Is Dad Right: 3 series vs passat

skiesareblue

I have been looking to buy a new car. I fell (badly) for a bmw 3 series - mostly a 32od. i know very very little about motors. i would like a diesel, and leather seats. thats pretty much it. obvisously i need something reliable. My dad has vehemently disapproved and has said I should buy a VW passat. I think if i go passat i like the look of the highline. Im looking in England, i work over there during the week so it is not an issue buying over there. I am going to spend £7500 - £8000. is dad right, are the bmw 3 series a bad buy. i am a bit clueless. ANY ADVICE APPRECIATED.

bazz26

Why is he disapproving of the 3 Series?

Effects

Do you have kids? The passat is a dad car and you'll get strange looks and people feeling sorry for you if they think you don't have kids.

skiesareblue

No I am a single young professional. Dad has spoke to some of his friends some of whom are mechanics. This thing about a chain in the engine being a ticking time bomb and overall that the are a troublesome car? I like the look of them, sorry to be so superficial, I don't know much else. I have test drove 4 3 series & loved the drive. I do a fair bit of motorway driving in England & country road driving while I'm here. I also think he's very worried for my safety in ice & snow with the rear wheel drive.

veetwin

Personally I think if you're single you would be daft to consider a Passat I'd you can afford a well specced 320d. The BMW is a way better car and of course more expensive.

Maybe a well specced Golf GTI or GTD would be an alternative to rear wheel drive though plenty of rwd cars get on fine unless you're tacking serious snow.

368100

I had an E46 320d. Had it for 5 years and has my fair share of trouble with it.

Bought a Passat cc earlier this year and imo it's a far nicer drive thought the handling wouldn't be up with the bmw it's more comfortable for longer drives.

Plus the cc is a nicer looking car with the same reliability as the big standard Passat.

In same boat as you, single professional.

Atlantic Dawn

If I had to buy either and both had full service history I would get the BMW.

If I had the £7500-£8000 and could buy whatever diesel car I want I would buy a Skoda Superb.

bazz26

Timing chains are a major concern on those BMWs alright but Passats are not without their problems either. I've owned both btw.

noelf

What is your annual mileage ?

Kintarō Hattori

We bought a 2005 E90 320i in December of last year. It was only my second car purchase as we were upgrading from a '99 K11 Micra so I didn't waltz in as clued up as I should have been. When we got the car serviced the mechanic pointed out that the chain needed to be done which wasn't expected as I didn't know they were prone to that issue.

However, go into a purchase knowing that this can be an issue. That aside the car has been a fantastic purchase and we've had a year of wonderful motoring. I have no regrets and would happily choose another BMW when it comes time to change.

Brilliant to drive, comfortable, reliable and reasonably economical.

Breffnigolfer

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

We bought a 2005 E90 320i in December of last year. It was only my second car purchase as we were upgrading from a '99 K11 Micra so I didn't waltz in as clued up as I should have been. When we got the car serviced the mechanic pointed out that the chain needed to be done which wasn't expected as I didn't know they were prone to that issue.

However, go into a purchase knowing that this can be an issue. That aside the car has been a fantastic purchase and we've had a year of wonderful motoring. I have no regrets and would happily choose another BMW when it comes time to change.

Brilliant to drive, comfortable, reliable and reasonably economical.

Your mechanic took you for a ride, the 2005 version was not fitted with the troublesome chain. The problem started with the N47 engine, laundry he'd in 2007.(your car had the M47 engine)

MuppetCheck

Breffnigolfer wrote: »

Your mechanic took you for a ride, the 2005 version was not fitted with the troublesome chain. The problem started with the N47 engine, laundry he'd in 2007.(your car had the M47 engine)

Wouldn't that car have the N46 petrol?

bazz26

Breffnigolfer wrote: »

Your mechanic took you for a ride, the 2005 version was not fitted with the troublesome chain. The problem started with the N47 engine, laundry he'd in 2007.(your car had the M47 engine)

His car is a 320i(petrol) though not a 320d(diesel) so it would have the N46 engine which have been known to suffer from stretched timing chains also.

ian87

My 2 cents as a young professional like yourself. I've owned a 2008 passat and a 2008 320d. The day I collected the passat I drove down to south kerry. A good long drive and by the time arrived I immediately regretted my purchase. So much so I sold the car again within weeks. It was a total barge and I could feel it sucking the youth out of me!!

Fast forward a year and I bought a 320d se. I loved it and regret that I ever sold it but my circumstances changed so I made the decision to sell. I can't wait for the day when I get another one.

And for what it's worth the woman in my life loved the 3 series and borrowed it any chance. She barely looked twice at the passat.. As a single person, which would you rather?!?

Would you be willing to buy a 2007 era 320d? It uses the old 163 bhp engine which doesn't have chain issues.

Kintarō Hattori

Breffnigolfer wrote: »

Your mechanic took you for a ride, the 2005 version was not fitted with the troublesome chain. The problem started with the N47 engine, laundry he'd in 2007.(your car had the M47 engine)

It was almost a year ago so his exact words I don't remember. However I have full confidence in him as he came incredibly highly recommended by this and specialist BMW forums.
It had a few owners before us, good but not full service history. The guy has an amazing rep so I would doubt he took us for a ride.

Thanks though.

Breffnigolfer

bazz26 wrote: »

His car is a 320i(petrol) though not a 320d(diesel) so it would have the N46 engine which have been known to suffer from stretched timing chains also.

Cheers , thanks. Diesel on the brain.

ptyloch

In short - Dad is wrong!

If you buy a car based on it's looks and feel then go with the BMW. It will simply put a smile on your face to leave the house every morning and see it on the drive. I know, I've been there with a few cars, both giving me a smile and making me miserable first thing in the morning. Either get the 3 series with a full service history or once you buy it leave it with a trusted mechanic and get him to do all the "delicate" bits on this particular model.

Whatever you go with Happy Motoring and post a pic of your new pride and joy!

wandererz

OP, i have recently purchased a 2006 320D with 25,000 miles on the clock.

I know that i will have to have the butterfly valves removed & blanked out, this i can do myself come the warmer weather. While i'm at it i will clean out the EGR Valve & intake manifold.

This engine isn't prone to the timing chain issue.
Bodywork is (almost) perfect, leather interior is perfect.
Car drives just great. It's comfortable, has 17" inch spoke alloys, feels great. At 120kph (or 140Kph) it does not feel like it's doing that much at all.
I am seriously impressed with it.

Yes, it isn't a 5, 6 series or this that and whatever but it's great for what it is.

If you wanted to try something different, perhaps look at the Volvo C70 Diesel. You get a convertible hard top, 4 decent seats and decent enough boot space. I had the petrol version and loved it. Sold to get the diesel version but ended up with the BMW instead for the low mileage.

So, the point is, look for a low mileage, well taken care of BMW or other car that will put a smile on your face every time you walk out to it.

If you really do feel the need to get a Passat (please don't) then at least consider a Phaeton.

bazz26

A 9 year old diesel 3 Series with only 25k miles?