Am I mad? 330d.

[Josh93]

I currently own a 2010 Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI, great car. However my driving requirements are changing and I’m finding that 95% of the time i’m on the motorway, often doing 1-2 or even 3-4 hour journeys (mainly on the weekends but often not a lot in between so should be under 15k per year) and I’m often getting stuck in horrible jams. No cruise control, manual, not particularly great mpg.. it’s starting to get a bit irritating sometimes.

I’ve been looking at my options for a good looking and good all around car (cruiser) for motorway driving but also a bit of fun and the 330d seems to come up a lot. This one in particular has caught my eye.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Am I mad looking at a 10 year old bmw, with 110k on the clock. The cost of BMW driveline warranty (the cheapest one) is just shy of 1000!! Which is mad, but would it still be worthwhile?! I feel a bit vulnerable having so much invested in a car that has potential for such costs. Realistically how much should I be budgeting for repairs and maintinence etc on a car like this compared to my current one?

[JS2808]

Yes you are

[p1stonhead]

110k miles is nothing in general terms. My 325d of the same age just hit 90k and (without using too much of a cliche) still feels new. Feels like itll last to 190k without issue to be honest.

My fully comprehensive warranty with BMW is £600 though so not sure your quote should be that much higher? I have the warranty despite the first sentence because im sure it could throw up some big bills if it wanted to

Edited by p1stonhead on Tuesday 2nd January 13:10

[Eth2312]

I know some components on this engine (I think either turbo or fuel pump) requires the engine to be completely dismantled or removed in order to be replaced/fixed.

I could be wrong but some simple research has plenty on this year/engine of car

[Josh93]

p1stonhead said:

110k miles is nothing. My 325d of the same age just hit 90k and (without using too much of a cliche) still feels new. Feels like itll last to 190k without issue to be honest.

My fully comprehensive warranty with BMW is £600 though so not sure your quote should be that much higher?

It’s mainly an issue of being over 100k. The price increases a large amount. I wouldn’t have expected it to be so much though!

[Josh93]

Eth2312 said:

I know some components on this engine (I think either turbo or fuel pump) requires the engine to be completely dismantled or removed in order to be replaced/fixed.

I could be wrong but some simple research has plenty on this year/engine of car

I know the timing chain is an engine out job, not sure about anything else to be honest. I’ve done a lot of research but I’ve never been able to hear people’s thoughts on a specific car, or have it compared to my current one.

For example, the N57 engine in this specific car is rumoured to have timing chain issues, as per the n47, however I seem to hear conflicting information on the subject. But this is one of my biggest fears because if it snaps it would be potentially 3-4000.

[Trevor555]

Brilliant car to drive, not much else has the low down grunt like this will have.

Not that economical though for a diesel.

112,000 miles is about the time the big repair bills can start to appear.

I'd rather own your Scirocco.

[T16OLE]

Josh93 said:

I currently own a 2010 Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI, great car. However my driving requirements are changing and I’m finding that 95% of the time i’m on the motorway, often doing 1-2 or even 3-4 hour journeys (mainly on the weekends but often not a lot in between so should be under 15k per year) and I’m often getting stuck in horrible jams. No cruise control, manual, not particularly great mpg.. it’s starting to get a bit irritating sometimes.

I’ve been looking at my options for a good looking and good all around car (cruiser) for motorway driving but also a bit of fun and the 330d seems to come up a lot. This one in particular has caught my eye.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Am I mad looking at a 10 year old bmw, with 110k on the clock. The cost of BMW driveline warranty (the cheapest one) is just shy of 1000!! Which is mad, but would it still be worthwhile?! I feel a bit vulnerable having so much invested in a car that has potential for such costs. Realistically how much should I be budgeting for repairs and maintinence etc on a car like this compared to my current one?

I`d consider a 5-series for your requirements.

Quick pointer - buy a car with less than 100k if you`d like to opt for a BMW warranty, choose the monthly option, it`s not a annual policy, its a monthly rolling policy. Provided you take it out before the 100k mark you`ll be able to benefit from the comprehensive warranty. From experience and reading similar posts, going forward the prices only increase slightly inline with inflation providing you keep paying the monthly cost.

There are two steps in the price at certain mileages, 60k & 100k.

I took out the comprehensive warranty on 59k, it`s £75pm. If it was 60,001 miles, it would`ve been £140pm.

Upto 100k they also include wear & tear items (ex tyres & brakes).

I`ve had about £12k of repairs done on mine under the AUC warranty & insured warranty, plus you get a nice courtesy car.

[bungz]

Not very exciting but you want a 320D for what you are doing.

[Josh93]

Trevor555 said:

Brilliant car to drive, not much else has the low down grunt like this will have.

Not that economical though for a diesel.

112,000 miles is about the time the big repair bills can start to appear.

I'd rather own your Scirocco.

That’s the worry

[p1stonhead]

Josh93 said:

Trevor555 said:

Brilliant car to drive, not much else has the low down grunt like this will have.

Not that economical though for a diesel.

112,000 miles is about the time the big repair bills can start to appear.

I'd rather own your Scirocco.

That’s the worry

I would say definitely worth taking the warranty if you do get one.

40mpg is a good rule of thumb. Mine doesnt move much from that either way no matter how its driven (exclusively round town obviously worse).

