Buying a 3 series

DonalB1

Hi,

I'm currently in the market for a new 3 series, I love the look of the 2012+ models.

I'm just wondering does anyone out there own one or have any knowledge on them? Is there timing chain issues with those years?

I also see that they're valued in and around €13,000 but when I go on to the revenue website it says they're OMSP is €22,000. That's a hell of a difference, I know revenue don't go by book value but any particular reason for such a difference?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

colm_mcm

Who's valuing them at €13000?

DonalB1

Done Deal

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-new-shape/13615204

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-f30-d-ed-4dr/13854070

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-price-drop/13858862

all in or around €13,000

bazz26

Your dredging the bottom of the market there with those examples. You will pay a good bit more for a proper example.

DonalB1

bazz26 wrote: »

Your dredging the bottom of the market there with those examples. You will pay a good bit more for a proper example.

Oh ok, I didn't realise. So these would be worth staying away from?

I saw ones up north for around £9,000 with warranty.

I currently have a 08 3 series but would like to upgrade and just looking for some advice.

bazz26

Cheap examples of a particular year are usually cheap for a reason. Some of the examples you linked there have hefty mileage on them or may have a colourful past.

DonalB1

Any suggestions what i should be looking out for so? And how much I should be willing to spend on getting a decent value one?

bazz26

You're going to pay top dollar for one from a main dealer but you will get the extra peace of mind in the form of a 2 year warranty. Alternatively have a look at importing from the North or mainland UK, way more choice in specs and the sterling/euro exchange rate is still good, only thing is that you would have to sell your existing car privately.

Leonard Hofstadter

The key with buying a BMW is buying one that's in good condition, penny wise and pound foolish and all of that if you buy a cheap one.

Cheap ones are cheap for a reason and they don't sell. Good cars are in strong demand and will find buyers quickly. They look much better in M Sport guise than the lesser trim levels. M Sports are very desirable second hand and good examples of these don't hang around for too long, and they'll be easy to shift when the time comes. The only thing against them is the ride can be harsh, so be sure you're happy with that before buying, my (admittedly much older E46) 3 series is a Sport and the ride is very firm and while it doesn't bother me, I can see how it might bother others. Sport model BMWs tend to have more supportive seats as well, although some might not like the level of side bolstering.

The cars you've linked to while admittedly 320ds and thus should have plenty of oomph, are still low spec models, and of course they are private sales, nothing against the people selling those cars but there's no way I'd spend that kind of money privately, and that in fact is the main reason why they're (relatively) cheap. They have cloth interiors, which are nowhere near as nice as a leather or alcantara interior, a premium German car really needs alcantara or leather to make it feel special inside.

The big thing to watch, as with all modern diesel BMWs, is the infamous timing chain problem, at that age it should definitely be possible to buy one with a two year warranty (an option that's obviously not available when buying privately). If it was me I'd be making certain sure my diesel BMW had that option, it's worth every last cent because if the timing chain went it would cost several thousand to fix - and if it's not caught in time could even result in the car needing a new engine.

DonalB1

Thanks for those responses they're very helpful.

I wasn't sure if the timing chain was still an issue in the 2012 models.

Is buying from a main dealer that important. I realise the risks with a private sale but surely a main dealer offering a 2 year warranty isn't worth the price difference when compared to a regular dealer offering a 1 year warranty.

This one is low spec, 75k on the clock and is €22,000
http://www.colmquinnbmwgalway.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/320d-SE/5525350392452486802/

Higher spec, I know theres a bit more on the clock but this is €15,000
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-2-0-320d-se-model-full-cream-leat/13674435

DonalB1

bazz26 wrote: »

You're going to pay top dollar for one from a main dealer but you will get the extra peace of mind in the form of a 2 year warranty. Alternatively have a look at importing from the North or mainland UK, way more choice in specs and the sterling/euro exchange rate is still good, only thing is that you would have to sell your existing car privately.

That's not a problem as I have a buyer lined up. But buying up north means no warranty right? So how do you know you can trust it?

bazz26

DonalB1 wrote: »

That's not a problem as I have a buyer lined up. But buying up north means no warranty right? So how do you know you can trust it?

