15 years of BMWs
Discussion
I just realised today is the 15th anniversary of collecting my 1st BMW!
Prior to that for some reason I had always preferred Mercs for some reason.
Anyway in 2003 I got a good deal on an X plate Seat Leon Cupra ex-company car from my employer, but then in late 2004 I got a new job role that was likely to involve some business mileage and came with the option of a company car or a monthly car allowance. There was nothing I fancied on the company car list, so I was looking at the car allowance (and an interest free loan)!
Based on the experience the OH had when she bought a new Mini in 2003 from our local Sytner dealership BMW came onto the radar, and as I was used to hatches I fancied an E46 320td Compact as it would also work for business miles.
Sadly by that time BMW had stopped building them so if I wanted a new one it would have to be one that had already been built, and there was very little to choose from.
So between Xmas and the New Year I went to Scotthall in Emsworth to look at an AUC 04 plate 320td SE, and put a deposit on it.
Then I picked it up on 5 January 2005.
It came with the 5 year Service Pack and I did 43K miles in it with no issues at all.
But in early 2007 I got an invite to test drive a facelift 120d and thought it was just so much better! Then BMW launched the 123d that seemed even better still!
So in the Christmas break in 2007 I found an AUC 57 plate 123d SE Dynamic (the only used 123d at the time) and went to look at it.
And left a deposit on it!
So I drove the 320td to the dealership on 5 January 2008 and drove home in the 123d that had less than 20 miles on the clock (I assume it was a pre-reg car).
I thought it was great - with the SE Dynamic spec it came with the M-Sport seats with the electric side bolsters, M-Sport suspension but 17" wheels and more subtle styling.
I bought a 5 year Service Pack for it and had no issues apart from needing a new AGM battery after 4 years and a starter motor after 6 years - I think stop/start played a big part in their demise. At 81K miles it was still on all of its original brake pads and discs - even the original wiper blades!
Anyway by 2014 I had read about N47 engine cam-chain issues - this was before BMW began the "Quality Enhancement" programme, and I wasn't doing business miles any more.
Prior to that for some reason I had always preferred Mercs for some reason.
Anyway in 2003 I got a good deal on an X plate Seat Leon Cupra ex-company car from my employer, but then in late 2004 I got a new job role that was likely to involve some business mileage and came with the option of a company car or a monthly car allowance. There was nothing I fancied on the company car list, so I was looking at the car allowance (and an interest free loan)!
Based on the experience the OH had when she bought a new Mini in 2003 from our local Sytner dealership BMW came onto the radar, and as I was used to hatches I fancied an E46 320td Compact as it would also work for business miles.
Sadly by that time BMW had stopped building them so if I wanted a new one it would have to be one that had already been built, and there was very little to choose from.
So between Xmas and the New Year I went to Scotthall in Emsworth to look at an AUC 04 plate 320td SE, and put a deposit on it.
Then I picked it up on 5 January 2005.
It came with the 5 year Service Pack and I did 43K miles in it with no issues at all.
But in early 2007 I got an invite to test drive a facelift 120d and thought it was just so much better! Then BMW launched the 123d that seemed even better still!
So in the Christmas break in 2007 I found an AUC 57 plate 123d SE Dynamic (the only used 123d at the time) and went to look at it.
And left a deposit on it!
So I drove the 320td to the dealership on 5 January 2008 and drove home in the 123d that had less than 20 miles on the clock (I assume it was a pre-reg car).
I thought it was great - with the SE Dynamic spec it came with the M-Sport seats with the electric side bolsters, M-Sport suspension but 17" wheels and more subtle styling.
I bought a 5 year Service Pack for it and had no issues apart from needing a new AGM battery after 4 years and a starter motor after 6 years - I think stop/start played a big part in their demise. At 81K miles it was still on all of its original brake pads and discs - even the original wiper blades!
Anyway by 2014 I had read about N47 engine cam-chain issues - this was before BMW began the "Quality Enhancement" programme, and I wasn't doing business miles any more.
And in 2014 I was able to take a work-place pension early so used a bit of the lump sum to buy a car I had always wanted - so on 12 June 2014 I collected a Z4 3.0Si Coupe.
That is when I realised how good an N/A straight 6 petrol BMW with a manual gearbox could be. But I needed something "sensible" for elderly parent taxi duties so I got a Mazda 323f 1.5i.
