Looking to buy a 320i Convertible (2007)

[jacktoyou]

Hi All
I'm looking to pick up a 2007 320i M Sport at the weekend and wonder if you can give any advice on what to look out for, along with pros and cons?

I orignally wanted a 325D M Sport but it's out of my price range and decided to settle for a 320i petrol.

One of the issues I have is that it's had 3 services (up to date) but the latter two have been through independent dealers. Is this cause for concern?

Any tips, advice etc greatly appreciated.

PS. The car had outstanding finance which came up on the dealers HPI check. He also has a fax memo from the finance house confirming it's been paid and they have no interest in the car. Is that acceptable/covers me or best to contact the finance house directly?

Thanks

Jack

Edited by jacktoyou on Monday 28th February 13:40

Edited by jacktoyou on Monday 28th February 13:51

[HoHoHo]

My wife had the 320D 2007 Vert and it was a great car - only problem we had was a ticking from the front passenger windscreen area at speed and a nail through a run-flat which cost an arm and a leg to change.

I really like these and think they look good from every angle top up, or down.

Enjoy

[pattyg]

Don't wanna spoil your party but here was my view on the car although I realise you aren't paying the new price

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f... dullest way to spend £37.5k on a BMW?&mid=46830

[jonnynine11]

Out of interest how much are you paying? I was thinking of selling my 325d convertible

[jacktoyou]

jonnynine11 said:

Out of interest how much are you paying? I was thinking of selling my 325d convertible

Hey Jonny, i'm paying 17.5k. Interested in finding out more about yours though?!

[Fox-]

The 320i is probably the worst engine in the range - it isn't particularly quick but nor is it particularly economical. And the E93 is a seriously heavy car, which only further amplifies the lack of power and lack of fuel economy the 320i provides.

[jonnynine11]

I'll e mail you cheers.

[HoHoHo]

Fox- said:

The 320i is probably the worst engine in the range - it isn't particularly quick but nor is it particularly economical. And the E93 is a seriously heavy car, which only further amplifies the lack of power and lack of fuel economy the 320i provides.

That's why we bought the Diesel - the 320i is slow to the point of severe frustration.

[jacktoyou]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I've decided to give the 320i a miss and will aim for the 325D M Sport. Time to start saving some more!!

[Fox-]

jacktoyou said:

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I've decided to give the 320i a miss and will aim for the 325D M Sport. Time to start saving some more!!

What about the 325i? Cheaper than a 325d, more refined, smoother and more suited to a cabrio.

[jacktoyou]

Fox- said:

What about the 325i? Cheaper than a 325d, more refined, smoother and more suited to a cabrio.

I originally wanted a Diesel but opted for 320i thinking it'll compensate on economy...but the feedback received confirms otherwise. What's your experience on the 325i vs 325D? Is there a huge difference in terms of consumption?

[jonnynine11]

At about 80 on motorway 45 mpg around town 36 in my 325d auto

[Fox-]

jacktoyou said:

I originally wanted a Diesel but opted for 320i thinking it'll compensate on economy...but the feedback received confirms otherwise. What's your experience on the 325i vs 325D? Is there a huge difference in terms of consumption?

I have no experience of the 325i but have experience of the 525i E60 with the same engine. I got almost 40mpg on a 150 mile cross-country run with only a few miles of Motorway and a car full of people, very impressive economy figures. Around town it's in the 20's but the 325d M Sport E92 I test drove was only low 30's itself, and I've never averaged more than low 30's around town in any of the 320d loan cars I've had.

[charge]

Wow Fox, you really must be a right animal to get 320d's into low 30's. Mind you, I bed you like all of us drive loaners like you stole them! My 330d e93 does 45 on a fast mixed run 100 miles up to Norfolk, low 40's on the M25, and around town with some killer torque squirts never drops below 35.8.
I did a Banzai run out late the other night, and it refused to drop below 34, and it an auto! My wealthy auntie has a 325d e93 as one of her runners, and it drove so damn good I flogged my V8 Audi to jump in one similar (that and the thought of continuously coughing up a oner a week in juice to run the kids around).

[billzeebub]

Whilst all cabrios get my vote..I really cannot understand BMW putting a tin top on a 4 seater..it makes the boot space ridiculous when roof stored and just adds to the weight..no wonder they need 335i Twin Turbo these days!!..hope the next generation 3 series goes back to the Ultimate Driving Machine ethos and saves the weight/increases practicality into the bargain and re-instates the soft top..anyone else agree?..Im glad I cannot afford one currently as I reckon I would probably go for an E46 even if I could..

[charge]

I agree with you about weight, but I think you are blowing it out of perspective. I was looking for a coupe, a cab come up at good money and I thought why not. It drives fantastic, and has loads of go with good economy. Any convertable is at least 100kgs more than the car it's based on even with a soft top due to chassis strengthening. Bearing in mind Vauxhall Corsas are tipping the scales at 1600 kg's these days, I don't think a 325d cab with 3.0 litre engine, folding hard top and auto box with someone in it and a tank of juice is bad at 1825kg's? If you are hung up on weight, you don't touch cabs hard or soft top.

[Fox-]

charge said:

Wow Fox, you really must be a right animal to get 320d's into low 30's. Mind you, I bed you like all of us drive loaners like you stole them!

Not at all, I'm actually pretty respectful with them. The problem is that my town driving really is town driving - no more than 5 miles from cold, stop start traffic.

This gave me 26mpg from a 530d, 33mpg from a 320d and gives me a whole 18mpg from my 530i.

But as the miles are not big, it doesnt really add up to much cost.

[pilchardthecat]

charge said:

I agree with you about weight, but I think you are blowing it out of perspective. I was looking for a coupe, a cab come up at good money and I thought why not. It drives fantastic, and has loads of go with good economy. Any convertable is at least 100kgs more than the car it's based on even with a soft top due to chassis strengthening. Bearing in mind Vauxhall Corsas are tipping the scales at 1600 kg's these days, I don't think a 325d cab with 3.0 litre engine, folding hard top and auto box with someone in it and a tank of juice is bad at 1825kg's? If you are hung up on weight, you don't touch cabs hard or soft top.

Not true, for example the Z4 roadster is 30kg lighter than the Z4 coupe.

[jacktoyou]

Hi Guys,

I never did buy the 320i back then...settled for a Saab 93 Convertible but was a mistake. So here I am again and this time ready for a purchase. Any advise re below is appreciated.

looking for some advice...

I am looking to spend around £25k on a E90 Convertible. I've seen a few (most have been 330d Mpsport) 2008 age range.

What advice would you give on the engine size? I've seen a very nice 59 plate 320d MSport but questioning whether it will be powerful enough given the weight of the car.

Any pros/cons would be grately appreciated. Hoping to pick up by the weekend.

Thanks