What to look out for - BMW 3 series - sub £1000 ?
Discussion
I've been playing the bangernomics game for a few years and wanted to step it up a level.
Previous banger for just over two years was a T-reg 1.6L Megane. Cost me £200 to buy. Cambelt recently went and so it was time for the scrappie. Got £110 for it.
Net result = £90 for two years of motoring. (Not bad yes?)
This time I want something that isn't going to send me to sleep every time I drive it.
So on the cards is either a BMW 316 (E36), a BMW 318 (E36), or a BMW 320 (E36).
--> The 316's are a bit low on power but give good MPG returns, but can be fun in the wet. (And it always wet in the north west!).
--> 318's could be where I'm heading, a good balance of power and MPG along with insurance costs. (But anything to specifically look out for on high milage ones?)
--> 320's could be an option if these are generally a stronger engine? (are they?), but I'm guessing for under a grand it will be an older and higher milage example.
There are a few on the likes of autotrader, ebay, pistonheads etc. but having never owned a BMW before I'm not sure if buying a sub-£1000 E36 3-series would be 'worth it' in terms of bangernomics?
Any advice appreciated, Cheers.
Previous banger for just over two years was a T-reg 1.6L Megane. Cost me £200 to buy. Cambelt recently went and so it was time for the scrappie. Got £110 for it.
Net result = £90 for two years of motoring. (Not bad yes?)
This time I want something that isn't going to send me to sleep every time I drive it.
So on the cards is either a BMW 316 (E36), a BMW 318 (E36), or a BMW 320 (E36).
--> The 316's are a bit low on power but give good MPG returns, but can be fun in the wet. (And it always wet in the north west!).
--> 318's could be where I'm heading, a good balance of power and MPG along with insurance costs. (But anything to specifically look out for on high milage ones?)
--> 320's could be an option if these are generally a stronger engine? (are they?), but I'm guessing for under a grand it will be an older and higher milage example.
There are a few on the likes of autotrader, ebay, pistonheads etc. but having never owned a BMW before I'm not sure if buying a sub-£1000 E36 3-series would be 'worth it' in terms of bangernomics?
Any advice appreciated, Cheers.
A grand will get you a lot of e36. I sold my 328I se for £425 (was taxed and tested) a few months ago and apart from the back arches there was nothing wrong with it.
Personally I wouldn't bother with a 316 or 320. I would be looking at the 1.9 318is or going for a 323, 325 as they will be no more thirsty than a 320.
Don't discount a 325TD or preferably TDS either, great engines and economy to boot!
Personally I wouldn't bother with a 316 or 320. I would be looking at the 1.9 318is or going for a 323, 325 as they will be no more thirsty than a 320.
Don't discount a 325TD or preferably TDS either, great engines and economy to boot!
Quite right, a grand should get you ban awful lot of E36 these day. You will appreciate the car so much more though if you go for the 6 cylinder however, so the 320i gets my vote, the difference in combined fuel consumption between this and the 4 cylinder cars is negligible. The old 316 and 318s are painfully underpowered, and from my experience throw thermostats and o2 sensors in. Assuming the cooling system is doing its job, the 320i is bulletproof.
Leptons said:
A grand will get you a lot of e36.
...
Personally I wouldn't bother with a 316 or 320. I would be looking at the 1.9 318is
This man speaks sense!...
Personally I wouldn't bother with a 316 or 320. I would be looking at the 1.9 318is
If you want the best blend of economy and power, the 318is is the one to buy.
If emmpeegees aren't important, the early e36 325i (before they moved to the 328i) seems remarkably unloved and good value.
All of that said... I drove a basic 318i a few weeks back and it wasn't nearly as slow as I'd been expecting. No rocket ship, but perfectly respectable and a surprisingly good drive.
Where abouts in Cumbria are you OP?
I bought a E36 325i just over a year ago as a stop gap for £340 expecting it to last a few months or until it's next MOT. It went through it's MOT only needing a tyre so still using it as my daily. It's up and down the motorway for a few hundred miles on several occassions and it's hugely comfortable and has enough power + RWD makes it pretty fun at times and is no slouch.
No doubt as others have said you'll get a very tidy E36 for a grand. For me a grand for bangernomics is about 500 quid too much as if something went wrong I'd have to put it right, consumables are fine but as with my current car and your old you it will just go back to the scrap heap.
I bought a E36 325i just over a year ago as a stop gap for £340 expecting it to last a few months or until it's next MOT. It went through it's MOT only needing a tyre so still using it as my daily. It's up and down the motorway for a few hundred miles on several occassions and it's hugely comfortable and has enough power + RWD makes it pretty fun at times and is no slouch.
No doubt as others have said you'll get a very tidy E36 for a grand. For me a grand for bangernomics is about 500 quid too much as if something went wrong I'd have to put it right, consumables are fine but as with my current car and your old you it will just go back to the scrap heap.
a311 said:
Where abouts in Cumbria are you OP?
Penrith area.Interesting answers so far. Cheers.
I'll be going to look at a couple this weekend, but after some have said I should be getting a good condition car for the £1000 mark.
But also the £500 area is where a better bangernomics price should be.
Gives me plenty to think about.
Gruber said:
All of that said... I drove a basic 318i a few weeks back and it wasn't nearly as slow as I'd been expecting. No rocket ship, but perfectly respectable and a surprisingly good drive.
