e92 coupe - purchase and mileage question

e92 coupe - purchase and mileage question

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belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

I've decided to buy the 325i-330i coupe however I have a question!

So i'm looking at a saving of £2,000 if I chose a model with nearly 100k miles, or spending the £2,000k to get one with with roughly 60-80k miles.

Do you think it's worth the saving or not? I only do about 8,000 miles a year.

See below, the first is the more expensive one, second is the cheaper option (guide line only, I may not actually buy these particular ones)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Smiley198700

158 posts

115 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
at 80k miles its recommended to get the gearbox oil done (notice you are looking at autos) which i've been quoted about £400 for so that might be something to bear in mind.

Never driven a 325i but from when I was looking (although I have a E90 330i) its noticeably slower than the 330 but no cheaper to tax/fuel etc so i'd probably go for a slightly older/higher mileage 330 over a lower mileage/newer 325


belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
Yeah ideally i'd like the 330.

I've just messaged the seller if the gear box oil has been done (100k car).

The steering wheel looks a bit hammered, will it cost alot to change it aesthetically?

p1tse

1,375 posts

191 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
gearbox oil is sealed for life i think, so i doubt it will be changed unless enthusiast owned wanting to get it done, so wouldn't put that off

i agree i think the 325i is a fair bit slower with no benefit gains in running costs

330i is nice

at that budget, how about e46 m3?

a mate picked up a 150k+ mileage example and seems good

belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
Unfortunatly I only love the shape of the e92 coupe! Thanks though.

So would you say, save my money and go for the cheaper 100k version?

xxChrisxx

538 posts

120 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
325i (2.5) is about 5-10% better on fuel than 250HP 330i. Though it's definitely lacking bottom end performance. I know I own one... if I was buying another I'd have the 330i.

That 325i strikes me as distinctly overpriced by at least £1500.

I would never rule out any car that fits what I want. I wanted 6 cylinders, a manual box and leather. I bought the 325 because it was cheap (much cheaper than the others at the time). Price is always the denominator.

Edited by xxChrisxx on Monday 29th September 14:47

belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
Please bear in mind that all my searches include the iDrive which may be why?

Is it severly lacking performance low end enough to be a problem do you think? I'm coming from a heavy A3 1.6 so i'm used to slow moving!

xxChrisxx

538 posts

120 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
belloni said:
Please bear in mind that all my searches include the iDrive which may be why?

Is it severly lacking performance low end enough to be a problem do you think? I'm coming from a heavy A3 1.6 so i'm used to slow moving!
er... depends on what you want and what you are used to.

For a traffic light grand prix, it's fine. Fly up the revs in 1st and keep it there, it's quick but by no means a rocket ship. For speed on the move, being in the right gear at the right time is very important (just seen you are after an auto, so changing gear lots doesn't really apply). It's the bottom 1/3rd of the rev range where it feels slow.

Looking at the 0-60 times on parkers, there is a pretty large gap between the auto and manual vs. the 330i. It sort of indicates that the auto box ratios aren't exactly optimised for the 325i. Which not only impacts performance, but economy too.

It's plenty fast enough for the road, has a nice, refined power delivery. Occasionally I find myself craving more.

Edited by xxChrisxx on Monday 29th September 15:04

belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
My A3 is really sluggish and the power just isn't there when I need it, which is frustrating to say the least if the situation requires it.

I'm not actively looking at auto by the way, that just happens to be the case with the links, i'm not fussed by auto or manual.

So based on your help so far, if it's 325i find a manual. If it's a 330i, auto or manual. The 330i at 100k miles is OK considering the mileage i'll be doing?

p1tse

1,375 posts

191 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
belloni said:
Unfortunatly I only love the shape of the e92 coupe! Thanks though.

So would you say, save my money and go for the cheaper 100k version?
that's fair enough
first one looks like it's running on rubber bands, are they really that low profile from factory?

second one, just not a fan of the alloys.
but the second one would be my choice based on engine alone, but make sure you get decent spec too

Smiley198700

158 posts

115 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
I think the 330i has very little go below 2500rpm (although my previous car was a 1.9 diesel, compared to a 1.6 A3 the 330 will have more low end grunt) and the gearbox can get a bit paranoid about economy and change up too early during town driving. But if the 325 sounds anything like the 330 and you aren't too bothered about the extra grunt then i don't think you'd be dissapointed

xxChrisxx

538 posts

120 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
belloni said:
My A3 is really sluggish and the power just isn't there when I need it, which is frustrating to say the least if the situation requires it.

