Ford Mondeo, VW Pasatt or BMW 318i

Cquinnie

Looking for thoughts on what is a better buy. I have a choice of 3 cars all very close in price (6k)

BMW 318i
2006. Full BMW service history 2l petrol 90k miles

VW Passat
1.9 tdi se (diesel)
2007 service history 80k miles

Ford Mondeo
2008 ztech 1.6l petrol 80k miles well serviced too

I do about 15,000 miles a year, local driving not many long trips. Looking for anyone's thoughts or experience on these cars and if they recommend one over the other.

Noccy_Mondy

If you are doing short trips, then you don't need a diesel - so the passat wouldn't be a wise option (in diesel form). The 1.4 tsi petrol in the passat is one to look at. The 1.6 in the mondeo is underpowered for a car of it's size - performance may not bother you though - look at the 2.0 petrol in the mondeo aswell. I'll leave the bmw to the experts

Cquinnie

Thanks for the help. I have it down to these three so trying to make a choice. Ill await the BMW experts for further advice

Idbatterim

is it the E90 or E46 bmw? Either way, make sure if you go down this route, to have it checked out by a specialist prior to purchase. From 2007 you could get the 316 which has a 1.6L engine, 0-100 in 10.9 so not going to set any records...

Cquinnie

It is the E90. This is from cartell
I ES Z3SC 4DR SALOON E90 N46 2.0

Which is the better of them?

Idbatterim

the 2L N42 engine can be problematic, it would want to have a good full service history and be properly checked out. Do you have a link to the car?

The E90 I go for, no way would I go for the E46 at this stage, the saloon is very dated looking and the E90 had a better chassis, is bigger and has a 6 speed box.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E90

nice_guy80

I'd go for a petrol.

bazz26

The Mondeo is too heavy for that 1.6 litre engine.

What about a petrol Honda Accord?