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Swapping a Honda Accord for a BMW

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  • 19-05-2008 3:41pm
    #1
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭


    Hi Folks,
    I'm currently driving a 2002 Honda Accord 1.8ltr Sport VTEC.
    I'm thinking about buying a 2001 BMW 381i SE 1.8ltr.
    I'm thinking the BMW might be a bit more comfortable to drive.
    Is spending £1500 worth the slightly older car and higher mileage? (75000 vs 60000 of the accord)

    Cheers.


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    #2
    VH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 690 ✭✭✭VH


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    Hi Folks,
    I'm currently driving a 2002 Honda Accord 1.8ltr Sport VTEC.
    I'm thinking about buying a 2001 BMW 381i SE 1.8ltr.
    I'm thinking the BMW might be a bit more comfortable to drive.
    Is spending £1500 worth the slightly older car and higher mileage? (75000 vs 60000 of the accord)

    Cheers.
    Up till late 2001 the 318 had a 1.9 8-valve engine that was very poor. Make sure you're getting the later 16-valve engine, which is actually a 2.0-litre.


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    #3
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭OctoberFall


    VH wrote: »
    Up till late 2001 the 318 had a 1.9 8-valve engine that was very poor.

    What exactly was poor about it? I'll check tonight to see which one it is.
    But when it comes to car, even the fact that it doesn't have a rear wiper or CD player would put me off it!


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    #4
    f22
    Registered Users Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭f22


    Why are you changing? A 318 is pretty gutless in either 1.9 or 2.0 litre guise, and most of them on the road have poverty specs too.

    Keep what you have if you asked me.


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    #5
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭OctoberFall


    f22 wrote: »
    Why are you changing?
    I was looking for something a bit more comfortable than the Accord Sport.
    My brother is selling the BMW, so was thinking about taking his.


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    #6
    E92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    What exactly was poor about it?

    Its (lack of) performance.


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    #7
    VH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 690 ✭✭✭VH


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    What exactly was poor about it?
    Tax and fuel economy of a 1.9 and the performance of a 1.6.


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    #8
    Eoin
    Registered Users Posts: 21,257 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    What exactly was poor about it? I'll check tonight to see which one it is.
    But when it comes to car, even the fact that it doesn't have a rear wiper or CD player would put me off it!

    A lot, if not most, saloons don't have a rear wiper. Lack of a CD player wouldn't be a big deal for me, you can get BMW iPod connection kits, or 3rd party mp3 adapters etc fitted. The car may be prepped for a CD changer in the boot anyway, in which case it wouldn't be an expensive fix. Edit - I would stick with the Accord though.


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    #9
    Green Hornet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭Green Hornet


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    Hi Folks,
    I'm currently driving a 2002 Honda Accord 1.8ltr Sport VTEC.
    I'm thinking about buying a 2001 BMW 381i SE 1.8ltr.
    I'm thinking the BMW might be a bit more comfortable to drive.
    Is spending £1500 worth the slightly older car and higher mileage? (75000 vs 60000 of the accord)

    Cheers.
    Dont know much about the BMW but I had a 2002 Accord 1.8 VTEC and it was a great machine when you got the revs up. Bit dated I guess at this stage and I suppose the comfort factor of the BMW is probably better but I wonder if the reliability is as good as the Accord? It would be a real bummer if you changed and ended up with a less reliable car after paying out 1500 Euro.


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    #10
    E92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    E46s are generally very reliable, as long as you avoid the 02-04 320d that are still on the original turbo. The most common faults on them are MAFs, the odd electrical glitch and of course the suspension, the only bit that is really weak on those cars. Otherwise they're fine once they're looked after.

    The 6 cylinder models are the best ones though. The Valvetronic 318i is meant to be a fine car as well too. Valvetronic 318is came out in 2002, as part of the E46's facelift.


    EDIT: I see that the OP is looking for a bit more comfort. I wouldn't be going for a BMW if comfort was a priority tbh. When it comes to comfy cars, it's hard to beat a Volvo.


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    #11
    pburns
    Registered Users Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    I'm not intimately familiar with either model but I can't see how the BMW would be 'more comfortable' than the Honda. With rear-wheel-drive, better weight distribution and all the other stuff motoring hacks rave about I can see how it's probably a sportier, more dynamic drive but if anything the Accord should be comfier I'd think.

