What would you swap a BMW for?

Mossy_Da_Dog

I bought a 2004 BMW 3 series last year from a reputable dealer. It had 56,000km on the clock, 1.6litre, petrol. Cut a long story short, they sold me a dog, and after lots of negotiations have agreed to sort me out with an alternative car. I don't want another BMW as I had such a bad experience with this one. I need to give them a list of makes and models that are comparable to the car I've got... I am thinking along the lines of the following:

1.6 litre, petrol....is what I'm used to...

• Honda Civic (what year as a minimum and is a 1.4 litre engine comparable to my 1.6 litre bmw?)
• Audi (what would be a comparable year and make?)
• Mazda 5 (what year as a min?)
• VW? I have a baby and a dog, dunno if a golf is big enough... but what about the A4?
• Any Renaults?
• Any Peaugeots?

I don't really want to trade down from a BMW to a Toyota Avensis/Skoda/Ford Focus. No offence to drivers of those cars.

MagicMarker

You don't want to ''trade down'' to a Ford, Skoda or Toyota but you'd consider a Renault?

Okidoki.

Mossy_Da_Dog

Obviously you can see why I need the advice.

mooman

You'll take a civic but won't "trade down" to a focus? I'm a bit biased but what about an alfa 159?

Voodoomelon

What was wrong with the 3 series?

Mossy_Da_Dog

Voodoomelon wrote: »

What was wrong with the 3 series?

It was a recurring problem that made it dangerous to drive. Sent it back to be fixed 6 times in a year. Each time they gave a different reason for it. (They hadn't a clue either).

Mossy_Da_Dog

mooman wrote: »

You'll take a civic but won't "trade down" to a focus? I'm a bit biased but what about an alfa 159?

Y'see this is why I need help... I think a Civic 'looks' like a nice car. I don't know much about them... I don't like the look of a focus. I had heard from my Fiat loving stepfather that Alfa's while they have a Fiat engine can be problematic... But looking at 159's now on the websites.

Mossy_Da_Dog

mooman wrote: »

You'll take a civic but won't "trade down" to a focus? I'm a bit biased but what about an alfa 159?

The alfa 159 seems to only come in a 1.7 + engine. Pricey to tax and insure methinks? But super looking car...

mooman

The smallest engine was a 1.8, I wouldn't be too quick to dump BMW as a brand either. Every brand has a few lemons floating around the 2nd hand market. I'd doubt very much you'd end up with another dodgy one.

Idbatterim

what exactly was the issue? how about a mondeo?

Big Nasty

Apart from the recurring issue did you like the 3er?

subway

Would you not just work out your budget and go from there?
Car is worth,what ,about 5-6k?

What does he have in that range?

Mossy_Da_Dog

subway wrote: »

Would you not just work out your budget and go from there?
Car is worth,what ,about 5-6k?

What does he have in that range?

It's not about the budget and the dealer only has BMW which I don't want.

Melion

Mossy_Da_Dog wrote: »

It's not about the budget and the dealer only has BMW which I don't want.

So how are you going to get a Honda, Audi or anything else instead of the BMW?

Mossy_Da_Dog

I've cut a deal with them.
It was an unsafe car they sold me that caused me to be in dangerous situations on more than 1 occasion in the past year... they owe me a car and they know that. I need yourhelp on what is reasonably a similar swap based on the make, model, and mileage of what I had.

The value doesn't come into it as the car they sold me cannot be sold on as it is dangerous.

squod

Mossy_Da_Dog wrote: »

• Honda Civic (what year as a minimum and is a 1.4 litre engine comparable to my 1.6 litre bmw?)
• Audi (what would be a comparable year and make?)
• Mazda 5 (what year as a min?)
• VW? I have a baby and a dog, dunno if a golf is big enough... but what about the A4?
• Any Renaults?
• Any Peaugeots?

Take out the rubbish OP. Make the list a little easier to choose from.

uberwolf

Mossy_Da_Dog wrote: »

I

The value doesn't come into it as the car they sold me cannot be sold on as it is dangerous.

Could you post the chassis number here. Should be ok to do so? You own this car, and in your opinion it is not safe to drive.

colm_mcm

Off topic a bit, but what sort of 1.6 BMWs were around in 2004?

polod

simple a 2004 audi a4 1.6 .......hopefully ya'l have more luck with it

Voodoomelon

You still haven't said what was wrong with the car. If you let us know, then we can advise as to whether it was a very rare problem or not.

To "not want another BMW" because you had problems with a 316/318i is bonkers.

