After some advice
Discussion
Good evening PH!
I'm currently on the look out for a new car, at the moment I've currently got £1,600 to spend, including whatever the extra is in insurance.
I've currently spotted a BMW 3 Series 318i SE 4dr Step Auto Saloon 1.9L on Auto Trader, but will gladly admit my knowledge on cars is very low. Is there anything that I need to look out for? Its got 115k miles, which I'm sure isn't a problem. Its a X-reg.
Insurance is a decent price too, £670 fully comp, only £200 more than what I'm paying for my Focus at the moment.
If anyone has any other ideas on what else would be worth a look would be great!
Cheers
.
I'm currently on the look out for a new car, at the moment I've currently got £1,600 to spend, including whatever the extra is in insurance.
I've currently spotted a BMW 3 Series 318i SE 4dr Step Auto Saloon 1.9L on Auto Trader, but will gladly admit my knowledge on cars is very low. Is there anything that I need to look out for? Its got 115k miles, which I'm sure isn't a problem. Its a X-reg.
Insurance is a decent price too, £670 fully comp, only £200 more than what I'm paying for my Focus at the moment.
If anyone has any other ideas on what else would be worth a look would be great!
Cheers
.I have a W reg, manual 318 and would say they are well built, generally reliable cars with a few well documented and cheap to fix problems. I average 35MPG in mine, bear in mind that the Auto is only 4 speed so you are looking at nearer 30MPG. The engine is a simple 8 valve 1.9 with a cam chain (no belt to worry about) and is very reliable. Even at this age/mileage the car should still be smooth and quiet.
These are the things I would specifically look for:
1)Rust. Look everywhere, especially around the wheel arches. The first thing I would do once you buy a car is clean out all the mud from the rear wheelarches and treat with Waxoyl. It is probably also worth while taking off the front plastic arch liners and treating the fronts too.
2)Coolant leaks. Mine suffered from a coolant leak as soon as I picked it up which I am certain the seller knew about. The giveaway (didn't realise at the time) was the climate control was on 32 and the fan on minimum. This is how you bleed the system so he had obviously just topped it up. Anyway, it was just the plastic elbow at the back of the engine which cost £9. If this happens to you remove the cabin filter housing (4 screws) and it is easy to get to. If the temperature gauge ever goes above dead centre stop the car immediately before it overheats.
3)Warning lights. E46s seem to like displaying warning lights on the dash every now and again that just disapear. so far I have had the ABS/DSC lights come on (ABS sensor), Yellow oil level light flash on (sensor in the sump) and Exhaust Emission warning light (No idea just went off).
4)Check to see if you have the torch in the glovebox, first aid kit under the passenger seat, toolkit under the bootlid and triangle in the boot. None of these are deal breakers but just show the car has been looked after. As it's an SE it should also have a 6 disk CD changer on the left side of the boot.
Basically I am very pleased with mine and can't think of anything else as good for the money.
These are the things I would specifically look for:
1)Rust. Look everywhere, especially around the wheel arches. The first thing I would do once you buy a car is clean out all the mud from the rear wheelarches and treat with Waxoyl. It is probably also worth while taking off the front plastic arch liners and treating the fronts too.
2)Coolant leaks. Mine suffered from a coolant leak as soon as I picked it up which I am certain the seller knew about. The giveaway (didn't realise at the time) was the climate control was on 32 and the fan on minimum. This is how you bleed the system so he had obviously just topped it up. Anyway, it was just the plastic elbow at the back of the engine which cost £9. If this happens to you remove the cabin filter housing (4 screws) and it is easy to get to. If the temperature gauge ever goes above dead centre stop the car immediately before it overheats.
3)Warning lights. E46s seem to like displaying warning lights on the dash every now and again that just disapear. so far I have had the ABS/DSC lights come on (ABS sensor), Yellow oil level light flash on (sensor in the sump) and Exhaust Emission warning light (No idea just went off).
4)Check to see if you have the torch in the glovebox, first aid kit under the passenger seat, toolkit under the bootlid and triangle in the boot. None of these are deal breakers but just show the car has been looked after. As it's an SE it should also have a 6 disk CD changer on the left side of the boot.
Basically I am very pleased with mine and can't think of anything else as good for the money.
I say this respectfully, different people like different things.
I've always found the 3 series to be very "ordinary", at best they are ordinary with a big engine ..... I even dislike the drive of the M3.
