525d vs 530d vs 330d - auto or manual / tourer or saloon (!)
Discussion
Hi all,
Some advice please.
Lot of options, sorry.
What do you guys think of the these models, and which would you go for as a 2nd hand car and why? I'm looking at 03 models with about 50K miles on the clock. They appear around £13K for the 525d manual and £15K for the auto (both ES SE versions). The 330d is obviously cheaper for the same mileage and age.
How does the spec differ in all 3 cars, both creature comforts and performance (including fuel efficiency). A rough idea of residuals after 1-3 years would be helpful too.
many thanks,
San.
Some advice please.
Lot of options, sorry.
What do you guys think of the these models, and which would you go for as a 2nd hand car and why? I'm looking at 03 models with about 50K miles on the clock. They appear around £13K for the 525d manual and £15K for the auto (both ES SE versions). The 330d is obviously cheaper for the same mileage and age.
How does the spec differ in all 3 cars, both creature comforts and performance (including fuel efficiency). A rough idea of residuals after 1-3 years would be helpful too.
many thanks,
San.
I had an '02 530d Touring Auto and thought that the combination of this engine and gearbox was superb. I now have a 330i auto (didn't need this size of car any longer) and retrospectively wish I'd either gone manual or stayed diesel. Like all diesels you knew what it was at idle but once on the move it was very refined and went like stink when you floored it. The only downside was the big cloud of smoke that told everyone you'd just mashed the pedal to the metal!
The Touring is a tiny bit more noisy in the rear seat than the saloon with more road noise from the rear wheel arches - however, both are significantly more refined than the 3-series (E46). If you want refinement and space go for the 5, if you want better handling and probably a bit more performance, go for the 3. I'd say an autobox with the 3.0d - I haven't been in a 525d, so can't really comment.
The Touring is a tiny bit more noisy in the rear seat than the saloon with more road noise from the rear wheel arches - however, both are significantly more refined than the 3-series (E46). If you want refinement and space go for the 5, if you want better handling and probably a bit more performance, go for the 3. I'd say an autobox with the 3.0d - I haven't been in a 525d, so can't really comment.
I have 2002 E46 330d SE Auto Saloon. Chipped to ~220hp
MPG=38 mixed, 40+ish motorway, 34 town
Did 27k last year, no probs. Now on 70k.
Only thing I'd change is a Through-load facility to allow loads in boot to poke into cabin via folding seat, other then that it's an awesome mile-eating car.
Make no mistake though, its an auto and you don't do the gears, the box is good, but you aren't Ayrton any more. If you want a sportscar, don't buy a 3 or 5 series (M cars withstanding) it's 1550kg FFS.
Leather, 6CD, Aircon, the usual refinements.
I can find loads of manual 320's but 330's are rarer than hens teeth.san2000 said:
That's what I noticed too...all the tourers seem to be diesels.
The boot space in the saloon is pretty big though right?
Shame the rear seats don't fold down in the saloon...I had assumed they would do.
The boot space in the saloon is pretty big though right?
Shame the rear seats don't fold down in the saloon...I had assumed they would do.
The space is pretty big, you can get two big suitcases in or two golfclub sets. The seats only fold if the option of 'through-load' was ticked on the original order and not many were.
I bought a 325i touring from Internet Car Shrowroom earlier this year. I think all their cars are ex fleet so have FBMWSH but have slightly high miles (not an issue IMO) and this seems to be reflected in their prices ie quite competitive.
I've had no problems with the car, it seems decent.
Problems with the dealer were minor but there were a few.
1. Check the web site page price of the exact car you are looking at and print it off to take with you. I found the windscreen price to be higher once I got to the dealer.
2. Try to deal with one of the higher-up guys. I initially dealt with a young 'arfur dayley is my idol' type who was telling me things that just weren't true.
3. Make sure the car has got 2 keys or adjust sale price accordingly.
4. You won't get any road tax, they get all those refunded to themselves.
Just my observations! Also I would check which service the car needs next. If possible chose one that needs an Oil Service next and it's a fair few miles off.
I've had no problems with the car, it seems decent.
Problems with the dealer were minor but there were a few.
1. Check the web site page price of the exact car you are looking at and print it off to take with you. I found the windscreen price to be higher once I got to the dealer.
2. Try to deal with one of the higher-up guys. I initially dealt with a young 'arfur dayley is my idol' type who was telling me things that just weren't true.
3. Make sure the car has got 2 keys or adjust sale price accordingly.
4. You won't get any road tax, they get all those refunded to themselves.
Just my observations! Also I would check which service the car needs next. If possible chose one that needs an Oil Service next and it's a fair few miles off.
In response to the query from san2000 about the internet car showroom at Hartley Wintney, I purchased a two and a half year old BMW 530d SE touring from them in February 2006 for £19K. It began to go rusty and I subsequently discovered via the previous owner, documents that showed the car had £8K-worth of undisclosed accident damage repair in May 2005. Have so far been unable to get recompense from the internet car showroom under their money back guarantee.
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