Which of these is potentially more likely to be a money pit?

[MonkeyMalloo]

Hi all,

First post so please go easy on me

I've been trying to narrow down my options for my next car. A new job means I'll be doing 20k miles per year now, a mix of motorway plus rough and ready rural tracks/lanes prone to flooding either end. I'm really after something spacious (for hobbies/dog) with 4WD for the crappy bits but something that's also comfy, economical-ish and punchy for the motorway bits. Oh and with an auto box too.

My budget is 14k and I've narrowed it down to these:

- BMW 330D Touring X-Drive (2015): 60000 miles
- Audi A4 Avant Quattro 2.0TDi (2016): 60000 miles
- BMW X3 2.0D (2015): 60000 miles

My big worry never having owned a BMW or Audi is the risk factor at this age/mileage of a potential heart-stopping failure or big-bucks repair. Especially with the transmission or engine. I don't have deep pockets so don't know whether these would be too risky. I do need to consider running costs/servicing/consumables. In an ideal world would prefer Euro 6 to help future-proof it but I don't think they do a Quattro A4 Avant in my price range that's Euro 6.

Anyone got any experience of these? Thanks

Cheers

[RazerSauber]

Picking models and mileage isn't much use. You'd need to see service history on the vehicle, check the condition of the car to see if it's abused and check MOT history for any recurring problems (Might be hard when they've only had 1 or 2 MOTs). the thicker the service history the better. It still relies on some luck though.

I had a few BMW's and a lot of parts weren't that expensive, it was engine parts where prices seemed to go up rapidly.

[Flumpo]

How are you paying for the car? If running costs are something that worry you, look into leasing.

You know exactly what your outgoing is every month and what you need to budget for.

Not for everyone, but worth comparing and all under warranty.

[MonkeyMalloo]

Yep agreed. I would only buy any of these if it was in great condition, one-owner and full service history, preferably main dealer.

I know that isn't any sort of a guarantee, and I guess that's where my concern is. The 'what if I'm really unlucky' thought...

[MonkeyMalloo]

Flumpo said:

How are you paying for the car? If running costs are something that worry you, look into leasing.

You know exactly what your outgoing is every month and what you need to budget for.

Not for everyone, but worth comparing and all under warranty.

Yes would prefer to lease, but I'll be financing through a bank loan. It's my only option currently.

[BopoWarls]

MonkeyMalloo said:

Hi all,

First post so please go easy on me

I've been trying to narrow down my options for my next car. A new job means I'll be doing 20k miles per year now, a mix of motorway plus rough and ready rural tracks/lanes prone to flooding either end. I'm really after something spacious (for hobbies/dog) with 4WD for the crappy bits but something that's also comfy, economical-ish and punchy for the motorway bits. Oh and with an auto box too.

My budget is 14k and I've narrowed it down to these:

- BMW 330D Touring X-Drive (2015): 60000 miles
- Audi A4 Avant Quattro 2.0TDi (2016): 60000 miles
- BMW X3 2.0D (2015): 60000 miles

My big worry never having owned a BMW or Audi is the risk factor at this age/mileage of a potential heart-stopping failure or big-bucks repair. Especially with the transmission or engine. I don't have deep pockets so don't know whether these would be too risky. I do need to consider running costs/servicing/consumables. In an ideal world would prefer Euro 6 to help future-proof it but I don't think they do a Quattro A4 Avant in my price range that's Euro 6.

Anyone got any experience of these? Thanks

Cheers

You wont regret the 330d. I don't have the touring or X-Drive but I've recently purchased an F30 330d. Incredible car and beautiful engine. I'm doing about 25/30k a year and I'm getting 52mpg on my drive from Shropshire to Norwich. The 3.0 ltr engine alone make it a better choice than the x3 or 2.0 tdi in the audi (I've owned that one).

Get it....

[TheDrownedApe]

BopoWarls said:

MonkeyMalloo said:

Hi all,

First post so please go easy on me

I've been trying to narrow down my options for my next car. A new job means I'll be doing 20k miles per year now, a mix of motorway plus rough and ready rural tracks/lanes prone to flooding either end. I'm really after something spacious (for hobbies/dog) with 4WD for the crappy bits but something that's also comfy, economical-ish and punchy for the motorway bits. Oh and with an auto box too.

My budget is 14k and I've narrowed it down to these:

- BMW 330D Touring X-Drive (2015): 60000 miles
- Audi A4 Avant Quattro 2.0TDi (2016): 60000 miles
- BMW X3 2.0D (2015): 60000 miles

My big worry never having owned a BMW or Audi is the risk factor at this age/mileage of a potential heart-stopping failure or big-bucks repair. Especially with the transmission or engine. I don't have deep pockets so don't know whether these would be too risky. I do need to consider running costs/servicing/consumables. In an ideal world would prefer Euro 6 to help future-proof it but I don't think they do a Quattro A4 Avant in my price range that's Euro 6.

Anyone got any experience of these? Thanks

Cheers

You wont regret the 330d. I don't have the touring or X-Drive but I've recently purchased an F30 330d. Incredible car and beautiful engine. I'm doing about 25/30k a year and I'm getting 52mpg on my drive from Shropshire to Norwich. The 3.0 ltr engine alone make it a better choice than the x3 or 2.0 tdi in the audi (I've owned that one).

Get it....

Just got rid of a 330d touring (2015) after 87,000 miles. I never managed 52mpg on any drive (including Coventry to St Ives 3 times a year) but over those miles we averaged about 38mpg (wife driving for commute through town/country).

However I agree with the above that the car is great and the engine and gearbox generally very reliable.

[MonkeyMalloo]

BopoWarls said:

You wont regret the 330d. I don't have the touring or X-Drive but I've recently purchased an F30 330d. Incredible car and beautiful engine. I'm doing about 25/30k a year and I'm getting 52mpg on my drive from Shropshire to Norwich. The 3.0 ltr engine alone make it a better choice than the x3 or 2.0 tdi in the audi (I've owned that one).

Get it....

Yes I do REALLY like the idea of a 330D! The only thing I keep reading though is people talking about the terrible ride quality with RFs on typical rough, broken UK roads. How do you find it?

[pb8g09]

MonkeyMalloo said:

Yes I do REALLY like the idea of a 330D! The only thing I keep reading though is people talking about the terrible ride quality with RFs on typical rough, broken UK roads. How do you find it?

Simple fix- don’t get the M-Sport, look for Modern trim if you want a decent spec but some side wall. Mine runs like a magic carpet.

[Pericoloso]

Flooded roads and a normal 3 series or A4 might not go well.

[rfn]

I honestly think I'd suggest a Skoda Superb as an alternative to the above. Certainly likely to be cheaper to maintain.