While it was very practical, it was a "white goods" car - not exciting in any way.
So in December 2014 I spotted an advert for an E46 325ti Sport on a Saturday morning and viewed it in the afternoon. Put a deposit on it and sold the Mazda!
Which made me realise that is what I should have bought back in 2005 - regardless of business use costs.
Still I got there in the end!
Mind you I had a few issues with it - the radiator bowed and leaked within a few months of getting it and a power steering pipe split. But I forgave it those issues because it just drove so well.
Then towards the end of 2015 my job went a bit pear-shaped because we got a new manager who had some daft ideas and I gave in my notice and left.
And in December the electric water pump on my E86 died - which gave me an £800 bill.
I got a bit disillusioned with it so when someone was looking for one in April 2016 I replied and ended up taking a deposit on it. But I took it out for one last drive, and that is when I realised what I was giving up.
So my Ruby Black one went on 10 May 2016 and my Montego Blue one was collected on 12 May 2016.
That is when I realised how good an N/A straight 6 petrol BMW with a manual gearbox could be. But I needed something "sensible" for elderly parent taxi duties so I got a Mazda 323f 1.5i.
While it was very practical, it was a "white goods" car - not exciting in any way.
So in December 2014 I spotted an advert for an E46 325ti Sport on a Saturday morning and viewed it in the afternoon. Put a deposit on it and sold the Mazda!
Which made me realise that is what I should have bought back in 2005 - regardless of business use costs.
Still I got there in the end!
Mind you I had a few issues with it - the radiator bowed and leaked within a few months of getting it and a power steering pipe split. But I forgave it those issues because it just drove so well.
Then towards the end of 2015 my job went a bit pear-shaped because we got a new manager who had some daft ideas and I gave in my notice and left.
And in December the electric water pump on my E86 died - which gave me an £800 bill.
I got a bit disillusioned with it so when someone was looking for one in April 2016 I replied and ended up taking a deposit on it. But I took it out for one last drive, and that is when I realised what I was giving up.
So my Ruby Black one went on 10 May 2016 and my Montego Blue one was collected on 12 May 2016.
Anyway by 2018 my 325ti was getting a bit leggy and I decided a Touring might be more practical, so I replaced it with an E91 325i.
It was leggy, with 132K miles on it when I got it but it had full BMW SH and drove really well - until the electric water pump died at 135K miles.
But this time the bill was more like £500 as my Indy wasn't buying the pumps from BMW any more!
Still as good as it was it never felt as lively as my 325ti and in April 2019 I talked myself into an E90 330i, mainly because 130is and E91 330is were out of budget and I found an E90 330i with the split/fold rear seats, glass sunroof and a DAB radio!
But in 2019 for different reasons I drove a couple of Z4M Coupes, so just before Christmas the inevitable happened and now I've got one of those to go with the 330i.
So now all I need is a buyer for my Montego Blue 3.0Si Coupe!
Sorry this went on a bit, but hopefully someone found it interesting.
It was leggy, with 132K miles on it when I got it but it had full BMW SH and drove really well - until the electric water pump died at 135K miles.
But this time the bill was more like £500 as my Indy wasn't buying the pumps from BMW any more!
Still as good as it was it never felt as lively as my 325ti and in April 2019 I talked myself into an E90 330i, mainly because 130is and E91 330is were out of budget and I found an E90 330i with the split/fold rear seats, glass sunroof and a DAB radio!
But in 2019 for different reasons I drove a couple of Z4M Coupes, so just before Christmas the inevitable happened and now I've got one of those to go with the 330i.
So now all I need is a buyer for my Montego Blue 3.0Si Coupe!
Sorry this went on a bit, but hopefully someone found it interesting.
Some lovely motors there 
I'd love a Z4M, unfortunately I don't fit in them
I did it the wrong way around I think getting into BMW ownership; my first BMW was an E38 728i & it spoilt me! It's been downhill ever since
E38 728i - 1st BMW back in 2012:
Slate Green E39 530i back in 2015:
Sapphire black E39 530i back in 2017:
2006 E65 730D back in 2018:
Current E39 530i touring (Jap import) since March 2019:
I'd love a Z4M, unfortunately I don't fit in them
I did it the wrong way around I think getting into BMW ownership; my first BMW was an E38 728i & it spoilt me! It's been downhill ever since
E38 728i - 1st BMW back in 2012:
Slate Green E39 530i back in 2015:
Sapphire black E39 530i back in 2017:
2006 E65 730D back in 2018:
Current E39 530i touring (Jap import) since March 2019:
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Monday 6th January 16:47
My BMW ownership list looks like this (in order)
1997 E36 316i Compact in Montreal Blue (bought in early 1998 at 6 months old from BMW Niederlassung Essen)
1995 E36 320i Touring also in Montreal Blue, private purchase but fully specced
1990 E30 320i 2 door in Henna Red, bought as a car to get me to the station, good fun!
2000 E46 330i SE Touring, had this one a few years, served me well until it starting drinking oil
2010 E90 320d efficient dynamics. My first N47, still going strong in the family
2013 F20 114i SE running a 118i map. Entertaining.
2013 F11 525d SE with a decent spec. Possibly the best all-round car I've ever owned despite it also being a N47! Bought from a vicar with taste!
I've had the 5 series for a couple of years now, so am passively looking at what to replace it with. But then I talk sense into myself that it's still a really good car, so is going nowhere. Until it goes somewhere of course.
1997 E36 316i Compact in Montreal Blue (bought in early 1998 at 6 months old from BMW Niederlassung Essen)
1995 E36 320i Touring also in Montreal Blue, private purchase but fully specced
1990 E30 320i 2 door in Henna Red, bought as a car to get me to the station, good fun!
2000 E46 330i SE Touring, had this one a few years, served me well until it starting drinking oil
2010 E90 320d efficient dynamics. My first N47, still going strong in the family
2013 F20 114i SE running a 118i map. Entertaining.
2013 F11 525d SE with a decent spec. Possibly the best all-round car I've ever owned despite it also being a N47! Bought from a vicar with taste!
I've had the 5 series for a couple of years now, so am passively looking at what to replace it with. But then I talk sense into myself that it's still a really good car, so is going nowhere. Until it goes somewhere of course.
Edited to add some images of the below. Pics tend to make a thread better.
Only 2015 I bought my first BMW, as I am a nipper. I've had (and they're all old):
A 2001 E46 325ti SE - still got this, and was after a lot of looking.
A 1997 E36 318ti - Nice little car. Cost £100 - Put a new exhaust on it, a years test and then sold it.
A 2000 E46 328ci - Just fab. Dragged it out of a field, sorted it out, and drove it 40,000 miles in two years. Then the subframe mounts failed. Went to Holland to be used as a donor. Favourite interior of a car I've owned. Green sport cloth. Super comfortable.
A 1999 E39 530d - Big diesel, big car. Would do 750 miles to a tank, great distance cruise. Bought it from the first owner with 219,000 miles on it. Then sent it to a friend with usage right retained.
A 2004 E46 330d - Didn't get on with it. Supposedly great, 6 speed manual, sport model with xenon lights. Had it a month, and put 2,000 miles on it.
A 2005 E91 330i - 13,000 miles covered since July. Getting on really well with it. Just my spec, after finding a nice E46 was getting too hard. Unless things really change I don't think I'll be changing it soon.
There's been a BMW in the family longer than I have, with my dad having had E30s, E36s, E46s, and Now an X5. It's in the blood.
Only 2015 I bought my first BMW, as I am a nipper. I've had (and they're all old):
A 2001 E46 325ti SE - still got this, and was after a lot of looking.
A 1997 E36 318ti - Nice little car. Cost £100 - Put a new exhaust on it, a years test and then sold it.
A 2000 E46 328ci - Just fab. Dragged it out of a field, sorted it out, and drove it 40,000 miles in two years. Then the subframe mounts failed. Went to Holland to be used as a donor. Favourite interior of a car I've owned. Green sport cloth. Super comfortable.
A 1999 E39 530d - Big diesel, big car. Would do 750 miles to a tank, great distance cruise. Bought it from the first owner with 219,000 miles on it. Then sent it to a friend with usage right retained.
A 2004 E46 330d - Didn't get on with it. Supposedly great, 6 speed manual, sport model with xenon lights. Had it a month, and put 2,000 miles on it.
