[Bobbydazzler74]

So many questions as my search continues for a good all rounder.

I'm looking for a sporty family car to replace my 320si which the insurance company now own. Touring or saloon, I'm not really bothered but I'm guessing the estate is more versatile for a young family. It's going to have to last me a good 5 years to.

Manual or Auto? I prefer manual because I like to drive a car rather than being driven. Petrol or diesel? I prefer petrol because I don't like the clattering sound of the old diesels or wearing a glove when refuelling. 320 or 330 (or somewhere in between)? I like the idea of the 330 but I'm concerned that I'll be able to watch the fuel guage move like the seconds hand on a clock face.
I have a budget too. Under 9k for a nice low mileage example. If I have to compromise on something, what should it be? Transmission? Fuel? Engine?
If it was your choice, what would you go for and why?
Any advice will be gratefully accepted. Thanks

[richk84]

Dont get a 320i, loads of probelms with them. Personally I would get a 330 manual if you don't do much regular long distance driving.

[Bobbydazzler74]

Ok thanks. Mileage wise, I do about 20 miles round trip to work and back. Maybe the odd long journey on a day out or family holiday to the continent but that's about it really. I reckon I average about 10K -12K a year?

[richk84]

I wouldn't get a diesel based on that mileage. You roughly do 6k a year going to work and back. I don't think a diesel would get up to running temp on a 10 mile trip especially if you dont hit any motorways.

I currently do over 20K a year and thats why I got a diesel.

[kayfaz]

Manual, 330i

[Bobbydazzler74]

Ok so presently then, I should be edging towards a manual 330i. I would never have realistically considered that, so thanks for the advice so far.
What about a 325i? Are they worth a look?

[richk84]

I think 330 and manual might be hard to find so you might end up with 325i, same engine essentially just less power. I would just test drive both and see if you like the extra power of the 330

[Bobbydazzler74]

Originally Posted by richk84

Dont get a 320i, loads of probelms with them. Personally I would get a 330 manual if you don't do much regular long distance driving.

... and just going back to your first statement of "don't get a 320i...." that seemed a very definate NO! What are the issues with this engine?

[M4rius]

Originally Posted by kayfaz

Manual, 330i

Almost impossible to find with good spec., most 330's are automatic

[xPETEZx]

Dont discount the 325i manual.

I wanted a 330i Manual too when I was looking, but they are hard to find and the ones I could find where out of my price range.

I never did test drive the 330i, so do not know what I am missing out on.
For me, the 325i has plenty of power and is a joy to drive.
Fastest car I have ever owned

[Terryk]

same opinion, 330i manual. 325i pre-lci were 2.5lt but the 325i lci have same displacement and engine with the 330i

[Bobbydazzler74]

Ok. So I'm advised not to get a 320i. I appreciate that forums can be very subjective. Can anyone give me good reason why I shouldn't buy a 320i? Is it purely an under power issue or are there serious technical issues with this engine which will cost me dearly. Bearing in mind I think I had a lucky escape with my Si which was written off before the notorious cylinder/valve problems.
Thanks

[richk84]

Originally Posted by Bobbydazzler74

Ok. So I'm advised not to get a 320i. I appreciate that forums can be very subjective. Can anyone give me good reason why I shouldn't buy a 320i? Is it purely an under power issue or are there serious technical issues with this engine which will cost me dearly. Bearing in mind I think I had a lucky escape with my Si which was written off before the notorious cylinder/valve problems.
Thanks

Surely after your own experience that would be enough?

Search the forums there are loads of threads about the 320 petrol problems

[richk84]

There is a sticky in this forum check it

[Bobbydazzler74]

Well my own problems were with the 320si which I assumed is a different engine so didn't have the same issues? Clearly I don't understand how BMW could make great engines and crap one's at the same time, 320 and 330 for example. However it seems that they did!
I'm new to this forum malarkey so didn't know what sticky's were! Found it and read it. What else can I say! Thanks for pointing it out. Gutted though as I was thinking of test driving a 320i m sport touring at the weekend!

[Terryk]

my opinion? nowadays, cars are a lucky strike if you ask me whatever the maker is, whatever the model is. Also, a gold rule for me which I personally follow is never buy a model that has just released. I always wait for about 1,5 years after the release date and then I buy it. I do so because I believe at the theory of the early "infant mortality" failures.
why you shouldn't buy a 320i? well, I am not the one to tell you so since I own a 320i 2007 model with the "tested" n46 engine (and not the direct injection ones) and till now I had only replaced an alternator pulley and a right tie rod and I accept them as wear out failures. so I am as happy as I one could be but of course if you ask me the pulley shouldn't have that failure but ok, I can live with it (note that I could have left it since there weren't any damage etc but I am not that kind of car owner) .
bare in mind that I do know and have spoken with other 320i owners and there are complaints from them but all of them with the direct injection engines.
I am not saying or supporting that 320i n46 are bulletproof but I do say that they tend to appear less problems than the newer ones. if you ask me again what car would I buy now I would say as previously, 330i manual for sure (and not for example 335i).
at the end the choice is yours

[djgandy]

The question is, why a 320i over a 325i or 330i?

