I do quite like Hondas.
buying a 318ti
- Thread starter inogen
- Start date
I do quite like Hondas.
Nice, but it's an auto and I'm not a fan of the cream leather / wood interior. Cream leather... Okay... but not with wood.
Somewhere between 1750 and 1850 has been mentioned.
Hmmm... I'm being turned to the idea of a 325...
So, 325 - 103,000 miles, no MOT (to speak of), no tax (to speak of), not recently serviced
vs 318 - 77,000 miles 12 months MOT, 6 months tax, serviced 2000 miles ago.
Pretty much the same price.
Decisions, decisions... The 325 has nice half leather seats. And a sunroof. I don't really like full leather seats. Though I really like half.
So, 325 - 103,000 miles, no MOT (to speak of), no tax (to speak of), not recently serviced
vs 318 - 77,000 miles 12 months MOT, 6 months tax, serviced 2000 miles ago.
Pretty much the same price.
Decisions, decisions... The 325 has nice half leather seats. And a sunroof. I don't really like full leather seats. Though I really like half.
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Caporegime
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What about a 3 series touring. Thats a better option than a Ti. I always think MK2 Vauxhall Astra when I see a compact.
Funnily enough, when I see a 3 series touring I think Vectra estate. But there you go
Seriously though, I've spent some time with a 3 series touring. They're not big enough in the front for me. I find them a little unwieldy round town. I've also got no real need for an estate car, and it would mean we wouldn't get both of our cars on the drive when we needed to.
What was the mileage / age and condition?
Funnily enough, when I see a 3 series touring I think Vectra estate. But there you go
Seriously though, I've spent some time with a 3 series touring. They're not big enough in the front for me. I find them a little unwieldy round town. I've also got no real need for an estate car, and it would mean we wouldn't get both of our cars on the drive when we needed to.
Eh!? You do realise the compact is.....all but the samwup front?
I personally find the weaker engined BMWs to be absolutely lacklustre. In my opinion they were designed for people who wanted the brand but couldn't afford anything else.
Also, not forgetting that the engines are on the verge of being underpowered (there has to be a balance between engine power and vehicle weight, alongside gearing too). Most small engined larger vehicles struggle, and give far worse economy than their larger engined siblings.
Also, not forgetting that the engines are on the verge of being underpowered (there has to be a balance between engine power and vehicle weight, alongside gearing too). Most small engined larger vehicles struggle, and give far worse economy than their larger engined siblings.
Soldato
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Let's not bring logic in to this.So your looking for an e46 compact?
Didn't realise it was so short, but yeah, but it feels like that. And is also smaller in the front. The seats don't go back as far. The compact is more like a coupe in the front. The long doors make a difference when my lumbering frame is getting in and out. I constantly banged my head getting in and out of the touring I used, something I dont with coupes or compacts.
I've decided on the 325. Only £50 more a year to insure and an extra £60 tax. the one I've found is much better specked than the 318 and has only an extra 20,000 on the clock. One year older and £200 cheaper with an MOT chucked in. Done deal so long as it passes the MOT in the morning and there's nothing wrong with it when I get there.
There's nothing illogical about it. The front in a 2 door or 3 door 3 series feels noticeably more spacious than a 4 or 5 door.
A lot of cars are like that. Our 3 door Polo feels bigger in the front than my Mums 5 door Golf.
Perhaps those with a short-arsed persuasion don't notice that?
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Perhaps those with a short-arsed persuasion don't notice that?
I'm a 6'3" 17 stone trucker, I get in & out of my e46 325i Touring just fine...
Anyway, glad you've opted for the 325, they are a world away from the 318.
Cool. Well maybe the extra 1.5" makes all the difference
Certainly was the top of my head I head I kept catching. V. ****** painful.But yeah 325. Thanks to everyone who advised it. Making the right choice of model if not the right car.
Anything I should look out for (which is the original question!)
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Lots of things, mostly minor.
Firstly bodywork, this is your biggest problem as fixing rust on the rear quarters or sills will not be cheap. Front wings not so much an issue.
The interior can get tatty, personally I'd make sure the seats are good, things like the door pulls can be sprayed and come up well as can bits of the centre console.
Assuming the 325 has the usual m54 traits you want to look for evidence of work to the following:
Disa valve ( flap breaks)
Cooling system ( typically stat/ water pump are first to go, rad and expansion tank can cause problems too)
Potentially vanos seals though personally I'm not so sure these are a big issue
Rocker cover gasket can leak
Intake hoses can develop small tears and cause hesitation
Icv can get clogged, dead easy fix
Dunno how the compact is set up at the rear, I'm guessing its an e36 so trailing arm bushes could be an issue - edit looks like its just 46, so they'll definitely be worth checking.
Front wishbones another area to watch
They'll also be quite sensitive to alignment
Firstly bodywork, this is your biggest problem as fixing rust on the rear quarters or sills will not be cheap. Front wings not so much an issue.
The interior can get tatty, personally I'd make sure the seats are good, things like the door pulls can be sprayed and come up well as can bits of the centre console.
Assuming the 325 has the usual m54 traits you want to look for evidence of work to the following:
Disa valve ( flap breaks)
Cooling system ( typically stat/ water pump are first to go, rad and expansion tank can cause problems too)
Potentially vanos seals though personally I'm not so sure these are a big issue
Rocker cover gasket can leak
Intake hoses can develop small tears and cause hesitation
Icv can get clogged, dead easy fix
Dunno how the compact is set up at the rear, I'm guessing its an e36 so trailing arm bushes could be an issue - edit looks like its just 46, so they'll definitely be worth checking.
Front wishbones another area to watch
They'll also be quite sensitive to alignment
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