2005 BMW 320d SE

optiplexgx270

I'm looking round for a 320d for a while and have found the following one on UK plates.

2005 (Post Sep 05) 320d SE Saloon
6 speed Manual
65,500miles
1 owner
Full BMW service history:
08/06 @ 21000 miles
05/2007 @ 36000 miles
10/2007 @ 46500 miles
Green with beige heated electric leather seats (non sport).
iDrive sat nav
As well as usuall SE spec.
cruise
parking sensors
cd changer


The garage its in is looking for about £10,300 for it (about €12,700).

Is this a good price for this car ... and does anyone have any comments about the 320d model itsself?

Is it a good time to buy from the UK or should i hold off.

Cheers,
Opti

Stevie Dakota

Looks like a good spec and good price, if it passes a full AA inspection it would seem good deal on a great car. Now is a good time to buy from the UK, you could wait until the new year when the price may drop a bit more, but it would be gone by then. Go for it.

Anan1

The E90 320d is a great car. I'd sooner sports seats though, I found the standard ones quite uncomfortable.

bonham23

The only issue may be the resale value of a green car. They generally go for less than more desireable colours

Stevie Dakota

bonham23 wrote: »

The only issue may be the resale value of a green car. They generally go for less than more desireable colours

Generally true, but a beige leather interior would help to compensate for that, its a good combination. Green was fashionable in the late 90's. There is no reason to think it may not be flavour of the month again, if people are buying white cars then anything is possible!

bonham23

You make a good point stevie but there is no escaping the fact that the price of the car probably reflects the colour. The op should bear this in mind.
Most people would sooner have a black or silver car over a green one . Granted it has an idrive but there is no shortage of these cars on the second hand market.

bazz26

I've been keeping an eye on these recently as it is on my list, that seems to be a good price for a car of that spec and mileage. Just becareful of the extras as you may have to pay extra VRT on them. The VRO now check the chassis number with Roslare with regards what factory extras were fitted to the car.

Gumbo

bazz26 wrote: »

I've been keeping an eye on these recently as it is on my list, that seems to be a good price for a car of that spec and mileage. Just becareful of the extras as you may have to pay extra VRT on them. The VRO now check the chassis number with Roslare with regards what factory extras were fitted to the car.

on a 2005 car, the extras should not be considered anymore.
iirc i heard that after 3 years the vrt dont take account of the extras.

Pete67

Extras don't count towards VRT after 4 years, they devalue as follows:

car < 1 year old: additional VRT calculated on full retail price of extras.
1 to 2 years old: additional VRT calculated on 75% of retail price of extras
2 to 3 years old: additional VRT calculated on 50% of retail price of extras
3 to 4 years old: additional VRT calculated on 25% of retail price of extras
> 4 years old: No additional VRT charged on extras.

E92

kceire wrote: »

on a 2005 car, the extras should not be considered anymore.
iirc i heard that after 3 years the vrt dont take account of the extras.

I'd say they will be, given the recent comments by the SIMI about people taking advantage of this thing called "competition":(!

I second the E90 320d as a great car btw, though I'd prefer my E90 with one of those silky smooth 6 pot petrols.

As for colour, if it's the dark green we're on about well I think it suit BMWs extremely well(particularly with the chrome window surrounds and kidney grille slats found on the 6 cylinder models), so I think it's a great choice. Once you have metallic paint that's all that matters really for resale IMHO.

optiplexgx270

I like the green (Deep Green) but i have to say the SE wheels will have to be changed out when i can afford them.... Think i'm going to book an expection tomorrow.

Now another question:

Bringing it into Ireland... I know i need the V5 and go to the local VRT office etc but what i want to know is about insurance. What do i do here in order to be insured in the UK to drive it back? Dealer is also giving a 3 month warranty.

Anan1

Just call your insurer, they'll do it over the phone. Are you buying from a BMW dealership? If so, be sure to have them include the most recent Irish mapping disc.

mada999

sorry to hijack the thread!

I see all these E numbers being mentioned when talking about BMW's and also on the ROS VRT site.. what are they exactly?

Thanks,
mada

Anan1

They're model numbers, ie the current 3 series saloon is the E90, the previous one was the E46 etc.

bazz26

mada999 wrote: »

sorry to hijack the thread!

I see all these E numbers being mentioned when talking about BMW's and also on the ROS VRT site.. what are they exactly?

Thanks,
mada

E36 - 1991 to 1998 3 Series:


E46 - 1998 to 2005 3 Series:


E90 - 2005 to present 3 Series saloon and estate:


E92 - 2006 to present 3 Series coupe:

mada999

Thanks for that!! Really appreciate it!