Stinicker

mooman wrote: »

You'll take a civic but won't "trade down" to a focus? I'm a bit biased but what about an alfa 159?

The guy thinks BMW are troublesome and you are advising an Alfa whatcha trying to do drive him round the bend?

Mossy_Da_Dog

@uberwolf - i don't have access to the chassis no right now as they have the faulty car.

@colm_mcm it was a 3.18 BMW 2004

@polack thanks - Audi A4 sounds good.

@voodoo - sorry I thought I had posted... what went wrong was the first gear stuck every so often and the car stopped moving, then it kicked in seconds later and the car sprang forward. The stopping moving bit was the dangerous bit - esp when you're turning right in busy traffic with a bus coming at ya. The springing forward I could deal with - just made me look like a lousy driver (which I'm not!!)

So from what I'm hearing are we saying:

• Audi A4
• Toyota Avensis 2006 or higher
• Honda Civic (what year as a minimum and is a 1.4 litre engine comparable to my 1.6 litre bmw?)
• Mazda 5
• VW?
• Peaugeots?

mooman

Stinicker wrote: »

The guy thinks BMW are troublesome and you are advising an Alfa whatcha trying to do drive him round the bend?

At least Alfa don't market their stuff as reliable, he knows what he's getting:D

Mossy_Da_Dog

I'm a 'she' actually

flash1080

Mossy_Da_Dog wrote: »

• Honda Civic (what year as a minimum and is a 1.4 litre engine comparable to my 1.6 litre bmw?)

Compare what you paid for the BMW to what different years of 1.4 Civics going for (or any other type of car you're interested in).

Voodoomelon

Something of a bizarre problem, sounds like it could have been a gearbox issue, maybe fuel injection either. What did the garage say the problem was when they attempted to fix it? Can't say I've heard of E46s stalling/jumping like that, a quick Google brings up little also.

MrDerp

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S40/S40-1.8-/201126203149586/advert?channel=CARS

What about an S40?

but43r

colm_mcm wrote: »

Off topic a bit, but what sort of 1.6 BMWs were around in 2004?

Indeed, it would have been at least 1.8 (1.9 most likely).

OP, the way you can compare the car to other cars is by knowing the value of your car and comparing it to other cars within the same price range. You saying that value doesn't come in to play is very unreasonable (you should ask the garage how much are they paying towards your new car)...

subway

Mossy_Da_Dog wrote: »

It's not about the budget and the dealer only has BMW which I don't want.

It is always about budget.
How much do you have to play with

n97 mini

If you want minimum of trouble you're looking at the Civic or the Mazda.

Whoever suggested an Alfa 159... there's a good chance your BMW will give less trouble. After a mate had buckets or trouble I unwisely got one. Had to get rid 4 months later.

n97 mini

Mossy_Da_Dog wrote: »

@colm_mcm it was a 3.18 BMW 2004

You sure that's a 1.6?

Big Nasty

n97 mini wrote: »

If you want minimum of trouble you're looking at the Civic or the Mazda.

Whoever suggested an Alfa 159... there's a good chance your BMW will give less trouble. After a mate had buckets or trouble I unwisely got one. Had to get rid 4 months later.

Nothing wrong with Alfas - they're the Ferrari of daily cars. Fantastic design inside and out, lots more power than their similar sized counterparts and go forever once well maintained. They don't tolerate lack of attention, which is rampant in this country hence their bad rep.

To be fair Jappos tolerate an absolute minimum of attention but their current line-up would send you to slee...........................p

n97 mini

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Nothing wrong with Alfas

I beg to differ. A new steering rack, a new clutch, and a plethora of small stuff... in 4 months.

Recently considering getting a small Fiat diesel... until I was told they eat themselves.

Veloce

n97 mini wrote: »

Whoever suggested an Alfa 159... there's a good chance your BMW will give less trouble. After a mate had buckets or trouble I unwisely got one. Had to get rid 4 months later.

Yeah does that makes all alfa 159s trouble then? I laugh to myself when your telling to the OP to steer clear over 1 example...

My dad has had his '06 159 for nearly 3 years, my sis is driving an '07 BMW 320 Coupe and she has had far more trouble with hers- to the fact of actually leaving her stuck on the side of the road on 2 occassions. The issues experienced with the Alfa were far more trivial- windscreen motor failed on the drivers side and a steering joint had to be replaced. Other than that it been faultless.

mondeo

n97 mini wrote: »

I beg to differ. A new steering rack, a new clutch, and a plethora of small stuff... in 4 months.

