Hey guys..
As most of you know, I've decided to buy a 5 Series as my next car. Well, almost.
I keep thinking that a 3 Series would be almost as good in some ways, and better in others. I initially discounted them becuase I didn't think I'd be able to get one for my budget - £10k absolute tops (would be happier with 7-9k) - as I'd want a facelift sport.
However, it would appear that Glass's trade value for 2001-2003 325i and 330i Sports is between £7k and £10k if I go for something with between 80 and 130k on the clock. Especially as I want a manual, whereas most people want an auto, and although I'd prefer Leather, I don't mind the Alcantara thats standard.
Is this wide of the mark? Can I really expect to get a decent example of a 330i or a 325i in Sport trim for this sort of money? How do these values compare to those of 530i/525i Sports?
I'm using Glass's Guide's 'Average' condition trade-in values to give me an idea of auction value - as these seem to tally with the amounts cars in HJ's auction reports are actually selling for. I'd probably either go up myself, or perhaps get Joe Dowd to source me one.
Anyone own one? What do you think? How does it compare to the 5 Series? What sort of fuel economy do you get?
Evo Magazine suggests that the 330i is quite a rocketship, doing 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. I'm suprised I can even get an insurance quote, but hey, I won't knock it.
|
I know someone who recently paid just under £13k for a 51 plate 325i Sport Manual cloth trim, 75k miles, the nicer of the two common types of 18" wheels, this was from a BMW dealer.
Seemed a lot of money to me though is/was apparently the going rate at a dealer.
|
|
PS: Dont rule out the 320i 2.2, where as the 2.0 seemed gutless unless revved the 2.2 is ok in this regard, has 170 bhp and is even smoother and crisper that the bigger 6's.
|
|
A big problem with the 3 series of this age rearing its ugly head in Germany is the aluminium rear sub frame mountings they are disintergrating.The repair and parts cost is phenomenal,the problem is a faulty aluminium casting.Advice by the ADAC is have it checked out by BMW before you by.
|
|
Is this saloon, coupe and touring?
|
|
All 3 series models the part is apparantly common to all..
|
|
I had a 320i from new.Great car,unfortunately had to sell it after three years to help buy a house.I know well the current owner, and the only fault has been a small leak on the thermostat.The suspension bushes can also get noisy(squeeking).Mine were replaced under warranty.
|
My dads got a 52 reg 325i manual bought when 18 months old- previous owner was BMW UKs head office. So far its broken down 3 times- the first 2 times were with a dodgy throttle position sensor, the third time it was to do with the ignition coils which was a bit of a palaver as BMW would only authorise replacement of 4 coils as standard practice which is a bit of a problem when its a 6-cyl car. In the end the dealer took 2 coils off one of their cars.
Despite all this though he still loves it to bits. Its extremely comfy, handles superbly, goes like stink and just feels really solid. The only negative is 25 mpg.
|
"the only negative is 25mpg"
The ONLY negative ? With 3 breakdowns on an 18-month old car your Dad must have a high tolerance level !
jdc
|
I get 29 mpg on my 04 325i auto, but that's me driving gently I guess.
Before this I had an E39 528i auto. The 5-series has a more composed ride, feels more solid/stable and quieter at speed, probably because of the longer wheelbase. Got about 25 mpg.
The 3-series is more responsive and tactile, more chuckable round B-roads. But it has a firmer ride and you are less well-isolated/ detached from the outside. If you do mainly town driving, it is much easier to park and reverse etc.
For motorway use and cruising, the 5-series is a better animal.
ykl
|
|
Agreed on that. A five replaced my leased three, near perfect dynamics, superb ride on the Motorways.
|
I'm really having a lot of difficulty chosing between 3 Series and 5 Series. I can find pro's and cons of both...
5 Series Sport (525i, 528i or 530i):
+ Looks absolutely fantastic, my favourite looking saloon ever
+ Is no more expensive, infact, often cheaper, than a 3
+ More kit
+ A little more exclusive
+ Fantastic cruising ability
- Everyone says its an old mans car
- Size doesn't concern me, but obviously it'll be marginally difficult to park
- Lacks the handling of the 3?
- Perhaps feels bigger and more bulky than the 3?
3 Series Sport (325i or 330i):
+ The front end is really very attractive indeed - marginally nicer than the 5 Series front
+ A more sporty image, younger image
+ Better handling
+ Better performance (But would I notice in the real world?)
+ Better selection, 5 Series Sport available from 99V onwards.
