looking at getting a car in near future...

Creamy Goodness

hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a car in around October time.

I was dead set on getting something like a 316 or a 318 BMW, as i'm a great fan of german cars, been driving them since i started driving 5 years ago all beit it they were standard golfs and passats and a BMW 7 series one time :pac:, i know there's a love of japanese cars here but tbh i find the integras, the civics, the evo's a bit tacky for my liking. I want something that's oozes class but doesn't say I'm a little prick and will probably smash myself into the nearest car sooner rather than later (not saying all drivers of the cars i mentioned are like that).

another reason for the 3 series is that i want something a little nippy, that won't cost the earth to insure as well I'm a 23 year old with a full license for 4.5 years and the right 3 series can fairly move from my experience.

I've been looking at every 3 series that i pass nowadays but i'm so confused as how the model structure is set up, I'm looking in the range of 2000-2003 but everyone of them looks different, some look absolutely superb, others look not so good.

what I'm really looking for is one that has leather seats, air con, electric windows, radio controls on steering wheel, sunroof (if possible) you know the whole nine yards but I'm finding it difficult to find ones online for sale, surely these must be selling second hand somewhere?

also does anyone know the rough insurance and tax would be on one? 4 years named driver experience (I know that probably means feck all but better than being 18 with prov. license hey ).

like I said at the start I'm not looking to buy right now, as I'm out of the country for the next 4 months but sometime when i get back I'd be looking to purchase.

any help locating (just so i know these actually exist second hand) or even just information on the different types of configurations of 3 series BMW's would be grateful thanks

crosstownk

Keep an eye on what's for sale on Carzone and other sites. Used cars are sort of slow selling at the moment so you may be able to spot one that's been in stock for a while and make an offer. If you spend the next 4 months checking you'll get a good feel for the price. You'll probably come across a few that will not sell throughout the 4 months - these are the ones you might be able to make a reasonable offer on.

Begin your research now.

-Chris-

Be prepared for a whole load of "316 & 318s aren't nippy, you need a 6-cylinder at least" replies... don't worry about that, if it feels nippy to you, then it's nippy enough.

If you're looking for a higher spec (leather, upg s/wheel, sunroof etc. etc.) you're probably better off looking for a UK one - they're more likely to be spec'ed up.

Tax is easy to work out, it's based on engine size so just decide on what car you want et voila! You need to get online or call some insurance companies for insurance quotes - there are too many variables for anyone to give you accurate numbers here.

Start window-shopping now, but prices will change between now and October, so don't worry about it too much. I think the SE spec will suit your requirements best, but check out the UK websites for full details of the spec.

-Chris-

Also, if you eventually find one that seems perfect, but doesn't have leather, don't worry. You can get leather retro-fit for €1,600-€2k at any stage, or you may be able to find a set of leather seats in a written off car in a scrap yard for less.

Creamy Goodness

thanks guys,

i know i am expecting the "the not nippy" comments, i just want something that's faster than say a 1.4 golf to accelerate, i don't want to go killing myself either so and i want to do it in comfort too hence the top spec :pac:.

i've been searching on carzone but haven't seen anything that i like, i'm looking to keep it under €10,000 with insurance and tax for the year, so say in or around the €8,000 mark for the car, am i being unreasonable.

when you say prices will change between now and October do you mean they'll get better, or worse, i'm assuming better due to the recession.

also would be looking for stock alloys on it too, ain't a fan of hubcaps they fugly :pac:

the UK seems like a huge hassle to me, the whole searching over there, travelling over, insuring it to drive it back, the VRT etc. etc.

also could someone explain the model numbers of 3 series for me and the letters after it.

like i see 316i, 318ci, 320d

i know the 3 is 3 series - d'uh - and i'm assuming the next two are the engine size i.e. 18 is 1.8l engine, but what's the i, ci and d stand for? tried searching google, but couldn't get anything. sorry if that sounds like a complete newbie question.

Big Nasty

-Chris- wrote: »

Also, if you eventually find one that seems perfect, but doesn't have leather, don't worry. You can get leather retro-fit for €1,600-€2k at any stage, or you may be able to find a set of leather seats in a written off car in a scrap yard for less.

I wouldn't be going doing that, especially on a 6 - 9 year old car! There is plenty of choice out there at the moment and the right one will come along eventually.

I'm currently looking for a 7 and similarly I want certain spec, colour, white indicator lenses, M-Parallels, etc. Fecked if I'm gonna buy one without any of these and then go spend a large wad of cash to finish it as desired. They're out there, it's just a case of watching and waiting.

colm_mcm

This 02 Galant for 3950 is serious value. very nice looking car too (IMO).


http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mitsubishi/Galant/200921192834051/advert?channel=CARS




I'm not suggesting this handles as well as a 3 series, or that the dash plastics exude Germanness, but they have an understated cool in my opintion.

Rowley Birkin QC

If only E92 was still around to hear an Motors mod say that a 316 is "nippy enough". :pac: :eek:

Drummerboy08

There's a slight difference between a BMW 3 series and Mitsubitshi Galant there Colm..;)
If i was looking for one, i'd look at one of these -

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1316880

colm_mcm

The Op is looking for a car that doesn't make him look "like a little prick" which pretty much rules out most BMW's :pac:


Also, one drive of a 316 is enough to shatter the illusion for most people.

cianclarke

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I wouldn't be going doing that, especially on a 6 - 9 year old car! There is plenty of choice out there at the moment and the right one will come along eventually.

+1 - You'll find one with leather eventually, no point in retrofitting. Don't rule out the UK.

