7.5k budget - options?

[kenam]

• * tldr; got 7.5k to spend - what can I buy that doesn't suck! * *

Hi, been lurking here on and off for years, but now I am looking to buy a car (I have been working overseas for a while and been using crappy rental cars for a while)

Looking at buying a BMW and considering my options for a fairly limited budget (I could go more but ideally want to cap it at 7.5k);

I would prefer at least a 120d/i (Ideally I would love a go in a 130i, but I don't think its possible as I am at the poor end of the market in this price point (feel free to convince me otherwise!)

I think in this price point a 320 may also be possible, but will be a little longer in the tooth - plus I think I prefer a 1 series over a 3 - dunno what it is but I prefer a small hatch over a mid saloon!

Points to consider:
I wont drive for work, mainly weekend use - so not too bothered about eeking out the derv economy (and actually - there would be enough short journeys to make me worry over the diesel)
If buying 1 series prefer the hatch (for inconvenience/space for stuff/Dog etc!) - this probably also means 5 doors (but then budget means this anyway!)
Want a little bit of fun!
Would like as high an internal spec as possible

Looking around there are a good few options on 120d/i but for a 130 I am looking at 10y/o 80k+ millage


Is any of this realistic - i.e. deciding between the 4 cyl petrol and diesel 120 it seems a post 2007 120d is best bet (remembering to get some good long runs in it)? Is it unrealistic to expect even a high mileage 130 at this price? What are acceptable bounds for millage on these models anyway?

Help!
km

[nickfrog]

Reliability record between 120d and 130i alone would make 130i my choice irrespective of age/mileage. And you get the last ever inline 6 NA sold by BMW, and arguably their best non-M.

[cerb4.5lee]

nickfrog said:

Reliability record between 120d and 130i alone would make 130i my choice irrespective of age/mileage. And you get the last ever inline 6 NA sold by BMW, and arguably their best non-M.

[Heathwood]

You're not scraping the barrel with 7.5k for a 130i. Yes, it'll be 8 years old or so but, if it's anything like mine, it'll feel half that age. They're quite cheap to maintain and are a bit of an enthusiasts car so I reckon most would have been well looked after. Trust me, if you have a yearning for a 130i, a diesel will not do.

[cerb4.5lee]

Heathwood said:

Trust me, if you have a yearning for a 130i, a diesel will not do.

Agree and if you have a genuine interest in cars the diesel will only make you very depressed...very quickly, so get the petrol.

[edition]

Agreed get the 130. Decent ones are now getting harder to find and don't seem to be depreciating so much if any.

[rb5er]

A 2.0td is weak. Keep your money and buy a shed.

On a separate note...have you driven a 1series? I can't get on with the overly fat steering wheel, offset pedals and crappy gearbox but some people do love 'em.

[ZX10R NIN]

If it has to be a 1 series then here's a 130i
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

but I'd go for the 3 series

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Mr Tidy]

If you do decide 1 Series diesel at least get a 123d - I sold mine last year well within your budget.

BUT I now have straight 6 petrol loveliness and will never go back to dieseasal!

130i should be in budget although it may be a bit leggy - you may get a better E90 330i for the same money as 130i's seem to have suddenly become very popular (probably partly due to the owners on places like this enthusing about them)! Still you get the same engine in early E90 330is.

Or if performance is not so crucial you ought to get a really nice 325i.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a 320i E90 as they are only 4 cylinder engines so no quicker than the diesels and probably not much more economical than the 6 cylinder ones.

Good luck anyway!

[NatAsp]

I went from a 330d to a 130 and the difference was night and day in terms of driving experience. The 330 was a lovely car and the torque made it great to drive in normal conditions but it felt rather soulless when driving in a 'spirited' fashion.

Based on what you plan to use the car for there is absolutely no comparison. The 130 is a brilliant machine; there are not many others like it and never will be again (A RWD hatch with a relatively big, powerful naturally aspirated engine). It's just got a certain character that these modern day forced induction cars can't match. Mine was on 125k when I shifted it and still running great.

I am biased though - "Check out the name tag!"

You're obviously going to get a higher spec with a 120i but the difference in performance and all around fun will disproportionately higher in a 130 IMO.

Basically, if you don't get the 130, you're MENTAL!

[kenam]

Ha - a few posts to get through including quote of the day "A 2.0td is weak. Keep your money and buy a shed."

I guess 7-8k isnt too bad a budget - I get a little worried tho when it comes to buying an almost 10 y.o car with 70-90k miles on the clock.

I have never even so much as sat in a 1 series - so far I am basing all this on online reviews/top trump style number comparisons!! Whats making this more difficult is I am in NI at the moment - so its gonna be hard to find a good deal - the 130i's are already fairly hard to find - never mind one that is close enough to me and on budget!

How does an older higher mileage 130 compare to for example a 123d of similar age mileage - taking out all the nice things about the 6 cyl (i.e. horsepower, even power distribution and beautiful noise ) - i.e. does the twin turbo make it more of a risk to own in terms of servicing/ complications?


Due to sheer complications of sourcing the 130 (or even a 123d) what's the next best bet for something a little decent and reliable? Are the older (for example) 4cy 2.0 petrols really so bad?


Also - performance not crucial - I just want a reasonable car inside and out that doesnt drive like the 1.2 3cyl golfs and other crappy rental cars I have been using for last few years... of to check out 325s in the busget too

[no effort]

Have you thought about the e46 330ci?
Better looking than the e90 shape.

[rb5er]

If you haven't driven a 1series go and drive one before deciding to buy one. I can't get on with them at all.

[Smuler]

I'd endorse the suggestion of an E46 and ideally a manual 330ci ; but 325ci manual too. You should get a nice one for that price.

I think the 1's of that generation look like mini vans.

[Sohlman]

Another options is the 320si. This was a Motorsport division developed 2 litre for homoligan purposes for BTCC. It's got 170bhp, but has lighter engine, full msport spec, but with special wheels and is a revy engine based on the older engine which is more reliable than the standar 2 litre. I believe the suspension is also different. They made about a 1000 so it's rare.

[Defcon5]

Is that e46 or e90?,sounds interesting

[Sohlman]

E90

[aussieal]

Without making a sweeping generalisation, just be careful if you do consider the 320Si.

There is a recurring theme with the engines on them lunching themselves. Don’t know anything about the standard 320i to draw any comparisons, but the 320Si engine shouldn’t be seen as a more reliable option – a quick google search will pull up quite a few stories.

As for the E90 330i, I’ve had mine for 3 years now and done almost 40k in that time with nothing more than routine maintenance. It’s about to tick over 80k and I would happily put another 40k on it before thinking of changing it.

[Gompo]

You'd get my 130i for that, not a perfect example but you won't get many 3-doors for less. May not be good enough spec for you anyway though. Great cars but I've not quite gelled with it personally. It is a big difference to my previous cars..

[kenam]

Thanks again for the replies - more (good) food for thought!

Due to the availability and my location I think the 130i is (sadly) out for now..

I am eyeing up some e92 330i and 325is (I actually prefer the e46 coupes, but a little old now) * *

Am I right in saying that for a 2007 325i its a N53B25 engine? i.e. newer version of the n52 in the 130 (and at 2.5l vs 3l of course)? And then the N53B30 for the 330?

The N52 got great reviews and is relatively low maintenece, what can I expect form the n53? I know little about the differences between naturally-aspirated and injected etc - other than well.. one is injected and one aint lol!

• * yes I indicated preference for a hatch, but the mrs loves the coup so its a compromise - big engine and fewer doors for win win!