[chriz1]

Hi guys new here from S.Wales,
Currently own a low mileage 55 plate Seat Leon FR+ tdi and its been an amazing car for the past 3 years ive owned it,power and economy.
But fancy a change while its still got a little value left to it so ive been considering the E90 320d or 318d msport models.
Unfortunatly not many decent ones around my neck of the woods nunless theres an owner on here that wouldnt mind me taking a closer look just to see if its really for me.
Anyway Just looking for owners comments on both and common faults etc also any advice you can give me about owning one.
I want a low mileage as possible and youngest i have £11000 to spend what can it get me?
Thanks all

[MEGA]

You'll be able to get a reasonable low mileage SE for that with a few options, on an 07 plate or so.

You could go to 06, M Sport - and still have sub 60k miles as well. Autotrader is your friend here. It's definitely a healthy budget.

If you wanted one with a few tasteful mods then I could point out that mine is up for sale with 69k on the clock at present.. Full aftlermarket sound system and remapped: And I'm after 12,200. I could always remove the audio and then sell it for 10,500

Heh can't hurt to try

ps welcome to the forum

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by chriz1

Hi guys new here from S.Wales,
Currently own a low mileage 55 plate Seat Leon FR+ tdi and its been an amazing car for the past 3 years ive owned it,power and economy.
But fancy a change while its still got a little value left to it so ive been considering the E90 320d or 318d msport models.
Unfortunatly not many decent ones around my neck of the woods nunless theres an owner on here that wouldnt mind me taking a closer look just to see if its really for me.
Anyway Just looking for owners comments on both and common faults etc also any advice you can give me about owning one.
I want a low mileage as possible and youngest i have £11000 to spend what can it get me?
Thanks all

Check out the classifieds on Pistonheads.

11k will get you a 2007 320d with 40-60k miles

[chriz1]

thanks,
looking on autotrader it seems that many are going for the top end of £11K near on £12K for a fairly low mileage one,

[chriz1]

what would be the difference between these 2 apart from the wheels

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...e/10?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...port?logcode=p

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by chriz1

what would be the difference between these 2 apart from the wheels

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...e/10?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...port?logcode=p

And the colour!

Both are similar, except the black one has leather.

[chriz1]

so engine, suspension and spec wise they are the same?

[AWBimmer]

First one (black car) looks a better buy from what I can see anyways. Its has heated seats and elec folding mirrors, whereas the 2nd link (silver car) doesn't specify this. We just have to assume that if they haven't mentioned these highly desired things, then they just don't have them. Also, if you're paying £10k +, the least you can expect is leather seats. I was just telling MEGA had I not bought mine some 2 months back, I would have been keen to take his car, off his hands.. it would be a great buy, with or with the audio.

Of the two you posted up, I’d be tempted for the 1st one even with higher mileage, but the wheels on the silver one look smarter (personal opinion). Think they are MV3’s.

Other than that, they are pretty similar engine/size wise at 320d. Being an M Sport, they both have the same factory sport suspension and return a similar mpg so choice is yours...

Rest upto you... Are you planning on modifying at all?

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by chriz1

so engine, suspension and spec wise they are the same?

Engine & suspension will be the same.

Assuming that both cars have the full spec listed, the black one is better.

They both have Bluetooth, USB & rear parking sensors, but the black one also has folding mirrors, extended storage, front heated seats, sun protection glass

[chriz1]

christ this is a mine field!lol
i got no plans to mod apart from maybe a remap sometime,if i bought the first one i would want to change to the wheels that the second car has thats all.
Like i say i have a £11K budget and just have to hang on for a decent one thats all,but i have to sell my car first too,
Im sure i seen loads on autotrader a few months back around this budget with around 40K on the clock thats what got me thinking of changing,seem they dont hang around for long then.

[davyk31]

Knock the black one down on price as he states it has Bluetooth which allegedly is a £1500 extra. Its not, its £550 extra, so thats justification for a grand off the asking price !!

[chriz1]

Inside info cominbg through thats why forums like this are invaluble for info,
i doubt this car will be about when i come to flog my car but as an exapmple

[AWBimmer]

@ Chriz1, If your budget is £11k, that's a decent amount so I'd not bother with 318d's, just because you have a good budget to work with. The alloys on the black still look good though so no issues there and these cars are, generally speaking, always 'about' so you wouldn't have a problem picking one of these up once your current motor's sold.

[davyk31]

THe 18s on the silver one do look a lot nicer than the 17s on the black but there are always sets of 18" MV3 wheels on here for not too much money so its easy to upgrade. If you timed it right and sold your 17s when people are looking for 17s to fit winter tyres to you might find you can do pretty well on them in terms of selling price.

[chriz1]

Just doing further searchers on auto trader and found one bmw 320 d m sport 57 plaste that is 177bhp and autotrader site states

Fuel consumption (urban) 47.1 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 68.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 58.9 mpg
0 - 62 mph 7.9 seconds
Top speed 143 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 177 bhp
Engine torque 258 lbs/ft

and a 07 plate with

Fuel consumption (urban) 36.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 62.8 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 49.6 mpg
0 - 62 mph 8.3 seconds
Top speed 140 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 163 bhp
Engine torque 251 lbs/ft

So not only is the 57 plate more powerfull with better performance figures its also better on fuel compared to a 07 plate,is this right?

[buckethead]

the 177 bhp will have a DPF and i was at a garage today and there was 4 bmw sitting outside with the DPF f****d waiting for the owners to come up with the money for repairs.

Don't no about 163 bhp but theres a lot of turbos going on 320d's do you really need a diesel not that bmw petrols seem any better

[chriz1]

i dont do a load of miles per year less than 10K but from previous petrol car to my current diesel the short journeys i do i notice i am saving money everytime i fill the tank.So really want it to be a diesel

[buckethead]

short journeys will kill a DPF and will cost over a grand to repair

the 177 bhp is a better car on paper when its in bmw warranty to take of cost's.

short journeys are no good for any diesel what your be saving on fuel you could be spending more on mechanical failure's

[EXSKIN]

Don't go the FR - 318D route get a 320D 177bhp. I can say that cause that's what I did , you will be unhappy with the power. Oh and that's why I'm on my second 318D still thinking should have held out.

[chriz1]

is running the diesel around town really going to kill it i do go up the motorway say twice a month sometimes more,for about 30miles one way,