Well a year after the s2k has gone - and ive been plodding around in a 1.9 Passat estate , ive decided its time to move on and get something a little more fun... thinking of moving to a 2003+ 320D sport... pref an estate, any advice on these? i know very little about BMWs budget is 3500 - 7000 and the name of the game is to get something with low running costs and wont lose to much value over the next year

 

Do some research on turbos and manifolds, gasp in horror then buy the 320i petrol instead and get 35-42mpg without the rattly tractor engine like we did.

My local German independent changes a 320d turbo every month at over £1k.

We got 320i touring 2004, mint condition, 34k miles, one owner, from a main dealer with full warranty for £6400. Apart from a couple of electrical niggles in the first month which were sorted under warranty it's been spot on, and I'd have another.

 

ouch ! touch wood im lucky then... petrol is not really an option as im doing 18k a year and just cant afford the fill up cost per week ! lol

 

Try and get yourself up to the E90/92 or if it must be an E46 the 330D has better reliability apparently.

On a run down to London I managed an indicated 40mpg sat at 75mph in cruise, so not a lot of difference from the diesel and the fuel is cheaper too. Our average sits around 33mpg and my wife thrashes it trying to make it as fast as her ATR.

We do around 24k a year between us and manage without a diesel. ATR/S2000/BMW. Probably average around 32mpg with those three. Besides, used diesels from 2003 ish are normally high mileage.

 

I had an E46 320d when they came out and stuck 90k miles on it trouble free (It was a lease car though) but nothing other than consumables replaced.

One of the most fabulous cars I've ever had package wise.

 

thats what i hope to find.. the passat has just been to dull and i dont enjoy driving it (cracking car.. otherwise) its done 50mpg all year but im sick of the electronic handbrake !

im just not sure if i should stump up the cash and buy a newer 320 (say 2006) but i would prob loose to much in the value

 

It's a better chassis on the 16s - 205 profile. I have 16s on winter tyres and there is so much more involvement than on the 225 17s which are too wide for 150bhp IMO.

And I'm sure Gary had no problems with his new 320d for the first 90k, but realistally for a 9 year old car things will be different. There's plenty of info on turbo and manifold/injector problems on the 320d if you do a search.

We're all agreed that it is a great car to drive though

 

hum... maybe argue myself up to a 330d then ? or perhaps a new 320... just need to keep the weekley fuel costs down....

 

Thought about a golf GTD?
we have one, there are 2 variants and granted it's not quick but it's not a slouch.. decent grunt once it gets going.

fwd though.

i couldnt find a BM and the missus hated the looks so it was never a goer (it is her car after all )

 

last few cars have been vw's and want something more fun to drive i hate googling issue with cars as it would seem every bmw 320 blows up with turbo failure ! lol