Discussion
I'm looking to replace the family bus with either a 320d pre x reg or a 528i pre x reg. Looking to spend £4000.
What to go for though? My heart says 528i due to performance, features and looks, but what with fuel going the way it is, would a 320d be the better option?
What is the performance like on a 320d? the figures look ok, nowhere near as fast as a 528, but the economy would be far better. Plus you can run it on veggie oil.
It would mainly be used by the wife for short trips, but with me driving for pleasure at weekends, plus long trips for UK holidays.
I'd be interested to hear your experiences with both types, and of course any loud opinions!
What to go for though? My heart says 528i due to performance, features and looks, but what with fuel going the way it is, would a 320d be the better option?
What is the performance like on a 320d? the figures look ok, nowhere near as fast as a 528, but the economy would be far better. Plus you can run it on veggie oil.
It would mainly be used by the wife for short trips, but with me driving for pleasure at weekends, plus long trips for UK holidays.
I'd be interested to hear your experiences with both types, and of course any loud opinions!
I have a 528i and have driven the E46 320d. Both are fine cars - let's be clear on that.
However, the 5er is a cut above in terms of build quality, ride and driving pleasure. It's also considerably quieter in the cabin. I don't know how representative it is, but my wife (who generally prefers small cars) likes driving the 5er very much. I think that this speaks to how easy and pleasant it is to drive.
On the motorway, the 528i will return 35mpg at a steady 75MPH and with considerably more elan than the 3er.
£4K should get you a very decent 528i - the E39 5 series has another advantage in that the yoofs of today seem to be ignoring it totally, in stark contrast to the E36 3 series.
However, the 5er is a cut above in terms of build quality, ride and driving pleasure. It's also considerably quieter in the cabin. I don't know how representative it is, but my wife (who generally prefers small cars) likes driving the 5er very much. I think that this speaks to how easy and pleasant it is to drive.
On the motorway, the 528i will return 35mpg at a steady 75MPH and with considerably more elan than the 3er.
£4K should get you a very decent 528i - the E39 5 series has another advantage in that the yoofs of today seem to be ignoring it totally, in stark contrast to the E36 3 series.
Edited by CommanderJameson on Thursday 29th May 07:39
[TW]Fox said:
greygoose said:
If you don't need the space then why not a 328i?
Becuase the E39 is a better car.Dunno why people rave about them so much. Just big, boring old barges really.
chrisr29 said:
[TW]Fox said:
greygoose said:
If you don't need the space then why not a 328i?
Becuase the E39 is a better car.Dunno why people rave about them so much. Just big, boring old barges really.
Although dullest car you've ever owned? It's not a world away from a 3 Series and if it was I suggest you had a particularly poor example.
You must have owned some pretty exotic cars if its the dullest you've had. Whats your car history?
chrisr29 said:
[TW]Fox said:
greygoose said:
If you don't need the space then why not a 328i?
Becuase the E39 is a better car.Dunno why people rave about them so much. Just big, boring old barges really.
For tail-out roundabout action, though, it's probably not the best car.
[TW]Fox said:
chrisr29 said:
[TW]Fox said:
greygoose said:
If you don't need the space then why not a 328i?
Becuase the E39 is a better car.Dunno why people rave about them so much. Just big, boring old barges really.
Although dullest car you've ever owned? It's not a world away from a 3 Series and if it was I suggest you had a particularly poor example.
You must have owned some pretty exotic cars if its the dullest you've had. Whats your car history?
"Shrink around you on the right road" What, the motorway!
It just felt big and cumbersome, not something to be chucked around.
My car history is nothing special, just used to smaller cars I guess. Have had a lot of hot hatches and mid size rear wheel drive stuff. Plus the odd coupe - Alfetta Gtv, 968, 2.8 Capri etc. I have a 328 sport plus a Merc 2.5 16v at the moment. So in comparison to those, it just felt rubbish.
Build quality was ok, not in 80s Merc class though.
Perhaps if you prefer a more sporting driving style you should have bought the Sport model not the SE. We have both (Well mine is the Sport) and it's interesting how noticeably different they drive despite being fundamentally the same car.
It does rather sound like you bought the wrong car rather than the car itself was poor - the E39 SE is a long distance cruiser.
It does rather sound like you bought the wrong car rather than the car itself was poor - the E39 SE is a long distance cruiser.
What a heated debate! Thanks to you all for your comments; to clarify a few things, yes would love to go tail out thrashing but the car will essentially be used as the family motor (3 kids) so none of that good stuff! (well not when the missus is with me!)
So yes it will be a 528i or a 320d touring e46 - e 46 saloon just won't be big enough.
Although I have seen the occasional 530d with less than 120k on the clock for less than £4k, which is also tempting.........
That said, was out in Yorkshire dales today (Settle - horton - ribblehead - hawes - buttertubs - Tan Hill Inn) in our Focus 1.8 TDCi, and it was quite frankly brilliant. The diesel motor pulls well in short sharp turns and steep hills, and this is what has tempted me down the diesel route. Plus the computer showed mpg of 40, and that was thrashing it!
So yes it will be a 528i or a 320d touring e46 - e 46 saloon just won't be big enough.
Although I have seen the occasional 530d with less than 120k on the clock for less than £4k, which is also tempting.........
That said, was out in Yorkshire dales today (Settle - horton - ribblehead - hawes - buttertubs - Tan Hill Inn) in our Focus 1.8 TDCi, and it was quite frankly brilliant. The diesel motor pulls well in short sharp turns and steep hills, and this is what has tempted me down the diesel route. Plus the computer showed mpg of 40, and that was thrashing it!
Edited by Hell27 on Saturday 31st May 00:45
Hell27 said:
That said, was out in Yorkshire dales today (Settle - horton - ribblehead - hawes - buttertubs - Tan Hill Inn) in our Focus 1.8 TDCi, and it was quite frankly brilliant. The diesel motor pulls well in short sharp turns and steep hills, and this is what has tempted me down the diesel route. Plus the computer showed mpg of 40, and that was thrashing it!
Then you'll love a 320d. I've a tuning box on mine (www.tuningbox.com) and it is absolutely superb. Masses of mid range torque, can crack 0-60 in around 8 secs or less, handles superbly, yet on long runs i can get 54mpg - averaging about 45mpg with round town / rush hour work thrown in.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff