2nd car - BMW 320d - opinions? things to look out for before we get it?

squarehead94

squarehead94

squarehead94

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Cumbria, United Kingdom
Seriously thinking of getting a 320d, I passed my test December 12, Ill only get to drive it a couple of days a week, and me and my dad work in the same town so we can split the driving anyway, ill mainly see it weekends. Anyhoo, insurance is affordable, 3100 vs current 2500 a year (600 they quoted to "upgrade" from the 1.25 fiesta finesse we have.
looking to swap mine for an older 320d, (on offer atm is an X reg, 139k mileage - half leather, stock alloys, the one with the wee spoiler on the back)in silver, 6 months tax and ticket, service history, xenon lights, same keeper for 8 year, only 3 keepers. We travel about 30 mile a day for work alone, mainly A roads. so itll be slightly better on fuel. Anyways, I may be getting it tomorrow, what should i look for? tell tail signs of a dud? its apparantly in excellent condition, i know about electrics, make sure everything works, and pushing down on the front wings to see if steering wheel moves by itself, but is there anything specific to the 320d or bmw in general to look out for?

Also, wondering what it will cost to put blankers in instead of the swirl flaps - hes not said anything about it, im just planning for the worst, I may just replace them from the get go so i know im safe. anyone done this and know how much it cost?

finally, some advice? im not one to do 110 everywhere, im pretty good, I stick to speed limits and am a confident driver now, having learned to drive for 7 months and been driving for 2 independently.

Thanks!

Ste
 
If I was being bummed over £2k for insurance the absolute last thing I would want was to pay another 600 quid a year for an old knackered diesel 4cylinder BMW.

What even appeals about.it? You dont even nearly need a diesel, its not quick and its now quite an old car which means you'll (likely) need to do a fair bit of.work on it.

I THINK you'll be into the 130ish Bhp car on an x reg though, plus point is its actually quite a bombproof thing - no swirl flap issues. Check which engine it is though, I'm far from certain
 
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I'd say check for any bangs over bumps from the rear, that could be the rear trailing arm bushes. Can be done DIY but needs an alignment after or you could end up going through tyres and it not feeling planted to the road.

Rear brake pipes are common to corroding, and can be a pain to do. I was quoted £275 to change them on my e36. Prob won't notice them till they're corroded and fail mot.

But apart from that, they're a good runabout if in decent nick. I'd expect low 40's mpg from it, and possibly lower if your in traffic.
 
I like the appeal of the 320d (older style) as a friend has one and i know they can be absolute tanks. and I would much rather drive a bmw than a fiesta, it really is that simple. and there aren't that many good turbo diesels under 2k, as im swapping my mk6 04 fiesta for it. It doesn't need any major work, and having researched, the x reg should not have had swirl flaps, these were put in in 2002, or 52 reg bmw's, and sorted by 2004-2005.
from research again, they get around 50mpg town use, this is mainly what I'd do, however I do intend to drive further more often (road trips).

Unless anyone can recommend a good diesel alternative for 2.5k or less, I think I'll stick with the BMW.
0-60 in 7.5 would do me happy.
 
So the budget is set, but whats the useage criteria for the car?

Miles a year?
How practical do you need it?
DIY repairs?
Are your pockets deep enough for the running costs?
 
Closer to 30 or 35 in town you'll find

7.5 to 60 seriously unlikely, suspect that's for the newer, higher output e46 320d.

I do t honestly see any sense in swapping your fiesta for it, it'll cost you more both in I surance and to keep the thing plus it will realistically be getting to an age where it wants looking after properly.
 
If your research has told you they do 50mpg around town then your research is very poor and I would be very loath to make a purchasing decision based on it. The only time you will come close to 50mpg is on a long motorway run. Around town you will be doing well to see 30.

It does nothing like 0-60 in 7.5 seconds either and its not an 'absolute tank'.

You may well avoid swirl flaps (though this is yet more poor research because they neither appeared on 52 plate nor ceased to be a problem in 04) but what about the rest of the car? It's a tired 13 year old bmw from the very bottom of the market, even worse its the model most people who don't have a hope of running it properly go for because its diesel. So you will be battling age and neglect on almost any you find.

And for what? A key ring with BMW on it?
 
miles - 10k at a guess.
practicality - need to do at least 150 miles a week and only have to fill it up once or twice a month.
DIY repairs? I have a good agreement with our mechanic, personal friend, who does repairs on tick, can pay him back monthly etc.
Running costs? services 250ish every 18k, new tyres 50ish a corner (for a crap set) I cant think of much else, non swirl flap bmw as well, no worries there.

I really am open to suggestions on other cars, but currently Im putting in 150 or so a month in the fiesta to get to and from work, which if i can put the same in a nicer more powerful car, i would rather do so. but surely a bigger petrol engine will just want more? i need around 45 to the gallon.
 
squarehead94 said:
practicality - need to do at least 150 miles a week and only have to fill it up once or twice a month.
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does repairs on tick, can pay him back monthly etc.
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Running costs? services 250ish every 18k, new tyres 50ish a corner (for a crap set) I cant think of much else,
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Is this actually a troll thread? I mean, seriously?

I think the point at which you realise you would need to pay monthly for any repairs is the point at which you realise this car unaffordable.
 
well go on then, what do you recommend me do for ****s sake? i currently drive a 70 something bhp fiesta 04 plate, worth 2/2.5k with the alloys and tyres ive got, what better can i do?
recommendations please!
 
the fiesta, imo, seems about right for your criteria

do some more research and compare the cost of a complete suspension rebuild on an e46 vs a fiesta, 10 year old BMW suspension is going to be well past its best, and if its not replaced the car wont drive right and you will be better off in the fester again

youre far less likely to be paying off fester maintanence costs monthly, id prefer that imo
 
I just want something more powerful, better, faster. something thatll give a decent return on miles per gallon.
Something that is "cool" and not a 1.2!
 
squarehead94 said:
well go on then, what do you recommend me do for ****s sake? i currently drive a 70 something bhp fiesta 04 plate, worth 2/2.5k with the alloys and tyres ive got, what better can i do?
recommendations please!
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Keep the Fiesta? Then later when you no longer need to buy the cheapest tyres and pay repair bills off monthly upgrade to something nicer rather than buying a crap old BMW from the bottom of the market?

We would all like a nicer car but sometimes money gets in the way.
 
squarehead94 said:
I just want something more powerful, better, faster. something thatll give a decent return on miles per gallon.
Something that is "cool" and not a 1.2!
Click to expand...

Unless you're minted you won't be able to feasibly get anything much better - we've all been there as new drivers.

Don't just look at MPG as being the deciding factor. If a turbo/injector/dmf/whatever fails on a diesel then your MPG savings will be wiped out.
 
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