BMW 318i 1.9 vs 318 2.0 vs 520 2.0

cullen5998

BMW 3 Series 318 1.9 2000
BMW 318 2.0 2002
BMW 520 M-Tech 2.0 2000

I've chosen these three cars and i've got to pick one.
They are all around the same price, same condition, long ncts and similar enough milage. I've had a 316 coupe before which i liked except it was a bit underpowered at 1.6 but i was younger so that was good for insurance.
Whats the plus's and minus's of the 3?

What one would YOU chose and why?

ottostreet

cullen5998 wrote: »

BMW 3 Series 318 1.9 2000
BMW 318 2.0 2002
BMW 520 M-Tech 2.0 2000

I've chosen these three cars and i've got to pick one.
They are all around the same price, same condition, long ncts and similar enough milage. I've had a 316 coupe before which i liked except it was a bit underpowered at 1.6 but i was younger so that was good for insurance.
Whats the plus's and minus's of the 3?

What one would YOU chose and why?

haven't you got an fto? the one for sale at the moment? if youre looking to downgrade and drive something cheap but nice, then i recommend an e36 318is with the 1.9 engine. it's late model so has no real issues, is evry comfy and nice on a long drive, and you get 35-40mpg. and its 140bhp, so 'nippy' (i hate that word). id have no problems going back to one, and id be going from a gpx as well.

cullen5998

ottostreet wrote: »

haven't you got an fto? the one for sale at the moment? if youre looking to downgrade and drive something cheap but nice, then i recommend an e36 318is with the 1.9 engine. it's late model so has no real issues, is evry comfy and nice on a long drive, and you get 35-40mpg. and its 140bhp, so 'nippy' (i hate that word). id have no problems going back to one, and id be going from a gpx as well.

Yes its up for sale at the moment, i had an E36 316 coupe but if i was buying again i'd want a newer shape model. 140 is decent from a 1.8 Bmw though.

Idbatterim

i would not buy a 3 series prior to 02 if a 318 or a 5 series prior to 01, as that is when the engines were upgraded, and are significantly better. The 5 series, also received a face lift in 01. Op what is your budget?

NewApproach

I'd get the 5 series. I love the look of them, especially the M Tech version.

PaulKK

E39 all the way.

Plus its an MSport.

Theres just something seriously cool about them.

cullen5998

Idbatterim wrote: »

i would not buy a 3 series prior to 02 if a 318 or a 5 series prior to 01, as that is when the engines were upgraded, and are significantly better. The 5 series, also received a face lift in 01. Op what is your budget?

Have a budget of about €5000, but i want to get a car without about 100k or less miles plus at about 16-18 months or more NCT. Any ideas?
Im going to buy a BMW thats for sure though, had one before and really liked it.

Idbatterim

Op how about...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1591078

cullen5998

Idbatterim wrote: »

Op how about...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1591078

Its a nice car alright, the only thing that would turn me off it is its not from a dealer. I was hoping to get a 3 month warranty.

Ferris

Of the 3 series the 320 2L is the one to go for, it has the NG4 engine which has more much power and better economy than the 1.9 (which as an engine is pants basically)

The 520 has a 6cyl M52 engine. No experience but i've heard that they're a little heavy on juice. 25-30mpg generally. Would be a nice engine, if a bit underpowered for that car.

Personally i'd go for a 525 and pay the extra tax but that depends on what you want the car to do.

ronaneire

E39 M Sport all the way.

kerten

Whatever you buy, make sure you have msport package.

6 pot bmw engines are very refined and enjoyable. I used 2.0 lt 6 pot engine in a pre-facelift 3 series and it was refined and silent engine with ok performance. Same engine on 5 series will be less than ok but better than 4 pot engines for sure.

I will go for bigger engines for my next e46 or e39 buys and they will have msport package. RWD and heavy cars needs bigger engines.

bazz26

Wouldn't the 520i with the 2.0 litre engine of that vintage be a little underpowered in a car the size and weight of the E39? I would rather go for the later 2.2 litre in the 5 Series.

voxpop

Wouldnt buy a 5 series with a 2L engine - just not powerful enough. I have a 523 (M52) and Im hankering after a bit more power - I reckon the torque of the bigger engine is needed for the 5 series.