Really want a BMW 320/330 - questions
Discussion
Having recently cleared my debt (credit cards) the last thing I should really be doing is looking to replace the car, however, it has had constant issues and requires a new part every month. This isn't down to poor maintenance, which I keep on top of, but mainly due to the age of the car.
I want a saloon next, I have a growing family and the 3dr hatchback is starting to feel a bit cramped. I do 15k per annum / circa 50 miles a day so diesel makes sense (or at least I can't justify a petrol car, sadly). I looked at Saab 9-5s, Vectras and Mondeos, all of which have their issues in isolation (DPFs, DMFs, injectors etc.). These may be cheaper to buy, but I'm concerned I'll be spending more on keeping them running than I might something more expensive?
As a petrolhead it pains me to drive a diesel anyway, so I want something with a least a little spirit about it. I have recently become fixated with the e46 3-series, as several people at work run them (all 320d's). Specifically the Sport spec or at the very least an SE.
I appreciate that these are very popular / common cars, so I'm hoping to reach out to former / current owners.
My current car costs peanuts to run (306 HDi) on paper, but with the ongoing repairs and now lack of trust my Mrs has for it, I can justify the extra £30-50 a month running costs of a bigger car - provided that's where the spending stops.
I put a spreadsheet together (exciting!) and the cost difference between running a 330d vs. a 320d is about £36 a month. Somewhat unbelievably, the insurance is cheaper on the 330d - I'm putting this down to the popularity of the 320 and the frequency which they are crashed?
I wouldn't mind a 320d - they still appeal very much, but a 330 sounds like a lot more of a petrol heads car, even if it does run on the dirty stuff.
I'd be looking to spend up to £3,500 ideally, which is low-ish money for a decent BMW and it will have more than 100,000 miles on it. Whilst I could get an XYZ car for less money with less miles on it, I don't want to suddenly get bored of it and learn to hate it - afterall, I'm going to be the one driving it for around 90 minutes every day. I've gotten bored of cars quickly in the past and its' an expensive exercise.
I'm wondering if there's anything I've missed, without making this post even more boring / long. I've researched as much as I can and would just appreciate some advice, as long as it's not too insulting!!
I'm trying to arrange a viewing on a 330d SE manual asap, which looks very nice indeed.
I want a saloon next, I have a growing family and the 3dr hatchback is starting to feel a bit cramped. I do 15k per annum / circa 50 miles a day so diesel makes sense (or at least I can't justify a petrol car, sadly). I looked at Saab 9-5s, Vectras and Mondeos, all of which have their issues in isolation (DPFs, DMFs, injectors etc.). These may be cheaper to buy, but I'm concerned I'll be spending more on keeping them running than I might something more expensive?
As a petrolhead it pains me to drive a diesel anyway, so I want something with a least a little spirit about it. I have recently become fixated with the e46 3-series, as several people at work run them (all 320d's). Specifically the Sport spec or at the very least an SE.
I appreciate that these are very popular / common cars, so I'm hoping to reach out to former / current owners.
My current car costs peanuts to run (306 HDi) on paper, but with the ongoing repairs and now lack of trust my Mrs has for it, I can justify the extra £30-50 a month running costs of a bigger car - provided that's where the spending stops.
I put a spreadsheet together (exciting!) and the cost difference between running a 330d vs. a 320d is about £36 a month. Somewhat unbelievably, the insurance is cheaper on the 330d - I'm putting this down to the popularity of the 320 and the frequency which they are crashed?
I wouldn't mind a 320d - they still appeal very much, but a 330 sounds like a lot more of a petrol heads car, even if it does run on the dirty stuff.
I'd be looking to spend up to £3,500 ideally, which is low-ish money for a decent BMW and it will have more than 100,000 miles on it. Whilst I could get an XYZ car for less money with less miles on it, I don't want to suddenly get bored of it and learn to hate it - afterall, I'm going to be the one driving it for around 90 minutes every day. I've gotten bored of cars quickly in the past and its' an expensive exercise.
I'm wondering if there's anything I've missed, without making this post even more boring / long. I've researched as much as I can and would just appreciate some advice, as long as it's not too insulting!!
I'm trying to arrange a viewing on a 330d SE manual asap, which looks very nice indeed.
I'll happily be corrected by someone more familiar with bmw's engines than myself, but I doubt you'll avoid any dpf issues with a bmw any more than with any other modern diesel. Most of the costs you mention you're trying to avoid are associated with all modern diesels rather than the cars you've quoted such as mondeos.
