What car, £5000

[willmagrath]

Morning all,

I've been thinking for a while about what I car I want next so i'll put it to the masses. My ideal car is an e90 330d. Fast, comfortable, reliable, good to drive and economical. But i'm just worried about buying a diesel when;

1: cities will soon stop accepting them within their boundaries (i travel to Bristol regularly) and
2: i'd much rather have a petrol.

To add, I have an mx5 as a second car which I will be using for the short summer journeys. This car will be used for regular trips to see the girlfriend (150miles round trip). I don't plan to own for oo long either...

My criteria is:

£5000
Must be 6cyl petrol or diesel (never owned more than a 4 pot)
Preferably 4 doors but a nice 4 seat coupe would be ok
200hp+ preferable

Or is the 330d a great/the best option as a do it all car?!

[s m]

125i 2-dr

https://youtu.be/rHuUFeG_HBY

Electric steering whereas you get oldskool on the 135i

Edited by s m on Saturday 18th April 10:47

[Boobonman]

E9x 330i. Fantastic na straight six, reliable, reasonably frugal, what more could you want. Get a pre-LCI model as the post 07 ones have the N53 with direct injection and less reliability:

[andy43]

Boobonman said:

E9x 330i. Fantastic na straight six, reliable, reasonably frugal, what more could you want. Get a pre-LCI model as the post 07 ones have the N53 with direct injection and less reliability:

That. You’re looking for an N52.

[reggie82]

Maybe a bit big if you wouldn’t mind a coupe, but I recently bought an e60 530d within your budget.

I love it, such a nice comfy car and just soaks you the miles. I’m in a similar situation to you where I have a fun petrol car for weekends, so wanted something comfortable and ok on mpg for the commute and any long drives.

I was tempted with an e90 as they look much more modern in my opinion, but the e60 really is a step up in terms of refinement. Not as fun as a e90, but I have the other car for that.

[willmagrath]

andy43 said:

Boobonman said:

E9x 330i. Fantastic na straight six, reliable, reasonably frugal, what more could you want. Get a pre-LCI model as the post 07 ones have the N53 with direct injection and less reliability:

That. You’re looking for an N52.

Yes this would be the perfect choice and there is an e90 330i N52 within my sights that is in budget. No idrive though and i'd quite like the bluetooth!

I've also found with 330i's that quite a lot have been very un-tastefully modified. Horrid alloys and bodykets!

[Demelitia]

willmagrath said:

andy43 said:

Boobonman said:

E9x 330i. Fantastic na straight six, reliable, reasonably frugal, what more could you want. Get a pre-LCI model as the post 07 ones have the N53 with direct injection and less reliability:

That. You’re looking for an N52.

Yes this would be the perfect choice and there is an e90 330i N52 within my sights that is in budget. No idrive though and i'd quite like the bluetooth!

I've also found with 330i's that quite a lot have been very un-tastefully modified. Horrid alloys and bodykets!

The idrive system on the e9x era cars is a bit dated now. It does the job and I have it in me 130i so haven’t really felt the need to change. If it’s the only thing stopping you buying the car though, I’d look in to an aftermarket install head unit. There are some that specifically replace the idrive, or can be installed in place of whatever’s there by cutting the dash using a supplied template. They’re reasonably priced and will bring up up to date.
The n52 is a great engine and on a decent length run like that will be perfectly frugal. I saw over 45mpg coming back on a trip from London to W.Yorks. The automatic boxes do sap a fair bit of economy so I’d go for the manual if you can find one.

[ZX10R NIN]

325i MSport Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Saloon

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

It's easier to pick up a nice 325i for your budget.

[Mr Tidy]

But you need to be careful choosing any 325i or 330i BMW.

Early ones had the N52 engine that will need a new electric water pump at some time, and new pumps cost around £250!

But later ones (like the 3 litre 325is) had the N53 engine which are prone to that same problem, but also High Pressure Fuel Pump, injector and coking up issues.

[cerb4.5lee]

willmagrath said:

Or is the 330d a great/the best option as a do it all car?!

I've had both a E90 330d and E90 330i...and believe it or not I actually preferred the 330d as the better all rounder of the two. The N52 is a lovely engine for sure but it felt like a bit of a let down guts wise after the 330d.

As the cars are getting older now though I'd give the edge to the 330i...because I think that there is less to go wrong than the 330d. I thought both were cracking all round cars for sure and I have always recommended them.

[willmagrath]

Ahhh great thank you. I think, remembering you only live once, a 330i would be the option to go for. Once this is all over I'll go out and see some.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to be honest I'm bias but my one was fantastic, it fits your criteria (depending on how often you visit Bristol) & is a very nice place to while away 150 mile round trips:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

350 Petrol pre high tax

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...