Bmw 3 series for 6-7k, What model?

Bmw 3 series for 6-7k, What model?

Author
Discussion

HarperLad

Original Poster:

8 posts

106 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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Hi all, I've decided for my next car I will be getting a BMW 3 series of some sort. However, I'm not sure which model/ age is best for me.

I only do around 5000 miles a year, so was thinking petrol would be a better choice than diesel. But then there is the question of which engine? I can afford to insure and run the 330i (even at 19, insurance is just 1600). Although i'm not sure i'd need an engine that powerful, so perhaps the 325i or 320i is better suited.

I know you can pickup some fairly decent e90's for the price, but it might be a wiser investment to spend it on a better condition e46?

Also, when going to look at these cars, any key points to check for?


Just want ya thoughts please!

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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if you are looking at the 325i just go for the 330i.

Tax costs and fuel costs are very similar so it is worth getting the extra power.

Munter

31,319 posts

240 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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I had an E90 325i for 6k.

The fuel breather pipe was worn through and spilt fuel all over the place if you filled it up. Took the dealer 2 weeks to fix it...

And it used 1L of oil every 600 miles.

But other than that it was fine.

alistair267

218 posts

147 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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I'd get a late, good spec E46 330 and keep the change for the extra insurance/petrol rather than going for an E90 320 but I am biased.

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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Dannbodge said:
if you are looking at the 325i just go for the 330i.

Tax costs and fuel costs are very similar so it is worth getting the extra power.
This is what the market thinks too and consequently the 330i is generally noticeably more money than a 325i. A tidy 325i can be quite a nice buy at £6-7k versus a trashed 330i.

pointedstarman

551 posts

145 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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The 6 cyl models are much nicer than the 4 pots. Get the best 325i or 330i you can find. At your budget you're looking at older / mileage cars so buy on condition and history in the same way anyone buying a classic car does. Yes, the 330i is the faster car but if you find a 325i with a good history and lots of options buy that, it's a great car and if you use the full performance of either car it won't be long before you're a 19 /20 yr old with several points on your licence and then see what that does to your insurance premium!!

cerb4.5lee

30,191 posts

179 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
quotequote all
Munter said:
And it used 1L of oil every 600 miles.
I thought my 2006 E90 330i was bad and I have just put my 6th 1L top up in mine in 11k miles and they do enjoy drinking oil and mine is currently on 59k miles.

OP I think you will be happy with either a 325i or 330i and as others have said just get the best example you can find, they are a nice all round car but they carry too much kerb weight which does spoil things, other than that though they are a nice steer and handle well too.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
quotequote all
HarperLad said:
Hi all, I've decided for my next car I will be getting a BMW 3 series of some sort. However, I'm not sure which model/ age is best for me.

I only do around 5000 miles a year, so was thinking petrol would be a better choice than diesel. But then there is the question of which engine? I can afford to insure and run the 330i (even at 19, insurance is just 1600). Although i'm not sure i'd need an engine that powerful, so perhaps the 325i or 320i is better suited.

I know you can pickup some fairly decent e90's for the price, but it might be a wiser investment to spend it on a better condition e46?

Also, when going to look at these cars, any key points to check for?


Just want ya thoughts please!
I'm referring here to coupe's, I don't think you said what you wanted but I'm guessing coupe, cos of your age, etc.

I would go for the E46, and a good one which is possible at that price. Overall, they are felt the more reliable generation so odds on they would cost less in maintenance.

I've had a E46 and loved it, it was more of an impulse buy, i.e. the specific car on a forecourt of a family friend and therefore the fact it was a 325ci over a 330ci never came into my head. I would, if possible, get a 330ci but I'd place condition of car and it being a manual gearbox above the difference in power. 325 is still plenty quick compared to most of the dross on the roads; not suggesting you are a boy racer, but you'll take most at the lights wink I did !!

After 3 years I needed MORE power, lots more and have now got 335i E92 and it's awesome. However, apart from this brilliant engine and a slight improvement in handling (already very good on E46 I should add) there are down sides to the E90 series.