You'll get a lot of 5 series for £1,600, if you don't mind the larger size and find the insurance affordable.
I've always found the 3 series to be very "ordinary", at best they are ordinary with a big engine ..... I even dislike the drive of the M3.
You'll get a lot of 5 series for £1,600, if you don't mind the larger size and find the insurance affordable.
Thank you for the replies .
I completely agree Nigel Worc's, I might get in and hate it, at the moment I'm just looking, I've not had my payout yet. I've not seen any 5 series local to me that look nice and looked after, and is at the top of my budget (currently they've agreed to pay £1575, trying for a bit more though).
I am coming from a Focus though, so bound to be better/more fun to drive!
Thanks very much for that Joey Deacon, I'll keep that in mind if/when I go and view it.
Just a quick question, whats it like speed wise? I've currently got a 1.8 TDDi Focus, which is meh. Would it be a noticeable difference in acceleration? Does it sit nicely at 70/80?
Thanks.
.I completely agree Nigel Worc's, I might get in and hate it, at the moment I'm just looking, I've not had my payout yet. I've not seen any 5 series local to me that look nice and looked after, and is at the top of my budget (currently they've agreed to pay £1575, trying for a bit more though).
I am coming from a Focus though, so bound to be better/more fun to drive!
Thanks very much for that Joey Deacon, I'll keep that in mind if/when I go and view it.
Just a quick question, whats it like speed wise? I've currently got a 1.8 TDDi Focus, which is meh. Would it be a noticeable difference in acceleration? Does it sit nicely at 70/80?
Thanks
.My only real experience of a low powered 3 series is my daughters latest car, which is the Z3 1.8 (it is actually 1895cc).
This is a very different car to the actual 3 series, as it's the 2 seater sports car, and to be honest, is very impressive for what it is.
If you choose a 5 series, the E34 can be had with a 1.8, it is actually the same engine as in my daughters Z3 ..... it is very driveable, but is underpowered and heavy on fuel. I owned the estate version for a couple of years which was a 1.8, it was a 5 series all over, and actually very good on motorways, but off them the focus would out accelerate it with ease.
If you have a later 5 series, the E39, there isn't a 1.8, they are 6 cylinder 2.0, 2.2, 2.5 single vanus(badged 2.3), 2.5 double vanus (badged 2.5), 2.8, 3.0, V8 3.5 or 4.4 litres.
If you start to look at the 5 series, in the E39, come back and ask for advice, because some of the early ones which are in your price bracket can have "issues" regarding things like nikisil.
Mine would be in your price bracket now (I'm not selling it), and that's a 2000 W redg 2.8 SE auto, with 130,000 on the clock.
This is a very different car to the actual 3 series, as it's the 2 seater sports car, and to be honest, is very impressive for what it is.
If you choose a 5 series, the E34 can be had with a 1.8, it is actually the same engine as in my daughters Z3 ..... it is very driveable, but is underpowered and heavy on fuel. I owned the estate version for a couple of years which was a 1.8, it was a 5 series all over, and actually very good on motorways, but off them the focus would out accelerate it with ease.
If you have a later 5 series, the E39, there isn't a 1.8, they are 6 cylinder 2.0, 2.2, 2.5 single vanus(badged 2.3), 2.5 double vanus (badged 2.5), 2.8, 3.0, V8 3.5 or 4.4 litres.
If you start to look at the 5 series, in the E39, come back and ask for advice, because some of the early ones which are in your price bracket can have "issues" regarding things like nikisil.
Mine would be in your price bracket now (I'm not selling it), and that's a 2000 W redg 2.8 SE auto, with 130,000 on the clock.
I agree the E39 is a better car but the running costs are going to be higher. If you have been quoted £670 on a 318 then I am guessing the insurance on an E39 is going to be expensive. Nigel Worc's, what fuel economy do you get from your 528?
Is there any reason you are going for an automatic 318? As I stated above they are only 4 speed so performance and fuel economy are going to be worse than a manual. In my car 70-80MPH is comfortable, 70MPH is 3200RPM and 80MPH is around 3700RPM.
My only experience of driving a Ford Diesel is an 02 plate Mondeo. Compared to my Wifes Scenic DCi it felt very old, rough and noisy. I think in terms of noise and build quality the BMW is going to feel a lot better than your Focus.
One of the BMW magazines (not sure which one) has a feature this month on buying a 318 so it might be worth having a quick look.
