4k Budget -E46 330D - Options/Info?

reiyushin · 13 Nov 2011 at 18:43

Hi there I've recently sold my Altea and am in the market for a BMW 330D.

Is there anything else in the same category I should consider?

Anything in particular I should look out for in the 330D? I know it'll be packing over 100k miles in my price range.

I live in the countryside and commute to work along country roads so I want something that's got some power, is nice to drive etc but won't kill me on fuel.

Info and thoughts greatly welcomed.

paradigm · 13 Nov 2011 at 19:39

A 4k 330d? Seriously don't bother. It won't save you money over a decent petrol, it WILL cost you a fortune in repairs, running costs, and preventative maintenance, and in all likelyhood it will be pretty rough.

Mine wasn't rough as i'd looked after it properly, but it was costing me a fortune to keep in good condition! But had I been looking to buy, I wouldn't have bought mine, even at its 4k asking price and knowing its history!

[TW]Fox · 13 Nov 2011 at 19:48

Absolutely ridiculous idea, too small a budget it will only buy a world of hassle. If you want a BMW and low running costs then you need to significantly increase your budget.

reiyushin · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:03

What makes the costs so much more than any other diesel in the same category?

For similar money I could get a Mondeo titanium 155 but there isn't much else I like the look of (asides from hatchbacks which are now looking the better option)

Saytan · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:12

The main problems with almost any cheap diesel are the turbos and the injectors

it so happens that the 330d has more injectors, so more to go wrong. Then add on the fact that it's an E46, with lots of breakable things, and you're in a world of hurt.

the best cheap 330d, is a 330i. Even then the bills will be big.

paradigm · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:17

Pretty much sums it up. The injectors will be due, the turbo will be due, the DMF will be due, you'll probably need to replace most of the intake/gas recirculation/breathing parts, and then your down to sorting out the non-diesel specific problems, such as a most likely overdue suspension/bushes refresh, cooling system, other perishable/rubber items.

I'd be incredibly surprised if a £4k 330d didn't turn into a £6k 330d within 12 months.

reiyushin · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:20

Thanks for the replies guys.

Having a little search about the forums and the general consensus is I should avoid.

Do the 320D fair any better? Or am I going to start searching for a focus....again.

Saytan · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:24

old diesels break and cost money
old bmws break and cost money

old diesel bmws.... break and cost money squared....

how many miles do you do a year?

reiyushin · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:26

SQUARED! That doesn't sound nice

I do no more than 15k per year.

Saytan · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:27

a diesel, especially an old one, is really silly then. any economy savings will be wiped out by frequent bills.

get a nice reliable petrol engine in something sensible like a mondeo.

pepsilol · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:33

It's all about keeping on top of the bills throughout its life. Find one that has had everything already done and you should be fine.

From what I can gather:

0-80k - good ownership
80-160k - fixing things
160k - 240k - good ownership

[TW]Fox · 13 Nov 2011 at 21:15

reiyushin said:
What makes the costs so much more than any other diesel in the same category?

Nothing, because other diesels in the 'premium performance diesel' category are as bad. They are complex cars - this makes them fast and (reasonably) frugal when new and an ever increasing reliability nightmare as they age.

Now, there is a case to be made for paying repair bills instead of depreciation and enjoying one of these cars as it gets older. Many of us here do this. But the fact you want a diesel because its 'easy on the fuel' suggests you have budgetary constraints, which this sort of car just isn't compatible with.

To put it bluntly, you cannot really afford a premium performance diesel car if you've only got £4k to spend. Generally very few people buying these cars at this end of the market can - those who DO have the money to burn keeping them going tend to have more money to spend on the car in the first place, meaning the cheap ones tend to just bump about between owners with an ever decreasing ability to keep them going.

Get some more money or lower your expecations.

EddScott · 14 Nov 2011 at 14:30

Could you not consider a petrol E46?

Theres this which is a 325i which is in budget??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220880113270?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

No leather but unless the seats are heated I wouldn't want leather - freezes your butt in the winter.

paradigm · 14 Nov 2011 at 14:55

EddScott said:
No leather but unless the seats are heated I wouldn't want leather - freezes your butt in the winter.

Not really, no.

It's cold for all of like a minute, unless you are abnormally rubbish at emitting body heat.

pepsilol · 14 Nov 2011 at 14:59

EddScott said:
No leather but unless the seats are heated I wouldn't want leather - freezes your butt in the winter.

Honestly, I think people w/o leather need to come up with a better excuse now.

This one has gone on long enough!

EddScott · 14 Nov 2011 at 15:38

pepsilol said:
Honestly, I think people w/o leather need to come up with a better excuse now.

This one has gone on long enough!

Really? How do you think I've come to this conclusion about leather seats?

It may only be for a short time but I find leather uncomfortable in the winter and IMO it isn't high on my "must have" list.

[TW]Fox · 14 Nov 2011 at 15:51

Never had an issue with leather in winter, its warm within seconds. I wish I had a heated steering wheel though!

EddScott · 14 Nov 2011 at 16:43

[TW]Fox;20563918 said:
Never had an issue with leather in winter, its warm within seconds. I wish I had a heated steering wheel though!

My Jeep Cherokee has leather and the seats are very cold in the winter and they take a while to get warm even with the half decent heater it has.

I wouldn't miss not having leather in any car.

Mucky_Pup · 14 Nov 2011 at 16:55

Even without my seats switched on the leather isn't that cold on a winters morning.

Slumberbox · 14 Nov 2011 at 17:02

[TW]Fox;20558030 said:
Absolutely ridiculous idea, too small a budget it will only buy a world of hassle. If you want a BMW and low running costs then you need to significantly increase your budget.

It's a catch 22 though he buys a newer one and he's met with more depreciation, even newer ones have faults and niggles the owners can't fix so they get rid.