Can I be tempted away?
Discussion
Apologies, another recommendation thread.
The time has come to replace my daily hack; a well-fettled E36 328i Touring.
As a BMW zealot, the choices are obvious. However, I'm in a playful mood regarding this next purchase so could find myself swayed to another manufacturer for the first time in about 14 years.
Essentially, I need space, decent turn of speed and it has to come in at £3k or under. Oh yeah, it needs to be a derv to minimise fuel consumption.
My initial choice was an E46 330d touring (natch) but after driving an older Saab 93 estate, I was pleasantly surprised to find a very well appointed cabin and decent pace for buttons - albeit FWD and a little disconnected at the front end.
I appreciate my ingrained view of BMW means I've missed out on other good cars in the past which is probably why I have more of an open mind now. I'm sold on a touring shape, it's just the rest I have to decide on.
What would your shout be?
The time has come to replace my daily hack; a well-fettled E36 328i Touring.
As a BMW zealot, the choices are obvious. However, I'm in a playful mood regarding this next purchase so could find myself swayed to another manufacturer for the first time in about 14 years.
Essentially, I need space, decent turn of speed and it has to come in at £3k or under. Oh yeah, it needs to be a derv to minimise fuel consumption.
My initial choice was an E46 330d touring (natch) but after driving an older Saab 93 estate, I was pleasantly surprised to find a very well appointed cabin and decent pace for buttons - albeit FWD and a little disconnected at the front end.
I appreciate my ingrained view of BMW means I've missed out on other good cars in the past which is probably why I have more of an open mind now. I'm sold on a touring shape, it's just the rest I have to decide on.
What would your shout be?
Why are you getting rid of your e36?
In terms of space and pace at this budget I think you'll struggle to match or top it.
If it's newer you want then keep an eye out for a Jaguar X-Type estate. Superb ride and handling, although less sporty than the BMW.
3.0 V6 is nice and has AWD, but it won't be any better on fuel. Diesels are good, FWD but still not a bad steer and should see 45mpg+. Not sure if they are in budget though.
In terms of space and pace at this budget I think you'll struggle to match or top it.
If it's newer you want then keep an eye out for a Jaguar X-Type estate. Superb ride and handling, although less sporty than the BMW.
3.0 V6 is nice and has AWD, but it won't be any better on fuel. Diesels are good, FWD but still not a bad steer and should see 45mpg+. Not sure if they are in budget though.
liquidken said:
A quick check on Autotrader suggests so - albeit in very small numbers. Are they much cop, then?
I've not considered Jap cars to be honest.
From what I've heard they are pretty good, worthy of researching.. Just thought I'd suggest something slightly out of the box compared with the standard replies on here (mx5,octav,3series,etc)I've not considered Jap cars to be honest.
At the risk of not answering your question...
Presumably given your post you are looking for a cost effective car. Given the complexity of modern diesels, and their associated premiums based on on the false god of MPG, and your wanting something that isn't completely utilitarian... Perhaps Sir would reconsider a petrol engine with lower miles?
Presumably given your post you are looking for a cost effective car. Given the complexity of modern diesels, and their associated premiums based on on the false god of MPG, and your wanting something that isn't completely utilitarian... Perhaps Sir would reconsider a petrol engine with lower miles?
Although BMW's are not what they used to be, having had two saab 9-3's in the past you will be sorely dissapointed in the build quality of a Saab. They are very comfortable but out of my two one had lots of small things go wrong and the second had an autobox failure at 52k. I won't be buying another, I have just bought another beemer though...
Editted to add - you'd be very brave to go for a 3k 330d
Editted to add - you'd be very brave to go for a 3k 330d
mike325112 said:
Although BMW's are not what they used to be, having had two saab 9-3's in the past you will be sorely dissapointed in the build quality of a Saab. They are very comfortable but out of my two one had lots of small things go wrong and the second had an autobox failure at 52k. I won't be buying another, I have just bought another beemer though...
Editted to add - you'd be very brave to go for a 3k 330d
I'd have to agree. Any E46 that is £3k or under isn't going to be much cop, and I'd probably suggest holding on to what you have in that case.Editted to add - you'd be very brave to go for a 3k 330d
How about a Volvo? I'm not up on the specs with these, but surely you could get a good V70 or similar? Not sure about the diesels though, and having never driven a Volvo estate, I couldn't account for ride quality. The saloons I have driven however have had plenty of pull and cabin seems to cater for most things, as does the Saab.
I like even modern Saabs but they feel old now, and they suffer from a lot of faults. I remember reading about an engine mount problem they have that will apparently render them all unable to pass an MOT without serious work. I can't remember the specifics of it, but given that the cars themselves are so old it wouldn't surprise me if the manufacturers decided not to spend money addressing it.
A Volvo could be a good choice. Volvo are my choice of big, fast saloons hence why I've went to an S60 2.0L T. Very roomy, fast, drives well, plenty of toys, extremely comfortable. No matter what the road conditions, the weather, the time of day, the Volvo is always fantastic to be driving.
A Volvo could be a good choice. Volvo are my choice of big, fast saloons hence why I've went to an S60 2.0L T. Very roomy, fast, drives well, plenty of toys, extremely comfortable. No matter what the road conditions, the weather, the time of day, the Volvo is always fantastic to be driving.
do not under any circumsances go for a 3k 330d- unless it has 6 new injectors and a rebuilt auto box- they will go wrong and cost you a fortune- in 12 months on a £4.5k 330d i spent £4.8k! and this was a well known vehicle that my father had owned for 8 years and had maintained religously of cost- it had had new turbo, intercooler, injectors, gearbox, most balljoints, 4 new calipers, bascially anything.
would love an e36 328 though!
would love an e36 328 though!
The Crack Fox said:
300bhp/ton said:
How about home fitting an LPG kit to your current BMW? I suspect pence per mile it'd better any diesel estate.
How many miles would you have to do to recoup the costs of the LPG kit though ? Will the car last long enough ?
It's not really about recouping costs IMO. It's about lowering fuel bills and monthly expenditure.
Remember if you sell the car you can always take the kit off and sell it separately or fit it to another car. So you're not really trying to recoup the entire outlay.
Also the OP seems ready for a change, so as a rule changing cars incurs some cost. And at present they seem to be looking at vehicles with less performance for possible only 10mpg better average.
So how many miles would they need to do in a diesel estate car to justify selling the 328i?
That said, I think you could get an an LPG to fit yourself for around £1000 depending on specifics.
Used the kit must be worth £400-500, so potentially the Net cost of going LPG might only be £500-700 overall.
And for doing this you'd likely end up with a car offering a cost equivalent to 55-60mpg when comparing diesel pence per mile running costs.
300bhp/ton said:
Why are you getting rid of your e36?
The car itself is fine - albeit a bit leggy at over 160k. My commute is about to double in distance to over 100 miles a day so I'm looking to minimise my fuel costs. I'm currently spending over £300 a month purely on the commute - averaging roughly 32mpg which isn't bad for the car itself. If the commute wasn't increasing, I'd be happy to keep the E36.
Given the difference in mileage attainment (taking into account the difference in fuel prices) a diesel seems to be the best option as LPG isn't a great option given the initial outlay.
I know my budget is the shallow end of the 330d pool, hence me looking at other options incase I can't find a good deal.
Thanks for the steers so far - there's been a few I've not considered previously.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff