BMW Convertible Choices
Discussion
Hi,
Finally getting round to upgrading the 2nd car to something better now the boys are bigger, need more room... and more street cred.
Thinking petrol 3 series auto. 1 series seems too small in the back and the 6 series is too big for the school run or supermarket car parks. Already have a 7 series for longer trips.
My only real questions are around engine choices, no diesels please and no super fasts, as we need to keep costs down.
Obviously being tight I only have a 5k budget. The other cars and bikes are eating up the reserves!
Many thanks in advance!
Finally getting round to upgrading the 2nd car to something better now the boys are bigger, need more room... and more street cred.
Thinking petrol 3 series auto. 1 series seems too small in the back and the 6 series is too big for the school run or supermarket car parks. Already have a 7 series for longer trips.
My only real questions are around engine choices, no diesels please and no super fasts, as we need to keep costs down.
Obviously being tight I only have a 5k budget. The other cars and bikes are eating up the reserves!
Many thanks in advance!
6 cylinder is necessary due to terribleness and unreliability of four cylinders.
Looking at prices I think the E46 is the only one in budget. Which would ideally be 330Ci, just watch out for chavved up ones. Whichever one you buy, most need some work.
Looking at prices I think the E46 is the only one in budget. Which would ideally be 330Ci, just watch out for chavved up ones. Whichever one you buy, most need some work.
Edited by helix402 on Tuesday 27th February 18:45
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
GTEYE said:
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
I think he's worried about EGR/Turbo and injector issues on modern diesels which to some degree is a fair shout. The 3.0ds are more reliable than most yes but I've still seen some scare stories.The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
I wouldn't discount the 330d either TBH! They shift along well and do 40MPG. TBH I'm tempted with one now!
A 330i would be spot on for your needs. Finding a good one would be harder. £3k should do it with searching
GTEYE said:
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
Diesel convertible? The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
You'll regret it every time you go through a tunnel with the roof down.
g3org3y said:
GTEYE said:
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
Diesel convertible? The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
You'll regret it every time you go through a tunnel with the roof down.
Luke. said:
g3org3y said:
GTEYE said:
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
Diesel convertible? The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
You'll regret it every time you go through a tunnel with the roof down.
GTEYE said:
Luke. said:
g3org3y said:
GTEYE said:
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
Diesel convertible? The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
You'll regret it every time you go through a tunnel with the roof down.
(Ex E30 325i cabrio owner)
SWMBO has a 2002 330i (just the petrol one) since 2009 which was on 38k miles when we bought it.
Non service item bills have been:
3 x coil packs. We now keep a spare in the car.
Some suspension bushes / arms / springs / shocks, call it about £800.
That is it!
Fantastic machines, still looks really smart. No rust / rattles.
Now on ~72k miles and it is a keeper.
They really are lovely!
Non service item bills have been:
3 x coil packs. We now keep a spare in the car.
Some suspension bushes / arms / springs / shocks, call it about £800.
That is it!
Fantastic machines, still looks really smart. No rust / rattles.
Now on ~72k miles and it is a keeper.
They really are lovely!
GTEYE said:
You would be daft to completely rule out a 330d convertible.....put your prejudices to one side and try one - and don't believe the nonsense that is spouted on here about diesel convertibles - its a straight 6 BMW which will do 40mpg.
The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
A wind deflector works wonderfully well in the E46. Keep it folded down over the rear seats and just haul it up when the roof's down. I haven't found another cab that's so good roof down as the E46 with deflector. Had mine 9 years.The only real noise you hear with the roof down is wind noise.
Okay £5k budget, perhaps you won't find one for that - you'll be in the E46 shape - and probably pretty ropey ones at that
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