10k-ish to spend

DanGerMus

My basic requirements are Full leather and fairly sporty and comfortable place to be. I like the look of BMW 325Ci and the Merc C-230k Coupe but i'm open minded. Doesn't have to be a coupe but i do find myself leaning that way. I won't pretend to know a lot about cars here so for the two i've mentioned should i be any more worried with thses cars about possible future costs people always say it costs more to keep BMWs and Mercs is it true? Is it worth while importing them from UK in my price range.

10kish, i might be tempted to stretch but i'll keep it there for now.

Mr.David

You should consider the Alfa Romeo GT its sexy and well built too (compared to Alfa's of old). It also is a bit of a change from the usual Merc/BMW/Audi good as they are, and they always say a petrolhead should own at least one Alfa.

You can pick up a '06 one in the UK with a high spec for about 8k sterling.

Biro

Mr.David wrote: »

You should consider the Alfa Romeo GT its sexy and well built too (compared to Alfa's of old). It also is a bit of a change from the usual Merc/BMW/Audi good as they are, and they always say a petrolhead should own at least one Alfa.

You can pick up a '06 one in the UK with a high spec for about 8k sterling.

They'd be around 16k cleared and all, so well outside the OP's budget.
OP, is power a concern?

bazz26

I would not rule out buying these type of cars here either. Due to the associated above average running costs they tend to be good value on the second hand market:

328ci:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/328/1211222/

325ci:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/323-323M/1045084/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/325-Ci/850726/

Alfa Romeo GTV:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/GTV/2.0-T/1222432/

Mazda RX-8:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/RX-8/230bhp/1183002/

Anan1

I'd forget about any Mercedes with the 2.3K engine - it marries the fuel consumption of a petrol to the refinement of a diesel, IMO. The 3.2 is nice, though.

kuro_man

C43 AMG? http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/600215.htm

the drifter

for 10k get an octavia vrs....

DanGerMus

Biro wrote: »

OP, is power a concern?

Yes but i'd like to keep it limited to 2.5, 2l would be a bit more sensible just for tax and insurance purposes and running costs. I have to draw the line somewhere. So i dunno 150+bhp.

bazz26 wrote: »

I would not rule out buying these type of cars here either. Due to the associated above average running costs they tend to be good value on the second hand market:

328ci:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/328/1211222/

325ci:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/323-323M/1045084/
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/325-Ci/850726/

Alfa Romeo GTV:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/GTV/2.0-T/1222432/

Mazda RX-8:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mazda/RX-8/230bhp/1183002/

That 325 seems ideal but out of my rang really want to stick to 10k the 328 looks lovely but maybe a 2.8 is a bit to big. But that GTV is gorgeous i hadn't considered them are they not a bitch to keep though?

bazz26

DanGerMus wrote: »

Yes but i'd like to keep it limited to 2.5, 2l would be a bit more sensible just for tax and insurance purposes and running costs. I have to draw the line somewhere. So i dunno 150+bhp.



That 325 seems ideal but out of my rang really want to stick to 10k the 328 looks lovely but maybe a 2.8 is a bit to big. But that GTV is gorgeous i hadn't considered them are they not a bitch to keep though?

I cannot imagine a 328i being that much more expensive to run over a 325i to be honest, ok road tax is slightly higher but fuel consumption should be marginal imo.

Another nice example (I like this colour):
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/3-Series/328COUPE-CRUISEBEIGE/1224145/

And it's taxed and NCT'd to next May too.

Regarding the GTV, don't have the best rep for reliability but considering the purchase saving and if you buy from an enthusiast, have it checked out by an Alfa specialist prior to buying you will have a very nice motor, plus you will have saved a few quid for any possible surprises.

DanGerMus

TBH i had started out with 2l in mind then i said sure 2.3 would'nt be to bad and then 2.5 isn't much worse than 2.3, you know yourself i have to draw a line somewhere. But i do like the look of them 328 now . Where/how would i get someone to check out the alfa?

bazz26

DanGerMus wrote: »

Where/how would i get someone to check out the alfa?

Gerry Campbell, Ti Autos if your in or around Dublin.

cjt156

DanGerMus wrote: »

Where/how would i get someone to check out the alfa?

+1 on TI Autos.
Have to say I've made up my mind I'm buying one of these next. In red with tan leather. But that one has a dodgy line between the bumper & rear quarter, suggests a rear end shunt.

DanGerMus

I'm actually in Clare but i'd imagine chances are i'd be buying from Dublin so they could check it out for me. Does the check cost much?

cantdecide

I thought that size wise, drawing a line somewhere was important but I realised hte bigger the engine, the better the value for money. I have a 2.8 and its grand. I've been thinking about a BMW 540 or 740 next time. 10k is still a cheap car for what you'll end up with

paddy316i

I would be wary of the early E46s. they were dogged with handling problems up until the '03 facelift model came along. If you were looking for a 328 I would go for a late E36. Much better handling car.

milltown

paddy316i wrote: »

I would be wary of the early E46s. they were dogged with handling problems up until the '03 facelift model came along.