Is there any reason you are going for an automatic 318? As I stated above they are only 4 speed so performance and fuel economy are going to be worse than a manual. In my car 70-80MPH is comfortable, 70MPH is 3200RPM and 80MPH is around 3700RPM.
My only experience of driving a Ford Diesel is an 02 plate Mondeo. Compared to my Wifes Scenic DCi it felt very old, rough and noisy. I think in terms of noise and build quality the BMW is going to feel a lot better than your Focus.
One of the BMW magazines (not sure which one) has a feature this month on buying a 318 so it might be worth having a quick look.
Joey Deacon said:
I agree the E39 is a better car but the running costs are going to be higher. If you have been quoted £670 on a 318 then I am guessing the insurance on an E39 is going to be expensive. Nigel Worc's, what fuel economy do you get from your 528?
Is there any reason you are going for an automatic 318? As I stated above they are only 4 speed so performance and fuel economy are going to be worse than a manual. In my car 70-80MPH is comfortable, 70MPH is 3200RPM and 80MPH is around 3700RPM.
My only experience of driving a Ford Diesel is an 02 plate Mondeo. Compared to my Wifes Scenic DCi it felt very old, rough and noisy. I think in terms of noise and build quality the BMW is going to feel a lot better than your Focus.
One of the BMW magazines (not sure which one) has a feature this month on buying a 318 so it might be worth having a quick look.
Insurance isn't that much of a difference, £50 or so, its the fuel costs that put me off a bit. I currently do around 500 miles a month, and costs me around £60/£70 a month. Any ideas what it would cost me in a E39? Petrol is 130.9 around here.Is there any reason you are going for an automatic 318? As I stated above they are only 4 speed so performance and fuel economy are going to be worse than a manual. In my car 70-80MPH is comfortable, 70MPH is 3200RPM and 80MPH is around 3700RPM.
My only experience of driving a Ford Diesel is an 02 plate Mondeo. Compared to my Wifes Scenic DCi it felt very old, rough and noisy. I think in terms of noise and build quality the BMW is going to feel a lot better than your Focus.
One of the BMW magazines (not sure which one) has a feature this month on buying a 318 so it might be worth having a quick look.
No reason why I've gone for the auto, just looks like its been looked after compared to the others I had seen.
500 miles a month in a 520 (won't get a decent 528/530 for your budget unless going over 2.2k IMO) won't cost much more than a 318. I'd go 5 over 3 series for a nicer looking car and more comfort.
Your fuel figures seem off that consumption seems in line with ultra modern ford diesel, I was getting those numbers with my old 318 but fuel was around 80p a litre back then, 500 miles in a 530 will be the wrong side of £100 in fuel I'm sure fox will confirm though as I've only done 3k in mine thus far, so a 520i maybe £85-£90.
Your fuel figures seem off that consumption seems in line with ultra modern ford diesel, I was getting those numbers with my old 318 but fuel was around 80p a litre back then, 500 miles in a 530 will be the wrong side of £100 in fuel I'm sure fox will confirm though as I've only done 3k in mine thus far, so a 520i maybe £85-£90.
Edited by andrewh on Wednesday 25th January 15:40
Edited by andrewh on Wednesday 25th January 15:42
Edited by andrewh on Wednesday 25th January 15:45
andrewh said:
500 miles a month in a 520 (won't get a decent 528/530 for your budget unless going over 2.2k IMO) won't cost much more than a 318. I'd go 5 over 3 series for a nicer looking car and more comfort.
Your fuel figures seem off that consumption seems in line with ultra modern ford diesel, I was getting those numbers with my old 318 but fuel was around 80p a litre back then, 500 miles in a 530 will be the wrong side of £100 in fuel I'm sure fox will confirm though as I've only done 3k in mine thus far.
Whoops! My mistake, I forgot I've put a bit extra this month, its around 450 miles I believe. Which is just over 40mpg. Your fuel figures seem off that consumption seems in line with ultra modern ford diesel, I was getting those numbers with my old 318 but fuel was around 80p a litre back then, 500 miles in a 530 will be the wrong side of £100 in fuel I'm sure fox will confirm though as I've only done 3k in mine thus far.
Edited by andrewh on Wednesday 25th January 15:40
Edited by andrewh on Wednesday 25th January 15:42
I've finally got a figure for my pay out, £1,500 plus I can keep my car, which I'm going to scrap for £183 I think. So around £1,700.
I've spotted two 5 Series that are local to me on Auto Trader.
