€8K to spend

PrettyBoy

Thinking seriously about getting something new soon, always thought my next car would be a BMW 320 E92 Coupé but had a rethink recently and I just don't like the idea of spending ~€18k on a car at the moment so I've set myself a budget of around €8k in the hope that I'll find something that's reliable, quick and that won't depreciate too much over the next year or two.

Criteria is as follows:

• €8k budget
• 2.2l max
• Petrol
• No older than 2003
• Coupé/3 Door preferable but not essential

Thought about an E46 Coupé but heard a few horror stories about the cost of servicing and general maintenance if anything goes wrong. I like MK5 GTI's too but can a decent one be found for €8k?

Really don't know what I'm looking for to be quite honest, any suggestions welcome

Alanstrainor

The e46 isn't a bad car maintenance wise, but the 2.0 litre limit would limit you to a 318...and that's just no fun!

mkV GTI should be doable with that budget, and it'd certainly be on my list of cars tbh.

bazz26

Alfa Romeo GT:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/GT/2.0-SPORTIVO/32013573056555890/

Opel Astra OPC:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Astra/OPC-2.0I/201201211707189/

A bit above budget but:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/2.0-VTEC/31513553139971530/

PrettyBoy

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The e46 isn't a bad car maintenance wise, but the 2.0 litre limit would limit you to a 318...and that's just no fun!

You're right, forgot that the 320 is actually a 2.2l, I'll edit my original post. That would be the only E46 I'd consider, I've always been led to believe that they're expensive to run though, would love to hear thoughts from some owners.

logie101

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Thinking seriously about getting something new soon, always thought my next car would be a BMW 320 E92 Coupé but had a rethink recently and I just don't like the idea of spending ~€18k on a car at the moment so I've set myself a budget of around €8k in the hope that I'll find something that's reliable, quick and that won't depreciate too much over the next year or two.

Criteria is as follows:

• €8k budget
• 2.2l max
• Petrol
• No older than 2003
• Coupé/3 Door preferable but not essential

Thought about an E46 Coupé but heard a few horror stories about the cost of servicing and general maintenance if anything goes wrong. I like MK5 GTI's too but can a decent one be found for €8k?

Really don't know what I'm looking for to be quite honest, any suggestions welcome

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GOLF-2.0/201247211079520/advert?channel=CARS

There is a decent GTI for under 8k...

Idbatterim

Thinking seriously about getting something new soon, always thought my next car would be a BMW 320 E92 Coupé but had a rethink recently and I just don't like the idea of spending ~€18k on a car at the moment so I've set myself a budget of around €8k in the hope that I'll find something that's reliable, quick and that won't depreciate too much over the next year or two.

The E92 will deprciate quite a lot over the next year or two & I reckon they are far too overpriced v the E46. I would go for a 325 coupe, you would pick up an 05/06 for your budget. You are getting insane value on these cars now, in relation to servicing its no more than other cars, and if it is, its because if you go for a 6 cylinder you need slighlty more oil and 2 spark more spark plugs. In relation to maintenance, I have had mine for a year and a half and the only thing that has failed is the alternator E30 for a genuine refurbished one on ebay... the below looks very good and is at a very reasonable price...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4294339
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42260
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4369192
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=37861

3 fairly different cars there, but I check out bmw's everyday, but they stand out for me...

few pics of my 325ci below, at this price range, all round, but particularly looks wise, I dont think any other car comes even close to the m sports...

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36085

ugglasdav

dont think your going to find a ' decent ' GTI golf for 8k, most of the ones being sold in ireland are over priced, i would really consider something different, as someone posted above, a Astra OPC or a Civic type R, mark 5 gti's imo are very boring, like whats the difference between a normal golf and a GTI, a set of wheels and a very expensive badge

PrettyBoy

Idbatterim wrote: »

The E92 will deprciate quite a lot over the next year or two & I reckon they are far too overpriced v the E46. I would go for a 325 coupe, you would pick up an 05/06 for your budget. You are getting insane value on these cars now, in relation to servicing its no more than other cars, and if it is, its because if you go for a 6 cylinder you need slighlty more oil and 2 spark more spark plugs. In relation to maintenance, I have had mine for a year and a half and the only thing that has failed is the alternator E30 for a genuine refurbished one on ebay... the below looks very good and is at a very reasonable price...

few pics of my 325ci below, at this price range, all round, but particularly looks wise, I dont think any other car comes even close to the m sports...

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36085

Believe it or not mate I actually see your car every other day and it grabs my attention every single time. Absolutely love the wheels and I completely agree that there aren't many cars out there that look as good as the E46 Coupé M's.

You've really got me thinking now, what are the general running costs like if you don't mind me asking?

Frankie Lee

I'd recommend something like this.

cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4166293

Plenty of RX8s available in that budget too.

Alanstrainor

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Believe it or not mate I actually see your car every other day and it grabs my attention every single time. Absolutely love the wheels and I completely agree that there aren't many cars out there that look as good as the E46 Coupé M's.

You've really got me thinking now, what are the general running costs like if you don't mind me asking?

1080 to tax my 325ci, and mpg is around mid/low twenties, but I tend to have a lead foot and mostly do short spins.

Maintenance wise, I haven't had mine a year yet, but so far I have done the following:
Oil + filter service
Rocker cover gasket

And have the following to do:
rear discs and pads
belts, tensioners and water pump.

All of that is purely wear and tear, and my car has 120000 miles on it, so these small jobs are to be expected. No other complaints, still love it, it puts a smile on my face every time i drive it.

Idbatterim

Believe it or not mate I actually see your car every other day and it grabs my attention every single time. Absolutely love the wheels and I completely agree that there aren't many cars out there that look as good as the E46 Coupé M's.

