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

[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

[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!

[kenam]

Gompo said:

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..

Good to know, thanks for the info -

What did you have previously? Whats so bad with he 130?

[kenam]

aussieal said:

The N52 came in 3.0 and 2.5 guise, both normally aspirated like the N53 but not with the later direct injection.

The N53 was a 3.0 engine whether in the 325i or the 330i, but obviously in different states of tune and potentially with some different parts such as the exhaust manifold.

Not sure if there ever was a newer version of the 2.5 N52, think it just stopped and was replaced with the N53. The 130i then had the only remaining N52 in it. My car is a June 2007 N52 330i manual, from what I can gather that engine ceased production in the E90 3 series at the end of August 2007, presumably together with the 2.5.

cool - so any 07/57 registered 325i should be the n52 - from what I gather this is generally accepted as a less trouble free but slightly thirstier?

[kenam]

thanks - very handy to know.


All the ones I am looking at are 2.5l N52s (N52B25O1) - that's still good a engine? not quite a peppy as the 3l n52 in a 130.. (which I have never driven btw!!) but still gonna be quite fun?

Any other opinions good or bad on the 325s?

Thanks again!

[kenam]

Also - I heard when reading about 130i's (might even be earlier in this thread) there are issues with earlier n52s - I guess I am isolated from this somewhat?

[kenam]

Smuler said:

Saw an earlier post where you were looking for E92s.

OP. Here's a E92 325 in action. I'm a big E46 fan and wouldn't have upgraded below a 335i BUT c'mon reality check any of these E92 straight six cars are head and shoulders above most of the dross on the roads, and if you're renting it sounds like you've driven that dross. A coupe is best on looks/image and you will have pre lci (facelift) which I think is better looking. I'd recommend a manual gearbox, on any normally aspirated car for fun. I've not driven a 130 but could imagine a smaller car with that engine would be fun, but the E92s do handle well with good heavy steering feel. 330 is faster, for sure, but it won't reach the next level in performance so if costs/ availability are a factor I wouldn't 'die in a ditch' over getting a 325. I didn't find the gap to the 330 big enough coming from my E46. And if this is your first BMW straight six coupe you will love it.

I get the flavour that the N52 is preferred on reliability, but I wouldn't buy a car on overall reputation of engine. The E46s are widely seen as more reliable than E92 and the 335i (particularly N54) is widely seen as the problem child of the E92s and yet mines been faultless and now having surpassed the mileage on the E46, when I bought it, the 335i is using less oil and running costs are the same.


https://youtu.be/U_meO-WgIc0

Thanks for that - some nice common sense there while I go nuts comparing stats! Its not only my first straight 6 - my first bmw (actually first car for a long time!) I just wish I wasn't stuck up in NI for now as choice is very limited..

Re reliability - reckon I will grab a 3rd pty warranty for 1st year anyway - seems to be worthwhile.

See your point re the Auto vs Manual - for other reasons I prefer a manual anyway- but again.. choice limited a little

stevesingo said:

What about a 320Si?

OK, not exactly fast, but has a unique engine (which is not as unreliable as some might say 40kmiles in our in 2years, no issues) which sounds great as it passes 6.5k rpm, and the best handling E90 you can get due to the lightest engine fitted to the E90.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

Judging by the prices of the above, they seem to be holding value pretty well too.

Looks good - but even fewer to chose from! Part of the reason for looking at the 325s vs (for example 130) was the availability - if possible I will be buying in NI or Scotland and as we are hitting some summertime would prefer sooner rather than later!

[kenam]

Cheers!

Smuler said:

I would try for a BMW Insured Warranty I hear much more positives about them than others.

That the ones from https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/ ?

Thats what I have been looking at so far. Approx £500 if mileage under 60k (which one or two I am looking at are just under!)

I will travel a fair bit at weekends and the odd trip across to scotland so a full UK warranty is probably preferable than a local dealers x months free warranty

[kenam]

Also thanks all - I thought when I put this thread up all the advice would be - "Take your poxy 7k and use it as a deposit on a new 640"!