Depends on who you buy it from but it can have the same risks as buying privately. Get the car properly checked out by the likes of the AA or RAC, do your own background and history checks. You can take out a 3rd party warranty here on the car if you want extra peace of mind. At the end of the day the peace of mind of a warranty costs money and this is included in the price of the car when buying from a dealer.

bazz26

DonalB1 wrote: »

Thanks for those responses they're very helpful.

I wasn't sure if the timing chain was still an issue in the 2012 models.

Is buying from a main dealer that important. I realise the risks with a private sale but surely a main dealer offering a 2 year warranty isn't worth the price difference when compared to a regular dealer offering a 1 year warranty.

This one is low spec, 75k on the clock and is €22,000
http://www.colmquinnbmwgalway.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/320d-SE/5525350392452486802/

Higher spec, I know theres a bit more on the clock but this is €15,000
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-2-0-320d-se-model-full-cream-leat/13674435

In an ideal world if both were like for like but there can be world of difference between what one warranty consists of what others don't.

But that BMW dealer is dreaming if he thinks he will get anywhere near 22k for a bog standard nearly 5 year old 3 Series. There is someone in another thread here who was offered 26k for their 15 reg low mileage 3 Series diesel by a main dealer so asking 22k for a nearly 5 year old one is pure ridiculous.

And as for the 15k one, well the mileage is high on it for the year and that garage would not have the best reputation around these parts with regards customer service or after sales so make up your own mind there. There business models seems to be buy cars in cheap and sell them on at similar prices without putting much into them so you really need to know your beans when buying from there.

Idbatterim

its all well and good saying go for the much more expensive ones, my bro and I both bought excellent examples of bmws. But its one thing at lower price ranges. The premium given you example is significant now, go and see what the price difference is in 2-3 years, between the cheaper and better examples...

importing from the uk might make sense...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610219006099?year-from=2013&radius=1500&make=BMW&maximum-mileage=125000&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&sort=price-asc&model=3%20SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=ls298jn&page=1

bazz26

I'm not saying pay 10k more for one with a better warranty but given the reputation of the timing chain on these cars you definitely need a comprehensive warranty. Either that or put a decent sum of money aside for any potential problems down the road. A 35k - 40k premium marque car when new, can still cost a considerable amount of money to repair irrespective of it's diminished market value a number of years later.

DonalB1

Thank you for the responses.

My budget is around €15,000 tops so what I'm hearing is stay away from the new model 3 series for that.

bazz26

Very unlikely your budget will stretch to a main dealer example and most F30s in your price range here will be high milers. Look at buying in the UK but you need to have the car thoroughly examined by the likes of the AA/RAC or somebody who knows BMWs. If going down the UK or private route of buying then you need to put money aside for potential future repairs or take out a 3rd party warranty.

A few examples:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512019126483?body-type=Saloon&onesearchad=Used&model=3%20SERIES&maximum-badge-engine-size=2.0&maximum-mileage=100000&seller-type=trade&radius=40&year-to=2013&advertising-location=at_cars&make=BMW&sort=price-asc&keywords=f30&fuel-type=Diesel&year-from=2012&postcode=se10ab&page=2

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201609027363147?make=BMW&fuel-type=Diesel&onesearchad=Used&sort=price-asc&body-type=Saloon&model=3%20SERIES&keywords=f30&maximum-mileage=100000&maximum-badge-engine-size=2.0&seller-type=trade&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=40&postcode=se10ab&year-from=2012&year-to=2013&page=6

DonalB1

How about a 08-09 A5? Would it be possible to get a decent one for somewhere between €13,000 and €15,000?

Anyone ever had an A5 around this age? Anything in particular I should look out for??

bazz26

What about a Passat CC:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat-CC/2.0-TDI/3597237682979184178/

DonalB1

bazz26 wrote: »

What about a Passat CC:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat-CC/2.0-TDI/3597237682979184178/

Beautiful car but I'd prefer an Audi or BMW, provided I could get an A5 for under €15,000

bazz26

Trouble is you will be looking at older cars with higher mileage on your budget.

gate1

I bought a 316 131 sport model in this summer and I'm very pleased with it.

I'm afraid that you'll have to push your budget up to €20k in order to get one

PaulKK

I think some of the posts are a bit ott as regards caution and buying from a main dealer. I personally don't think its necessary to buy from a main dealer at all once you take the appropriate safe guards than one should when buying any second hand car.

