I am looking for a used car with a budget of £7000 and I can't make up my mind between the Volvo and the BMW. I'm looking at the frugal end of the engine scale: 2.0 on the S60, 318i on the BMW. I'm looking for a good all rounder not a "driving experience".
Other than buy another car altogether, any advice?
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Quick straw poll with SWMBO concludes the Volvo wins on the fact that everyone will hate you and no-one will let you out of side turnings in a BMW.
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both have a badge following to differing degrees but i would go for the volvo. i only ever liked the older bmw's . the volvo is a nice car my brother has one and is very pleased with it i have no real experience of bmw i just dont like them (i think it's an image thing)...cheers...keo
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That post will bring in suggestions from a new Perodua Kelisa to a vintage Rolls Royce. There will be a heavy emphasis on Skoda, Seat, Renault and Citroen; plus of course all will be diesel powered.
Seriously though if the ?driving experience? is not important why would a 3 series even be considered? In that price range it has little else to offer.
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you will also get a lot more for your money with the volvo...cheers...keo
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Sorry didn't see the last line. - Volvo!
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I question how many respondants to this thread, with their anti BMW comments, have actually driven either an E36 or E46 series to appreciate their qualities.
If the 3 series is so bad, how come What Car voted the 320d ES their diesel car of the year for the second year in succession for 2004???
I know you won`t get much of a diesel for 7k, but you should pick up a tidy E36 318i SE for that money and a test drive against a Volvo S60 will convince you of its merits.
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The 3 series is an excellent car and I'd almost certainly take one over the Volvo, but it is less spacious, is less safe in a crash if you trust ENCAP, slower, less well equipped and more money at the same mileage and age, and as people say, people will hate you if you buy a BMW. Parts prices don't really come into it because of people like Euro Car Parts and the fact that there are good independent specialists for both of these cars. With the new model due out, the E46 is also likely to depreciate more heavily than it has in the past and match the Volvo in this respect.
None of the above is insurmountable if you prize the driving experience but if you take it out of the equation entirely, it's hard to make a case for the 3.
However a 3 Series (you probably wouldn't get a 2.0 for that money and would be looking at about an X-plate 1.9) would be more economical on fuel but if fuel economy and low running costs generally were a huge issue, you'd buy something else altogether.
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Having said all of the above, I'd have a shortlist of about 5 cars and be willing to go for any of them if the right one came up at the right price.
A one car shortlist can be a way to travel hundreds of miles looking at tired but cheap examples, pay too much for the one you do get or simply spend ages looking.
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A simple character test is required.
If people criticise you personally because you disagreed with them, do you:
(a) think "[expletive deleted] them" and leave them to their own devices while you get on with your life in the manner you believe to be right, or
(b) show a pained expression, seek to understand fully and adopt their point of view, while abandoning your previous opinion as it has clearly caused offence.
Answers:
Mainly (a)s: get the BMW. People won't let you out of side exits but you won't care.
Manily (b)s: get the Volvo, but worry about the ozone layer and end up leaving it in the garage and travelling by bus instead. Silently fume at the BMW drivers who overtake the bus.
::[ducks for cover!]::
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Thank you for all the quality responses.
I have found a very good deal for a S60 and therefore I am leaning in the direction of the Volvo. This is despite the fact that my Dad is a big fan of diesels and wants me to buy a Passat TDi (he has never owned a diesel but spent his working life driving diesel vans) and he thinks the S60 is too big for my fiance to drive.
The latter point is due to the fact that my lovely and very responsible fiance has many talents but driving is not one of them: she has not driven since, a few years ago, knocking down two (yes two) pedestrians and hospitalising both of them and now I want to gently reintroduce her to careful motoring. For an inexperienced driver, the 3 Series is a nice neat car. The s60 tends to sprawl somewhat if you know what I mean.