Car 1
Car 2
Which one to you looks a good deal? I'm going to view them both hopefully. The second one, I'm not too sure how much it is to insure as I can't see the number plate to get a quote.
Thanks
.
. Even the E46 is 4470mm long...
If insurance is not an issue then I would personally go for a 528 over those two cars. From what I understand fuel economy on 6 Cylinder BMW's is pretty similar for all engines so you may as well go for the 528.
If you are only doing 500 miles a month then I would definitely go for the 5 series.
If insurance is not an issue then I would personally go for a 528 over those two cars. From what I understand fuel economy on 6 Cylinder BMW's is pretty similar for all engines so you may as well go for the 528.
If you are only doing 500 miles a month then I would definitely go for the 5 series.
My fuel figures :
Around town, 21 - 23 mpg
Most of my driving is long distance motorway stuff.
With the lorries (constant 56 mph) 44.9 mpg
not above 70 mph 39.9 mpg
85 to 90 ish 34.9 mpg
I can get those figures repeatedly, and actual fuel fills tie in with the obc withing 1 mpg.
I'd actually prefer an E34 to an E39, although the fuel figures will be nowhere near those levels, and the E34 being older is more likely to have bodywork/paint issues, but it won't have the electrical gremlins E39's suffer from.
If you're looking at E39's, I'd suggest, personally, you either look at the badged 523i or 528i versions, I believe, but am open to be corrected, that the 525i and 530i are double vanos (apart from more to go very expensively wrong, they also have a thirst for the more expensive fully synth oil they need).
There aren't many just at the moment on autotrader, but hang around for a week or so, they'll appear.
I've had mine 18 months, I paid £2,700 for it (which was top dollar at that time), because it was such a nice 2 previous owner, full bmw service history example, with a decent spec, full leather , even folding rear seats !
I've taken it from 81,000 miles to 134,000 miles in that time, but I have had a couple of issues, I've had an ABS ECU fail, this cost me about £400, and I've also had full ecu faliure, and had to resort to using a "thief kit" from a scapyard, at a cost of £180.00 (this is due to this age of car being ews3, and BMW wanting £1,300.08 for a module)
Around town, 21 - 23 mpg
Most of my driving is long distance motorway stuff.
With the lorries (constant 56 mph) 44.9 mpg
not above 70 mph 39.9 mpg
85 to 90 ish 34.9 mpg
I can get those figures repeatedly, and actual fuel fills tie in with the obc withing 1 mpg.
I'd actually prefer an E34 to an E39, although the fuel figures will be nowhere near those levels, and the E34 being older is more likely to have bodywork/paint issues, but it won't have the electrical gremlins E39's suffer from.
If you're looking at E39's, I'd suggest, personally, you either look at the badged 523i or 528i versions, I believe, but am open to be corrected, that the 525i and 530i are double vanos (apart from more to go very expensively wrong, they also have a thirst for the more expensive fully synth oil they need).
There aren't many just at the moment on autotrader, but hang around for a week or so, they'll appear.
I've had mine 18 months, I paid £2,700 for it (which was top dollar at that time), because it was such a nice 2 previous owner, full bmw service history example, with a decent spec, full leather , even folding rear seats !
I've taken it from 81,000 miles to 134,000 miles in that time, but I have had a couple of issues, I've had an ABS ECU fail, this cost me about £400, and I've also had full ecu faliure, and had to resort to using a "thief kit" from a scapyard, at a cost of £180.00 (this is due to this age of car being ews3, and BMW wanting £1,300.08 for a module)
Nigel Worc's said:
If you're looking at E39's, I'd suggest, personally, you either look at the badged 523i or 528i versions, I believe, but am open to be corrected, that the 525i and 530i are double vanos (apart from more to go very expensively wrong, they also have a thirst for the more expensive fully synth oil they need).
The later 523i and 528i are double VANOS as well. It's not scary like it is on the M power cars though.What does double vanos mean?
I've spotted a 528i that is around 60 miles away, up for £1150 or something I think, its an S-Reg with 151k miles. Only thing I'm worried about is the fact it seems pretty cheap for what it is.
[quote]
Lovely example with Service history, black leather interior, msport alloys, angel eye headlamps and in excellent condition . Taxed feb 2012, 6 disc cd changer, ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Electric sunroof, Front armrest, Headlight washers, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Radio/Cassette, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Side airbags, Traction control, Alarm, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Front electric windows, Heated door mirrors, Height adjustable drivers seat, PAS, Rear electric windows, Remote central locking, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Trip computer, Front fog lights, Service indicator
[/quote]
Was always told, if it seems to good to be true, it generally is.
