Which one in the 3 series

Ban Ki Moon

Hey guys,

Im looking at the BMW 3 series (2008) but not sure which one to go for,its gotta be diesel and gotta have 4 doors so that rules out the 325.Have about €15k to spend on an english import. Is there anything that stands out on any of the cars in the 3 series range? any dodgy aspects/defects ?

robtri

if its diesel.... has to be the 330d

Compton

I presume the 15k is plus VRT because you wont get one here for that

Compton

nevermind..

bazz26

robtri wrote: »

if its diesel.... has to be the 330d

Not a 08 for €15k.

OP, there are 3 basic trim levels on the 3 Series but there are many extras which could be ordered across any of the 3 trim levels.

Basic ES - electric windows all round, air conditioning, 16" alloy wheels, cd player.

SE adds digital climate control, multi function steering wheel, rear parking sensors, cruise control.

M Sport adds alcantara sports seats, M Sport steering wheel and body kit, 17" alloy wheels.

I'd say you will struggle to find a decent speced tidy 08 for €15k landed as resale values are strong especially on the diesels.

tweedledee

Diesels are awful,no constant power,awful awful engine,get an older 330 petrol,nice power and constant power.God the Irish love their d cars,yuk.

R.O.R

bazz26 wrote: »

Not a 08 for €15k.

OP, there are 3 basic trim levels on the 3 Series but there are many extras which could be ordered across any of the 3 trim levels.

Basic ES - electric windows all round, air conditioning, 16" alloy wheels, cd player.

SE adds digital climate control, multi function steering wheel, rear parking sensors, cruise control.

M Sport adds alcantara sports seats, M Sport steering wheel and body kit, 17" alloy wheels.

I'd say you will struggle to find a decent speced tidy 08 for €15k landed as resale values are strong especially on the diesels.

Also in 08 there were the Edition models. Definately in ES and SE trim, not sure whether there was an M-Sport Edition.

Edition models gave full leather interior, one of 3 paint colours (Carbon Black, Grey or Silver), upgraded wheels, M-Sport Steering Wheel and Gearknob.

You will struggle to get even a high mile 318d ES landed for under 15k I'd say. 318d has a good engine, 320d is better. 325d and 330d wouldn't cost that much more to tax under the Co2 rules, but you'd struggle to sell them on as most Irish folk are still very wary of dem big engine yokes.

And despite what tweedledee says, the 318d is better than the 318i to drive and the 320d is better than the 320i to drive.

tweedledee

True, the Diesels will be more torqy at start but for constant and continuous performance the diesels cant touch petrol.Ohh and that diesel engine sound,eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You know the only other countries that buy Diesel Beemers are GREECE and PORTUGAL,ohh and SPAIN.
So driving Diesel Beemers will get the attention of ECB and IMF :D:D

mb1725

I've got an '07 E90 320d coming up to 80,000k and no major issues. It seems to get better with age. The rear springs were replaced, reversing lights went kaput and the brakes redone but other than an appetite for rear tyres it's been very good! Plus you can knock 40 - 45 mpg out of it easily enough!

maddness

tweedledee wrote: »

True, the Diesels will be more torqy at start but for constant and continuous performance the diesels cant touch petrol.Ohh and that diesel engine sound,eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You know the only other countries that buy Diesel Beemers are GREECE and PORTUGAL,ohh and SPAIN.
So driving Diesel Beemers will get the attention of ECB and IMF :D:D

320D is best seling BMW in the UK

bazz26

R.O.R wrote: »

Also in 08 there were the Edition models. Definately in ES and SE trim, not sure whether there was an M-Sport Edition.

Edition models gave full leather interior, one of 3 paint colours (Carbon Black, Grey or Silver), upgraded wheels, M-Sport Steering Wheel and Gearknob.

You will struggle to get even a high mile 318d ES landed for under 15k I'd say. 318d has a good engine, 320d is better. 325d and 330d wouldn't cost that much more to tax under the Co2 rules, but you'd struggle to sell them on as most Irish folk are still very wary of dem big engine yokes.

And despite what tweedledee says, the 318d is better than the 318i to drive and the 320d is better than the 320i to drive.

Yes, mine is a Business Edition M Sport, came with full leather, upgraded 18" alloy wheels, Business sat nav, media centre with i-drive, bluetooth and extended lights pack.

4 pot diesels are fine, 318d still has a decent 143bhp and 320d has 177bhp which while not as smooth or refined as petrol, are still alot nicer l than the 4 pot 318i/320i imo. 318d/320d can also be remapped for better low down torque if necessary.

330d/335d are fabulous cars too.

tweedledee

Yup the BMW "d's" are up there with Ford Fiesta,Focus,Opel Astra,Corsa as top sellers.Wow, that says a lot about the type of people who are buying 3 series diesels.
It must be that beautiful tractor like shudder that comes from revving a Diesel Beemer.
Yes the turbo diesel will kick off more quickly that its petrol buddy but for distance and performance,ohh and dont forget nicer sound,petrol is much better.
I've had several Beemers over the years and if you dont mind the awful sounding diesel then its not a bad buy.330/335d best of the lot,wicked kick off.
330d is nicest.

pajo1981

tweedledee wrote: »

Yup the BMW "d's" are up there with Ford Fiesta,Focus,Opel Astra,Corsa as top sellers.Wow, that says a lot about the type of people who are buying 3 series diesels.
It must be that beautiful tractor like shudder that comes from revving a Diesel Beemer.
Yes the turbo diesel will kick off more quickly that its petrol buddy but for distance and performance,ohh and dont forget nicer sound,petrol is much better.
I've had several Beemers over the years and if you dont mind the awful sounding diesel then its not a bad buy.330/335d best of the lot,wicked kick off.
330d is nicest.

You've obviously not driven a modern BMW diesel, mate- they are nothing like a VAG/PSA.

The only thing I will say against them is that they are not quite as refined as a petrol.

ps the 320d has a lower 0-60 time than the 320i

Sikie

http://www.just-auto.com/news/diesel-penetration-set-for-comeback_id104193.aspx

53% cars sold in Europe were Diesel although this declined to 46% by 2009 diesel penetration is increasing again so far in 2011