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I had the choice between buying an S60 D5 and 320d Se two years ago. I went for the S60 D5 and the I've been very happy with the car. I owned a 523se before and found the ownership dissappointing and suprisingly problematic (I sold the car early it was so unreliable). I also paid £7k (good deals can be had on new ones) less for the S60 which was still better specified than the 320d se.
The 3 series is a better drivers car, but in real everyday driving the S60 is a more comfortable place to be; so you'll have to decide your priorities.
The S60 comes with lot's of basic standard equipment that is optional on the 3 series or not even available. A few examples:
Split fold rear seat
Very good HIFI system
Graduated windscsreen
Luxury internal lighting
Sports Suspension
WHIPS
The S60 has more comfortable seats, a better interior design and in the D5 version has better diesel engine. Avoid 17" wheels, looks nice but ride hard.
The 3 series handles better and has a "supposed" better image, but you'll only notice it when driving very hard.
For me the S60 is the better car in the real world, but that's my opinion.
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3 series is also about to be replaced- so may be a knock on residuals when it comes out- and you will very soon be driving an old model.
Dad has a V70 D5 and is very happy with the car. The only downside is that Volvo servicing costs are quite high- but can avoid this going to non franchised specialists. Have driven it myself and is a very comfortable car.
As for easing your fiance back into driving- she may have problems with judging the side of the car (S60) as it widens out beneath the glass area. Mum (only 5ft) has a few problems with this driving in country lanes.
As for the 3 series- friend and his wife have one each and love them (320d and 325). But seems almost daily that he tells me about problems he has with other road users not letting him out of side roads, cutting him up or having to overtake at no cost just because its a BMW.
Oh, and the manual seat height adjuster on the BM is one of the worst designs have ever seen- so if you do get one and will be alternating drivers would recommend trying to get one with electric adjustment.
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Oh, and the manual seat height adjuster on the BM is one of the worst designs have ever seen- so if you do get one and will be alternating drivers would recommend trying to get one with electric adjustment.
?
Drove cars with that adjuster for over 7 years and 175,000 miles and found it to be perfectly ok.
Likewise no real problems with people being difficult. Maybe I don't drive like the average BMW, or maybe I just don't notice any more.
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WHIPS
??!! Oh please!
I can confirm that whips, and indeed all forms of harness, saddlery and leather goods, are indeed not standard equipment on the 3 series. But apart from leather seats I don't recall them being on the options list.
And, frankly, leather seats seem pretty tame next to that. Makes me wonder about a Volvo for next time.
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WHIPS - Whiplash Protection System
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WHIPS - Whiplash Protection System
Oh what a shame. :-(
The 3 arguably has this - in the form of a headrest that can be properly adjusted so that it sits 1/2" behind my head.
(touch wood)
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(touch wood) <<
You should be so lucky, that's another optional extra on the 3 series.
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You should be so lucky, that's another optional extra on the 3 series.
:o)
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as a lot of the above states you will get a lot more for your money with rhe volvo and it's safer or perceived to be. cant you get you and your fiance to drive both of them you may find you really like one over the other after driving both...cheers...keo
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Have you thought about the new Saab 9-3?
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For £7k? It's not really feasible below at least £10k unfortunately.
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as a lot of the above states you will get a lot more for your money with rhe volvo and it's safer or perceived to be. cant you get you and your fiance to drive both of them you may find you really like one over the other after driving both...cheers...keoYea
Thanks but the problem is that she is not in the UK at the moment.
To complicate things further I saw today, in the papers, an A4 Avant diesel auto, which looked very nice (1999, 83K, FSH).
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Pos
there are so many alternatives, I would drive a few before deciding on a particular model.
I like the Volvo (had an S80) and find them very comfortable although the ride is a little firm. A BMW on smaller rims will offer a better ride and handling compromise.
The Audi is a good alternative, but there are many left field choices including Avensis, older Saab 9-3, Accords. IF you don't do a huge mileage why have a derv drinker and enjoy a broader choice.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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