Looks. I think most agree, E46 is the much better looker, overall.
Size, it's smaller and is therefore a better size, for parking and on our crowded city streets. It just feels right, light and perfectly proportioned. I also think, at your age, the E90 can seen too grown up. Certainly in some colours/specs, and deffo if not a coupe!!
The driving position is lower, I believe, well it certainly feels it and it's more driver focused and crucially you feel more connected to the road.
you don't have the RFT issue: - i.e. either horrible RFT tyres, or if you swap, the " what do I do for a spare issue. "

In essence, if it wasn't for the 335i engine, I would never have changed. Having a similar n/a straight six engine (325/330) in a E90 even though faster wasn't fast enough or exciting enough for me.
























bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
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cerb4.5lee said:
I thought my 2006 E90 330i was bad and I have just put my 6th 1L top up in mine in 11k miles and they do enjoy drinking oil and mine is currently on 59k miles.

OP I think you will be happy with either a 325i or 330i and as others have said just get the best example you can find, they are a nice all round car but they carry too much kerb weight which does spoil things, other than that though they are a nice steer and handle well too.
OTOH my 125i has used about 2 litres in the 14k I've owned it, now on 71k, so as always these things do seem to vary.

I was actually going to suggest a 125i Coupé as an alternative but they don't seem to be dropping in price at all - not much on the market below £12k at the moment, but maybe a 130i would do the trick?

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
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Not sure if it will be in budget but I'd get a 325i or 330i e46 sport coupe facelift if you can, they still look fresh with a lovely interior and nice engines.


cerb4.5lee

30,191 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
bodhi said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I thought my 2006 E90 330i was bad and I have just put my 6th 1L top up in mine in 11k miles and they do enjoy drinking oil and mine is currently on 59k miles.

OP I think you will be happy with either a 325i or 330i and as others have said just get the best example you can find, they are a nice all round car but they carry too much kerb weight which does spoil things, other than that though they are a nice steer and handle well too.
OTOH my 125i has used about 2 litres in the 14k I've owned it, now on 71k, so as always these things do seem to vary.
Yes I agree and I am guessing that whoever ran my engine in didn't do a very good job and just laboured it or the engine hasn't appreciated me giving it some stick because maybe it wasn't use to it, I think they are a recognised engine that does use oil anyway though.

cerb4.5lee

30,191 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
Wills2 said:
Not sure if it will be in budget but I'd get a 325i or 330i e46 sport coupe facelift if you can, they still look fresh with a lovely interior and nice engines.

When I first read the thread this is what came to my mind as well because as you say they are nicer to look at than the E9x and have a more interesting interior too, I also prefer the noise the earlier 3 litre engine makes...thinking about it why didn't I go for an E46 330i!!

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes I agree and I am guessing that whoever ran my engine in didn't do a very good job and just laboured it or the engine hasn't appreciated me giving it some stick because maybe it wasn't use to it, I think they are a recognised engine that does use oil anyway though.
Yep, just like the M54 in the E46 that preceded it. I've always taken it as a small price to pay for running these otherwise superb engines - they will drink a little oil, but once you start it up or make a dash for the red line, all that annoyance disappears smile The N52 in my 125i really is the greatest engine I've ever pedalled, and I think you'd need to go up to an M car or something else seriously potent to beat it.

cerb4.5lee

30,191 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
bodhi said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes I agree and I am guessing that whoever ran my engine in didn't do a very good job and just laboured it or the engine hasn't appreciated me giving it some stick because maybe it wasn't use to it, I think they are a recognised engine that does use oil anyway though.
Yep, just like the M54 in the E46 that preceded it. I've always taken it as a small price to pay for running these otherwise superb engines - they will drink a little oil, but once you start it up or make a dash for the red line, all that annoyance disappears smile The N52 in my 125i really is the greatest engine I've ever pedalled, and I think you'd need to go up to an M car or something else seriously potent to beat it.
Yes I agree entirely and the N52 is a belter for sure and I never tire of winding it around to the redline either, I don't find the oil top ups a big problem and its just I have not been used to an engine that uses so much so its just a little surprise that's all.

I think its nice to run one of the last BMW N/A engines too in this Turbo Charged engine world we live in now, I like Turbo`s as well but wish they still made a N/A 6 pot also.

bigalx

135 posts

119 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
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I had a 2001 E46 330 CI Sport when i was 23 and apart from it being an auto it was brilliant - did about 30k in it and averaged about 28mpg and only required servicing, tyres and passenger seat sensor. Other than that it was a amazing car and still today in my eyes is a very pretty car and sounds awesome as well - the car i regret selling the most.

I bought a 2006 e90 manual 330i about 6 weeks ago (total steal 64k miles, full bmw history, required an inspection 2 and mot - got through both of these with no comments - paid £3.7K for the car and through a freidn who is a BMW mechanic sorted the car with Msport Kit & 18 alloys for another £1k inclduing the service & MOT costs - even came with private plate). Im averaging about 28mpg and again its a great car. I would say my E46 was probbaly a more driver focused car, and whilst not as quick was a more sporty feel - than again maybe thats because i am a little older - but still if your only doing 5k miles a year i would say go petrol and a straight 6 since they really are so much better compared to a 4 pot and whilst the diesels are now getting better and quicker they just arent the same (thats after 120k miles in 4 years driving a 2001 320td!).

Like a few others have said my recommendation would be a well looked after e46 330ci (check the arches for rust) - maybe even the club sport model - ideally a manual since it wont be too much longer and a straight 6 non-turbo or even manual will be a rare thing - plus there will be little depreciation to worry about and you may even find prices go up.

Either way 5k miles a year in a diesel could be more expensive than running a pertol if the turbo blows.


wax lyrical

881 posts

240 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
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My E93 335i (auto) uses about 1 litre every 15k miles, so I'm pretty pleased about that! smile

It's clocked up 104k miles so far.

cerb4.5lee said:
I thought my 2006 E90 330i was bad and I have just put my 6th 1L top up in mine in 11k miles and they do enjoy drinking oil and mine is currently on 59k miles.

OP I think you will be happy with either a 325i or 330i and as others have said just get the best example you can find, they are a nice all round car but they carry too much kerb weight which does spoil things, other than that though they are a nice steer and handle well too.

cerb4.5lee

30,191 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all

cerb4.5lee said:
I thought my 2006 E90 330i was bad and I have just put my 6th 1L top up in mine in 11k miles and they do enjoy drinking oil and mine is currently on 59k miles.

OP I think you will be happy with either a 325i or 330i and as others have said just get the best example you can find, they are a nice all round car but they carry too much kerb weight which does spoil things, other than that though they are a nice steer and handle well too.
wax lyrical said:
My E93 335i (auto) uses about 1 litre every 15k miles, so I'm pretty pleased about that! smile

It's clocked up 104k miles so far.
That is some contrast in oil usage!...I knew I should have gone with the 335i. smile

wax lyrical

881 posts

240 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
Well both my turbos had to be replaced a year ago due to waste-gate rattle (fortunately under Mondial warranty), so it's not all good news! smile

cerb4.5lee said:
That is some contrast in oil usage!...I knew I should have gone with the 335i. smile

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
£1,600 at 19? Ouch, most I paid was £1,200 at 17 and that hurt enough.

Anyway, for £5k I'd be looking at a tidy E46 330Ci Sport/M Sport. Go for condition and history in favour of mileage, those engines are good for 200,000 miles without any major issues.

Spec xenons, black leather and heated seats as standard. Other nice to have (but not essential) options include the Harmon Kardon system and sunroof.

Gearbox is a matter of choice but I wouldn't want to sacrifice pace or economy over a wafty auto in a car like the 330Ci. Save that for an E class/5 series later on.

Pocket the rest of the cash for that silly insurance and running the thing. It will need repairs but it will mostly be niggles.

I get 25mpg on a 7 mile each way commute, 35mpg on longer motor way runs.

Drinks 1l of oil per 1,000 miles. I attribute that to the small journeys I do.

Absolutely no need for a diesel at 5,000 miles per annum.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 10th June 16:22

cerb4.5lee

30,191 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th June 2015
quotequote all
wax lyrical said:
Well both my turbos had to be replaced a year ago due to waste-gate rattle (fortunately under Mondial warranty), so it's not all good news! smile

cerb4.5lee said:
That is some contrast in oil usage!...I knew I should have gone with the 335i. smile
That is a fine example of how a warranty can be a very good investment for sure, I would love the extra shove from the turbo`s in mine. smile