A 2005 E91 330i - 13,000 miles covered since July. Getting on really well with it. Just my spec, after finding a nice E46 was getting too hard. Unless things really change I don't think I'll be changing it soon.
There's been a BMW in the family longer than I have, with my dad having had E30s, E36s, E46s, and Now an X5. It's in the blood.
Edited by JakeT on Tuesday 7th January 09:37
I don't have pics unfortunately, but I started in around 1997 with an E36 318i saloon. Coming from a 440 Volvo, it was a revelation ! That got chopped in 1998 for an E36 318i touring which I ran until 120k and then drove my first E39. I was smitten and became the proud owner of a 523i. Loved that one and kept it until 120k miles without issue, it had 78k when I bought it.
By now I was being paid mileage by my job and racking up more and more so I chopped in the 523 for an E39 520i. Same HP and felt similar to drive but only had 17k on it when I got it.
About 18 months later I took an E60 530d for a spin and I was instantly hooked on the surge of torque, so the deal was done and I now had a 27k miles 530d. I was doing more and more miles and put 100k on the E60. Apart from consumables, it had a turbo at 38k under AUC warranty. I'm still suspicious that the dealer pulled a flanker on that one !
I then decided to try an X5 and duly bought an E53 3,0d Sport from Snows of Portsmouth. Car had 37k and I ran that until around 60k (12 months) and decided to chop it before anything major went wrong.
I had read all the horror stories about diesel frailities/turbos/etc etc and decided to go back to petrol and found a huge spec F10 528i in Hungerford which I ran from 11k to 45k in 12 months before chopping it in for an E70 X5 35d. That made up for the lack of performance in the E53.
I briefly worked for Mercedes and although I don't particularly like them generally, I ended up chopping in the X5 at 85k for a CLS 250 Shooting brake. Nice car, but I quickly realised how boring it actually was and 6 months later, it want in against a 535d GT from Sytner in Sheffield. Costly mistake was the Merc.
I don't do the miles I used to, now around 12-14k pa, and the GT is now on 69k. I have been looking on the AUC site recently but in all honesty, I don't know what I'd replace it with. It isn't the best handling car I've had, but as an overall package of performance, comfort and long distance ability, it's hard to beat. Apart from the first couple, all cars were AUC, I like having the warranty.
I fancy an F10 M5, never having had an M car of any description, but the possible big number running costs put me off a bit. Should everyone have one once in their life?
By now I was being paid mileage by my job and racking up more and more so I chopped in the 523 for an E39 520i. Same HP and felt similar to drive but only had 17k on it when I got it.
About 18 months later I took an E60 530d for a spin and I was instantly hooked on the surge of torque, so the deal was done and I now had a 27k miles 530d. I was doing more and more miles and put 100k on the E60. Apart from consumables, it had a turbo at 38k under AUC warranty. I'm still suspicious that the dealer pulled a flanker on that one !
I then decided to try an X5 and duly bought an E53 3,0d Sport from Snows of Portsmouth. Car had 37k and I ran that until around 60k (12 months) and decided to chop it before anything major went wrong.
I had read all the horror stories about diesel frailities/turbos/etc etc and decided to go back to petrol and found a huge spec F10 528i in Hungerford which I ran from 11k to 45k in 12 months before chopping it in for an E70 X5 35d. That made up for the lack of performance in the E53.
I briefly worked for Mercedes and although I don't particularly like them generally, I ended up chopping in the X5 at 85k for a CLS 250 Shooting brake. Nice car, but I quickly realised how boring it actually was and 6 months later, it want in against a 535d GT from Sytner in Sheffield. Costly mistake was the Merc.
I don't do the miles I used to, now around 12-14k pa, and the GT is now on 69k. I have been looking on the AUC site recently but in all honesty, I don't know what I'd replace it with. It isn't the best handling car I've had, but as an overall package of performance, comfort and long distance ability, it's hard to beat. Apart from the first couple, all cars were AUC, I like having the warranty.
I fancy an F10 M5, never having had an M car of any description, but the possible big number running costs put me off a bit. Should everyone have one once in their life?
Riggie said:
I fancy an F10 M5, never having had an M car of any description, but the possible big number running costs put me off a bit. Should everyone have one once in their life?