This shouldn't put you off though, I own an insignia cdti 160 and as long as you give it a decent run every now and then you shouldn't have any dpf issues.
This shouldn't put you off though, I own an insignia cdti 160 and as long as you give it a decent run every now and then you shouldn't have any dpf issues.
Rich1973 said:
So let me get this straight.
You are looking to buy an old high mileage BMW diesel to reduce your motoring costs?
Do you have a plan B?
At no point did I want to reduce my motoring costs.You are looking to buy an old high mileage BMW diesel to reduce your motoring costs?
Do you have a plan B?
I appreciate that running a bigger car = higher running costs, so with my recent payrise I can comfortably accommodate anything up to around £80-150 per month extra spending - but the way I have calculated it so far is that the additional costs will be much less than that.
I would love a Touring, I think they even look better than the Saloon, but they fetch a premium and it would likely be a leggier / lower spec example on my small budget.
The alternative is to increase the budget of course, but I'm trying to avoid that if I can help it.
C.A.R. said:
My current car costs peanuts to run (306 HDi) on paper, but with the ongoing repairs and now lack of trust my Mrs has for it, I can justify the extra £30-50 a month running costs of a bigger car - provided that's where the spending stops.
Buying a high mileage diesel BMW in order to guarantee that the spending will stop 
Stick with the Peugeot until you can afford a lower mileage car, or spend 500 guid less on the equivalent petrol and put the difference towards fuel.
How much more have you budgeted for maintenance compare to the 306?
I ran a high mileage (150k) petrol bmw for 6 months. The bills are eye watering. I used a specialist rather than a dealer too. With the more modern cars, you can't use any old joe as they don't have the know-how or equipment required to diagnose and fix quickly.
I may have been unlucky, but mine was an 06 car so probably newer or similar to those in your budget, and I spent iver £5k to aquire it (e61 5 series).
In the 6 months I ran it, it did me for £1800 in maintenance. Electrical gremlins, duff battery, knackered steering rack, wearing tyres unevenly, you name it. AFTER all that maintenance and costs, it THEN did it's head gasket and I ditched it for an accord tourer.
I ran a high mileage (150k) petrol bmw for 6 months. The bills are eye watering. I used a specialist rather than a dealer too. With the more modern cars, you can't use any old joe as they don't have the know-how or equipment required to diagnose and fix quickly.
I may have been unlucky, but mine was an 06 car so probably newer or similar to those in your budget, and I spent iver £5k to aquire it (e61 5 series).
In the 6 months I ran it, it did me for £1800 in maintenance. Electrical gremlins, duff battery, knackered steering rack, wearing tyres unevenly, you name it. AFTER all that maintenance and costs, it THEN did it's head gasket and I ditched it for an accord tourer.
The 3 series BM is not a large car inside. Most family hatchbacks of the Focus/Pug 307 size have much much more usable space (exception being the Astra which has no hatch space to speak of).
Rear legroom in particular is a joke. I think you are deluding yourself to justify your choice (and that is before the running cost issue).
Rear legroom in particular is a joke. I think you are deluding yourself to justify your choice (and that is before the running cost issue).
I think it's a good shout. I was looking for an e46 3-series and finally ended up going for a 330d. 7 years later and I still have it. Brilliant car which I just can't justify to sell.
Not sure where all the negative running costs comments are coming from. They are renowned for being reliable. Mine has done 207,000 miles, 150k by me, and it's going fine.
Only thing to consider is that it's common for the auto box to need reconditioning at around 120 - 150 k miles. Mine did at around £1600 but has been fine since.
Not sure where all the negative running costs comments are coming from. They are renowned for being reliable. Mine has done 207,000 miles, 150k by me, and it's going fine.
Only thing to consider is that it's common for the auto box to need reconditioning at around 120 - 150 k miles. Mine did at around £1600 but has been fine since.
Bottom end of the market 3-series diesel?
Good luck!
While they can go on for miles the bork factor is high and they are both less reliable than the Mondeo or Insignia, will cost more to fix and because you'd be getting a higher mileage/older example than the Mondeo/Insignia will have a higher chance to break. As mentioned autoboxes go on them and I for one wouldn't have a diesel without the auto.
In contrast to eltax91's 525i Touring example, I bought a fully loaded 08 Mondeo 2.5T with 64k on in March 2013 for £6.5k, in the 15k so far it's needed servicing and tyres (and it's faster than the 525i
)...
Good luck!
While they can go on for miles the bork factor is high and they are both less reliable than the Mondeo or Insignia, will cost more to fix and because you'd be getting a higher mileage/older example than the Mondeo/Insignia will have a higher chance to break. As mentioned autoboxes go on them and I for one wouldn't have a diesel without the auto.
