What to get?

[CatsPyjamas]

Been driving for a year now and want to get a nicer/faster car but am not sure what to get, obviously the insurance is an issue and I don't want to spend too much.

Always liked BMWs plus I like the fact that they are rear wheel drive. At the moment I am thinking about either an old 3 series, maybe like a 92 or the newer shape. Also thinking about the 1 Series 3 door, I have heard that with the 1 Series the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 can all be tuned up to the same spec? Is there any truth to this?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[dibbly dobbler]

Welcome to PH

I doubt you would get very far trying to tune a 116i or 118i up to 120i levels so I would forget about that. It's all relative but the 116i is not reknowned as being especially fast so, all other things being equal, I would be looking for a 120i if possible

An older 3 would give you more bang per buck - something like a 325 would be nice but I presume a lot more to insure ? Probably looking at more maintenance as well so it's a trade off, as usual...

What are you looking to spend ?

[CatsPyjamas]

Thanks,

How much I can spend depends a lot on how much the insurance is but obviously the cheaper I can get something I like the better. Would go up to 12k at a real push if it was something amazing but 8k would be nice. How does high mileage affect the Beamers?

[Phunk]

Alltough the 116i, 118i and 120i are the same engine, it is more than just a map that seperates them.

I would try for a 125i/130i petrol 4cyl bmw's are pants

[CatsPyjamas]

Phunk said:

Alltough the 116i, 118i and 120i are the same engine, it is more than just a map that seperates them.

I would try for a 125i/130i petrol 4cyl bmw's are pants

What would it take and why are they pants? Don't think I'd find a 125i or 130i in my price range unfortunately unless there was one with really high mileage!

[dibbly dobbler]

CatsPyjamas said:

Phunk said:

Alltough the 116i, 118i and 120i are the same engine, it is more than just a map that seperates them.

I would try for a 125i/130i petrol 4cyl bmw's are pants

What would it take and why are they pants? Don't think I'd find a 125i or 130i in my price range unfortunately unless there was one with really high mileage!

I would forget tuning the 4 cylinder petrols - the accepted consensus is that it is not worth the effort (different for the diesels). I wouldn't say the 4 cylinder models are pants but 6 cyl is the way to go if possible. I sold a 130i for £10k about 2 years ago so it must be possible - in fact, how about this. Lovely cars if you don't mind the looks

[CatsPyjamas]

dibbly dobbler said:

CatsPyjamas said:

Phunk said:

Alltough the 116i, 118i and 120i are the same engine, it is more than just a map that seperates them.

I would try for a 125i/130i petrol 4cyl bmw's are pants

What would it take and why are they pants? Don't think I'd find a 125i or 130i in my price range unfortunately unless there was one with really high mileage!

I would forget tuning the 4 cylinder petrols - the accepted consensus is that it is not worth the effort (different for the diesels). I wouldn't say the 4 cylinder models are pants but 6 cyl is the way to go if possible. I sold a 130i for £10k about 2 years ago so it must be possible - in fact, how about this. Lovely cars if you don't mind the looks

Hmm that is a lot of car for the money but I'm really not keen on the looks of it especially being a 5 door, also its Insurance group 17 and if I'm going to be paying a whole load of money on insurance I would like to have something I really like both the drive and look of. Will check for some quotes on it though.

[dibbly dobbler]

Ok - I don't think you'll get a 3 door 130 on your budget so that leaves you looking at the 120i if you want a 1er.

Otherwise it's an older 3 series - maybe a coupe ?

[CatsPyjamas]

dibbly dobbler said:

Ok - I don't think you'll get a 3 door 130 on your budget so that leaves you looking at the 120i if you want a 1er.

Otherwise it's an older 3 series - maybe a coupe ?

When I say a 3 door I dont mean it has to be the coupe, still quite like the hatchback in 3 doors but obviously not as much as the coupe version, not sure if that makes any difference to it being out of my budget though.

I am definitely open to the 3 series but have found the insurance to be higher although depending on the price of the car this could be dealt with.

[dibbly dobbler]

Well 1 series coupes are out of budget so it's either a 3-door 1er like this or maybe a 3 series coupe something like this (a wee bit over budget though)

I reckon you could just about afford a new shape 3 series coupe with a 6 cylinder engine so maybe that's the one ?

[pattyg]

dibbly dobbler said:

CatsPyjamas said:

Phunk said:

Alltough the 116i, 118i and 120i are the same engine, it is more than just a map that seperates them.

I would try for a 125i/130i petrol 4cyl bmw's are pants

What would it take and why are they pants? Don't think I'd find a 125i or 130i in my price range unfortunately unless there was one with really high mileage!

I would forget tuning the 4 cylinder petrols - the accepted consensus is that it is not worth the effort (different for the diesels). I wouldn't say the 4 cylinder models are pants but 6 cyl is the way to go if possible. I sold a 130i for £10k about 2 years ago so it must be possible - in fact, how about this. Lovely cars if you don't mind the looks

That link to the 130i seems too good to be true....at least £2.5k under priced even without that massive spec. Description as an LE is also off, these were 3 doors only methinks.

[dibbly dobbler]

Patty - yes on reflection you are correct

Not to worry as the OP has discounted this option anyway

[CatsPyjamas]

dibbly dobbler said:

Well 1 series coupes are out of budget so it's either a 3-door 1er like this or maybe a 3 series coupe something like this (a wee bit over budget though)

I reckon you could just about afford a new shape 3 series coupe with a 6 cylinder engine so maybe that's the one ?

Would be amazing to get a 3 series! That one you suggested had done 85000 miles, does that affect the 3 much? Dont want to have to be paying out a lot of money to keep it going.