Needs some advice please

Six6siX · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:15

Hi,

I'm after some advice on a slightly more 'comfortable' run around car for my somewhat increased mileage. I expect to be doing around 20,000 miles a year and I expect there are better candidates for such mileage than my 306 DTurbo...

Is this valid diesel territory in terms of purchase prices and running costs? Spec wise, cruise control would be nice + all the usual toys.

Something that ticks all the boxes, seem to be E46 330D's and there seem to be a few FSH examples around the 4-5k mark. They are also reasonable on insurance considering my recent accident.

Any advise on this or any other suggestions?

Thanks

paradigm · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:17

Contrary to popular belief, what with it being a diesel and everything! 330d's are not cheap to run, at all.

A £4-5k one will be a pre-facelift, will most likely need a suspension refresh, along with other ancillary work, possibly even coming up to end of turbo life. Pre-facelifts also had the dodgy rear subframe issues, so that's something to be weary of.

Six6siX · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:20

paradigm said:
Contrary to popular belief, what with it being a diesel and everything! 330d's are not cheap to run, at all.

Ok, in relative terms, the main cost being fuel, it will be cheaper to run, no? Regular servicing, oil etc will be the same in any reasonably performing diesel I'd imagine?#

edit re: suspension etc ...

Ok, so point me in the right direction - would a 320D offer any significant benefit cost wise? Or what point am I looking at at to get a decent facelift?

Howard · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:22

Not really, Paradigm just outlined some of what will need attention on a shabbier cheaper BMW

paradigm · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:26

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=16234004&postcount=3

I bought that car, off NickXX, it continued to cost me a further £3k ontop of the purchase cost in 9 months just to repair things that either broke, or were due for replacing. I've covered roughly 20,000 miles in that time.

Tyres cost a fortune (2x 225/40/R18 and 2x 255/35/R18), brakes are also expensive (but not eyewateringly so like my LCR), servicing is about £100-150 more than a similar service for a non-premium brand like Ford or Vauxhall, fuel actually is one of the less impacting costs.

In real world terms, my Leon Cupra R (making 265BHP, 1.8 Turbo) wasn't drastically different in running costs. Servicing was cheaper, and fuel economy although worse, didn't make my fuel spending high enough to offset the higher maintenence costs of the 330d.

I've averaged 33.4MPG in the 330d since I bought it. Yes I could get more, but I'd be driving it like a nun would drive a bus. I've averaged 22MPG in the LCR in the duration of my ownership.

Lum · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:28

Mondeo

Six6siX · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:29

Interesting info, thanks

So what are my alternatives?

Howard · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:31

paradigm said:
2x 255/35/R18)

Good grief :eek:

Is that really necessary?

paradigm · 2 Apr 2010 at 17:32

Howard said:
Good grief Is that really necessary?

I'd say so, it still spins them up in the dry!

Moeks · 2 Apr 2010 at 19:23

Howard said:
Good grief Is that really necessary?

They're 265/35/18 on the back of an E39 Sport

But yes, older BMW aren't cheap to run really, sure they 'can' be if you get just the right one that's had everything done to it ...but even then it's just a matter of time, albeit more time.