I'm not actively looking at auto by the way, that just happens to be the case with the links, i'm not fussed by auto or manual.

So based on your help so far, if it's 325i find a manual. If it's a 330i, auto or manual. The 330i at 100k miles is OK considering the mileage i'll be doing?
Don't get hung up on mileage. Condition and service history is key. A 100k mile car that feels nice and tight, with documented, regular service history is better than a 60k mile car that feels slightly baggy and crashy and only has one stamp.

There are real bargains in 'high' milers, as people are overly concerned with 6 figures.

The only thing I will say is, no used car is ever 'perfect' they all have some niggly stuff. I never buy to the top of my budget and set aside an amount for fixing the inevitable irritating faults that crop up.

belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
p1tse - I believe they are all that "low" so no changes there. The spec looks good, iDrive, auto lights/wipers etc.

Thanks for all the help so far, really appreciate it.

When it comes to reselling, which I can imagine me doing so in say about 2-3 years, I guess the mileage may be an issue then? As like you say, people get hung up on it.

This one seems like a good 325i, low mileage and heated seats and manual -
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Argh, can't decide! Leaning towards saving the £2,000 money mainly, and getting the cheaper one out of the lot...

mocca

319 posts

154 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
Funnily enough I was looking at that 330 and thinking what good value it was, spec looks decent too. I'd definitely be having a look at it were I in a position to change. Having owned a 330i e46 and had a mate with a 325i, i'd say always hold out for the 330 as the gulf in performance was notable but i seemed to get better mpg. The difference in official figures in this case is minute any way.

I'd echo the comments on buying on condition rather than mileage - E90s in general seem really strong and wear well, 100k wouldn't bother me.


belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
mocca said:
Funnily enough I was looking at that 330 and thinking what good value it was, spec looks decent too. I'd definitely be having a look at it were I in a position to change. Having owned a 330i e46 and had a mate with a 325i, i'd say always hold out for the 330 as the gulf in performance was notable but i seemed to get better mpg. The difference in official figures in this case is minute any way.

I'd echo the comments on buying on condition rather than mileage - E90s in general seem really strong and wear well, 100k wouldn't bother me.
Did you actually go and view it? It's had only one lady owner also, which is good (I think!). She's only 20 miles away from me, so hopefully go see at the weekend if I can.

mocca

319 posts

154 months

Monday 29th September 2014
quotequote all
No it'd just caught my eye while idly browsing AT - will be looking to change to something exactly like this in 6 months though. Let us know how you get on.

belloni said:
mocca said:
Funnily enough I was looking at that 330 and thinking what good value it was, spec looks decent too. I'd definitely be having a look at it were I in a position to change. Having owned a 330i e46 and had a mate with a 325i, i'd say always hold out for the 330 as the gulf in performance was notable but i seemed to get better mpg. The difference in official figures in this case is minute any way.

I'd echo the comments on buying on condition rather than mileage - E90s in general seem really strong and wear well, 100k wouldn't bother me.
Did you actually go and view it? It's had only one lady owner also, which is good (I think!). She's only 20 miles away from me, so hopefully go see at the weekend if I can.

belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
Me again! As the seller is a bit and miss. Just a feeling I currently have, so incase that goes..."tits up". What about the below? Starting to think, I really, really want it in this colour! Also, as it's a 325i, but the engine is 3.0L, based on what i've been told that means it will have ED features, so another plus.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

p1tse

1,375 posts

191 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
That looks nice with nice spec

But for me I think I would always hold out for a 330i

I would compromise on colour over engine

Have you driven either?
Also autos go well with bigger engines these days

But if that's what budget gets you a 325 is still a nice motor
What are you coming from?

belloni

Original Poster:

27 posts

114 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
p1tse said:
That looks nice with nice spec

But for me I think I would always hold out for a 330i

I would compromise on colour over engine

Have you driven either?
Also autos go well with bigger engines these days

But if that's what budget gets you a 325 is still a nice motor
What are you coming from?
Based on the help from previously, recommended if I do pick a 325 to get a manual, but for 330 - get an auto. Havn't driven either yet.

Coming from a 2007 A3 1.6, so sluggish and heavy frown

xxChrisxx

538 posts

120 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
Updated N52 engine didn't get put in til midway through 07 on the saloon, not totally sure about the coupe.

I'd double check its actually the 3.0.