Looking for a better motor, Advice?

Skellz

Skellz

Skellz

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Joined
22 Feb 2009
Posts
217
Location
Tunbridge Wells
Hello guys, first post in motors section so go easy on me ;) I've been browsing on here for a long while on and off. Sorry in advance for a long read.

Basically my 21st is coming up in August and I've been thinking about getting a better second hand car for a long time. Currently I drive a reliable (Touch wood) but very mundane Ford Fiesta 1.3 flight Y reg, 44k on clock, which I've had since I started driving, 4 years ago almost. It's boring me to death and it's not the greatest place to be with lack of comfort and most importantly for me a bit of GO. I'm at college/uni part time and work a couple of days a week, which gives me enough £ to pay for fuel and keep some £ spare. My annual mileage is 8000-10000 miles a year, no motorways just town, A-road and country roads.

I'm after something thats a fun drive with some good pace (0-60 circa 6-7 secs) whilst also being comfortable. I've been looking specifically at BMW e36's 325's and 328i coupe's on 98' and 99' plates, love the sound of the straight six engines and If I am not mistaken they are quite reliable? I've read a little into the common problems from a friend who's family have owned many bmw's and here: http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f92/bmw-e36-common-problems-things-look-out-t3652/, including the nikasil blocks and this is why I'm looking at the 98' and 99 plates. Am I right in thinking that these cars are not too hard to maintain and that parts are relatively cheap to buy? If I found a mint condition model would it still serve me well for 2-3 years and not cost a fortune?

I would like the car to do 25-30 average mpg and I will have a budget of around £4k, I've looked at many quotes online for myself when aged 21 of various cars and a e36 would be about £800-850 which Is not bad, I wouldn't want to pay anything over £1k. My idea was to spend perhaps £2k on a mintish e36 328i coupe (60-100k on clock), and then getting it checked over perhaps upgrade brakes and suspension keep £1k for spares and repairs + a few other mods. Would an early e46 be a better alternative?

I'm open to other suggestions for different motors, but I've looked through loads of them for my budget and I'm not sure if they would satisfy me, not really into clio's or cupra's that much.

Cheers. ;)
 
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Also at uni/working and also looking for something sporty to move on to from my Y reg fiesta.

Will be watching this thread with interest. :)
 
If all you want is the engine dont bother with a sport, spend 1k to 1.2k at absolute maximum on a 328 coupe and be happy with it, sport trim really gives you little compared to the extra cost. You would need to be extremely unlucky for nikasil to be a problem now so dont worry about it, biggest potential costs are from the car needing a new clutch or need engine due to hg failure ( the 328 is such a cheap engine to find its not really worth trying to fix), but you absolutely need a small fund to maintain a car like this if you want to have any sort of enjoyment out of it.

Buy one with decent tyres on aand keep it a couple of months then spend the inevitable 400 quid on suspension components to make it feel right. Then enjoy and either maintain properly or wait till its good for scrap, your call. Don't pay more than about 7/800 for a saloon or touring
 
Cheers for the advice rodenal, it makes more sense.

I did think about an MX-5 but not sure if it would be quick enough lol, also not sure about the space as it would need to fit a few golf club bags in the back :rolleyes: the sound of them isn't as good as Straight 6 either :(

Sorry nick not really interested in a lexus, however it looks quite nice but its auto and I forgot to mention I want a manual gearbox, as i suspect there to be less problems and cheaper fix.
 
I can't imagine many low end BMW's being fun to drive, Nice place to be, Nice cruiser etc get out the way you got in after a long journey Yes but not what I'd call fun. M series uber fun I would imagine but not the Old man versions.
I'll chuck in an Old Evo for the fun factor. :cool: Your MPG figures may be hard to get though. :p
 
He isn't looking at low end ones, he is looking at the E36 328i Sport.

Not really sure an old EVO is a good choice for a student running a car on a part time job. Infact to be honest if it wasn't for the fact he had a £4k budget for a car that you can get for £2kish I'd be saying the same about the 328i.

I think something light, chuckable, cheap and cheerful is probably a better fit with his circumstances. 106 GTi?
 
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Nah an EVO wouldn't be practical for me in terms of finances. I see what you're both saying, a 106 GTI is not really my cup of tea though, I'm sure it is great fun to drive but its not really what I'm after I guess.

I spose I would like some aural pleasures on a budget, I've driven a few of my mate's cars, an LCR which was a quick car but i always get the impression its a bit boy racey. Also two mate's 3.2 v6's, and the sound of them is just singing to me :cool: I couldn't afford to buy and then run one at the mo, but thats why I was looking more at the 325/328/330 as I reckon I could with these.
 
Yeah I did look at the mondeo V6's, nice motors! I assume they are fairly reliable and parts aren't too expensive? Would you see around 20-25 mpg around town I guess? I only get about 32-34 avg mpg in my fiesta mostly :/
 
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corrado VR6?

sounds good, looks good for its age (IMO), cheaper parts than BMW I would have thought generally. fit the 0-60 criteria and should fit in golf clubs.
 
Skellz said:
A Q. for Fox here, do you think a e39 528i/530i would be do-able on my budget? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If you don't spend all the money and keep some safe then a 528i yes. You will find 530i too but I wouldn't want a cheapo one. Even a good 528i is cheap now. Does depend on how long you only be part time though as your reserve fund will need topping up at some point.
 
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