You've really got me thinking now, what are the general running costs like if you don't mind me asking?

Small world yeah the thing is a head turner all right! ok tax is E1080 per year, which is high, but take a look at how it starts rocketing from anything over 2.5. Dont bother with the 2.2L, you are getting 25 extra bhp in the 325 for only a little over a hundred euro. fuel is E30 per week, I do all city driving. how many miles per week do you do? Insurance was E255 last year, that was TPFT, im 28 y.o male. 4 years NCB. The big variable is obviously fuel, so that will depend on what your mileage... depreciation on the car I linked to where it is already priced to sell will be negligible!

PrettyBoy

Idbatterim wrote: »

Small world yeah the thing is a head turner all right! ok tax is E1080 per year, which is high, but take a look at how it starts rocketing from anything over 2.5. Dont bother with the 2.2L, you are getting 25 extra bhp in the 325 for only a little over a hundred euro. fuel is E30 per week, I do all city driving. how many miles per week do you do? Insurance was E255 last year, that was TPFT, im 28 y.o male. 4 years NCB. The big variable is obviously fuel, so that will depend on what your mileage... depreciation on the car I linked to where it is already priced to sell will be negligible!

Tax and fuel aren't as bad as I thought they'd be, I do all city driving too - ~120 miles a week on average. I'm 24 y.o. male with 4 years NCB, that's the tricky part..do you think anyone would anyone insure a 24 year old on a 2.5l BMW?

The Pontiac

It'll be a lot cheaper once you're 25. An extra years NCB will also make a difference, as most companies have 5 yrs max (i.e full NCB).

Insurance for male drivers (particularly your age group) will come down this year, with the enforcement of the new gender equality law.

Idbatterim

Id try 123.ie, nononsense.ie if you cant get it now, or it is very expensive, will things will certainly change when you are 25... Good point also about the new gender rules. 120 miles per week of city driving, youd be looking at E60 per week in fuel Id guess. A 318ci might work for you, but wouldnt be described as quick, then again, it depends on what you are used to... I believe in 05, the 318's went from 143 to 150bhp... It might be a good option for a year or two...

the below is an absolute cracker!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-M/31113548076762140/advert?channel=CARS

Supergurrier

8k for a 05 GTI with 90k miles, feck that for a bag of bananas

PrettyBoy

<Ollie> wrote: »

It'll be a lot cheaper once you're 25. An extra years NCB will also make a difference, as most companies have 5 yrs max (i.e full NCB).

Insurance for male drivers (particularly your age group) will come down this year, with the enforcement of the new gender equality law.

Idbatterim wrote: »

Id try 123.ie, nononsense.ie if you cant get it now, or it is very expensive, will things will certainly change when you are 25... Good point also about the new gender rules.

Will the premium automatically come down the minute I turn 25? I've read about it here a lot but I never knew whether it was a vague guideline or it actually was a principle when it comes to car insurance for male drivers.

I'll be 25 in 6 months, might just be worth waiting until then? I'm not in any real rush to get the car, just trying to get an idea of what I want now. I'll do the research first and I don't mind waiting to be honest, as long as I end up with the right one.

Everything sounds good otherwise, think I should start reading up on 325's

Is it known when the new gender equality laws will come into effect?

The Pontiac

A lot of insurance companies will not insure male driver under 25. When you turn 25, a lot more (nearly all) insurance companies will insure you, so you'll be able to get a much cheaper quote.

You'd be mad not to wait 6 months, especially for a BMW or the likes (you'd be ripped off now). If you had the full 5 years NCB you'd be laughing.

The gender equalisation law came into effect on 21st December last.

tossy

Serious sleeper...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4365625

TouchingVirus

Idbatterim wrote: »

the below looks very good and is at a very reasonable price...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4294339
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42260

I took a look at this one recently - my advice to anybody looking is to leave this one be, the price is a bit too reasonable and an indy inspection gave hints as to why e.g. try find the seatbelt buckle pretensioner on the driver's side in the pictures - compare with passenger side (which was replaced, the old one's in the boot).

Fizman

ugglasdav wrote: »

dont think your going to find a ' decent ' GTI golf for 8k, most of the ones being sold in ireland are over priced, i would really consider something different, as someone posted above, a Astra OPC or a Civic type R, mark 5 gti's imo are very boring, like whats the difference between a normal golf and a GTI, a set of wheels and a very expensive badge

You're spot on there! That's the exact difference.

Nothing to do with the extra 100 bhp or thereabouts and the larger engine, the stiffer suspension, the interior trim, nicer engine note and all round more enjoyable drive. That's all just in peoples heads.

Alanstrainor

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Tax and fuel aren't as bad as I thought they'd be, I do all city driving too - ~120 miles a week on average. I'm 24 y.o. male with 4 years NCB, that's the tricky part..do you think anyone would anyone insure a 24 year old on a 2.5l BMW?

We're actually in the exact same boat...i think our birthdays might even be scarily close!:p

You have more NCB than I had last year when I got my 325ci, i pay around a grand for the year through Aviva. The coupe is more expensive to insure than the standard 4 door. But it's also way nice looking:D

PrettyBoy

Alanstrainor wrote: »

We're actually in the exact same boat...i think our birthdays might even be scarily close!:p

Is it a coincidence that I live in Rathfarnham too? :P

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You have more NCB than I had last year when I got my 325ci, i pay around a grand for the year through Aviva. The coupe is more expensive to insure than the standard 4 door. But it's also way nice looking:D

That's not bad for insurance, I haven't thought too much about what my premium would be like on a 325 but ~€1K seems likely.

JJJJNR

tossy wrote: »

Serious sleeper...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4365625

Thats someone off here's car, huge power through FWD.