BMW 3 series Touring

Especially with the spec on that car, it will be much better than the 1 series you drove which would have been dripping with budget ill-fitting plastics.

At the end of the day, provided you know what you're buying, know what you're getting into and feel that it is right for you, it should be a decent purchase.

Good luck!
 
Saw the car today and in talks ;)

Few things I would like to check:

1, On the test drive I gave it some from some traffic lights and the car left a sooty cloud behind us. This didn't re-occur on subsequent accelerations, anything to be concerned with?

2, The car was advertised as having Bluetooth but the owner hadn't done any phone connectivity and didn't really know if it did or not. He pointed to the phone button on the steering wheel but I guess all cars could have this? When I went to the Communications page of the iDrive, it just said 'No mobile phone connected'. What can I do to check whether it has this or not? I was expecting to see some Bluetooth setup options? Any ideas of the cost of retro fitting if its not there?

3, The car was advertised as having a DAB radio. Again I couldn't see any specific mention of 'DAB' in the stereo options? The unit had 2 CD drives, and the seller was explaining that it was the 'Professional Stereo' and not just the 'Business Professional', is there a difference?

4, The current seller has not needed to service the car in his term of ownership and the service is 10k miles away, but has had to MOT it. I checked the MOT certificate which he had done at a local MOT shop and the only advisory was read pads and so he had them fitted there and then. Could this affect me being able to get the BMW Warranty? The service book is all BMW dealers, but I am worried this could be a problem.

5, The rear tyres, which were replaced just before he bought it, are not the same Pirelli Run Flats that are on the front. I think they were Continental Contact Sport 2's. Again I am sure I have read that this can invalidate the warranty?

Thanks
 
The fact it says no mobile phone connected says to me that the car has Bluetooth. You need to pair it with your phone to get any options on iDrive.

The unit had 2 CD drives because it has Professional Navigation - one is a DVD drive for the navigation disc.

Are the rear tyres the SSR version of the CS2? If not thats not good but I dont think its a warranty issue.

You'd have to ask BMW about the brake pad thing. I cant see it being an issue personally but I would check first.
 
All cars have a telephone button on the steering wheel. It sounds as though it does have Bluetooth though - the pairing options are in the Info menu (press the controller down in the main menu). DAB appears as a source in the entertainment menu if it is fitted but it is a mega rare option so I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't have it.
 
[TW]Fox;20046959 said:
The fact it says no mobile phone connected says to me that the car has Bluetooth. You need to pair it with your phone to get any options on iDrive.

The unit had 2 CD drives because it has Professional Navigation - one is a DVD drive for the navigation disc.

Are the rear tyres the SSR version of the CS2? If not thats not good but I dont think its a warranty issue.

You'd have to ask BMW about the brake pad thing. I cant see it being an issue personally but I would check first.
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I think they may have said 'SSR'? They definitely said Tubeless though? Why could it be a problem if not affecting warranty?
 
Arghhh still not there. Currently stuck between two and could do with some help deciding:

1, 320D M Sport Auto 07 plate 45k FBMWSH.
Black Leather
Professional Sat Nav with iDrive
Electric Folding Mirrors with reverse tilt
Zenons with washers.
Luggage divider thingy.
17" alloys with 2 tyres that will need replacing (255/40/17?)
Parking sensors
iPod connectivity
Automatic windscreen washers.
Currently on its 3rd owner.

2, 320D Edition M Sport Auto 58 plate 45k FBMWSH
Black Leather
Std Sat Nav with iDrive
18" alloys with 4 new tyres.
Parking sensors.
Heated electric front seats.
Bluetooth.
iPod connectivity
Currently on its 1st owner.


So car 1 is older, although in great condition. Has Zenon's and the cheaper to dress and supposedly more comfortable 17" alloys. However has no Bluetooth which I really fancy.

Car 2 is £1500 more, is quite a bit newer, I believe will have the 177bhp Efficient Dynamics engine and brake regeneration, so should have more poke than car ones 160bhp and return better mpg. No Zenon's though and std Sat Nav. But has Bluetooth and some nice looking 18's.

I know there are a few BMW boffs on here so:

Is the Professional Sat Nav much better than standard?
Will I miss the Zenon's?
Is there much difference in cost between 17" and 18" run flats?
Which would you go for....if you had to choose and yes I know neither has a 6 cylinder engine :)

Many thanks
 
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Try and find car two with Xenons and Pro Nav ;)

On a serious note, unless you do a lot of night driving on unlit roads, I don't think you'll miss the Xenons.
Can't comment on Pro Nav as I've never been in a car without it.

