BMW 116i Vs 3-series compact

Clareom · 23-02-2015 12:06PM #1

Hi there,

I am considering buying either a BMW 116i '05, 95k miles, for €3750 or a BMW Compact '05, 1.8l, 98k miles for €1800 - any advice/experience welcome!!

Thanks,
Clare.

Idbatterim · 23-02-2015 12:39PM

well, they have a bmw badge and are relatively reasonable to tax, insure etc, which is all that a lot of people will want them for...

Op I am not sure of your mileage, requirements etc, but the E39 or E60 5 series can be picked up for nothing these days and they are in a totally different league to the cars that you have mentioned, smallest petrol engine is 2.2L though, so E950 to tax...

TBi · 23-02-2015 12:42PM

I think the 1.6 is a more reliable engine than the 1.8. I'd go for the 1 series for that reason.

Alanstrainor · 23-02-2015 12:56PM

TBi wrote: »

I think the 1.6 is a more reliable engine than the 1.8. I'd go for the 1 series for that reason.

I think the same.

It all depends on what you want, those compacts are weird cars imo. Ugly, not practical and nothing really going for them at all. Except being cheap. The 116i hatch is a weird one too, not roomy at all, and also not great looking. But as far as I know the 116i is relatively reliable.

TBi · 23-02-2015 01:50PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

But as far as I know the 116i is relatively reliable.

I drove a 3 series with that engine and found it very impressive for the size. My mechanic rates it as one of the better engines from BMW in recent times.

JC01 · 23-02-2015 01:50PM

Clareom wrote: »

Hi there,

I am considering buying either a BMW 116i '05, 95k miles, for €3750 or a BMW Compact '05, 1.8l, 98k miles for €1800 - any advice/experience welcome!!

Thanks,
Clare.

Honest advice? Don't.

3750e is enough budget to buy a very decent BMW, which one depends on your own requirements but both of those cars are terrible examples. They are literally the worst (cheapest, lowest quality) cars BMW have made.

Idbatterim · 23-02-2015 02:30PM

whatever you do, before purchasing have it checked out by a mechanic!

bazz26 · 23-02-2015 03:26PM

The 1 Series is alot more modern than the 3 Series Compact. The 1 Series replaced the Compact.

Clareom · 23-02-2015 04:16PM

Thanks for all the advice! I'm a little disappointed that they are both getting a pretty bad going over, but I did ask for honesty!!

I don't want to increase my running costs too much, so that's why I was looking towards smaller engines for tax and insurance purposes.

I am living in the city, so it's city driving mainly, with the odd road trip every so often. :-)

Clareom · 23-02-2015 04:24PM

320 coupe, 2006, 100k miles, 2.0 l petrol -

....would this be better?

Clareom · 23-02-2015 04:30PM

318 coupe, 2006, 100k miles, 2.0 l petrol - €4200

....would this be better?

bazz26 · 23-02-2015 04:50PM

OP, you need to be aware that BMWs of that age can potentially need a good bit of work and money spent on them regarding general maintenance. Rather than just looking at random examples that fall within your budget, it is best to try and find a well cared for model that has already had some money spent on it. While these cars might be within your budget to buy they have the potential to burn a hole in your wallet.

mossy50 · 24-02-2015 11:02AM

BMtroubleU

PLEASE DO NOT BUY A 1 SERIES

we have a 09 116 and it is without doubt its the worst car weve ever owned
plaugued with electrical problems

Clareom · 24-02-2015 01:24PM

Ok - I've been turned off both cars completely now, plus neither person got back to me regarding viewing the cars! Thanks for the advice though. It's always good to see what people think.

bazz26 · 24-02-2015 01:44PM

Not trying to put you off buying them, more just trying to tell you that you may not run either car on a shoestring budget.

Clareom · 10-04-2015 09:44AM

Hey hey - so I found a 2005 BMW 318 Coupe, 60k on clock, NCT til July, Taxed til Sept. 4 new tyres - €3500. Does this sound like a better deal!?

Idbatterim · 10-04-2015 12:15PM

do you have a link to the car?

Clareom · 10-04-2015 12:28PM

It's on donedeal but I'm not allowed post the link cos I'm a new user apparently!

Triangla · 10-04-2015 12:30PM

Is this it, up as €3,950 though

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2005-bmw-318-coupe/8966389?offset=1

Clareom · 10-04-2015 12:32PM

Yip, but he'll take €3500

Triangla · 10-04-2015 12:44PM

It looks in excellent nick cosmetically and that is a great interior colour.

It says Full BMW service history which is a good thing. Try a test drive to make sure it still has a spring in it's step and get it checked out at a trusted garage, maybe even the BMW garage where the most recent service was so they can verify the history. Well worth the money for the preace of mind.

Clareom · 10-04-2015 12:45PM

That's great advice - thank you for that.

ptyloch · 10-04-2015 03:14PM

At that mileage you are in the cooling system replacement territory. I got stung buying what I thought was a lovely low mileage example with a total bill of around €600 for different parts of the cooling system. Make sure that the service history says that this was done, otherwise budget for it.

This car is coming up as purchased by a dealer on the 16/03/2015. Is it a dealer you are buying it from?

power pants · 14-04-2015 12:02PM

im sure I saw that very car 2 years ago in a dealers with the bmw history and 60k mileage.......

Moneymaker · 14-04-2015 12:32PM

3 months NCT isn't a lot either...

I'd keep my eyes open on that one. I think i'd rather find a E90 model if you can, rather then the somewhat dated E46 model.

Does it have to be a Beamer?

Something like an Octavia, a Focus or a Corolla might be perfect for you. Kind of dull compared to the BMW but grand for around the city and all 3 are proven to be extremely reliable.

BMW 116i Vs 3-series compact

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