- It's a 3 Series (is this an issue? I'm not so sure it is)
- Side profile is not as clean and elegant as the 5 - the rear doors for a start look a bit awkward
- Swaps the prestige image of the 5 for the wannabe image of the 3?
- I only like the facelift Sport models - so I'd be restricted to a 51 plate or newer
I've driven both - an 02 530d SE, an 02 530i Sport and an 05 320d and found them all fantastic. I've not thrown a 5 around on the moors partly becuase I was lucky to find a dealer to let me take a 530i out anyway, and partly becuase I'm not going to abuse my parents trust by giving their 530d a damn good thrashing.
It's a hard choice. I use my car for lots of different things - most often it's going to work/uni so town work, but I also like to go for long trips, go for country drives, and I'm planning on taking whatever I buy on a nice week long trip around Europe also. I'm after a 'jack of all trades', so to speak.
Am I being realistic with my pricing? From my calculations, I have estimated that £6-9k should give me a choice of:
a) 528i Sports on 99V-00X plates both private and retail sale
b) 525i/530i Sports on 00X-01Y with high miles private sale, or 00X-02/52 at BCA auction
c) 325i/330i Sports on 01/51 - 03/03 at BCA auctions.
I'm not fussy about anything other than transmission. As long as it's a manual box and it isn't Imola Red, I don't care what options it has. Am I likely to get a lovely example of what I want for what I've got to spend?
Which would you chose, and why? In an ideal world I'd go to a dealer, take a 530i Sport for a day, then do the same with a 330i Sport. But we don't live in an ideal world and I was lucky to even get an accompanied 20 minute drive with the 530i Sport I tested. People are not interested, presumably becuase of my age, I think I'm expected to buy a Clio 182.
|
Mike,
I know we're pretty similar taste wise and I know I'd be made up with a 5 series so let me help.
It really sounds like you want a 5 and are just compromising when considering a 3.
Who cares about the image of a 5? It's a superb car - exclusive, fast etc. Besides which, parking big cars is fun! You've driven bigish cars all your life (Xantia and Mondeo!) so I can't see a 5 series bothering you.
Don't get me wrong - a three is an equally nice car but compared to a 5?
I'd get the 5. You've always wanted one. They look great and are superb cars.
|
I shoudl point out, the as people say, the 3 is more fun on the bends. Depends what you put the priority on. I've already resigned myself to getting a worse handling car after the Focus in my quest for a V6 so it depends what you place the emphasis on. Something that's better handling but a compromise, or something you've always wanted but still handles pretty well?
5 Series.
|
|
The only thing thats made me reconsider is the fact I've recently discovered how much fun it is driving the Mondeo up on the moors. That and I never realised how low the auction value of a facelift 3 Sport was.
|
The 5 Series is in a different league to the 3 series, my son sold his 2002 330Ci on 18" wheels because he disliked the tramlining above 85 mph. on anything but autobahn-like smooth roads, - and they are nigh non existant here in U.K. !!!!!!
He replaced it with an E39 2002 530i Sport manual, which tracks arrow true irrespective of speed or road surface and the amazing fact is, that set to 78 mph cruise, will regularly return 34 mpg. In fact he has to thrash the thing to drop below 29 mpg. An absolutely brilliant car and still IMHO the best looking BMW built to date.!!!
|
I have a 530d with sports suspension 2001, ex Police. Just got into work after my 33mile commute and chucked it all over the shop its a flippin hoot to drive. I only get 35mpg but the torque is fantastic. I have a tuning box. I had a Boxster S facelift last year and the feel of the car is not dissimilar albeit with a couple of extra doors, decent boot, 650mile range, oh and the white colour scheme does tend to shift the traffic!!
My car had 76k when I bought it in December and I paid the bargain price of £6k but you are unlikely to find such a good deal outside of the auction house so perhaps a petrol could be a good answer. Mind you a petrol won't take any veg oil :-)
|
I bought an '02 330D Sport with 81,000 miles last November and absolutely love it. When I test drove it the DSC and ABS lights were on and a faulty sensor was replaced before I took possesion. After I got it a drove it a bit I found that the propshaft coupling needed to be replaced, which is fairly common on 330Ds at that mileage. Haven't had any other problems to date...well none that weren't caused by myself.
I have the sport suspension and 18" wheels and as others have mentioned it rides quite hard...others may call it "sporty", but I am not one of those. I noticed the tramlining when I first bought the car, but since then I have changed tyres and either the new tyres have reduced it or I have just gotten used to it, but in any case I don't notice the tramlining anymore.