[Josh93]

T16OLE said:

Josh93 said:

I currently own a 2010 Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI, great car. However my driving requirements are changing and I’m finding that 95% of the time i’m on the motorway, often doing 1-2 or even 3-4 hour journeys (mainly on the weekends but often not a lot in between so should be under 15k per year) and I’m often getting stuck in horrible jams. No cruise control, manual, not particularly great mpg.. it’s starting to get a bit irritating sometimes.

I’ve been looking at my options for a good looking and good all around car (cruiser) for motorway driving but also a bit of fun and the 330d seems to come up a lot. This one in particular has caught my eye.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Am I mad looking at a 10 year old bmw, with 110k on the clock. The cost of BMW driveline warranty (the cheapest one) is just shy of 1000!! Which is mad, but would it still be worthwhile?! I feel a bit vulnerable having so much invested in a car that has potential for such costs. Realistically how much should I be budgeting for repairs and maintinence etc on a car like this compared to my current one?

I`d consider a 5-series for your requirements.

Quick pointer - buy a car with less than 100k if you`d like to opt for a BMW warranty, choose the monthly option, it`s not a annual policy, its a monthly rolling policy. Provided you take it out before the 100k mark you`ll be able to benefit from the comprehensive warranty. From experience and reading similar posts, going forward the prices only increase slightly inline with inflation providing you keep paying the monthly cost.

There are two steps in the price at certain mileages, 60k & 100k.

I took out the comprehensive warranty on 59k, it`s £75pm. If it was 60,001 miles, it would`ve been £140pm.

Upto 100k they also include wear & tear items (ex tyres & brakes).

I`ve had about £12k of repairs done on mine under the AUC warranty & insured warranty, plus you get a nice courtesy car.

Oo that’s a really helpful post. Although the 5 series has been a consideration it just seems a bit too large and cumbersome for my taste. But regarding the warranty, is that really the way it works? So as long as I don’t cancel the policy it’ll work as a fully comp policy even past 100k?

[Josh93]

bungz said:

Not very exciting but you want a 320D for what you are doing.

I would be happy with one I’m sure, but I’m struggling to find one with full dealer history (for the warranty as much as anything) and one with a good level of kit.

[Big GT]

Cars don't suddenly become unreliable at 100K. Service history, general condition and number of owners are a better gauge and this example seems great.

At 112K this engine is still in its infancy. Look at history around 70K major service work including suspension components.
If cam chain not done get it done.

I wouldn't bother with a warranty just set a side a monthly amount.

330d is a great car and worth the running costs if purchase well.

[HughG]

Maybe consider retrofitting cruise control to your Scirocco? http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Cruise_Co...

[Josh93]

Josh93 said:

Realistically how much should I be budgeting for repairs and maintinence etc on a car like this compared to my current one?

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

Would you mind telling me a bit about your ownership costs and how much those specific areas cost you?

[Josh93]

Big GT said:

Cars don't suddenly become unreliable at 100K. Service history, general condition and number of owners are a better gauge and this example seems great.

At 112K this engine is still in its infancy. Look at history around 70K major service work including suspension components.
If cam chain not done get it done.

I wouldn't bother with a warranty just set a side a monthly amount.

330d is a great car and worth the running costs if purchase well.

Well I did think that, but obviously it’s still a huge gamble. I’m trying to work out a worst case scenario so that I can work out how much that would cost me(putting some money aside each month).

Would it perhaps be a good idea to ask the dealer if I can tell me about any work that has been done, if so what would you advise?

[Josh93]

HughG said:

Maybe consider retrofitting cruise control to your Scirocco? http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Cruise_Co...

Another great solution, but there’s just a few other niggling things that I would need to get over as well if I was to keep the same car for the foreseeable future.

[RobM77]

If you want it to drive nicely, then at 110k if the dampers haven't been replaced already, then budget for it. 110k is way past it for dampers to be still operating as they should. Ideally bushes should be done too. Personally, before forking out for BMW parts I'd recommend a full Birds kit - I converted my 2010 3 series last year and it's fantastic. If you can't afford new suspension and care about how a car drives, then don't look at anything with more than 80k on the clock, especially something balanced like a 3 series - a Zafira would hide nackered suspension well because they handle badly anyway, but any car with a nice balance to it like a 3 series, RX7, MX5, 200SX etc, will really show up worn suspension.

You should also consider the chances of the turbo failing; contrary to forum talk they don't all go, but it is certainly common.

Regarding the mileage, plenty of people run diesel BMWs to over 150k without any issues, and I sold my last one, a 320d, for £3,500 at 155k. Once you get much over that though the value will plummet, so £8k for this 330d is a lot to lose if you plan to put 50k+ on it and trade it in for peanuts afterwards. Personally I'd up my budget slightly and buy one with 50-60k on the clock, planning to sell in the low 100s, or look at a 320d instead, which are both more plentiful and much cheaper to buy. By the way, if you like driving, M Sport is essential imho.

Compared to the Scirroco it's obviously going to feel heavier and larger, but personally I much prefer the rear drive handling. It's personal taste though.

[tomic]

If you're worried about unexpected bills, buy this instead

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The 330i N52 is extremely reliable. You'll save £3k on the purchase price and £1k p/a on warranty which you won't need (my 325i with the same engine has never gone wrong).

If you kept it for 3 years you'd have to spend £5k more on fuel for the diesel to be a better proposition. It might be older but just stick a private plate on it - 99% of the public won't notice it's not an LCI.