BMW or Audi for 5k?

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Soldato
Joined
19 Dec 2003
Posts
3,105
Location
UK
Hey folks, it's a sad time, I have to sell my beloved BMW 320d to add an extra funding to a house deposit... Yes, it does make the difference before anyone asks... It's the difference between affording the house, and not affording it, otherwise I would gladly keep the car! It's for the greater good so to speak, but still a painful choice!

Over the years I have owned several hatchbacks like the MK5 Golf, MK6 Golf (GTD) Leon FR, Ibiza Cupra, Audi A3 Black Edition TDI and so on, until more recently the E90 BMW 320d (2011) M Sport I know it's not exactly known as a 'top of the range' car compared to what some people own (and especially as it's not a 330d :D ) , but to me it has been, it has all the toys like the widescreen nav, heated leather seats, very good economy and all that.

So, before I go and buy a W reg Focus, is there a decent chance of finding a BMW 3 series with at least some toys in the 5k budget? Or am I better off checking out the Focus' and Mondeos of the world instead?
 
If your lucky you can find a 320d or a 318i 2005/2006 3 series for that, Iv been to see a couple of nice ones around the £5/£6k mark (these where both estates however)
 
Can you fix stuff? If so spend a bit less and buy an e46 330i or a lot less and buy an e39 530i

If what you want is hassle free driving I'd just look elsewhere though.
 
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IMO you've got every chance of finding a good BMW for this money, but, you'll need homework and admittedly you will do a lot of looking at scruffy ones! you will eventually find a good one with persistence and if you go older, for a lot less than £5k.

Buy on condition not age nor miles is a golden rule IMO.

I would try to seek out an old e39 for ballpark £2k - £3k IF it's a German marque you particularly wish to stick with - and you then leave yourself plenty left over for the somewhat inevitable repairs here & there IMO, assuming of course that you don't do huge miles, no e39 is particularly frugal.

I've had my 530i for a while now, paid £1550, still looks smart, and is lovely to drive, a world away from the same age e46 it replaced.

I'm assuming funds are tight ish, so save on the purchase price, keep some in reserve and arguably in an e39, assuming it's a good one, enjoy what's still a bloody fine car!
 
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E46 330i

If not Honda Accord, suggesting it as I drive a Gen 7 2.0 that's done 140k of trouble free miles, can get nice 2.4 Type S that hasn't been to the moon and back for less than £5K or if you want a diesel I've mostly heard good thing about them
 
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True, id take a E46 any day at 5k, but if he wants trouble free motoring for less, then Id rather take the Accord over a focus/mondeo any day, nicer looking car all round.
 
Bought my e46 330i for less then £3k. Its been very reliable and I feel it's great car. Mine is Ruined with coilovers etc but it does the job well for what I need it for.
 
I had the same budget as you, bought myself an e46 330ci couple of days ago. Doable with your budget, just be prepared to be looking at plenty of sheds before finding a good one
 
What age & mileage ADT?

Currently looking for an 320d/330d or A4 2.0TDi for this budget. Don't think the 3 series saloons have aged as well as the coupe.
 
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