    And to be blunt, if you can't afford to spend a good few extra €€€€ and get a substantially better, newer car I don't see the point. IMO the Honda is a fine car, probably a better all-rounder than that model BM in real-world conditions.


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    #12
    PaulKK
    Registered Users Posts: 2,279 ✭✭✭PaulKK


    E92 wrote: »

    Valvetronic 318is came out in 2002, as part of the E46's facelift.


    Just wondering about the E46 318is? Is this a coupe like the E36? Is it a 2.0 16v? Its just that I can't find any info on an E46 318is, i've never heard of it before.


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    #13
    kdevitt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭kdevitt


    PaulKK wrote: »
    Just wondering about the E46 318is? Is this a coupe like the E36? Is it a 2.0 16v? Its just that I can't find any info on an E46 318is, i've never heard of it before.

    You never heard of it because it doesn't exist. :) E46 coupe entry level model is the 318ci, and it did have an engine change around 02 I think giving it an extra 30BHP or so.


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    #14
    E92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    PaulKK wrote: »
    Just wondering about the E46 318is? Is this a coupe like the E36? Is it a 2.0 16v? Its just that I can't find any info on an E46 318is, i've never heard of it before.
    What I wrote(and meant) was the plural of 318i;)! 318is was only for the E36 and E30.


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    #15
    PaulKK
    Registered Users Posts: 2,279 ✭✭✭PaulKK


    E92 wrote: »
    What I wrote(and meant) was the plural of 318i;)! 318is was only for the E36 and E30.

    Ah I see! I had been looking at E36 318iss ;) and was wondering what you ment!

    Thanks for clearing that up :)


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    #16
    Biro
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    I was looking for something a bit more comfortable than the Accord Sport.
    My brother is selling the BMW, so was thinking about taking his.

    The Accord is a more comfortable car than the Beemer. You obviously have the hatchback Accord, which has a rear wiper. No saloon has a rear wiper that I can think of. Keep the Accord, you're changing for the wrong car and the wrong reasons.
    If you want more comfort, there are far more options.


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    #17
    VH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 690 ✭✭✭VH


    The Accord Coupé of that generation has very big, leather, fully electric, heated seats with lumbar adjustment.


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    #18
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 65,424 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    Has the Accord very large wheels (17" or 18")? If so, that combined with the sportier suspension can make it quite uncomfortable. Test drive one with smaller wheels and if you like that, sell your wheels and buy smaller ones

    As the others said, I can't see it worthwile to change for a 4 cylinder 3-series. Maybe stick with the Accord, save up some money and if you're interested, buy a more performance oriented 3-series, perhaps a 330ci or even an M3

    Or if comfort is more important to you than driving dynamics, consider an E-class Mercedes, or any large Volvo or Lexus

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    #19
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭OctoberFall


    Biro wrote: »
    Keep the Accord, you're changing for the wrong car and the wrong reasons.
    If you want more comfort, there are far more options.

    I think you're maybe right. I'll hold off for the time being.


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    #20
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭OctoberFall


    unkel, just standard alloys. I'm only 26, and wouldnt' feel right in a Merc! Plus the insurance would be through the roof. I'm going to stick with the accord for now and keep my ear to the ground.


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    #21
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 65,424 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    I'm only 26, and wouldnt' feel right in a Merc!

    An Accord is as much of an old man's car as a Mercedes tbh ;) Personally what "profile" a car might have doesn't bother me. Our family car is a "pipe & slippers" Rover 75 :D
    OctoberFall wrote: »
    the insurance would be through the roof

    Did you check? If you have full NCB I wouldn't expect there to be much of a difference (if any) between a 1.8 Accord and a 2.0l E-class of similar value

    As for your current car, is there any way the supsension can be made a bit less sporty (read: harsh) and a bit more comfy? Would replacing the springs do the job?

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    #22
    Eoin
    Registered Users Posts: 21,257 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    unkel wrote: »
    An Accord is as much of an old man's car as a Mercedes tbh ;) Personally what "profile" a car might have doesn't bother me. Our family car is a "pipe & slippers" Rover 75 :D

    I note you didn't mention the non-family car you have!


