05 320i SE - Trade in or Private Sale? How Much?

E92

MAKE MY DAY wrote: »

Ok so in your experience a 325d SE coupe over a 320d Msport ??

Well I haven't have a direct experience of either to be truthful but statistics don't lie:D. The 320d M Sport gets you a bodykit and a few other bits and bobs. BMWs are about driving, not posing. They're marketed as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" after all. The 325d gives me something that I can use: the more powerful, more torquey and better sounding engine. That to me is more in keeping with "The Ultimate Driving Machine" philosophy:).

I've sampled a 5 series in both SE and M Sport guises. There is no contest. I wouldn't take an M Sport over an SE if BMW give it to me for free:D! Admittedly the SE 5 series had no run flats and the M Sport had. That I'm sure made a big difference. The M Sport is noisier and you really notice the difference over bumps. For me it comes down to the fact that I simply would not spend that kind money on the asthetics of a car, even if I had that kind of money to spend. I'd either not spend it or else spend it on a more powerful engine or get a few luxuries.

The SE 3 series is rather firm, certainly not uncomfortable but nevertheless firm. I wouldn't like it any firmer.

I've gone in a few 6 cylinder diesel BMWs(530d, 730d) as well as a 520d and there is no comparison sound wise between one of those and a 4 cylinder diesel. The 520d is noticably louder, gruffer, and nowhere near as interesting sounding as the 6 cylinder models! That said even the 6 cylinder diesels wouldn't hold a candle to 6 cylinder petrol BMWs(or indeed any diesel versus petrol) on those areas I just mentioned.

Based on past experience with recent BMWs there is no doubt in my mind that the 325d would be a much better choice. There is nothing wrong with the 320d, after all WhatCar? keep choosing it as their favoured compact exec and favourite 3 series so it is clearly doing something right but the 6 cylinder models make the car feel that little bit special, and if you're spending that kind of money on a car you might as well get something just a little bit special;).

MAKE MY DAY

Thanks for that . Will be taking a test drive next week so will check it out .

galwaytt

E92 wrote: »

.....but statistics don't lie .... BMWs are about driving, not posing. They're marketed as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" after all. .

LOL :pac: so much marketing in such a small space !! :rolleyes::rolleyes:
Statistics can do whatever we want..........
Driving/Posing.........ladies and gentlemen.........I give you manual, cloth-infested, 316i's.........
Ultimate Driving Machine........oh dear.......is that with, or without, the bump-thump, and so-so power you so eloquently describe..............??:D:D