Hello, l would be very grateful for any opinion on the merits of owning a BMW, l haven't owned one previously, what to look for, reliability, hints tips, are they as good as adverts would suggest etc.
l have a large family, hence have a people carrier, who have grown leaving me with a large vehicle commuting 60 miles to & from work. l need however, to retain the people carrier for the odd occasion when we are all in the vehicle.
Basically, would a BMW be a reasonable commuter car, or should l take the sensible option of a small diesel.
Lastly, l'm not looking to spend more than approx' £3000.
Thank you in advance.
|
A BMW diesel (eg 320d saloon or estate) would be good for the commute. For £3k it will be an older model probably with intergalactic mileage. This need not be a problem if it has a proper service history. An ex-company car would be ideal but you may need to pay more. (a few years ago I bought a 4 year-old 3181 estate with 134k miles and sold it 4 years later with 190k miles with no real problems or expense). But, there is always a risk that everything that can go wrong will go wrong and it'll cost!
Given the problems experienced by rwd cars in the recent wintry conditions I would be inclined to go for an Audi instead, with the 1.9TDi 115 or 130 engine. Beautifully built, galvanised bodywork, good for 200k+ miles and 50mpg. Caveats as above. (I own one, 2000X now at 99k miles by me from new, still looks and feels almost new).
And don't forget that petrol engined equivalents will cost less to buy and may still be a viable purchase given your commute, especially as the fuel is cheaper per litre.
Happy hunting!
|
I owned and ran a series of 3 series BMWs and found them nice to drive but dreadfullin snow. Servicing was cheap and they were reliable.
BUT i chose carefully and at £3k you will be at a price where they could be costly. You need to diy or get a good independent as BMW servicing makes no economic snese.
|
A very nice example of an A4 on ebay. I though mine was in good nick but this looks superb for its age.
Overpriced, though, IMO.
tinyurl.com/bf4szx
|
As mentioned above, BMWs on normal tyres don't do that well in deep snow. That said, with some care taken I've never got mine stuck.
Any car for £3000 is likely to need work at some stage, and a BMW is no different. They are generally well built, and if you can find one that has been maintained with genuine parts it shouldn't be too much of a money pit. You need to be prepared for some bills though from time to time.
I'd be looking for a nice 325i petrol for long term ownership, my feeling is that it will be a more reliable long term/high mileage prospect than a diesel.
gabble
|
|
|
|
If you're lookinng at an E46 (3 series 88 - 96) then at £3k you will most likely be looking at a highish mileage. The 320d will be economical but take care with the 150 bhp engines ----many of these have a problem with the turbo and swirl flaps.
Although it won't be as frugal as a derv I think you'd be 'safer' with a petrol 6pot -- say a 323 with the 2.5 litre 6 cylinder engine. If properly serviced these will do huge mileages with little trouble.
Have a look on
www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/portal.php
Do a search for the problems on the E46 ------ or any other model.
Although I'm a beemer man, with your budget and what you need it for, on balance I'd rec you take option 2 and find a newer small diesel. On the other hand if you get a good well loved BMW you'll love the daily commute!
|
... at £3k you will most likely be looking at a highish mileage .. >>
True. However, a look through autotrader online does bring up a number of one/two owner examples, which have under 80k miles and some with full claimed BMW service history.
|
Thank you all for your advice.
Pretty much what l thought. The Seat Alhambra l have at present has the VW 1.9tdi engine that is a proven unit & the Audi may be an option.
However, option 2 with say a Focus diesel, which is said to be a very good overal package, would be within the budget of 3K.
|
>Basically, would a BMW be a reasonable commuter car, or should l take the sensible option of a small diesel.
Lastly, l'm not looking to spend more than approx' £3000.<
In a word Yes, with few provisos?
For the 3k you mention you would get an early E46. The only ones to aviod were the early face lift diesels. As someone mentioned go to bmwland.co.uk and there is a lot mention of turbo/swirl flap snags.
I had a diesel for 100,000 miles which was trouble free-only normal wear and tear replacements of tyres, exhaust, pads. Engine and tranmission all fine when sold at 148k.
Useless on the snow but then how often is this a problem in lowland England?
I did look at Audi when I replaced my BM, but tempted I stayed true. Incidentally BMW all have chain driven camshafts, so the problem with expensive replacement of belts as the miles clock up does not arise.
|
If your 60 miles is a 60 mile round trip and not 60 miles each way then your annual commuting mileage is going to be around 14,000 miles which doesn't make much of an economic case for diesel if that is why you are considering a diesel. IMO you'd be better off with a well cared for BMW petrol that carries far less risk than a high mileage diesel of any make or size. Find a decent BMW independent near you and ask their advice on likely service and repair costs on a high mileage diesel or petrol. I did years ago and was told if I was buying a 320d to find one where the turbo had been replaced because if it hadn't it would need one at any point around 100k miles. £1,200 then was the supply and fit price. A 325i would be a nice car to own and drive each day and they're not as thirsty as you might think. It probably won't snow again for 10 years and if it does just remind your employer you have a BMW and they'll understand your need to work from home!
|
l like the idea of a vehicle that has a chain drive, as opposed to a belt, they seem to need replacing every other year.
Seems, like every vehicle, if l can take my time & drop on a looked after, cared for serviced BMW, l should be alright.
Still tempted by the Audi A4 though. Engine l'm familier with, despite the cam belt change, the quality prestige angle of the BMW & the ecomomy of a diesel.
Any thoughts on a Focus or Mondeo diesel? l believe the Mondeo is chain driven.
|
Depends whether it is your heart or your head in the lead Bertie. I have had a few BMWs over the years and they are great cars. Having said that, I have had several Mondeo diesels too and have found them excellent workhorses. Good to drive, cheap to buy and maintain and for my purposes ( I need estate cars ) more spacious and actually more useful than the BMWs I have had.
Different animals but both very good. If you need/want to stick to your budget I guess you would get a whole lot more Ford for your money.
|
|
Humph has got a very nice Mondeo which would suit your budget. He waxes lyrical on trying to sell it maybe a decent offer would secure.
|
|
Funny you should say that PU. My brother in law was sniffing round the Mondeo at the weekend. He would quite like to buy it. Coincidentally his "main" car is a BMW 525d M-sport saloon and his sanity valve is his Honda Fireblade. He wants the Mondeo diesel estate to use a a camping holiday / tow / tip run car. I very nearly shook his hand on a deal. Just can't seem to part with it yet though even though I don't really need it anymore. It's just such a good car despite its miles and age. Genuinely has never had a single problem in seven years and the thick end of 160k miles. It has never been near a Ford dealer either. Just our local garage for servicing and tyres etc and that's it. Can't seem to break it. Brilliant car.
|
Well thanks everyone for the help, opinions & experience.
l guess it is a heart v head decision, though as you say Humph, l would get a whole lot more car, & it would seem reliability, with a Mondeo.
|
|