I'm on my second 3 series, the previous one bought privately and one from a small independent dealer in Dublin and had no major issues with either. Both were UK imports.

I generally keep an eye on prices. I've been keeping an eye on the f10 prices as I have an e90.

To import a 2013 320d with say 60-80k miles is going to cost 16-18k with vrt. I generally check the reliables such as cargiant and imperial car supermarkets.

Something like that here will cost about 20k in an independent garage, more in a main dealer.

If you are happy to go with higher mileage or a 316 or 318 you can probably come in slightly cheaper.

The usual rules apply. Verify history, inspect the car fully and service it correctly.

I have no great time for main dealers. My current E90 has full dealer history and the last time I dropped it in for an oil change I got it back with the engine light on.

CalamariFritti

captainspeed wrote: »

The big thing to watch, as with all modern diesel BMWs, is the infamous timing chain problem, at that age it should definitely be possible to buy one with a two year warranty (an option that's obviously not available when buying privately). If it was me I'd be making certain sure my diesel BMW had that option, it's worth every last cent because if the timing chain went it would cost several thousand to fix - and if it's not caught in time could even result in the car needing a new engine.

It seems on the internet such 'known problems' have a much longer lifespan than they actually have. People just repeating whatever they heard somewhere else on the internet. No?

There used to be a timing chain problem up to about 2011 and that was in the previous model that also has a different engine to the F30/F31. There are no reported known problems of similar scale on the F30/F31, certainly not a timing chain problem anyway. I know because I'm looking into one of those myself and I'm after crawling the forums and whatnot for a while. I tend to keep my cars for quite long and I'm trying to make sure its the right one.

In fact as the E90 with N47 engine had that timing chain problem some testers paid particular attention to that and it does not persist apparently in the F30/B47. If you have other/better sources I'd be grateful because like I said its my favourite for my next car coming soon.

The model is 3, 4 years old and plenty of long term 100k miles tests are out now. It is a very good, frugal but pokey and reliable car by all accounts. The two points that received the most criticism evolve around design and finish. Some people say it is too noisy for the car that it is (price). Partly from the diesel engine and partly from wind noises from the exterior. Another point that got a mention was that some of the interior parts feel too cheap for the money that car costs. Like some hard plastic used here and there that is prone to scratching.

Another thing that was mentioned under no circumstances get a diesel with manual. You'll be stirring that pot forever. The engine has plenty of poke but power band is just so narrow. Not sure all models do but the desirable one come with an 8 speed auto.

The best choice overall seems the 320d but the daddy is the 330d as its the only 6 pot in the whole range and it gives savage oopmh for 280 road tax and good mpg. But a half decent one will be difficult to clear from the UK for under 20k and don't even be looking for anything like that here in Ireland. They don't exist.

bazz26

The F3x only got the B47 engine in mid 2015 with the LCI facelift, up to that point it had the N47 engine carried over from the E9x. Timing chains were still an issue with the N47 engine in the Fxx series cars though not on the same level as with the older Exx series cars.

Idbatterim

op go out and get the car you actually want i.e. the 3 series , you can afford a decent example, all prices shown on donedeal, carzone are ASKING PRICES!what the hell is the point in going 99% of the way to a decent example price wise for the car you want and then looking at something else?!

DonalB1

DonalB1 wrote: »

How about a 08-09 A5? Would it be possible to get a decent one for somewhere between €13,000 and €15,000?.................

An 08 A5 is soon to be 9 years old, you'll definitely pick up a clean example for your pricerange but the likes of clutch, discs, suspension etc etc might all be near to end of life.

XsApollo

DonalB1 wrote: »

How about a 08-09 A5? Would it be possible to get a decent one for somewhere between €13,000 and €15,000?

Anyone ever had an A5 around this age? Anything in particular I should look out for??

You should get a 2010 A5 for that money, buying private.
If you like the A5 , would an A6 be on your list.
Nice cars and big and comfortable inside.
You could get a nice 2010 A6 sline for under 15000 with low enough mileage.

The Example below is my own ,
( dunno if I'm allowed do this :-P)
Just an example for you.
But they are nice cars and pretty bullet proof.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2010-audi-a6-s-line-170/13863867

gate1

Thread is now going off topic (Audi). Perhaps you should start a new one.