This might sound strange but I enjoyed the normal Bmw's more that I've had than the M cars I've had. I think my expectations were very high with the M cars and they didn't quite match up to my expectations for some reason. In saying that I'd love a M4 though!
Had a few BMW’s over the years.
I’m not really drawn to the more recent ones though, don’t know why as they are good cars. Maybe it’s the styling, the fact they are everywhere now, plus the build quality is nothing special anymore.
Mine were
87 325i sport
86 525e
01 325i
05 330i
Wish I still had the first 2 in a barn somewhere!
I’m not really drawn to the more recent ones though, don’t know why as they are good cars. Maybe it’s the styling, the fact they are everywhere now, plus the build quality is nothing special anymore.
Mine were
87 325i sport
86 525e
01 325i
05 330i
Wish I still had the first 2 in a barn somewhere!
ITP said:
I’m not really drawn to the more recent ones though, don’t know why as they are good cars.
Funny you say that as I feel much the same way about the later ones. I think they are too "digital" for my liking - what with turbo engines, flappy-paddle gearboxes, piped sound and "fake" pops and bangs. I suppose it's an age thing!
To be honest I would have preferred E46s to my E90 & E91 as I think they look much better, but finding rust-free ones is getting nigh on impossible.
Looks like I'll need to make the current pair last!
I've had a few since 2004.
2004 I bought an E30 M3 Sport Evo.
2007 we changed the family Audi A2 for a 2003 E46 320d ES Touring which we ran until 2012 and added 70k to the 30k miles we bought it with, including a trip to the Ring. Turbo failed, which BMW paid for the parts as good will, I paid labour. So I had it remapped and when the exhaust fell off, replaced that with a de-cat and SS system. Went through control arm bushes faster than Harvey Weinstein goes through budding actresses.
2013 we swapped that for a 2006 E90 320Si (the homologation special one), took that from 30k to 85k without the engine dying, remarkably. I liked that car. Not fast, but willing engine which sounded great when thrashed, and handled better than the it's replacement due to the lighter engine. Met a sticky end.
2016 Picked up a 2007 E90 330i M Sport on 30k miles. Now has 82k miles, uses no oil, does 30+mpg o a run and has been reliable aside from the FRM module throwing a fit. In the summer I replaced every wearable suspension part, subframe bushes, track rods and ends, fitted Bilsteins and Eibach springs, replaced the diff oil, gearbox oil, PAS fluid. It still has routine servicing at my local dealer and I change the oil in between times at 9k miles. Drives tight as a drum and as my daily, I don't know what I'd replace it with.
2018 bought a F11 535d Touring (as part of the plan to remove the wife's excuses not to get a dog). Comfy if not sporty, but effortless. Servicing as per the 330i. Only issue has been the rear air suspension springs went tits up. It's on 65k now. The dog seems to like it.
2004 I bought an E30 M3 Sport Evo.
2007 we changed the family Audi A2 for a 2003 E46 320d ES Touring which we ran until 2012 and added 70k to the 30k miles we bought it with, including a trip to the Ring. Turbo failed, which BMW paid for the parts as good will, I paid labour. So I had it remapped and when the exhaust fell off, replaced that with a de-cat and SS system. Went through control arm bushes faster than Harvey Weinstein goes through budding actresses.
2013 we swapped that for a 2006 E90 320Si (the homologation special one), took that from 30k to 85k without the engine dying, remarkably. I liked that car. Not fast, but willing engine which sounded great when thrashed, and handled better than the it's replacement due to the lighter engine. Met a sticky end.
2016 Picked up a 2007 E90 330i M Sport on 30k miles. Now has 82k miles, uses no oil, does 30+mpg o a run and has been reliable aside from the FRM module throwing a fit. In the summer I replaced every wearable suspension part, subframe bushes, track rods and ends, fitted Bilsteins and Eibach springs, replaced the diff oil, gearbox oil, PAS fluid. It still has routine servicing at my local dealer and I change the oil in between times at 9k miles. Drives tight as a drum and as my daily, I don't know what I'd replace it with.
2018 bought a F11 535d Touring (as part of the plan to remove the wife's excuses not to get a dog). Comfy if not sporty, but effortless. Servicing as per the 330i. Only issue has been the rear air suspension springs went tits up. It's on 65k now. The dog seems to like it.
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