E92 325i Coupe SE - thoughts and experience
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm after a practical, modern, frugal petrol car and the E90 Coupe just fits my criteria. What I really mean is it doesn't really fulfill my criteria but I pretty much fell for one when I was viewing a boring Mercedes estate.
Any thoughts on real world MPG, reliability, power, handling, comfort, must have options, buying tips etc. appreciated.
This is the one I viewed but seems overpriced? Going to have a look at an alternative on Thursday.
Thank you,
Robert.
I'm after a practical, modern, frugal petrol car and the E90 Coupe just fits my criteria. What I really mean is it doesn't really fulfill my criteria but I pretty much fell for one when I was viewing a boring Mercedes estate.
Any thoughts on real world MPG, reliability, power, handling, comfort, must have options, buying tips etc. appreciated.
This is the one I viewed but seems overpriced? Going to have a look at an alternative on Thursday.
Thank you,
Robert.
JFReturns said:
My budget would be for a 2007 so the 2.5. If I averaged 28mpg+ I would be happy - is this realistic?
I'm unsure if that's possible in a 2.5l, I have a n53 330i and I average 29mpg, so 28mpg might be a bit optimistic from an early 2.5l, but I suppose a lot depends on what type of use it'll be getting, city driving, motorway driving etc etcIf you could stretch your budget it would be worth getting the n52 3.0 engine, very reliable engine by all accounts
Phateuk said:
a4cabrio said:
My advice would be to avoid Big Motoring World like the plague, 2 mins on Google will explain all.
<snip>
This.<snip>
The car had a couple of problems after I collected it which they bent over backwards to sort out, had a full set of Bridgestone runflats fitted at the PDI (a grands worth of tyres)and was loads cheaper than anywhere else. They also gave me the What Car "Clean" trade in price for my old car even though the bodywork was ropey. They do a hard sell on the gardx crap, warranties and finance, but I didn't take any of it.
Dealers like Car Giant and Big Motoring world aren't perfect, but they are aware of consumer protection law and if your car has apparant faults, then they know they have to sort them out - unlike most small independent dealers who just get cars in from the auction, stick them on sale and hope for the best. Then if you're unlucky the dealer might not take your calls when you complain and you end up out of pocket(as I have in the past!).
tomic said:
Phateuk said:
a4cabrio said:
My advice would be to avoid Big Motoring World like the plague, 2 mins on Google will explain all.
<snip>
This.<snip>
The car had a couple of problems after I collected it which they bent over backwards to sort out, had a full set of Bridgestone runflats fitted at the PDI (a grands worth of tyres)and was loads cheaper than anywhere else. They also gave me the What Car "Clean" trade in price for my old car even though the bodywork was ropey. They do a hard sell on the gardx crap, warranties and finance, but I didn't take any of it.
Dealers like Car Giant and Big Motoring world aren't perfect, but they are aware of consumer protection law and if your car has apparant faults, then they know they have to sort them out - unlike most small independent dealers who just get cars in from the auction, stick them on sale and hope for the best. Then if you're unlucky the dealer might not take your calls when you complain and you end up out of pocket(as I have in the past!).
The smaller site in Canterbury was better. The salesman we spoke to was pushy, but not too bad. However, its the price that puts me off! The 325 coupe listed above is around a grand too much IMO so I won't consider it.
I've calculated my fuel costs based on 20mpg and it's not too bad, but I'm going to consider the 320i as it seems to have the efficient 2.0 engine with 170bhp but appears far more frugal.
Anyone care to share their experience of this engine? I'm concerned it won't have quite enough 'shove' to keep me entertained compared to the older 2.5.
Anyone care to share their experience of this engine? I'm concerned it won't have quite enough 'shove' to keep me entertained compared to the older 2.5.
JFReturns said:
tomic said:
Phateuk said:
a4cabrio said:
My advice would be to avoid Big Motoring World like the plague, 2 mins on Google will explain all.
<snip>
This.<snip>
The car had a couple of problems after I collected it which they bent over backwards to sort out, had a full set of Bridgestone runflats fitted at the PDI (a grands worth of tyres)and was loads cheaper than anywhere else. They also gave me the What Car "Clean" trade in price for my old car even though the bodywork was ropey. They do a hard sell on the gardx crap, warranties and finance, but I didn't take any of it.
Dealers like Car Giant and Big Motoring world aren't perfect, but they are aware of consumer protection law and if your car has apparant faults, then they know they have to sort them out - unlike most small independent dealers who just get cars in from the auction, stick them on sale and hope for the best. Then if you're unlucky the dealer might not take your calls when you complain and you end up out of pocket(as I have in the past!).
The smaller site in Canterbury was better. The salesman we spoke to was pushy, but not too bad. However, its the price that puts me off! The 325 coupe listed above is around a grand too much IMO so I won't consider it.
tomic said:
Phateuk said:
a4cabrio said:
My advice would be to avoid Big Motoring World like the plague, 2 mins on Google will explain all.
<snip>
This.<snip>
The car had a couple of problems after I collected it which they bent over backwards to sort out, had a full set of Bridgestone runflats fitted at the PDI (a grands worth of tyres)and was loads cheaper than anywhere else. They also gave me the What Car "Clean" trade in price for my old car even though the bodywork was ropey. They do a hard sell on the gardx crap, warranties and finance, but I didn't take any of it.
Dealers like Car Giant and Big Motoring world aren't perfect, but they are aware of consumer protection law and if your car has apparant faults, then they know they have to sort them out - unlike most small independent dealers who just get cars in from the auction, stick them on sale and hope for the best. Then if you're unlucky the dealer might not take your calls when you complain and you end up out of pocket(as I have in the past!).
JFReturns said:
My budget would be for a 2007 so the 2.5. If I averaged 28mpg+ I would be happy - is this realistic?
This should not be too hard, I get an indicated 30 mpg from mine. Generally 29 when brim to brimmed. That's on a 25 mile round trip every day to work through the a50 traffic that can be very slow and stop start. I've done 40 on a run many times. Matt99man said:
This should not be too hard, I get an indicated 30 mpg from mine. Generally 29 when brim to brimmed. That's on a 25 mile round trip every day to work through the a50 traffic that can be very slow and stop start. I've done 40 on a run many times.
Thanks for the reply Matt. That makes the 325 (2.5) a valid option.I'm going to test drive one or two Thursday, but can you tell me a little about your ownership experience thus far?
I realised I meant to add more to my last post but it double posted and I got side tracked.
Anyway - have you considered the saloon rather than coupe? When I was considering these the saloon was often a fair bit cheaper - especially if in SE guise. You should get a newer/lower milage etc car for your money, or a cheaper one and save some towards fuel.
Anyway - have you considered the saloon rather than coupe? When I was considering these the saloon was often a fair bit cheaper - especially if in SE guise. You should get a newer/lower milage etc car for your money, or a cheaper one and save some towards fuel.
Phateuk said:
I realised I meant to add more to my last post but it double posted and I got side tracked.
Anyway - have you considered the saloon rather than coupe? When I was considering these the saloon was often a fair bit cheaper - especially if in SE guise. You should get a newer/lower milage etc car for your money, or a cheaper one and save some towards fuel.
The Saloon is also a fairly nasty looking thing whereas unusually for a 3 Series Coupe, which prior to the E92 looked like a 2 door 3 Series saloon, the E92 was quite different exterior styling wise.Anyway - have you considered the saloon rather than coupe? When I was considering these the saloon was often a fair bit cheaper - especially if in SE guise. You should get a newer/lower milage etc car for your money, or a cheaper one and save some towards fuel.
It also has felt lined door bins and the E90 has plastic ones. If that isnt enough to convince you then what is
Fox- said:
Phateuk said:
I realised I meant to add more to my last post but it double posted and I got side tracked.
Anyway - have you considered the saloon rather than coupe? When I was considering these the saloon was often a fair bit cheaper - especially if in SE guise. You should get a newer/lower milage etc car for your money, or a cheaper one and save some towards fuel.
The Saloon is also a fairly nasty looking thing whereas unusually for a 3 Series Coupe, which prior to the E92 looked like a 2 door 3 Series saloon, the E92 was quite different exterior styling wise.Anyway - have you considered the saloon rather than coupe? When I was considering these the saloon was often a fair bit cheaper - especially if in SE guise. You should get a newer/lower milage etc car for your money, or a cheaper one and save some towards fuel.
It also has felt lined door bins and the E90 has plastic ones. If that isnt enough to convince you then what is
My considerations at the time went from E92 (slightly over budget), E90 sport (couldn't get on with styling), onto E60 Sport (pre LCI a bit dated, LCI too much), ended up with an E86 Z4.
JFReturns said:
My budget would be for a 2007 so the 2.5. If I averaged 28mpg+ I would be happy - is this realistic?
Autocar tested a 6-sp manual box mated to this engine ( 2.5 218bhp/184lbft )Consumption figures they recorded were
Test average 27.2 mpg
Touring route 36.1 mpg
Track use 11.6 mpg
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