What'd put me off the first car though is being the 4th owner in as many years.
 
mjt said:
What'd put me off the first car though is being the 4th owner in as many years.
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Current owner only bought the car in April but then 'had a change of circumstance' and moved from a flat with garage to a terraced street with tight residents parking and 5 minutes from work, so no longer needed car to commute and worried about car being damaged. Guy seems genuine but you never know. BMW checks all come through ok and an RAC inspection will be booked if I decide to go. Would you run?

[TW]Fox;20158677 said:
Is Car 2 an LCI? I suspect not if its an Edition, but worth asking.
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Nope.
 
Still holding out for the right 3 series Touring and have the money waiting, but I am starting to wonder whether a 5 series may suit our needs better? After all the 3 series is not a very big estate and I can see us needing a roof box as we want to do lots of camping over the next few years.

For my £13k it looks like I can get more car for my money if going for a 5 series? This may sound a obvious question, but would a 5 series cost more to maintain and service than a 3 series? Any specifics to be aware of?

Are there things I need to consider or look our for with a 2005/6 (E60) 5 series 530D? I believe these are the ones with the early iDrive?

Seen this one on eBay that look quite nice.

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
Pre LCI 5 Series are horrid. Wacky, zany interior, crappy build quality, steering wheels where the plastic flakes off the buttons and they even have old-skool halogen bulbs for the lights.

Not where £13k would go if it was my money. I actually think I'd rather have an A6 or an E Class.

That one for example, too high on the mileage for the reasonably priced BMW warranty and just getting to the stage where it needs a new diesel particulate filter, which no warranty will cover.

And its 6 years old. And £11.5k. No thanks. That one also has the ridiculous low end climate control as well, I think it lacks basic features like a sun load sensor and has annoying black turny-knobs rather than a proper temperature dial.
 
I have the 325i se coupe, im very impressed with it. I average 32 mpg easly with a mix of town and motorway driving. Had 40mpg obc from a recent stoke to chester run keeping to the speed limit. Build quality seems as good as my x5 and prevous e90 saloon so im assuming the touring will be the same
 
[TW]Fox;20497731 said:
Pre LCI 5 Series are horrid. Wacky, zany interior, crappy build quality, steering wheels where the plastic flakes off the buttons and they even have old-skool halogen bulbs for the lights.

Not where £13k would go if it was my money. I actually think I'd rather have an A6 or an E Class.

That one for example, too high on the mileage for the reasonably priced BMW warranty and just getting to the stage where it needs a new diesel particulate filter, which no warranty will cover.

And its 6 years old. And £11.5k. No thanks. That one also has the ridiculous low end climate control as well, I think it lacks basic features like a sun load sensor and has annoying black turny-knobs rather than a proper temperature dial.
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Can you confirm that's a 'no' then? :D

Balls, really wishing that things had worked out on the private sale 45K mile one now. I haven't seen anything since that compares in mileage / spec / conditon / price.

I have looked at other smaller end estates, such as A4, Passat etc but they just do not compare after being in the BMW.

I think I am probably just below the price bracket for what I am holding out for: 3**D, <60k, leather, sat nav, bluetooth, auto.....although 90% of those advertised are being sold by the trade.

Seen this one on ebay which has twice the mileage, but is a 58 plate? Thoughts on this?

(However I can't see me being satisifed buying one with that milage after sitting in an immaculate 07 for the same price with 43k :( )
 
Really, what am I missing? (genuine question)

Obviously the 58 plate is 1.5 years newer, but it has twice the mileage / wear?
 
mark66 said:
Really, what am I missing? (genuine question)

Obviously the 58 plate is 1.5 years newer, but it has twice the mileage / wear?
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What makes you think wear is directly proportional to mileage? Of course it isn't. IMHO it is age not mileage that wears a car.

I'd rather buy a 3 year old car than a 4.5 year old car if they are both the same price. The only reason to be fussy about mileage is if you wish to purchase the BMW warranty, which forces you to buy a sub 60k miler for reasonable rates. Thats the only reason I bought a low mileage 3 Series and the only real concern here.
 
Still on the hunt for the right 3 series Touring, despite daily searches and the money sat here waiting!

However, I have today found a December 2009 (latest shape) 320i M-Sport Business Edition, manual and pretty much fully loaded.

I am not familiar with the petrol engines having previously only focused on the 320D. Is there anything to be aware of? Is it a good one? I think power is 170bhp compared to the 177/184 of the diesels. I assume most of the diesel dislikers will prefer this?

The car is listed with 'Telephone USB audio interface' and 'USB audio interface'. Does anyone know what the Telephone bit relates to? Is it unlikely to have Bluetooth?

Thanks again for everyones help, hopefully I will be posting pics soon, its nearly a year since I started this thread!!

Cheers

Mark
 
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