Buying first approved used car -- 320i M Sport Saloon?
Discussion
Hello, would appreciate advice on buying a used BMW.
I am not interested in / good at car DIY so would like to spend as little effort as possible working on it. I am struggling to choose between buying a new 320i M Sport Saloon for around £37,000 (with financing) or approved used for £18,790 (cash). My thinking is that buy buying the latest car, I will have the least problems with it.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202102189216826
REGISTERED
Jan 2019
MILEAGE
18,921
From the financial point of view, I have reasons for paying off the (lower) purchase price immediately as opposed to spreading it over a few years. However, I am concerned about the cost of maintenance after the AU 1 year warranty runs out.
I am buying this as a family car.
Should I be concerned about the used car costing me an arm and a leg to fix?
What is more important -- age or mileage?
Many thanks for any input.
I am not interested in / good at car DIY so would like to spend as little effort as possible working on it. I am struggling to choose between buying a new 320i M Sport Saloon for around £37,000 (with financing) or approved used for £18,790 (cash). My thinking is that buy buying the latest car, I will have the least problems with it.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202102189216826
REGISTERED
Jan 2019
MILEAGE
18,921
From the financial point of view, I have reasons for paying off the (lower) purchase price immediately as opposed to spreading it over a few years. However, I am concerned about the cost of maintenance after the AU 1 year warranty runs out.
I am buying this as a family car.
Should I be concerned about the used car costing me an arm and a leg to fix?
What is more important -- age or mileage?
Many thanks for any input.
I've just bought a used 2019 3 series.
It's got a years warranty left and I plan to extend it when it's up. I saved about 20k off the list price buying used.
That's an option.
I've had mine two weeks and it's already spent a week at the dealership getting new adaptive shocks and suspension arms fitted.
It's got a years warranty left and I plan to extend it when it's up. I saved about 20k off the list price buying used.
That's an option.
I've had mine two weeks and it's already spent a week at the dealership getting new adaptive shocks and suspension arms fitted.
I work on the reverse principal, buy later in a cars life cycle and lots of the early issues should be ironed out/known about/dealers understand how to fix. Add on the official extended warranty and although you don't have latest newest version you'll also not have a loan nor an asset that depreciates as fast.
That's my theory anyhow.
That's my theory anyhow.
TheBinarySheep said:
I've just bought a used 2019 3 series.
It's got a years warranty left and I plan to extend it when it's up. I saved about 20k off the list price buying used.
That's an option.
I've had mine two weeks and it's already spent a week at the dealership getting new adaptive shocks and suspension arms fitted.
Thank you for your response. Do you know the price of the extended warranty? When I tried to look it up, BMW is inviting to contact them, whilst I am trying to minimise my involvement with them at the time.It's got a years warranty left and I plan to extend it when it's up. I saved about 20k off the list price buying used.
That's an option.
I've had mine two weeks and it's already spent a week at the dealership getting new adaptive shocks and suspension arms fitted.
dasbimmerowner said:
I work on the reverse principal, buy later in a cars life cycle and lots of the early issues should be ironed out/known about/dealers understand how to fix. Add on the official extended warranty and although you don't have latest newest version you'll also not have a loan nor an asset that depreciates as fast.
That's my theory anyhow.
Thanks for your comment. Are you talking about the life cycle of the model in general or about the particular car?That's my theory anyhow.
dasbimmerowner said:
I work on the reverse principal, buy later in a cars life cycle and lots of the early issues should be ironed out/known about/dealers understand how to fix. Add on the official extended warranty and although you don't have latest newest version you'll also not have a loan nor an asset that depreciates as fast.
That's my theory anyhow.
It’s a good one.That's my theory anyhow.
ivanpetrov said:
Thank you for your response. Do you know the price of the extended warranty? When I tried to look it up, BMW is inviting to contact them, whilst I am trying to minimise my involvement with them at the time.
Sadly I don't as it won't give me a price yet. I'm anticipating between 350-500 per year.ivanpetrov said:
Hello, would appreciate advice on buying a used BMW.
I am not interested in / good at car DIY so would like to spend as little effort as possible working on it. I am struggling to choose between buying a new 320i M Sport Saloon for around £37,000 (with financing) or approved used for £18,790 (cash). My thinking is that buy buying the latest car, I will have the least problems with it.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202102189216826
REGISTERED
Jan 2019
MILEAGE
18,921
From the financial point of view, I have reasons for paying off the (lower) purchase price immediately as opposed to spreading it over a few years. However, I am concerned about the cost of maintenance after the AU 1 year warranty runs out.
I am buying this as a family car.
Should I be concerned about the used car costing me an arm and a leg to fix?
What is more important -- age or mileage?
Many thanks for any input.
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car. I’m surprised it’s as high as £37,000. But assuming you’ve pushed for discounts , I wouldn’t say it’s worth twice as much. I am not interested in / good at car DIY so would like to spend as little effort as possible working on it. I am struggling to choose between buying a new 320i M Sport Saloon for around £37,000 (with financing) or approved used for £18,790 (cash). My thinking is that buy buying the latest car, I will have the least problems with it.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202102189216826
REGISTERED
Jan 2019
MILEAGE
18,921
From the financial point of view, I have reasons for paying off the (lower) purchase price immediately as opposed to spreading it over a few years. However, I am concerned about the cost of maintenance after the AU 1 year warranty runs out.
I am buying this as a family car.
Should I be concerned about the used car costing me an arm and a leg to fix?
What is more important -- age or mileage?
Many thanks for any input.
If I was sold on a 320i , I’d look at used ones from current generation. They were out in March 2019 so may not be much more than the one you linked.
If you want a good idea of warranty cost for the used car you linked, but don’t want to talk to the warranty people , go on Autotrader and find a car from 2017 or a few years older (under 60k miles) and put its registration in instead.
You may have to try more than one as older cars may be under warranty. But usually these cars listed for sale aren’t under warranty after 3 years when the manufacturers warranty expires.
Smuler said:
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car. I’m surprised it’s as high as £37,000. But assuming you’ve pushed for discounts , I wouldn’t say it’s worth twice as much.
If I was sold on a 320i , I’d look at used ones from current generation. They were out in March 2019 so may not be much more than the one you linked.
If you want a good idea of warranty cost for the used car you linked, but don’t want to talk to the warranty people , go on Autotrader and find a car from 2017 or a few years older (under 60k miles) and put its registration in instead.
You may have to try more than one as older cars may be under warranty. But usually these cars listed for sale aren’t under warranty after 3 years when the manufacturers warranty expires.
Thank you for taking time to respond. I am now more inclined to pay 40% deposit and take advantage of 2.9% financing and to buy the new car.If I was sold on a 320i , I’d look at used ones from current generation. They were out in March 2019 so may not be much more than the one you linked.
If you want a good idea of warranty cost for the used car you linked, but don’t want to talk to the warranty people , go on Autotrader and find a car from 2017 or a few years older (under 60k miles) and put its registration in instead.
You may have to try more than one as older cars may be under warranty. But usually these cars listed for sale aren’t under warranty after 3 years when the manufacturers warranty expires.
You said:
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car.
Any particular reason beside the usual marketing stuff? Bullet points would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
ivanpetrov said:
Thank you for taking time to respond. I am now more inclined to pay 40% deposit and take advantage of 2.9% financing and to buy the new car.
You said:
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car.
Any particular reason beside the usual marketing stuff? Bullet points would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
For me, the interior looks far better in the current generation and it has better technology (virtual cockpit etc).You said:
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car.
Any particular reason beside the usual marketing stuff? Bullet points would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
When I got mine, I weighed up the previous generation 340i vs the latest generation 330i, and decided to go for the latest generation mainly because the previous generation has been around since around 2014, and both the interior and exterior are starting to look a bit dated in comparison to the current gen.
Why not buy a nearly new 320i for £22k?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...
There are loads of nearly new ones, shows you what your £37k new car will be worth in 12 months too.
Plus loads of cheap loans if sticking under £25k from placed like Hitachi Capital.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...
There are loads of nearly new ones, shows you what your £37k new car will be worth in 12 months too.
Plus loads of cheap loans if sticking under £25k from placed like Hitachi Capital.
ivanpetrov said:
Thank you for taking time to respond. I am now more inclined to pay 40% deposit and take advantage of 2.9% financing and to buy the new car.
You said:
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car.
Any particular reason beside the usual marketing stuff? Bullet points would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Handles better You said:
The used car you linked is the previous generation. I’d say the current generation is the better car.
Any particular reason beside the usual marketing stuff? Bullet points would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
More steering feel (feedback)
Feels lighter
In saloon guise , better looking
More modern interior
Latest technology iDrive for example
Better standard options including Adaptive suspension.
If you have 18K you want to give away then buy the new car. I'm sure you would get the latest generation car for less than 30K second hand. BMW have a 3 year manufactures warranty so if you purchase. a 1 year old car you have 2 years. Reliability is likely to be around the same. My 320d is 5 years old now and no issues. serviced at a local Indy every 2yrs plus MOT.
ivanpetrov said:
TheBinarySheep said:
Sadly I don't as it won't give me a price yet. I'm anticipating between 350-500 per year.
thanksI’d happily get a 1 yr old model and pay for the warranty. That said, if you’re financing it, it may be cost neutral to get a new one as the interest rates on used cars are shockingly high. Or look for a cheap lease deal if you don’t want/need the option to buy it at some point.
BMW Finance Rates have now changed and are fixed.
Brand new: 0% if promotions otherwise 2.9%
Used and under 6 months old: 6.9%
More then 6 months old: 8.9%
No BMW dealership in the UK will agree to a 2.9% on a 2019 model.
Yes, the previous generation is looking a bit dated but many teething problems have been addressed. The new generation has more problems (G20) but that’s why warranty exists.
You cannot argue with the logic of older means issues are known. However, sometimes we are all guilty of assumption so buy based on condition and vehicle history. Sometimes old cars can surprise us like the fire causing EGR issue that emerged years on with some diesels. Then there are also careless or not so knowledgeable owners. I found a used 3 a while back and it was due more than 8 recalls but the owner never knew and always used a specialist independent for service- no disrespect to independents whatsoever and I use them myself.
When you say family though? How many kids or adults? The 3 GT and 4 Gran Coupe are more practical in terms of boot space.
Brand new: 0% if promotions otherwise 2.9%
Used and under 6 months old: 6.9%
More then 6 months old: 8.9%
No BMW dealership in the UK will agree to a 2.9% on a 2019 model.
Yes, the previous generation is looking a bit dated but many teething problems have been addressed. The new generation has more problems (G20) but that’s why warranty exists.
You cannot argue with the logic of older means issues are known. However, sometimes we are all guilty of assumption so buy based on condition and vehicle history. Sometimes old cars can surprise us like the fire causing EGR issue that emerged years on with some diesels. Then there are also careless or not so knowledgeable owners. I found a used 3 a while back and it was due more than 8 recalls but the owner never knew and always used a specialist independent for service- no disrespect to independents whatsoever and I use them myself.
When you say family though? How many kids or adults? The 3 GT and 4 Gran Coupe are more practical in terms of boot space.
The Spruce Goose said:
the amount of threads featuring BMWs gone wrong i wouldn't be buying used.
How statistically valid are your observations compared to other brands? I have bought several second hand BMWs and still haven't had issues but I don't think this is any more relevant.Car are massively benchmarked so end up with similar reliability levels.
I still don't get why someone is looking at a new car for £37k or a previous model for £17k?
There are year old new models for around £22k, that is the sensible choice.
Borrow £5k from Hitachi or similar for 3% apr and you will own the car outright in 18 months for the same monthly on the new one over 5 years.
There are year old new models for around £22k, that is the sensible choice.
Borrow £5k from Hitachi or similar for 3% apr and you will own the car outright in 18 months for the same monthly on the new one over 5 years.
Edited by gizlaroc on Tuesday 16th March 10:00
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