Recently considering getting a small Fiat diesel... until I was told they eat themselves.

Alfas are hit and miss really, some claim victory with them and others claim pain. Love or hate cars. I like them I had two of them.

n97 mini

Veloce wrote: »

Yeah does that makes all alfa 159s trouble then? I laugh to myself when your telling to the OP to steer clear over 1 example...

2.

Am I supposed to say "ah shur they're grand" despite the fact that two out of two were pieces of shit?

I have to laugh at Alfa owners that think all the shitty Alfas are just one-offs.

Veloce

n97 mini wrote: »

2.

Am I supposed to say "ah shur they're grand" despite the fact that two out of two were pieces of shit?

haha- you must be getting the short straw every time so kid- i'm 2/2 all going well

n97 mini

I've also learned that Alfa owners tend to redefine "no trouble", which could mean that while it leaves them stranded every now and again, it hasn't required any parts which cost more than €1500.

gb153

OP are you restricted to what the garage have in stock or can you request something that they will try to source for you in the trade?

mondeo

OP, out of interest why was your BMW a pig? whats wrong with it?

Veloce

n97 mini wrote: »

I've also learned that Alfa owners tend to redefine "no trouble", which could mean that while it leaves them stranded every now and again, it hasn't required any parts which cost more than €1500.

Where did you learn that? Ive never been stranded thankfully Nor have had the misfortune of having to fork out €1,500 quid on parts...

Nonoperational

n97 mini wrote: »

I beg to differ. A new steering rack, a new clutch, and a plethora of small stuff... in 4 months.

Recently considering getting a small Fiat diesel... until I was told they eat themselves.

Poor driving technique will wear out a clutch in any car. 159s have no worse clutches then any other car.

Any of the suggested cars would be fine really, it's kinda hard to pick one for you without you going driving one. I know it's a 1.8 but if you want a bulletproof car that's actually quite nice a petrol Mazda 6 is one of my favourites.

Jimdagym

OP, if the garage are going to "source" you a car, you really need to get a rough budget off them. How else would you know what range/year/spec to look for.
Would you not consider telling them to get you a similarly conditioned 2004 318. You should really try and make peace with BMW and just consider yourself unlucky for the last one.

VolvoMan

colm_mcm wrote: »

Off topic a bit, but what sort of 1.6 BMWs were around in 2004?

I remember the 116i (which was a 1.6 litre engine) being launched in September/October 2004.

mooman

n97 mini wrote: »

2.

Am I supposed to say "ah shur they're grand" despite the fact that two out of two were pieces of shit?

I have to laugh at Alfa owners that think all the shitty Alfas are just one-offs.

I've had 2 with no trouble. It looks like its saying more about the driver than the car:D
Seriously though I know they need to be watched more than your average car, mine uses buckets of oil and the suspension is made from chocolate but I'm happy to put up with it where it's other peoples worst nightmare.

bazz26

A 2004 BMW 318i had a 2.0 litre engine, not 1.6 litre. Even the 316i of that year was 1.8 litre.

Wildebrian

My Mechanic would mind white mice on a snowy day,at a crossroads,and he tells me that he hates all Hondas ! Cos he rarely sees them >The proof is in the Pudding me thinks.

Mossy_Da_Dog

Thank you all very much. I think I've got my answers. All I have to do now is get sorted with the motor now. I'll come back here and post on what I get in the end - just so we all get some closure!!

Agricola

OP, you were unlucky with an individual car, it happens. Don't write off the whole company based on that. If you get a good 2nd hand 3 series you'll never look back. Im on my second now and Id find it hard to go with something else. If the dealer can offer you another one, and guarantees it, take it off him.

ottostreet

Wildebrian wrote: »

My Mechanic would mind white mice on a snowy day,at a crossroads,and he tells me that he hates all Hondas ! Cos he rarely sees them >The proof is in the Pudding me thinks.

White mice? Crossroads? What?

Also, a friend of mine had two late 90s Hondas, a Civic & a Prelude 2.2. Both required engine changes within a few months, after the Civic ate itself on the motorway, and the Prelude broke all its seals which meant he put in the same amount of oil in the car as he did petrol!

Tea 1000

ottostreet wrote: »

White mice? Crossroads? What?

Also, a friend of mine had two late 90s Hondas, a Civic & a Prelude 2.2. Both required engine changes within a few months, after the Civic ate itself on the motorway, and the Prelude broke all its seals which meant he put in the same amount of oil in the car as he did petrol!

Your mate shouldn't be let out to buy a car again then!