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

thanks guys,
i know i am expecting the "the not nippy" comments, i just
the UK seems like a huge hassle to me, the whole searching over there, travelling over, insuring it to drive it back, the VRT etc. etc.

also could someone explain the model numbers of 3 series for me and the letters after it.

like i see 316i, 318ci, 320d

i know the 3 is 3 series - d'uh - and i'm assuming the next two are the engine size i.e. 18 is 1.8l engine, but what's the i, ci and d stand for? tried searching google, but couldn't get anything. sorry if that sounds like a complete newbie question.

Surprised nobody has replied to this yet, so I'll do my best (as somebody who has been after a nice 3 series with over 12 months).

First off, heading to the UK is nowhere near the hassle it seems. 8k is LOADS of money if it's a saloon you're after, expect 02+ for that price, and with your budget buy from a dealer you like the look of, and ONLY full BMW service history, don't be scared by ~100K miles.

Now, the model numbers. First off, the BMW is divided into generations thereof. I can't give exact years, but it goes (v roughly):
2005-Present: E92
1999-2004: E46 (the one you're looking at)
1993-1999: E36

Secondly, there is the model number, begins with a 3, three digits. This number has absolutely NO correlation to the engine size, or anything in particular other than bigger numbers are better specced and bigger engines.

Starting at the bottom, 316i - base level, paddy spec means probably only front electrics, probably no leather in most cases too. 1.9 litre petrol engine.
Next up, 318i - as above, same engine but I believe tuned to better output. The 316 is essentially "tuned down".

Personally, I wouldn't consider either of the above. If you're not bothered about the engine, the sound, the noise, the feel don't worry about it, but these two are not for me. The difference is everything from here up is a six cylinder engine, whereas these two are four. Six cylinders sounds better, provides a smoother ride, better power delivery.. Really exceptional engines.

So, all 6 cylinder:
I think the 320 is either a 2.0 or a 2.2, it differed with the year of the car! Very easy find out.
323 and 325 are 2.5 litres - slightly different engines, 2.5 better performance.
328 2.8 litre
330 3 litre

Finally, there are varients on the model numbers, e.g.
323i - this is a saloon 3 series.
323ci - this is a coupe 3 series, ci is coupe.
320d - this is a saloon 3 series diesel.
320cd - this is a coupe diesel.

Finally, there is the M3, which is a super duper version with so so many different components, different car altogether.
But to confuse the mix, there is also a "M-tec" styling pack that these could come with. This styling pack was a BMW option giving nicer alloys, few M logos here and there - not sure exactly, but a sportier and nicer look to the car. Very desirable.

That's all i can think of for now, but should help you on your way. I'm no expert and there may be some slightly inaccuracies in the above.

bazz26

1998 to 2001 316i is 1.9 litre
1998 to 2001 318i is 1.9 litre
1998 to 2001 320i is 2.0 litre

2002 to 2005 (facelifted) 316i is 1.8 litre
2002 to 2005 (facelifted) 318i is 2.0 litre
2002 to 2005 (facelifted) 320i is 2.2 litre

Big Nasty

Best choice for you would be M-Tech spec 320ci (2.2 petrol coupe). It ticks all the boxes in relation to style, is 6 pot and plenty of power for a car of this size. Insurance will be expensive but nothing like what you would pay on a 328/330/M3. Check out the insurance costs before you do anything.

Cyrus

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a car in around October time.

I was dead set on getting something like a 316 or a 318 BMW, as i'm a great fan of german cars, been driving them since i started driving 5 years ago all beit it they were standard golfs and passats and a BMW 7 series one time :pac:, i know there's a love of japanese cars here but tbh i find the integras, the civics, the evo's a bit tacky for my liking. I want something that's oozes class but doesn't say I'm a little prick and will probably smash myself into the nearest car sooner rather than later (not saying all drivers of the cars i mentioned are like that).

another reason for the 3 series is that i want something a little nippy, that won't cost the earth to insure as well I'm a 23 year old with a full license for 4.5 years and the right 3 series can fairly move from my experience.

I've been looking at every 3 series that i pass nowadays but i'm so confused as how the model structure is set up, I'm looking in the range of 2000-2003 but everyone of them looks different, some look absolutely superb, others look not so good.

what I'm really looking for is one that has leather seats, air con, electric windows, radio controls on steering wheel, sunroof (if possible) you know the whole nine yards but I'm finding it difficult to find ones online for sale, surely these must be selling second hand somewhere?

also does anyone know the rough insurance and tax would be on one? 4 years named driver experience (I know that probably means feck all but better than being 18 with prov. license hey ).

like I said at the start I'm not looking to buy right now, as I'm out of the country for the next 4 months but sometime when i get back I'd be looking to purchase.

any help locating (just so i know these actually exist second hand) or even just information on the different types of configurations of 3 series BMW's would be grateful thanks

if you want a saloon why not an e39 520i m sport?

the e39 sport is a superb car and bargaintastic now

Creamy Goodness

thanks guys for all the information, it's slightly easier searching now that i know what i'm looking at.

someone mentioned the 320ci and i got searching, why the hell was i looking at 316i's

insurance on 123.ie was 1600 fully comp. which is excellent considering i'm paying 1300 to be on my fathers '08 golf. and i only checked one company so there's bound to be cheaper elsewhere but i only wanted a ball park figure so i know what kind of figures i need.

the 520i m sports are a little out of my price range, plus they are a tad too big in my opinion and not as good looking (although that being said it's still better looking than 80% of the cars out there).

Sqaull20

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

There's a slight difference between a BMW 3 series and Mitsubitshi Galant there Colm..;)

Yeah, the Mitsu won't break