Which BMW 3 Series?

EARMUFFS

Ok so silly title but i am currently trying to find the best 2nd BMW 3 Series i can get my hands on. Budget is circa €30k and most of the approved dealers have 318i's in various guises. M models Ci models etc etc. Should i just disregard the 318i completely and pay a little more and get the 2 litre 320d '04 model? Anyone here drive a 318i?

Anan1

It really depends on your own priorities. Drive both, see which you prefer. It may be worth your while to try a 6-cylinder car too, it really is a different world.

Cyrus

please disregard them both and start looking at the 6cyl engines.

320ci is a 2.2 6cyl with 170 bhp, nice
325 ci is a 2.5 6 cyl with 192 bhp, nicer and
330ci is a 3.0 litre 6cyl with 231 bhp, nicest

seriously if you dont want the bigger engined ones go for the 2.2 320, you'll thank me for it

Anan1

Cyrus - Personally speaking, I agree with you. That said, different people have different priorities, and the 2.0d does have a lot going for it.

Cyrus

i know but its a 4 pot diesel and sounds dieselly the 330d is a nicer engine just dont like the 2 litre (my dad has an e60 520 with the same engine)

EARMUFFS

Thanks for the replies lads. A friend already recommended leaving the 4 cylinders alone so that confirms that. The 320s and upwards though are rare enough to find within budget and year. 04 is really as far as i would like to go back to.

Cyrus

the year is only a number

id rather a lower mileage better cared for 03 than an 04

anyway heres some 6 cyl in budget

320ci http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=753043

525i e60 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=762687

320ci http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=620517

520i http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=720637

325ci http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=658127

325ci http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=736197

320ci http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=747641

i know some are 5 series and a lot are 03s but there are some nice cars there

bazz26

A 6 cylinder petrol 3 Series will probably cost less to buy than the equivilant 4 cylinder one in Ireland due to most people not willing to pay the running costs of >2.0 litre car. 6 cylinder models are usually higher speced than 4 cylinder models too.

The only 4 cylinder 3 Series worth looking at imo is the 2.0 diesel. They hold their value quite well. The very rare 320d E46 coupe would be my choice if space is not a concern.

delly

Dunno if you've looked at the UK as an option, but just for comparison my brother has just brought in a 318 Ci SE Coupe with an international 12 month BMW warranty for €26k all in.

EARMUFFS

Thanks again lads,

The 320ci looks well but unfortunately I need a 4 door saloon! I think the 320d even though it only has 4 cylinders(oh the shame) seems like the best option in relation to my budget. May have to compare other 2 litre marques.

Thanks again didn't realise that there were so many BMW enthusiasts on here!

Cyrus

EARMUFFS wrote:

Thanks again lads,

The 320ci looks well but unfortunately I need a 4 door saloon! I think the 320d even though it only has 4 cylinders(oh the shame) seems like the best option in relation to my budget. May have to compare other 2 litre marques.

Thanks again didn't realise that there were so many BMW enthusiasts on here!

what about a 520i like the one i listed? might be a 03, but better a 03 current model than a 04 older model?

commited

Try to get the "sport" model if you can - offers a much nicer cabin and a much better driving experience

RobAMerc

Ok : I have driven 318,325,330d all manual, 320d 320ci man and auto.
I own a 320ci petrol man also.

I would have to say the 320d auto makes the most sense.
The 320d is a nice car - four pot or not its a diesel and the extra to cylinders of a 6 pot diesel will still make it sound like a diesel so - i don't see it as too big a disadvantage.
The auto box is well suited and makes use of the low down grunt very well, but the man is ok too.

the 318 is a dead loss.
325 - drinks fuel.
330d is an everyday M3 imo - as fast as an everyday car needs to be and frugal to boot - (my next car might well be a 330d wagon)
320 petrol very nice - not hugely powerful but sounds fab (specially important for rag top like mine)

problem with 6 pot BMW's is many people in Ireland cannot tell the difference and see no point , they just think its a huge 2.0 + engine ( Many see no point in anything but a 1.6 )

hope this is of some help.

Anan1

I haven't driven an E46 320d auto, but my mother has an E90 320d auto and it's a deeply impressive car. I say this as someone with a big soft spot for German 6 & 8 cylinder petrol engines.