I've spotted a 528i that is around 60 miles away, up for £1150 or something I think, its an S-Reg with 151k miles. Only thing I'm worried about is the fact it seems pretty cheap for what it is.
[quote]
Lovely example with Service history, black leather interior, msport alloys, angel eye headlamps and in excellent condition . Taxed feb 2012, 6 disc cd changer, ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Electric sunroof, Front armrest, Headlight washers, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Radio/Cassette, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Side airbags, Traction control, Alarm, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers, Drivers airbag, Electric door mirrors, Front electric windows, Heated door mirrors, Height adjustable drivers seat, PAS, Rear electric windows, Remote central locking, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Trip computer, Front fog lights, Service indicator
[/quote]
Was always told, if it seems to good to be true, it generally is.
Vanos is variable valve timing.
That car seems a little overpriced to be honest, you need to be after build date march 99 to avoid nikisil, or, you want proof it's been dealt with.
That one has also been messed with a little, it is up to you of course, but I always look for original, original style wheels, original style lights etc
That car seems a little overpriced to be honest, you need to be after build date march 99 to avoid nikisil, or, you want proof it's been dealt with.
That one has also been messed with a little, it is up to you of course, but I always look for original, original style wheels, original style lights etc
I never thought of that! I don't really like cars that have been modified with. Fine if its someone I know and know they would have looked after it, but from a stranger, most likely not.
I'm going to wait and find a decent one this time, I made the mistake of buying the first Focus I saw last time, nothing but problems with it!
I'm down in Dorset.
I'm going to wait and find a decent one this time, I made the mistake of buying the first Focus I saw last time, nothing but problems with it!
I'm down in Dorset.
OK, too far from me, I don't often get down that way.
If you'd been closer I'd have shown you around mine, so you could have a good look, get to know what to look out for etc.
Pop a new post up, asking if anyone has 5, or even a 3 if you're still intersted in those, closeish to you, so you can get a feel for whichever car you're looking at.
Don't just stick with BMW either, although they are very good, Mercs of this age tend to be a bit rusty, but there was a very good shed of the week last week that was a 3.0 litre Omega, not quite the quality of a beemer, and I've never owned one, but I'm told they can be nice, I used to like the senator, but they've all but rusted away now.
If you'd been closer I'd have shown you around mine, so you could have a good look, get to know what to look out for etc.
Pop a new post up, asking if anyone has 5, or even a 3 if you're still intersted in those, closeish to you, so you can get a feel for whichever car you're looking at.
Don't just stick with BMW either, although they are very good, Mercs of this age tend to be a bit rusty, but there was a very good shed of the week last week that was a 3.0 litre Omega, not quite the quality of a beemer, and I've never owned one, but I'm told they can be nice, I used to like the senator, but they've all but rusted away now.
Nigel Worc's said:
OK, too far from me, I don't often get down that way.
If you'd been closer I'd have shown you around mine, so you could have a good look, get to know what to look out for etc.
Pop a new post up, asking if anyone has 5, or even a 3 if you're still intersted in those, closeish to you, so you can get a feel for whichever car you're looking at.
Don't just stick with BMW either, although they are very good, Mercs of this age tend to be a bit rusty, but there was a very good shed of the week last week that was a 3.0 litre Omega, not quite the quality of a beemer, and I've never owned one, but I'm told they can be nice, I used to like the senator, but they've all but rusted away now.
I saw the Omega and was considering it, but strangely insurance is over £1,000! Couldn't work that out lol.If you'd been closer I'd have shown you around mine, so you could have a good look, get to know what to look out for etc.
Pop a new post up, asking if anyone has 5, or even a 3 if you're still intersted in those, closeish to you, so you can get a feel for whichever car you're looking at.
Don't just stick with BMW either, although they are very good, Mercs of this age tend to be a bit rusty, but there was a very good shed of the week last week that was a 3.0 litre Omega, not quite the quality of a beemer, and I've never owned one, but I'm told they can be nice, I used to like the senator, but they've all but rusted away now.
Found one on eBay (250977622614), 1996 though, just waiting for a reply on if its had that thing sorted. Looks very nice though, and has the torch and first aid kit!
Really tempted by it. Just got to hope I can get some time off work to see it over the weekend. If it doesn't sell before hand that is!
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