.

There are plenty around to choose from and when you decide you are done with it after that kind of mileage, it probably won't be worth much to the market, so, buy the car that you like, but treat it as an unknown.

If it has a documented service history then that's great, but if the vehicle is primarily going to be used to enable you to earn an income then go over everything bumper to bumper first.

It will give you peace of mind and would probably minimise the risk of a roadside holiday.

The auto 'box is a debate all on it's own. Some owners will service them, some owners refuse to service them after a certain amount of KM, but if the 'box takes early retirement then you looking at a 30k rebuild.

As for the runflats, it's personal preference. I don't particularly like how hard they are but, should anything tyre related happen you know at the very least you can get it home and having that option is a trade-off I can live with.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 

[hozer]

If you had to deal with those kinds of headaches with the Polo then you should be ok with the 320d.

It's not uncommon for them to still be going strong into the 300000km range, some guys have gone alot further as well.

There are plenty around to choose from and when you decide you are done with it after that kind of mileage, it probably won't be worth much to the market, so, buy the car that you like, but treat it as an unknown.

If it has a documented service history then that's great, but if the vehicle is primarily going to be used to enable you to earn an income then go over everything bumper to bumper first.

It will give you peace of mind and would probably minimise the risk of a roadside holiday.

The auto 'box is a debate all on it's own. Some owners will service them, some owners refuse to service them after a certain amount of KM, but if the 'box takes early retirement then you looking at a 30k rebuild.

As for the runflats, it's personal preference. I don't particularly like how hard they are but, should anything tyre related happen you know at the very least you can get it home and having that option is a trade-off I can live with.

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

Honestly. Great input and really appreciate it.

I'm still leaning towards the auto box tho. Just realized I had a gearbox grease monkey in my family *yay me*.

Car will be used for work purposes as my company decided to move into the next town and we just need to be cool with it. They pay for fuel and all so that's great, but maintenance has a 20% surcharge we need to pay.

Most of the maintenance will be done by me. As like I said this polo has been keeping me busy. But I actually like all the oil and crap. Gives a person that manly feeling *LOL*.

Luckily the one option I'm looking at at the moment has a fsh from smg. Hopefully that counts for something.

I just wanna get a few cost estimates on parts, and hopefully all is good then. I'm really leaning towards this deal now.

So thank you. Really appreciate the honest input.

 

[Jeremy.d]

Hi. BMW Diesels are generally very strong. I think the guys are doing a good job of helping you. I dont really have anything to add, just wanted to say welcome:thumbs:

 

[hozer]

Hi. BMW Diesels are generally very strong. I think the guys are doing a good job of helping you. I dont really have anything to add, just wanted to say welcome:thumbs:

Howzit and thanks for the welcome.

Getting excited about it all now and just waiting for these pesky holidays to end so I can go pick up

 

[Jeremy.d]

Hi. BMW Diesels are generally very strong. I think the guys are doing a good job of helping you. I dont really have anything to add, just wanted to say welcome:thumbs:

Howzit and thanks for the welcome.

Getting excited about it all now and just waiting for these pesky holidays to end so I can go pick up

I had one thought after i made my original post and then went back to read some of the others. If the company is paying for fuel, why not go get a big boosted petrol model? Or even a 330d or something (if you want to stay with Diesel?)

 

[hozer]

Hi. BMW Diesels are generally very strong. I think the guys are doing a good job of helping you. I dont really have anything to add, just wanted to say welcome:thumbs:

Howzit and thanks for the welcome.

Getting excited about it all now and just waiting for these pesky holidays to end so I can go pick up

I had one thought after i made my original post and then went back to read some of the others. If the company is paying for fuel, why not go get a big boosted petrol model? Or even a 330d or something (if you want to stay with Diesel?)

It was a thought, but

1: my financing won't stretch as far
2: don't really see the point of all that power if you can't use it( here in pmb you get a fine for sneezing(feels like it))
3: and lastly, I don't think I trust myself with all that power.

Hope it makes sense

 

[Jeremy.d]

You're from PMB?! Cool. Me too. I kinda had a feeling when you mentioned the potholes haha.
I thankfully havent even been stopped yet in my 4 years of driving...but I know what our cops can be like...

 

[hozer]

You're from PMB?! Cool. Me too. I kinda had a feeling when you mentioned the potholes haha.
I thankfully havent even been stopped yet in my 4 years of driving...but I know what our cops can be like...

Lol awesome.

Small world. I guess. Yeah. I've been struggling even with my polo. 3 years and a crapton of fines. If there's a cop I will be pulled over, that's a promise.

What's your current ride if I may ask?

 

[Jeremy.d]

Most of the time I use what has been a family car for probably 10-12 years and kinda still is my dad's(e30 316i), but I've got an e46 330i which comes ou whenever I feel like a bit more power.
Is the Polo lowered...our cops love stanced cars.:skit: hahaha

 

[hozer]

Most of the time I use what has been a family car for probably 10-12 years and kinda still is my dad's(e30 316i), but I've got an e46 330i which comes ou whenever I feel like a bit more power.
Is the Polo lowered...our cops love stanced cars.:skit: hahaha

I must admit. E46 is where it all began for me. We had a 318i at one stage and that just did it for me.

Polo is almost stock standard except for some buggered paint on some panels, that are now painted black(lazy, I know) and aR45000 sound system now laying all over due to the trade in. So yeah. I guess cops just like me because I can't get away from them fast enough. Lol

 

[Jeremy.d]

Most of the time I use what has been a family car for probably 10-12 years and kinda still is my dad's(e30 316i), but I've got an e46 330i which comes ou whenever I feel like a bit more power.
Is the Polo lowered...our cops love stanced cars.:skit: hahaha

I must admit. E46 is where it all began for me. We had a 318i at one stage and that just did it for me.

Polo is almost stock standard except for some buggered paint on some panels, that are now painted black(lazy, I know) and aR45000 sound system now laying all over due to the trade in. So yeah. I guess cops just like me because I can't get away from them fast enough. Lol

Lol. Dont worry, that diesel Bimmer has plenty torque to get away...not that you'll need to... BMW drivers get away with murder sometimes:smilebounce:

 

[hozer]

Most of the time I use what has been a family car for probably 10-12 years and kinda still is my dad's(e30 316i), but I've got an e46 330i which comes ou whenever I feel like a bit more power.
Is the Polo lowered...our cops love stanced cars.:skit: hahaha

I must admit. E46 is where it all began for me. We had a 318i at one stage and that just did it for me.

Polo is almost stock standard except for some buggered paint on some panels, that are now painted black(lazy, I know) and aR45000 sound system now laying all over due to the trade in. So yeah. I guess cops just like me because I can't get away from them fast enough. Lol

Lol. Dont worry, that diesel Bimmer has plenty torque to get away...not that you'll need to... BMW drivers get away with murder sometimes:smilebounce:

I've read that cops are sometimes more lenient. . . Probably because of the slow patrol vehicles.

#catchmeifyoucan

:smilebounce:

 

[Jeremy.d]

Lol, I think the quickest thing they've got in these parts is that Focus ST... Unfortunately I'm pretty sure it's quicker than a 2l Turbo Diesel... I think he's quicker than my 3.0 6pot too:blueCry: