£11k - E90 320D M Sport?

[eco21]

Hi,

Been lurking for a while and thought I would post to try and get some knowledge regarding the E90 320d .

I work 10 miles to and from work so I dont do alot of milage day to day however I do drive Europe in the summer - 3000 miles so thinking a Diesel (sorry) maybe better all round?

I like the look of the E90 320 but only the M Sport version for the front and obviously the M Sport seems to have better suspension from reading on the forum.

I know the 320 and 330 dont have much difference in mpg and the 330 seems to be a better engine but insurance prices are what is meaning its a bit more than I would fancy paying.

I am thinking about 11k for the car - am I being unrealistic and if so - what else would you suggest?

Also, got a worry about warranty - if I buy from a dealership 'bobs cars' can I get a BMW warranty or not - sorry if stupid question.

Thanks,

[richterswil]

eco21 said:

Hi,

Been lurking for a while and thought I would post to try and get some knowledge regarding the E90 320d .

I work 10 miles to and from work so I dont do alot of milage day to day however I do drive Europe in the summer - 3000 miles so thinking a Diesel (sorry) maybe better all round?

I like the look of the E90 320 but only the M Sport version for the front and obviously the M Sport seems to have better suspension from reading on the forum.

I know the 320 and 330 dont have much difference in mpg and the 330 seems to be a better engine but insurance prices are what is meaning its a bit more than I would fancy paying.

I am thinking about 11k for the car - am I being unrealistic and if so - what else would you suggest?

Also, got a worry about warranty - if I buy from a dealership 'bobs cars' can I get a BMW warranty or not - sorry if stupid question.

Thanks,

You would need to crunch the numbers properly but I doubt the higher purchase cost of a diesel would be worth it for the miles you expect to do - I'd look at it again if I were you and consider a 320i.

When my BMW warranty ran out recently on my E60 I bought one from Warranty Direct - never been too impressed with BMW service to be honest so was happy to go for the all singing policy from WD for much less and I have paid for franchised labour in the event of a claim (not impressed with BMW service but still prefer their stamps in the book I suppose).

[eco21]

Hi,

I was looking at second hand prices which are pretty similar.

Looking at mpg figures which I know are the ideal consumption and not regularly possible but even if you get 75% of those; diesel is near 60 combined and petrol near 40 combined. So getting 45mpg or 30mpg?

Its not the be all and end all the mpg for getting a 320d vs 320i - a good example 320i would do very nice - the diesel was for doing the 6 weeks of summer driving.

[gizlaroc]

You could also get into a 325i or 330i for about the same money as a 320d, and for soem reason the insurance tends to be no more.

[eco21]

gizlaroc said:

You could also get into a 325i or 330i for about the same money as a 320d, and for soem reason the insurance tends to be no more.

Thanks,

Is 11K a viable amount for an E90 320i, 320d, 330i?

This will be my first 'good' car so wanting to get value for money but wanting to enjoy the car for a few years not be like wishing I looked at something else, with some more extras

[Welshbeef]

Its going to have a fair few miles on the clock @ those prices OR low optional extras.

[Lost soul]

eco21 said:

I like the look of the E90 320 but only the M Sport version for the front and obviously the M Sport seems to have better suspension from reading on the forum.

Also you get the interiour , the M sterring wheel is loverly and the M seats are perfect (for me)

[eco21]

Welshbeef said:

Its going to have a fair few miles on the clock @ those prices OR low optional extras.

I know what you mean, better suppose to pay a bit more and have a better spec with less miles and have it for a few years than get one I dont like as much

Is there any known issues with high milers?

[richterswil]

eco21 said:

Welshbeef said:

Its going to have a fair few miles on the clock @ those prices OR low optional extras.

I know what you mean, better suppose to pay a bit more and have a better spec with less miles and have it for a few years than get one I dont like as much

Is there any known issues with high milers?

If you plan to keep it for a while I'd spend as much as you can (and still feel comfortable with) to get a good combination of spec and miles.

There aren't too many options I would be too desperate for though to be honest - they are reasonably specified nowadays.

I would want the 18 inch wheels because they look much better and are expensive to retrofit (ride is barely worse than the 17 inch wheels). Bluetooth and Nav wouldn't be essential for me - a Tom Tom and a Parrot work at least as well. Leather is a personal preference thing - the standard trim is actually quite nice - we have it in ours.

This one has a few miles under it but looks a decent spec in a good colour - at £11k it might be a good buy:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1459238.htm

Not aware of any particular issues associated with higher miles. If the condition is good and the history checks out I would be OK with leggier examples - lots will have been accumulated up and down motorways anyway.

[Welshbeef]

same colour as mine.

For me spec must:-
Bigger wheels, bluetooth, Pro Nav (annoyingly its not postcode its streetname), Leather & auto as I commute is heavy congestion.

[richterswil]

Welshbeef said:

same colour as mine.

For me spec must:-
Bigger wheels, bluetooth, Pro Nav (annoyingly its not postcode its streetname), Leather & auto as I commute is heavy congestion.

Nice colour.

I wouldn't go for the auto on a 320i/d unless just about all my driving was in traffic. If it was for a 330d like yours I'd go auto all the way (as it did with my old E46 330d) but for me the 320d hasn't got quite enough grunt for an auto - it's one of the reasons our 320d is manual.

I am a fan of a good auto though - my 535d is auto of course (they all are).

[Welshbeef]

richterswil said:

Welshbeef said:

same colour as mine.

For me spec must:-
Bigger wheels, bluetooth, Pro Nav (annoyingly its not postcode its streetname), Leather & auto as I commute is heavy congestion.

Nice colour.

I wouldn't go for the auto on a 320i/d unless just about all my driving was in traffic. If it was for a 330d like yours I'd go auto all the way (as it did with my old E46 330d) but for me the 320d hasn't got quite enough grunt for an auto - it's one of the reasons our 320d is manual.

I am a fan of a good auto though - my 535d is auto of course (they all are).

I do like the colour - also a fan of the dark grey & for me visually & dynamically & the extra std kit the M Sport is the only one more cost but IF I had an ES or SE I would certainly always be looking fondly & with regret at the M Sport.

Ive done quite a few miles already in mine & really got used to the box now its very good & certainly does "Learn" your driving style i.e. I had 5 adults up in it for one trip and it would change gear at 2,500rpm whereas when alone in general it changes up well under 2,000rpm (of course when not in Im in a hurry mode).
Unless it was a sports car I doubt Id go for manual.

[eco21]

richterswil said:

eco21 said:

Welshbeef said:

Its going to have a fair few miles on the clock @ those prices OR low optional extras.

I know what you mean, better suppose to pay a bit more and have a better spec with less miles and have it for a few years than get one I dont like as much

Is there any known issues with high milers?

If you plan to keep it for a while I'd spend as much as you can (and still feel comfortable with) to get a good combination of spec and miles.

There aren't too many options I would be too desperate for though to be honest - they are reasonably specified nowadays.

I would want the 18 inch wheels because they look much better and are expensive to retrofit (ride is barely worse than the 17 inch wheels). Bluetooth and Nav wouldn't be essential for me - a Tom Tom and a Parrot work at least as well. Leather is a personal preference thing - the standard trim is actually quite nice - we have it in ours.

This one has a few miles under it but looks a decent spec in a good colour - at £11k it might be a good buy:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1459238.htm

Not aware of any particular issues associated with higher miles. If the condition is good and the history checks out I would be OK with leggier examples - lots will have been accumulated up and down motorways anyway.

I have looked at that very one on PH and think it is a very good example - would prefer to buy from a dealership though

I like the look of the ES but think I would be thinking I should have spent the extra £X and got a M Sport one for the looks and the interior etc.

Would you suggest an automatic - dont do alot of daily miles and its not in bad congestion?

[richterswil]

If you're not driving in traffic then personally I would def stick to a manual for a 320d. Clutch and gearbox are quite 'meaty' but I like that.

Not enough power for an auto box in my opinion.

Also I wouldn't rule out a private purchase. If you meet the seller and get a good feel for them and the car and all the paperwork checks out then spend a few quid on a good PPI. I think you could get a pretty good deal assuming everything is in order. Unless you are buying from a franchised BMW dealer (with the associated price premium) then often the supplied warranties are short term (3 months is typical) and have low claim limits.

Just my view but if you are sensible, have your wits about you and invest in an excellent PPI from someone who specialises in BMWs then a private sale might just be the difference between bagging an ES or an M Sport.

On that last point don;t buy anything other than an M Sport. The fact you have already identified their advantages mean now you'd always feel short changed but a car without the M Sport kit and regret not waiting for the right car to come along.

[pattyg]

I have a 325i SE with leather which cost just over £11k from a dealer. Spec is good as its a 6 cylinder. Only thing I really miss the chunky M Sport steering wheel. You can keep the fiddly older multispoke M Sport wheels imo as they are a sod to clean. Handles great on the SE suspension without being crashy.

Best for me would have been a debadged 330i or 335i SE but were outwith my budget.

[gizlaroc]

The 120d is perfect with the Auto, I wouldn't even consider buying the diesel with a manual box, you are constantly swapping cogs and it is a complete ball ache, remember you only have just over 2000rpm to play with.

You can get something like this in budget and the 3.0 litre straight six is bullet proof.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1504512.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1533327.htm

Or pay a little more and get the coupe...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1306939.htm


One thing worth considering is using the £11k as a deposit and then some finance to get into a younger/better car.

£5000 over 5 years is £100. this could put you into something worth £16k and opens up a whole load of newer and much lower mileage cars.

Could be in a 2007 effcient dynamics 320d with around 35k miles on it, or a nice 2007 330i, search auto trader for 330i under 3 years old and it comes up with a lovely M-Sport in silver with nav and all the toys, 25k miles and under £14k.
That would cost you £15 a week on finance the extra needed.

Cars are only £2-3k cheaper at 3 years older and with 80k miles plus on them, to me it makes no sense to buy that age for that sort of price.

[BarnatosGhost]

mine went through £1500 of tyres in 20,000 motorway miles. Other than that, it was superb, although passengers complained of very poor ride quality in the back. Was fine in the front.

[Welshbeef]

£1500 in 20,000 that's two sets pricy due to their width profile and diameter. Still two sets in that time ouch Im hoping to get up to 30,000 out of a set based on previous cars or actually it's historically been every 40k ...

[BarnatosGhost]

Welshbeef said:

£1500 in 20,000 that's two sets pricy due to their width profile and diameter. Still two sets in that time ouch Im hoping to get up to 30,000 out of a set based on previous cars or actually it's historically been every 40k ...

it was 6 oem-spec run-flats. Very expensive, and so stiff the guy damaged the wheels replacing them. I was watching him do it, and didn't think there was anything else he could have tried.

[Welshbeef]

BarnatosGhost said:

Welshbeef said:

£1500 in 20,000 that's two sets pricy due to their width profile and diameter. Still two sets in that time ouch Im hoping to get up to 30,000 out of a set based on previous cars or actually it's historically been every 40k ...

it was 6 oem-spec run-flats. Very expensive, and so stiff the guy damaged the wheels replacing them. I was watching him do it, and didn't think there was anything else he could have tried.

I've got non run flats on mine M Pilot sports 2 and was optioned like that from new ride is very good and cheaper rubber like for like