Before the 330, I had an E34 520i and looked at the E39 5 series but found that the driving position was too cramped. I know its a bigger car, but for some reason the 5 doesn't have as much seat and steering wheel adjustment as the 3 so that ruled it out in my book. Like you I found more 5s in my price range, but I couldn't get on with a car that was a hassle to get in and out of.
|
You should get the 5 Series, you know you want it. In five years time you might be back here asking 'What MPV should I get?'
When you have wife, kids and mortgage, your choices get curtailed...
|
|
I really hated my first (previous model five) when it was first dumped on me. Brilliant Superb Super car far outclasses the equivelent three (though I still loved the old E46). Image is better on the five - don't doubt it at all, people will let oyu out of junctions !. Performance difference was marginal at most (mind you the five had the later, uprated 3.0litre), this is a very fast car in the real world - the 535 is faster still but that's another story...- The old five is still so pretty that it hurts. I don't think there will be another car like this for being an all rounder, pretty, fast, economical, handling, ride, ergonomics - everyting is just so right about it...Damn I want it back now.
|
I don't think there will be another car like this for being an all rounder, pretty, fast, economical, handling, ride, ergonomics - everyting is just so right about it...Damn I want it back now.
See this is another thing which appeals to me. I know everyone keeps saying I should buy an Elise, or a Civic Type R, or something else far becoming of somebody of 22 but the 5 is just... wonderful, and as you say iut's unlikely there will be another thats so right in so many ways.
And if I leave it too long before going 5, they'll all be old...
What age 100k mile 528i/530i Sport would I expect to get for:
£6k
£7k
£8k
£9k?
Assuming I bought from BCA? If I can get away without going to the top end of my budget I've got money for extras. Hmmm. E-maps remap to 250bhp, a nice set of 18" BMW Style 37 alloys...
|
The 5 Series (from 1995 onwards) was probably the finest driver's car around and one was that affordable for a large section of buyers.
I've got a mate in the used car trade (had his own showroom but works from home now) who gets plenty of excellent BMWs through the local dealership if, by any chance, you are interested. His prices are remarkably reasonable.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
I'm certainly interested if he can get hold of remarkably reasonably priced 528/530i Sports with manual gearboxes in around May/June time ;)
|
|
the old five series will still be pretty in 20 years time.
|
But will you be able to afford to fuel it, the rate the Chinese are expanding there won't be any oil left...
I was reading an article earlier in the week, if the Chinese economy keeps expanding at its current rate, they will need to build two new nuclear power stations every year for the next 15 years.
|
An Iraqi journalist friend had an elderly carburettor 520 auto, very pleasant car although somewhat sluggish. By no means trouble-free either, engine electrics gave trouble and eventually it seemed to me (not the owner who hadn't noticed) that the 4-speed auto was sticking and failing to change into top even on a light throttle. Anyway he said it had got thirstier than ever.
He didn't race about the country in it, just cruised round London. And being no mechanic himself, he was in the position of the overwhelming majority of motorists, stuck between paying top dollar and judging the work of an independent for himself. The sheep-like ignorance of the punter is what enables bad or anyway unrelaible back street operators to keep going, making people's lives a bit of a misery sometimes.
|
But will you be able to afford to fuel it, the rate the Chinese are expanding there won't be any oil left... I was reading an article earlier in the week, if the Chinese economy keeps expanding at its current rate, they will need to build two new nuclear power stations every year for the next 15 years.
I think every month will be nearer the mark.
|
>>>>the old five series will still be pretty in 20 years time.>>>>
Spot on P,U. - without question a timeless classic, and it never ceases to amaze me the fuel economy from the 530i Sport linked to a manual gearbox, which unfortunately are as rare as hens teeth, - as probably 85% of E39`s were autos.
|
>>the old five series will still be pretty in 20 years
Not so sure, I used to think that about mid 80's M535s and late 80's 325i Sports though they just look old hat now. A 2002Tii or a 3.0 CSL, they are classics so maybe it will just take longer than 20 years.
|
|
Disagree about the M535 agree on the thrre series sports. The J plate three series isn't a nice looking car IMO. Just had this month's BMW Magazine some lovely cars from the 70s in it. Can't help but feel that the current five series is dating fast.
|
|
I was thinking more 88ish 325 Sports, so approx E plate, cool at the time. J plate was the later 90 to 98 model (E34?).
|
>>>> J plate was the later 90 to 98 model (E34?).>>>>
E34 was the 5 series during that period prior to the E39 and the 3 Series twixt 90 to 98 was the E36.
|