If you think you will save a lot of money on fuel, think again. I used to drive a 116i with the N45 engine. Apart from being gutless, it wasn't economical at all. I generally got around 30 MPG with it and it mainly did long journeys at the weekend and never rush hour traffic. It wasn't economical around town, and it wasn't economical on the motorway as it was geared so short you'd be stuck near 4000 RPM all the time, even with a 6th gear. You know the gears are short when you try and change up to a gear that doesn't exist. The engine got a bit iffy at idle towards the end too, something just wasn't right with it and it just didn't want to go from cold.

If it is for budget reasons then of course you need to stick to what you can afford. My personal opinion though, given the choice of a 320i and what else I can buy with the money, I'd get a Mondeo. You'll have a newer car, far better specced, and just a far better car IMO. It won't cost you the earth to service it either. Only thing is it won't handle quite like a BMW and of course you won't be able to tell people you drive a BMW.

[Bobbydazzler74]

I'm also a mechanical novice so knowing the difference between n46, direct injection, lci or whatever else I may come across is mind boggling. The cars I'm looking at for my budget are from 05 to 57 plate. They have 4 wheels and look nice and come with a BMW badge which I always thought stood for quality. Imagine my surprise when the first Bimmer I buy turns out to have catastrophic engine failures and it's replacement doesn't seem to have a good reputation either!
I guess I have to make a decision on whether to stick with BMW or go elsewhere!

[Not a Diesel!!!]

330i manual.

Trust me its worth it. I have the later N53 engine LCI which is out of your price range but I also drive my wife's N52 130i. Both are awesome engines.

Driven carefully will return 35mpg on a run. Worst is cold town running where its closer to 20 mpg. We did 1100 miles to Scotland & back in the 130i and averaged 37mpg calculated.

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by Bobbydazzler74

I'm also a mechanical novice so knowing the difference between n46, direct injection, lci or whatever else I may come across is mind boggling. The cars I'm looking at for my budget are from 05 to 57 plate. They have 4 wheels and look nice and come with a BMW badge which I always thought stood for quality. Imagine my surprise when the first Bimmer I buy turns out to have catastrophic engine failures and it's replacement doesn't seem to have a good reputation either!
I guess I have to make a decision on whether to stick with BMW or go elsewhere!

BMW does not stand for quality in the reliability sense, far from it. Sure mechanically they are generally better than French cars but don't be fooled by the badge. There are some bullet proof BMW's out there, but they are generally limited to the 6cyl engines. The biggest problem with BMW's is that when they go wrong they often cost an arm and a leg to repair.

[Terryk]

as I said before, buying a car is like a lottery. In our family, we always had and have french cars (mainly renaults) and we were and now are completely and absolutely happy with them since none of our 12 french cars (from past till now) had a problem or failure apart from minor things such as blown light bulbs etc. I don't say that french cars are failure free or reliable but we love them and since every single one we owned was perfect why not buy one again? on the other hand, one ibiza and one polo had some issues especially the polo with the monster 1.2 12v 3cyl engine but I personally do like the simplicity of this car (which is something I couldn't say for a bimmer or a renault)
to our subject now, try to buy a late pre-lci model meaning maybe you should avoid 05-06 plate and search for a 56-08

@ djgandy: all the modern cars unfortunately ask for your arm and your leg nowadays especially at the dealers' garages...merc and bimmers ask a bit more

[firedragon]

Personally, I'd go petrol for sure but would go against the grain with most others and say auto for transmission.

I was very much a manual driver through and through before I got my 335 but have to say that the auto boxes are so smooth and slick. I have manual paddle shifts [and this was a must when I was looking for one] but to be honest I have used them only a few times as the auto box spot on. I think [will stand correct if need be] there is only 0.2 seconds difference 0-60 between a manual and auto in the 335's so not too much to lose in terms of performance.

Like others have said, the larger engines are much more common with auto boxes but you may find a manual if you are prepared to wait - however choice is probably better and you are more likely to find one with the lower mileage etc just due to there being more autos about.

Obviously the smaller engines will be more economical but a happy balance could be a 325 but for a bit more muscle a 330 could be the ticket. A 335 goes that bit further with the twin turbos but is still reasonable at 29mpg according to the book - more like 24mpg but that could be my driving and use of AC!!

Hope this gives another view for you, good luck.