£10k - BMW 330i alternatives?
£10k - BMW 330i alternatives?
Author
Discussion

Danbo

Original Poster:

65 posts

274 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
I went to test a 330i auto today and really liked it, except the car itself was not quite the right one and there do not appear to be many for sale overall. There also do not appear to be many 330d's about either. I would have one with Sat Nav as I really dislike the interior without it and Black leather 'ideally'. Would also prefer a manual.

What alternatives should I be considering in case the right 330 does not appear? Needs to have 4 seats (I have two small kids) but is not the family car so does not have to be hugely practical. I am not overly bothered about fuel consumption as I do not do many miles but would prefer it was not in the top tax bracket if possible.

Any thoughts?






Max M4X WW

4,984 posts

203 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
B7 A4/S4?
5 Series?

Both with various diesel/petrol engines available.

sday12

5,066 posts

232 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
330d for 10K would be ropey/and or high miles, manuals are hard to find.

If fuel consumption is not and issue, get a manual 330i, they seem to be the bargains.

NadiR

1,071 posts

168 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Saab 9-5 Aero. You can get easily get one full of goodies for under 10k.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Danbo

Original Poster:

65 posts

274 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Max M4X WW said:
B7 A4/S4?
5 Series?

Both with various diesel/petrol engines available.
I had a B7 RS4, so sort of feel I have done those... 5 series I should consider though.

Would the SAABs not feel a bit 'cheap' in comparison?

I am thinking a manual 330i would tick the boxes... The auto was nice, but just not quite there....






Edited by Danbo on Monday 9th April 15:04

Crusoe

4,114 posts

252 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
130i manual
Golf gti with dsg if you want an auto
Audi with the same engine or VRS Skoda

s m

24,102 posts

224 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Danbo said:
I went to test a 330i auto today and really liked it, except the car itself was not quite the right one and there do not appear to be many for sale overall. There also do not appear to be many 330d's about either. I would have one with Sat Nav as I really dislike the interior without it and Black leather 'ideally'. Would also prefer a manual.

What alternatives should I be considering in case the right 330 does not appear? Needs to have 4 seats (I have two small kids) but is not the family car so does not have to be hugely practical. I am not overly bothered about fuel consumption as I do not do many miles but would prefer it was not in the top tax bracket if possible.

Any thoughts?
Lexus IS300? Doesn't seem to be anywhere as quick in the road tests I've read and seems to be no manual version in the UK.

Similar type of car though

Crusoe

4,114 posts

252 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Decent E46 M3 is in budget too

djglover

424 posts

238 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Golf R32 / A4 3.2 / Some V8 barge

Personally I got the 330i and don't regret it. Couldn't think of a lot else that was 3l rear drive and a saloon that wasn't Lexus or Mercedes (Bleugh)

Danbo

Original Poster:

65 posts

274 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Crusoe said:
Decent E46 M3 is in budget too
would love one, but insurance quotes are too high!

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

219 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
sday12 said:
330d for 10K would be ropey/and or high miles, manuals are hard to find.

If fuel consumption is not and issue, get a manual 330i, they seem to be the bargains.
I can vouch for the 330d being very good has good performance which frankly is more than enough for most occasions and the vast majority of people while also having the economy. Win win.
The downside is that the 330i sounds much better

Agreed you do need pro nav and leader heater seats and Bluetooth

Max M4X WW

4,984 posts

203 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
I presume we are talking E46 here not E90?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

219 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Max M4X WW said:
I presume we are talking E46 here not E90?
Nope E90

Danbo

Original Poster:

65 posts

274 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Yep E90, the one I drove earlier was very nice, it was an M Sport auto with full BMW service history and a decent spec, however the leather was not Black and it was an auto,
which is not the end of the world but not perfect.

There are just not that many for sale though at this price point, so I think I will have to go and have another look in the dry to see what the paint is like.

Just trying to look for other options if this one does not work out, as ideally I want to find something by the end of the month.

tgr

1,198 posts

192 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
If you're patient they will appear, you have no control over the timing and just have to have a bit of luck. Having said that, setting yourself a deadline of the end of the month may not work in your favour if you're forced into a car you didn't really want. I would hold out for what you want

rich85uk

4,156 posts

200 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
130i, same engine but in a smaller,lighter and more nimble than the 330

you might find a 6 series V8 in budget, probably at the bottom end of the scale for these cars but find a genuine one and you will get alot of car for your money

Audi S4( V8 model) poor mpg and abit dull looking (can be a good thing) compared to an m sport but four wheel drive and 340bhp make them well worth considering

Danbo

Original Poster:

65 posts

274 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
tgr said:
If you're patient they will appear, you have no control over the timing and just have to have a bit of luck. Having said that, setting yourself a deadline of the end of the month may not work in your favour if you're forced into a car you didn't really want. I would hold out for what you want
Yep you are probably right. Was just hoping not to have to spend any money on the car I have now which will need tax and MOT soon, but not worth rushing into anything just because of that. I'm just impatient. smile

RWD cossie wil

4,380 posts

194 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Danbo said:
would love one, but insurance quotes are too high!
What's the difference between the two?

Roadrunner23

545 posts

216 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
Focus ST

Danbo

Original Poster:

65 posts

274 months

Monday 9th April 2012
quotequote all
RWD cossie wil said:
What's the difference between the two?
From £700 for the 330i to £1200 for the M3.