I want to buy a BMW - advice needed please.

[Charliee]

hi everyone.......my first time on here. Great site!

I have a budget of around £10k to £11k and would like to buy an auto BMW 320 coupe. I would appreciate if people could give me advice on the following questions?

- I prefer the 320Ci sport, but how does this compare with the se/es?
- Does it differ much from the 325Ci? (obviously except being thirstier and more exensive on the insurance)
- am i being realistic with my budget to buy a post 01 plate 320ci sport (auto) with mileage under 50k?
- im mainly a town driver (so lots of stops and starts), would a 320 return good mpg or am i better off with a different 3 series coupe for better fuel consumption?
- is this car reliable?
- are there any inherent problems with this model that i should be aware of?
- how much does the average servicing cost on this BMW?
- what should i especially be checking and looking out for when viewing to buy?
- can anybody point me in the right direction as to the names of garages that are specialist in selling used BMWs (i live in west london). Or am i better off buying private or from another source?

This is the first time im going to be buying a BMW, and to be honest i have been swayed by the car's sporty image and the general view that german engineering is quite reliable. Am i wrong in my assumption and better off buying a different make/model? - any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks
Charlie

[Domestos]

Have a look on here mate-

www.e46fanatics.com/

[muzzer79]

- I prefer the 320Ci sport, but how does this compare with the se/es?

Sport models give you sports suspension, wheels, bodykit, etc. Depends what floats your boat really. If you like that stuff then go for it, if not, don't.

- Does it differ much from the 325Ci? (obviously except being thirstier and more exensive on the insurance)

I have a 320ci and it doesn't differ *that* much. 320's are good for having a proper six cylinder engine and credible performance. It depends what you're after

- am i being realistic with my budget to buy a post 01 plate 320ci sport (auto) with mileage under 50k?

You should be able to find something decent for that

- im mainly a town driver (so lots of stops and starts), would a 320 return good mpg or am i better off with a different 3 series coupe for better fuel consumption?

Mine's a manual. When I go into town with it on stop starts, I get between 20 & 25mpg. Auto will be worse.

- is this car reliable?

Engine and transmission wise yes. (as long as it's been looked after) It's little things that go. Door locks, suspension bushes and the like

- are there any inherent problems with this model that i should be aware of?

See above

- how much does the average servicing cost on this BMW?

If you go to a stealer, £180 for an oil service to £400 for a Inspection 2. Go to an indy and I find it about 30% less

- what should i especially be checking and looking out for when viewing to buy?

Make sure everything works. Check service history. Make sure it has a good spec. Leather, CD Changer, clear indicators. You want a good colour and decent coloured interior.

- can anybody point me in the right direction as to the names of garages that are specialist in selling used BMWs (i live in west london). Or am i better off buying private or from another source?

If you want to really pay, go to a dealer. If not, search for a decent indy in your area. Or make me an offer and buy mine! (See profile for pic) Although it is a manual. But then you're on Pistonheads so that should be preferable!

This is the first time im going to be buying a BMW, and to be honest i have been swayed by the car's sporty image and the general view that german engineering is quite reliable. Am i wrong in my assumption and better off buying a different make/model? - any suggestions would be much appreciated.

You're right. It's a good car and you notice the difference compared to other stuff.

Many Thanks
Charlie

HTH

[Charliee]

Many thanks for your informative replies.

Cheers!

[theno23]

I have a 2000 323ci auto. Compared to my old E36 325 it's sluggish when not in sport mode. I'd make sure you get a good test drive in a 320 auto before buying it.

That said the auto box is very good. At the moment I do a lot of boring motorway/SW London heavy traffic miles, so I'd rather have an auto. I'm very happy with the car.

Around town I get about 25 mpg.

[TheKeyboardDemon]

My e36 325tds returned reasonable mileage around town I was getting about 34mpg. IIRC.

So it might be worth looking at some of the 325/330Cd/Ci models as well, if economy is more important than overall performance.

[[TW]Fox]

Get the biggest 6 cylinder engine you can find.

Why?

Becuase they all cost the same to service, they all cost about the same to insure if you are over 21 and the fuel economy difference between them is only 1-2 mpg.

Unless you find a 320 at a great price I see no reason to seek one out over a 325i or a 330i.

[cHARLIEE]

Apart from mpg economy on the 320ci, i was also thinking of smaller insurance premiums.

So what are the major differences between the 320 and 325/330 (apart from the obvious engine size). Surely doesnt a bigger engine equate to it being more thirstier (and less fuel efficient) than the 320?

Thanks!

[TheKeyboardDemon]

cHARLIEE said:

Apart from mpg economy on the 320ci, i was also thinking of smaller insurance premiums.

So what are the major differences between the 320 and 325/330 (apart from the obvious engine size). Surely doesnt a bigger engine equate to it being more thirstier (and less fuel efficient) than the 320?

Thanks!

It's not just the engine size that makes a difference, but also how you drive it, driving economically a 330Ci could easily give you more fuel economy over a 320Ci that's being thrashed. I might be wrong in thinking that the 323 and 325 share the same engine, only the 323 has a restricted exhaust manifold to reduce the performance. I think this may also be the case with the 328 and 330, therefore insurance costs would not change significantly as you move up from 323s or 328s to 325s and 330s.

I found the follwing on BMWs website about their current range:

Model...Engine...Consumption...0-60
...................m/a..........m/a
325i...2497cc...33.6/31.4mpg..6.9/7.6
330i...2996cc...32.1/31.4mpg..6.1/6.4
335i...2979cc...29.7/29.7mpg..5.5/5.7
330d...2993cc...43.5/38.2mpg..6.6/6.7
335d...2993cc......./37.7mpg...../6.1

I know you're not after a new model however I still hope this helps.

Edited by TheKeyboardDemon on Tuesday 20th February 21:20

[mustard]

cHARLIEE said:

Apart from mpg economy on the 320ci, i was also thinking of smaller insurance premiums.

So what are the major differences between the 320 and 325/330 (apart from the obvious engine size). Surely doesnt a bigger engine equate to it being more thirstier (and less fuel efficient) than the 320?

Thanks!

I'd go as far as to say the 2.2 320 is the least economical

used to get 27mpg out of a 320 and around 29mpg for 325/330 (all manuals)

320 is too rev happy and not alot happens, before you know it your boucing off the rev limited, personally find a far greater difference between 320/325 than 325/330