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    #23
    VH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 690 ✭✭✭VH


    unkel wrote: »
    An Accord is as much of an old man's car as a Mercedes tbh ;)
    Indeed. Don't the Isle of Man police have some of these?

    570555_40a8558fe4.jpg


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    #24
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 65,424 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    VH wrote: »
    Indeed. Don't the Isle of Man police have some of these?

    I'm not sure what your point is comparing this country with the Isle of Man?

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    #25
    pburns
    Registered Users Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    unkel wrote: »
    As the others said, I can't see it worthwile to change for a 4 cylinder 3-series. Maybe stick with the Accord, save up some money and if you're interested, buy a more performance oriented 3-series, perhaps a 330ci or even an M3

    I find it hilarious that almost every post for advice ends in someone on here eventually recommending a big-engined BMW or a M3, even if it is quite clear that it is the last thing the OP wants...

    An M3 is a pretty specialist tool for enthusiastic drivers, not a guy looking for something 'a bit more comfortable to drive' than a 1.8 Accord!

    People here are bloody OBSESSED with high-end BMWs!! :D


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    #26
    Cyrus
    Registered Users Posts: 20,105 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    well they do rule ;)

    to be fair what unkel was hinting at is that you wont get the bmw 3 series 'experience' in a bog std 318, a nicely specced 325/330 and you will get some idea of what makes them so popular.


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    #27
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭OctoberFall


    pburns wrote: »
    An M3 is a pretty specialist tool for enthusiastic drivers, not a guy looking for something 'a bit more comfortable to drive' than a 1.8 Accord!

    I guess you're right. I'm not looking for a big-engined performance car. I'm looking for a standard car, and from the way I see it, the 318 is the first rung on the BMW ladder for me.
    The thing is, I'm thinking that paying more money for a slightly older car, isn't going to be worth the improvement I may see.
    And I'm trying to stay away from paying for the badge, but there must be a certain amount of that when buying any BMW I guess.

    unkel - how much do you reckon softening the suspension would cost?


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    #28
    VH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 690 ✭✭✭VH


    unkel wrote: »
    I'm not sure what your point is comparing this country with the Isle of Man?
    That doesn't look like an old man's car to me.


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    #29
    pburns
    Registered Users Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    I guess you're right. I'm not looking for a big-engined performance car. I'm looking for a standard car, and from the way I see it, the 318 is the first rung on the BMW ladder for me.
    The thing is, I'm thinking that paying more money for a slightly older car, isn't going to be worth the improvement I may see.
    And I'm trying to stay away from paying for the badge, but there must be a certain amount of that when buying any BMW I guess.

    unkel - how much do you reckon softening the suspension would cost?

    In fairness, are you really THAT determined to have a 'softer' ride? Any suspension fiddling would be a waste of money. It will not be reflected in the residual value and on that age of car will be a fair % of the value of the motor.

    Are you sure your shocks aren't worn or some other problem. An Accord shouldn't be THAT uncomfortable...

    I can't belive i'm saying this but i think you should go for a French car if a soft ride is you thing:eek:


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    #30
    OctoberFall
    Closed Accounts Posts: 60 ✭✭OctoberFall


    pburns wrote: »
    In fairness, are you really THAT determined to have a 'softer' ride? Any suspension fiddling would be a waste of money. It will not be reflected in the residual value and on that age of car will be a fair % of the value of the motor.

    Are you sure your shocks aren't worn or some other problem. An Accord shouldn't be THAT uncomfortable...

    I can't belive i'm saying this but i think you should go for a French car if a soft ride is you thing:eek:

    No, it's not such a serious issue, the shocks are 100% fine.
    I guess part of me is trying to find a reason to car-swap again!
    And I'm not buying a french car! Shame on you! :)


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    #31
    Eoin
    Registered Users Posts: 21,257 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    OctoberFall wrote: »
    And I'm trying to stay away from paying for the badge, but there must be a certain amount of that when buying any BMW I guess.

    Personally I think BMWs are only good value for money compared to other brands when you look at the bigger saloons (5 and 7 series). Mainly because the people who generally buy them new are very snobby about how old it is.

    Anyway - this doesn't sound like an upgrade for you. If it was a 323, then I would say it's worth considering.


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