Advice needed on buying second hand

Canaboid · 20-02-2004 10:51am #1

My GF is changing car and I'd appreciate any advice you guy's can offer.

We're talking €10k plus a '98 Escort trade in. She's thinking of a second hand 316/8.
From looking on the web this would seem to sugggest a '96/97 model with > 60,000 miles on the clock. Does this sound realistic ?

What is considered high milage on a 3 series ? Are they a good second hand buy (reliability/depreciation etc.)

Any other make/models she should consider in the same price range ?

Anythig else she should be aware of.

Cheers.

Discovering · 20-02-2004 11:02am

I would seriously consider and Audi A3 1.9 TDi

Great car, good badge and your even get good economy!!

Get her to test drive one and she will probably perfer it to the 3 series.

Turner · 20-02-2004 11:48am

I have a 318is with 142K on it so i would definitely recommend one. Still as stylish as ever for a car that is 14 years old.

They are such a sound car and have a timing chain and not a belt so doesnt need to be changed every 60K or whatever.

BMW really know how to make engines that last.

Chief.

Edit you should check out here too for more advice..

BMW's

MojoMaker · 20-02-2004 10:22pm

A '96 318i shouldn't cost you more than €8k.

AthAnRi · 22-02-2004 1:52pm

Check out This Site for some very valuable information about any car you are interested

unkel · 23-02-2004 1:23am

Originally posted by Chief---
BMW really know how to make engines that last.

Indeed they do. But they only last if they have been looked after properly. BMW's are the hardest driven mainstream cars in the world. It is pretty important to check the car out properly before you buy. Get a good one and you'll probably drive BMW's forever

Canaboid · 23-02-2004 11:33am

Thanks for all the replies and info.

Any recommendations on good 2nd hand BMW dealers.

Cheers.

unkel · 23-02-2004 1:22pm

Originally posted by Canaboid
Any recommendations on good 2nd hand BMW dealers.

You won't find any 318 from 96/97 at a BMW dealer. They usually only sell BMW's up to about 5 years old. If you do a search for bmw 3 series on CBG.ie, it is easy to see which sites are dealers. On the picture is usually states something like "go the dealer's website". Look at a few and you will come across some of the main 2nd hand dealers time and time again

Also consider buying privately. Buying from a dealer is more expensive and doesn't prove the car is ok, unless you get a (lengthy) warranty with it

Advice needed on buying second hand

Comments