First car in UK - £3000 budget, eyeing BMW 1 series

[Sconner]

Hey Guys, I'm looking for my first car with steering wheel on the right. I live in London so in my budget it would need to be petrol, other than that I don't have much requirements. I'd prefer 4-5 seater that would be fun to drive, maybe decently reliable but that's about it.

I've been looking for BMW 1 series for the last week, something like this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

What do you think about my choice, maybe some other options? Thanks!

[ZX10R NIN]

If it has to be a BMW I'd recommend going for a 3 Series rather than a 1 series more space better built and just as good a steer.

320i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

320 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

325 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I'm guessing insurance won't be cheap with you being new to the UK.

[Sconner]

Thanks for the reply! I'll have a look at 3 series as well then. How's with reliability of these cars? I'd like to not invest more than 500 a year to maintain it

[ZX10R NIN]

Get something else as there'll be times when you're spending double that this will be mileage dependent of course but cheap to buy doesn't mean cheap to run.

Tyres, suspension brakes gearbox services (if you buy an auto) can add up

[Sconner]

ZX10R NIN said:

Get something else as there'll be times when you're spending double that this will be mileage dependent of course but cheap to buy doesn't mean cheap to run.

Tyres, suspension brakes gearbox services (if you buy an auto) can add up

Would you have any other recommendation in regards to my choice? Cheers

[ZX10R NIN]

With your maintenance costs in mind I'd say one of these is a good call.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[MorganP104]

ZX10R NIN said:

With your maintenance costs in mind I'd say one of these is a good call.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

A nice selection (as always), but the OP only wants to spend £3k.

[Chozza]

ZX10R NIN said:

If it has to be a BMW I'd recommend going for a 3 Series rather than a 1 series more space better built and just as good a steer.

320i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Off topic ...but I don't I've ever seen picture of a car being washed at a dodgy back-street car wash in a car ad before!

Just think of the swirls

[ZX10R NIN]

MorganP104 said:

A nice selection (as always), but the OP only wants to spend £3k.

My mistake in which case haggle hard & a budget stretch:

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Alfa Giulietta Veloce 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Megane GT Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Sconner]

ZX10R NIN said:

MorganP104 said:

A nice selection (as always), but the OP only wants to spend £3k.

My mistake in which case haggle hard & a budget stretch:

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Alfa Giulietta Veloce 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Megane GT Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

These all look great but anything above 3000 is a no go for me, I'd like to leave some budget for eventual repairs. I like this Astra though, pretty car.

Thank you for these ads!

[ZX10R NIN]

Haggle them down man

[Sconner]

Is it normal to be able to haggle down 20% of the price? As you can see I'm pretty new to this

[Sconner]

Is it normal to be able to haggle down 20% of the price? As you can see I'm pretty new to this

[ZX10R NIN]

No but (forget the cars that are over 3.5K) getting a decent amount off isn't so if something is 3.5k then paying 3.0-3.2k (depending on what you find when looking around the car) is very achievable.

[Sconner]

So at the end I want for 116i in fairly good price leaving some budget for any necessary repairs. I will get it tomorrow, change oil and try to get used to driving on the left. Thanks everyone for their input!

[Mr Tidy]

Good luck.

[roadsmash]

These threads always make me chuckle. Someone creates a new account to ask for advice, then totally ignores it and buys the car they were advised not to.

See you around OP, hope the car turns out great.

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP I just hope you'll upping your maintenance budget.

[Sconner]

Oh no, don't get me wrong, I didn't ignore everyone's recommendations. I made a choice based on various factors, let me summarise them in point since english is not my first language and it could be unreadable.

1. All recommendations were really helpful. I've checked for similar models in my area, sadly reduced to just 10 miles around my postcode which I can get to on foot or using uber, during this lockdown as not to use public transport. Cars that I found in my are were either not in good condition or over my budget.
2. I didn't mention it before but I have a very good friend of mine who I live with who owns 1 series. I took him with me for a viewings for an extra piece of mind, he knows these cars and was able to pinpoint me various things when looking around it. We also avoided the worst engines settling for n43b16 which seems to have the least problems of all (not mentioning 6 cylinder versions which were out of my budget).
3. I went under budget, paying 2500 and leaving 500 in my pocket for any unforeseen faults, which gives me better piece of mind than stretching my budget and using my credit card if anything pops up. Also I think it's better to do something yourself and be sure about the quality of repair and piece of mind.

So once again, this thread wasn't pointless, it gave me a wider perspective of what's available around, next time when my budget will be larger and I will have more experience with regards to driving and car buying I will definitely come back.

Huge thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and expertise!

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you have left yourself a little extra for maintenance enjoy the car