Opinion about a BMW 3 series

peace2804

Hi All,

I am still hunting for a car, I came across this BMW http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-AUTO/33913654313566950/advert?channel=CARS and I really want your opinion, I think it's priced well based on the Year, mileage and the fact that it's an automatic.

I never owned a BMW ( owned previously VW Golf and Audi A4) so don't know the overall level of reliability of this model.

I do about 10K a year so petrol is perfect for me, Tax would be around 200EUR a quarter so it's fine too, any well know faults in this model? do you recommend it? I have a budget of Max 3K so what other cars would you recommend (Cars in the same league than this one with an engine size that doesn't exceed 2.0)?

Thanks in advance.

wandatowell

For what its worth that is my favourite model of BMW, didnt/dont like the designs after

For Forks Sake

THIS CAR IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT

Interior looks wrecked and the only close up alloy they pictured had been kerbed.

Also, it's located in the bermuda triangle of car dealerships. I'm sure there are many better options out there.

Celly Smunt

I always get weary when cars have those old nokia phone holders.

Stallingrad

Overpriced, poor spec, not even as SE, slow engine with an auto, even slower, there are far, far better out there.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4908504

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4975411

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4944427

listermint

That car is bogo standard and based on that.


Im out.

For Forks Sake

peace2804 wrote: »

the fact that it's an automatic.

I do about 10K a year so petrol is perfect for me, Tax would be around 200EUR a quarter so it's fine too, any well know faults in this model? do you recommend it? I have a budget of Max 3K so what other cars would you recommend (Cars in the same league than this one with an engine size that doesn't exceed 2.0)?

Thanks in advance.

Is the auto a deal breaker for you? Lot more manuals on the market.

Anyhoo, 318i, nct to Sept14, 76k miles, auto, leather, looks decent: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4977229

Celly Smunt

Stallingrad wrote: »

Overpriced, poor spec, not even as SE, slow engine with an auto, even slower, there are far, far better out there.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4908504

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4975411

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4944427

last one looks delish

peace2804

Thank you guys for all the quick replies.

@ Stallingrad: indeed the fact that it's not an SE makes it overpriced, didn't pay attention to that, the last one in your selection is epic.
@ For Forks Sake: Auto is just a plus, I do love driving manuals too.

So basically for an 03/04 BMW Series 3 which model is the best, taking into consideration that the max engine size that I can go for is 2.0? do you recommend buying a Series 3 that old or is it better to walk away and just pick something different?

Stallingrad

peace2804 wrote: »

Thank you guys for all the quick replies.

@ Stallingrad: indeed the fact that it's not an SE makes it overpriced, didn't pay attention to that, the last one in your selection is epic.
@ For Forks Sake: Auto is just a plus, I do love driving manuals too.

So basically for an 03/04 BMW Series 3 which model is the best, taking into consideration that the max engine size that I can go for is 2.0? do you recommend buying a Series 3 that old or is it better to walk away and just pick something different?

Why not consider a 320i? If you can find decent one then you are into real BMW territory with the straight 6, before the 320i became a 4cyl travesty. Economy not that much worse than the 318i, and as you don't do huge mileage not such a big deal anyway.

bazz26

How about a Volvo S60:

Auto:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4904468

Manual:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4800073

H3llR4iser

You'd be better off with one of the examples proposed in the thread. In my eyes, however, the e46 design is not aging well at all - it looks like a much more dated car than it really is. As much as I didn't like the e90's looks when it came out, I kinda of warmed up to it over the years - while I do find the F10 atrocious looking. Maybe that will change as well in 6-7 years time.

The only comparable car within the same time frame would be a 156, different philosophy (FWD) but similar setup, performance, road handling and driver focus. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find a not-completely-mishandled one in Ireland.

peace2804

Volvo is certainly a good option, mechanically speaking are they better than the BMW series 3? do they keep their value?

Idbatterim

You'd be better off with one of the examples proposed in the thread. In my eyes, however, the e46 design is not aging well at all - it looks like a much more dated car than it really is. As much as I didn't like the e90's looks when it came out, I kinda of warmed up to it over the years - while I do find the F10 atrocious looking. Maybe that will change as well in 6-7 years time.

I think the E46 saloon looks very dated now, wouldnt agree about the coupes. Id possibly go for a E39 520 if I were you op...

H3llR4iser

peace2804 wrote: »

Volvo is certainly a good option, mechanically speaking are they better than the BMW series 3? do they keep their value?

To be entirely honest, I have no idea For sure neither is a bad car, but maybe the Volvo is a bit less driver focused than the 3 Series; I never tried an s60, so I can't tell. I'm sure someone will be able to provide an informed advice

As for the value...we're talking cars that are 9-10 years old, they lost most of their value at this point. Getting an e46 from 2003/2004 should be done for the road qualities of the car (in other words, it's certainly more satisfying to drive than say a '08 Avensis!) rather than the resale value.
That said, I might be wrong but I guess that the "cult" following BMW enjoys in Ireland could warrant slightly better chances of a resale

Stallingrad

Idbatterim wrote: »

I think the E46 saloon looks very dated now, wouldnt agree about the coupes. Id possibly go for a E39 520 if I were you op...

You think the E46 saloon looks dated but not the E39?

listermint

Stallingrad wrote: »

You think the E46 saloon looks dated but not the E39?

Doesnt really make sense....

bazz26

The S60 is a decent car to drive though obviously not as rewarding as a rear wheel drive car. 2.0t turbo engine would definitely outperform the 2.0 litre engine in the 3 Series of that era too and probably a bit more reliable than BMW's valvtronic engine also. Most S60s tend to be higher spec and more comfortable too. Volvo do tend to have a more older image than BMW though.

Resale value on any of these cars is a white elephant in the room as you are talking about cars that are 10 years or older where they have already suffered most of their depreciation.

Bobo78

Lads I am as well looking at the moment at one of those e46 and need to ask you is the rear sub-frame cracking really that common with them especially as most of them are around 10 year old now?

listermint

Bobo78 wrote: »

Lads I am as well looking at the moment at one of those e46 and need to ask you is the rear sub-frame cracking really that common with them especially as most of them are around 10 year old now?

Yes the subframe is a design fault in E46s, Not so common in Saloons but is quite prevalent in all models. Has been seen in all engine variants from 318 right up to M3.

As always have the car inspected by someone with knowledge on the model.

Idbatterim

You think the E46 saloon looks dated but not the E39?

yeah I just think they look quite poor now. The E39 particularly the m sports, while maybe a bit "dated" are a classic design IMO. They facelift m sports look stunning, replace the yellow angel eyes with white and it makes them look a lot more current. A straight 6 E39 is different league to an E46 IMO, they also dont have the subframe issues and the n42 engine is a weak one, granted you can obviously get the 6 cylinders in the E46's...

Alanstrainor

listermint wrote: »

Yes the subframe is a design fault in E46s, Not so common in Saloons but is quite prevalent in all models. Has been seen in all engine variants from 318 right up to M3.

As always have the car inspected by someone with knowledge on the model.

I hear subframe issues being mentioned all the time on forums and the likes, but rarely see actual cases. Id say its probably blown out of proportion online. By all means check it, but as far as i can tell its not as common as people make out.

peace2804

Does anybody know a good reliable mechanic who can check cars for potential buyers? If yes a PM would be more than appreciated.

Bigal525i

I work for a bmw main dealer and can count on one hand how many I've seen in the last 17 years , the early 00/01 323i,325i,328i,330iandM3 where the ones that cracked the floors from the torque of people spinning the rear wheels in the dry , it's not a common thing at all , I've never seen a sub frame crack I have to say , it usually go's there there the rear axle carrier bushes are bolted to the body , now if you think of how many E46 where sold in this country it's not that bad , there is not a car on the market for sale that doesn't have there own problems , now that's to say that it's happened in special cases but certainly far from common

Idbatterim

try valdas (see below) gary in chelmsford motors or bloomfield motor, all bmw specialists. Scully in clontarf have a good reputation too...

http://bimmer.ie/forum/showthread.php/137-Hello-from-Motor-Confidence!

Idbatterim

this just came up on donedeal...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4998162

Spipov

Idbatterim wrote: »

this just came up on donedeal...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4998162

ffs! how quick is this model going to devalue?i searched for months for a good one, and it was still expensive (twice the price), 3 months ago!!!

listermint

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I hear subframe issues being mentioned all the time on forums and the likes, but rarely see actual cases. Id say its probably blown out of proportion online. By all means check it, but as far as i can tell its not as common as people make out.

Okay its very common on the M3 and will happen on the M3 without a doubt. Thats a fairer statement to make.

So if buying an E46 M3 be extremely cautious when it comes to subframe cracks.

Idbatterim

this just came up on donedeal...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4998162

it might be priced slightly cheaper due to colour and location. Getting that amount of car for that money is ridiculous. Ad looks very legit. Id take that over the E46 saloon any day!

Bigal525i

Where on the sub-frame do they crack ?? I've never seen a sub-frame crack before