Buying my first 3seriers

[kentlad]

I was just wondering what 6 cylinder 3series any-one would recommend as ive only owned a 1.1 citroen saxo...shocking and a big step up i know. Im going to be 20 when i buy the car. Insurance isn't a worry...can get insured on anything up to 2.5ltrs but would prefer a 2ltr. my budget for the car will be around £8k. any ideas on where to look also? i would prefer a 3door....im considering going on a couple of track days when ive had the car for a while and might do a few minor tweeks to the engine...cheers for any help/sugestions.

[obscene]

I took a similar leap to you (also 20 here) and went from a 1.25 Fiesta Finesse to an 02 330. I think if you only want to look up to a 2.5 litre your best shot is an E46 325. If you like the E36's take a look as you'll save alot when buying and then have money left to modify it if you want to.

I tested a 318 before I got my 330 and funnily enough I thought a standard 2.0l mondeo was a much better drive until I tested the higher powered BMW's. My opinion would be to at least get a 325 and maybe even have a look at the 330 but just check your insurance as that is a heavy factor. Try as much as you can and see what you like.

Edited by obscene on Tuesday 6th January 23:26

[Nigel Worc's]

Have a chat with the chaps on here :

http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/default.asp

And of course check out insurance for your particular needs.

[Nigel Worc's]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

He says £8,000 in his post

[Romanymagic]

well if you are thinking of the e46 330, you are going from a Fiesta with a 0-60 of 12.7 seconds and 70 odd BHP to a BMW with a 0-60 of around 6 seconds and 231 BHP. Aside from the insurance, I am guessing you will notice a huge leap in difference. Perhaps something a little less potent may be worth a punt. My original suggestion would have been a 318 sport E36, but I guess they are getting quite old now, so perhaps an E46 320?

Please note the above is not meant horribly, its just sometimes its worth approaching significant increases in performance in stages rather than vast jumps.

[Nigel Worc's]

Romanymagic said:

well if you are thinking of the e46 330, you are going from a Fiesta with a 0-60 of 12.7 seconds and 70 odd BHP to a BMW with a 0-60 of around 6 seconds and 231 BHP. Aside from the insurance, I am guessing you will notice a huge leap in difference. Perhaps something a little less potent may be worth a punt. My original suggestion would have been a 318 sport E36, but I guess they are getting quite old now, so perhaps an E46 320?

Please note the above is not meant horribly, its just sometimes its worth approaching significant increases in performance in stages rather than vast jumps.

Oh how I couldn't agree more.

Being really serious, not taking the piss at all, and not knowing your driving experience, have you looked at driver training, as you seem to be interested in cars, going on what your looking at buying.

At your age a complete course is only £90....all in

http://www.iam.org.uk/