First I've heard of it.
Care to elaborate?

superjosh9

milltown wrote: »

First I've heard of it.
Care to elaborate?

was just about to ask the same.

I've never driven one, can't imagine bm effin that bit up though..?

stretchaq

paddy316i wrote: »

I would be wary of the early E46s. they were dogged with handling problems up until the '03 facelift model came along. If you were looking for a 328 I would go for a late E36. Much better handling car.

rubbish had a 318ci and drove several 325 and 328 cracking car handling problems on a BMW dont be ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mydogjack

bmw 320d.serious bargains to be had at the min.

E92

325is have the almost same amount of power as the 328i but lower road tax and that newer M54 engine is around 5-10% better on mpg than the older M52 engine in the 328i. The 328i would have more torque though - 206 lb ft ass opposed to 181 lb ft so that's the advantage of the 328i over the 325i. The 328i has 1 bhp more as well FWIW(193 bhp).

So yes the 325i is a smart choice. Similarly the 320i with the 2.2 engine develops the same amount of power as the 323i and the advantages/disadvantages of it over the 323i are exactly the same as above just different bhp and torque!

Then there is always the 330i with 231 bhp and 221 lb ft of torque for those who want that extra bit of oomph.

The 3 series is one of the few cars you can get away with the bigger engine on depreciation wise - of course the lowly and crappy 4 cylinder models go for more but the 6 cylinder models still find a relatively high number of buyers, particularly the ones with the smaller engines and are desirable to any BMW enthusiast. If you're after a coupé that's great to drive but still perfectly sensible than a 6 cylinder E46 is the car you'll want.

And yes early E46s do have a reputation for not being as good to drive as the later models.

The later models have a quickened steering rack amongst other things, to remove the criticisms(by some) that this car didn't drive the way you'd expect a BMW to do. There were other mechanical changes too, but I've completely forgotten what they were; either way the later models have better steering and are more engaging in corners.

These changes were introduced along with the changes to the engine line-up the company made to the 3 series in 2001 AFAIR but I'm not 100% certain when exactly it was they did.

Climate Expert

You will not get an Alfa GT for near the OPS budget. Crazy suggestion.

cps_goodbuy

How about a Toyota MK2 MR2?

Mr2 Sw20 1999yr "Beams"

Coupe
Comfortable seats and very much a sports car (compared to a merc or bmw)
Cheap insurance (compared to the larger engined or turbo'd cars)
200psi 2 Litre (compared to 2.5 to 4 litred) Btw, Tax :-)
0-100km/h in 6.5s

I'm selling one

Drexl Spivey

How much and what is the mileage?

cps_goodbuy

Pm'd

40k miles
67k kilos Approx

Pac1Man

Buy a Lotus

cps_goodbuy

Maybe an early Elise?

Kersh

How about a Jag XK8, I know where there is a lovely 1...:D

406C

DanGerMus wrote: »

My basic requirements are Full leather and fairly sporty and comfortable place to be.

Just saw your post and answered this on another thread...

this looks good 2.0, 1 owner and low miles (11750). There never was an ST version so I can only assume it is the SE version with leather interior, auto lights, auto wipers, fully amped 8 speaker JBL stereo set up etc. I have a diesel version of this car and it is fine.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Peugeot/406/2.0-ST/1193008/



also check out http://www.peugeot406coupe.com/phpBB2/

HashSlinging

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Audi/S4/Quattro-2.7/1208247/

DanGerMus

Hey guys thanks for all the replys. Still not quite sure what i'd like. I was looking at this http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/156/1.9-16V/975888/
What you think are they a good car. Is their diesel up to much?

Hash that audi was lovely sold now unfortunately. I was looking at those for a very long time before but just kind of went off the idea. That car has sparked my fancy again though.

DanGerMus

hey guys just to revive this. Think i'm pretty much set on a 325ci now. Still hoping to have it here for under 10k. Something like this? http://search.autotrader.ie/www/cars_advert?country=IE&modelexact=1&make=BMW&model=3+Series&keywords=325+c&min_pr=4000&max_pr=8000&min_year=1999&max_year=&source=&currency=GBP&county_list=&sort=19&SUBMIT.x=0&SUBMIT.y=0&id=200846190861308

What you think price wise i'd get it for? Also i've only looked in the auto trader can you guys suggest other websites or publications maybe? Want to buy asap now while the sterling exchange is still good. Getting one down from the north would be a good option for me as my dad goes up there every few weeks.