In contrast to eltax91's 525i Touring example, I bought a fully loaded 08 Mondeo 2.5T with 64k on in March 2013 for £6.5k, in the 15k so far it's needed servicing and tyres (and it's faster than the 525i
)... Thanks for all the comments.
Consider the car will be 10 years old, and that I'll be doing all the servicing and any suspension work myself, reducing labour. Parts prices don't seem as extortionate as some are making out - what parts specifically are more expensive?
I have looked at other cars and they just don't do it for me. I've bought boring cars in the past and ended up swapping them because it's not what I really 'wanted' - costing me more in the long run. If I buy it and it turns out to be in constant need of maintenance and costs me an arm and a leg to run then I'll eat humble pie and go off and buy a Vectra. But isn't being a Pistonhead all about getting the car you want, rather than the one which makes most sense on paper?
I really don't think the space will be an issue - provided I can get a buggy in the rear I'm happy. Legroom is going to be better than my current 306 I'm sure!
Realistically the 320d looks more viable; cheaper to buy and much easier to find. If the 330d could consistently do ~40 mpg I would be OK, but if it regularly dropped below this then it would start to make an impact, together with the increased VED. On that note, a 330d Touring I looked at online said the VED was £265, whereas most others appear to be £225. Is the increase due to the registration date?
Consider the car will be 10 years old, and that I'll be doing all the servicing and any suspension work myself, reducing labour. Parts prices don't seem as extortionate as some are making out - what parts specifically are more expensive?
I have looked at other cars and they just don't do it for me. I've bought boring cars in the past and ended up swapping them because it's not what I really 'wanted' - costing me more in the long run. If I buy it and it turns out to be in constant need of maintenance and costs me an arm and a leg to run then I'll eat humble pie and go off and buy a Vectra. But isn't being a Pistonhead all about getting the car you want, rather than the one which makes most sense on paper?
I really don't think the space will be an issue - provided I can get a buggy in the rear I'm happy. Legroom is going to be better than my current 306 I'm sure!
Realistically the 320d looks more viable; cheaper to buy and much easier to find. If the 330d could consistently do ~40 mpg I would be OK, but if it regularly dropped below this then it would start to make an impact, together with the increased VED. On that note, a 330d Touring I looked at online said the VED was £265, whereas most others appear to be £225. Is the increase due to the registration date?
Having experience of a few of your other threads, you rarely listen to advice. But here goes.
Make sures its a manual. Unless you're comfortable with a £1500 gearbox recon.
330d over a 320d, as if you're going to do it you may as well do it properly.
Look for a long rap shet of parts changed to date. If they haven't bene done, YOU'LL be changing them.
Suspension, cooling system etc are the big ones.
Other than that, enjoy.
Make sures its a manual. Unless you're comfortable with a £1500 gearbox recon.
330d over a 320d, as if you're going to do it you may as well do it properly.
Look for a long rap shet of parts changed to date. If they haven't bene done, YOU'LL be changing them.
Suspension, cooling system etc are the big ones.
Other than that, enjoy.
Tonberry said:
Make sures its a manual. Unless you're comfortable with a £1500 gearbox recon.
Er, except that manual diesels are (more) horrible. Personally I don't like auto's but they are ideally suited to the tiny power band of a diesel. Go drive both auto and manual and see which you prefer.
Rich1973 said:
So let me get this straight.
You are looking to buy an old high mileage BMW diesel to reduce your motoring costs?
Do you have a plan B?
.You are looking to buy an old high mileage BMW diesel to reduce your motoring costs?
Do you have a plan B?
Not really a bad idea.
I bought my daughters 2003 (52 plate) 320d almost immaculate, for 1200.00, when she bought a newer 58 plate same 320d.
I am quite pleased to see mpg figures of 62mpg on my average drive to work and back, over 21 miles each way.
So for me, I have no problem with an older BMW,
Trying not to sound harsh but are you not the poster who started the 'On £25k but poor' thread?
I am not sure buying a 10 year old diesel BMW is a sure-fire way of staying in the black (apart from the diesel bit...).
Why not look at something built to last with lower bork risk - a Volvo V70 or something Japanese? Honda Accord, Mazda 6?
I am not sure buying a 10 year old diesel BMW is a sure-fire way of staying in the black (apart from the diesel bit...).
Why not look at something built to last with lower bork risk - a Volvo V70 or something Japanese? Honda Accord, Mazda 6?
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