Fully agree - you soon reaslie how much less weight these cars are being asked to haul vs something more modern.Felt like it would be completely out-paced by modern traffic, but it was very competent indeed.
I bought a '98 318is three years ago expecting to keep it 12 months or so before it either broke or I got bored with.
So far neither has happened, it sailed through the mot earlier this year (unlike the crappy Laguna thing we had) & it just keeps in going like a train.
It's only got 105k miles on the clock, gets used a daily runabout by me & swmbo as well as for regular trips to Devon & back for the weekend. Not the fastest car in the road but it's quick, it handles well, it stops well so what more do to need from a car?
Never let me down, costs me £200 to insure it, I don't care about mpg etc, spares are not too expensive if they are needed, tyres don't cost much, I get it serviced by a local garage who looks after my cars & I will keep it until it decides to retire itself although I can't see that day coming round for quite a while.
The 318is is a good car if you find a good one which I did.
I actually prefer driving the car more than I do the Jaguar & that's got a 3 litre V6 up front!
Probably something to with the manual gearbox, rear wheel drive & a traction control 'off' button...........
So far neither has happened, it sailed through the mot earlier this year (unlike the crappy Laguna thing we had) & it just keeps in going like a train.
It's only got 105k miles on the clock, gets used a daily runabout by me & swmbo as well as for regular trips to Devon & back for the weekend. Not the fastest car in the road but it's quick, it handles well, it stops well so what more do to need from a car?
Never let me down, costs me £200 to insure it, I don't care about mpg etc, spares are not too expensive if they are needed, tyres don't cost much, I get it serviced by a local garage who looks after my cars & I will keep it until it decides to retire itself although I can't see that day coming round for quite a while.
The 318is is a good car if you find a good one which I did.
I actually prefer driving the car more than I do the Jaguar & that's got a 3 litre V6 up front!
Probably something to with the manual gearbox, rear wheel drive & a traction control 'off' button...........
Another vote for the 318is. Bought my 99 reg 318is 2 years ago as a stop gap, its still going but is in need of some TLC which I blame myself for. I have thrashed it for the last 30k miles but its never let me down and returns 36ish mpg.
Its got leather, climate plus a decent boot and fold down rear seats for added practicality.
Slightly undergeared for mway driving but its ok at 70mph.
Mine has the usual rust on arches and bootlid but they add to its charm.
I service it myself which cost me about £50 in parts last time.
Its got leather, climate plus a decent boot and fold down rear seats for added practicality.
Slightly undergeared for mway driving but its ok at 70mph.
Mine has the usual rust on arches and bootlid but they add to its charm.
I service it myself which cost me about £50 in parts last time.
Oh hell yes.
I've just bought a e36 328i. 152,000 miles, near full BMW + Specialist history, leather, no aircon, manual, sunroof.
Bought it with a fuel leak (that the bloke didn't tell me about), cost a couple of quid plus an hours labour to fix. I've changed all 4 tyres as they were unmatched and the MOT is due in the next month but I doubt it will need much if anything. 30+ MPG if I behave myself and it makes an awesome noise. Unfortunately there is some lacquer peeling on the bonnet because it has been sprayed in the past but its a relatively good job.
£880 quid well spent methinks.
Eta: A little bit of pic whoring
I've just bought a e36 328i. 152,000 miles, near full BMW + Specialist history, leather, no aircon, manual, sunroof.
Bought it with a fuel leak (that the bloke didn't tell me about), cost a couple of quid plus an hours labour to fix. I've changed all 4 tyres as they were unmatched and the MOT is due in the next month but I doubt it will need much if anything. 30+ MPG if I behave myself and it makes an awesome noise. Unfortunately there is some lacquer peeling on the bonnet because it has been sprayed in the past but its a relatively good job.
£880 quid well spent methinks.
Eta: A little bit of pic whoring
Edited by The Nur on Wednesday 18th July 16:54
Art0ir said:
You'll get a half decent E46 for that money now.
We bought an E46 328i with a years MOT, 102k, red leather interior and AC Schnitzer bits for £1100 just before Christmas. Around 30k miles done on it since and needed nothing but tyres.
Really? Maybe I should treat myself to one & kehaste E36 - my car has the factory fitted M-Sport body kit complete with the original German instruction stickers. Doesn't add any value to the car however i like the body kit as its not obtrusive like some.We bought an E46 328i with a years MOT, 102k, red leather interior and AC Schnitzer bits for £1100 just before Christmas. Around 30k miles done on it since and needed nothing but tyres.
If the E46's are that cheap now I'm off to fleabay & the PH classifieds to see what I can find!
fatboy69 said:
Really? Maybe I should treat myself to one & kehaste E36 - my car has the factory fitted M-Sport body kit complete with the original German instruction stickers. Doesn't add any value to the car however i like the body kit as its not obtrusive like some.
If the E46's are that cheap now I'm off to fleabay & the PH classifieds to see what I can find!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3991213.htmIf the E46's are that cheap now I'm off to fleabay & the PH classifieds to see what I can find!
And that's even with PH Tax :P
Art0ir said:
Nah, that's a haggle allowanceG
Sold - although not too me!
The Nur said:
Art0ir said:
Nah, that's a haggle allowance[/quoteSold - although not too me!
Edited by fatboy69 on Wednesday 18th July 17:04
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