Buying a car, BMW feedback?

Hi, I need some advice.

I got a 97 318is with 345k km on, but feel that its time to sell. The car is sorted, but stuff like a worn gearshift you just cant fix, or give it an extra 2 cylinders...

So, I wanted to wait another year before I buy something proper (135!! :evil: ), but I can get a good price for my car now, and I got the itch...

I really want an E46 330i sportspack, (they cost around R120k) but can get an 2005 e90 320d now for R140k. its got 128k km on, not to bad I think. So, any ideas or suggestions?

The other side of the equation is should I just get the normal E46 330i, they go for 90 - 100k. Then I dont pay the premium and go on saving and buy a house next year without other debt

I did a lot of research before I bought my car this year. Those 330i are very strong cars! The E46 diesels have some problems with turbos in the earlier models and the torque with an auto box is a problem.

My suggestion is to get a 330i manual in good condition and youll be very happy. Maybe look at an aftermarket motorplan through hollard or motorplan direct (I think its called) or put a bit of cash away if something were to go wrong.

Hope this helps bud

Also go have a look at the local BMW fanatics forum and they have some awesome cars for sale!

I have the 320i. Not heavy on the juice, drives like a dream and it has enough power. Won't be sorry if you buy it bud.

e46 330i > e90 320d

I agree, I really want the 330i but the 320d has pretty low mileage and it comes with the extra goodies of being an e90.

i know the e46 pretty well,, but not the e90. Am just afraid of getting into real trouble. Think I will check my options at the local fanatics website and decide after a test drive.

Ai, I just want a new car, my aircon is broken and its not worth it to fix it, to expensive, will never get my money back.

CARS and GIRLFRIENDS only eat money ey...

Lol @ thunder. Luckily I get a car allowance from work. My biggest expense is my food monthly and gear
Bithes know how to use up money. I got a budget. My gf has a target :whistle:

I only saw now you said the E90 320d thought you meant the e46!

I would go with the 320d! It's a great car! It has plenty power!

I have an e90 330i and love it but would've preferred a 330d.

My comment about the 320d still applies! Put money aside for a turbo. My advice is to take the vin number to a BMW dealership and ask for a full printout of the cars history. You an see when last the turbo was replaced and services etc

Thanks Tippster. Checking the VIN is something I keep forgetting. Will do that.

Will see if I can get a 330i with decent km on for a decent price, if I can get a good private sale for my car the options are even.

330i faster, simpler and 50k cheaper,
320d cooler, >330NM which is nice and less hassle as its at a garage and they will do everything for me.

Getting a new car is nice, buying it is a hassle though!


Tippster, whats your fuel consumption on that 330i? Some guy said his friend gets 6kmpl with a 135i average, I dont really believe that, even more so as he only got 15k km on a set of tyres... self explanatory

I'd opt for the E90~better resale options.

Yeah, my one friend at work's 320d's turbo went but luckily he's car was still under warrantee, he baught a demo model in 2006.

If you have the run flats I suggest you put some money away for tyres too. His 2 rear tires cost him 7k. He got the two front ones on special, 5k.

I also get a car allowance at work but it doesn’t mean you have to spend your whole car allowance on a car, my car’s monthly instalment is less than half my car allowance. The rest of the money I push on my mortgage… much better investment

Once my hose is paid off I will get me a monster as a reword...

Howzit bud

I had a E46 330d sportspack and I absolutely loved it. The turbo lag takes a while to get used to but the power (once the turbo kicks in) is incredible. The milage on a tank is also good, used to get around 650 - 700km to a tank. I really miss the power and torque which is ridiculous ... i think 520Nm!!

Before that I had a E46 328i schnitzer converted and also really enjoyed that car. I now have a new E90 323i and I am enjoying it however I really miss the power of the 3litre engine. I got a serious fright after writing off my 330d hence the reason for settling for something slower.

I feel that if you are buying the car for performance then go for the E46 330i. Like you say you can get some very reasonable prices but you probably won't find many with km under 100 000. Also they won't have motorplan so that's added cost that you have to consider. My last service was R6000.
If you get an E90 320d then you will get the benefits/luxury of the newer shape but I personally feel the 320d to be quite pap.

Best thing is to take them both for a test drive and see what you think.

AvR wrote: Yeah, my one friend at work's 320d's turbo went but luckily he's car was still under warrantee, he baught a demo model in 2006.

If you have the run flats I suggest you put some money away for tyres too. His 2 rear tires cost him 7k. He got the two front ones on special, 5k.

I also get a car allowance at work but it doesn’t mean you have to spend your whole car allowance on a car, my car’s monthly instalment is less than half my car allowance. The rest of the money I push on my mortgage… much better investment

Once my hose is paid off I will get me a monster as a reword...

It isn't my whole car allowance, I got R300 left after

Lol yeah bud.. That's clever, much better long term.
But I am young.. We think differently.

m0lt3n wrote: Thanks Tippster. Checking the VIN is something I keep forgetting. Will do that.

Will see if I can get a 330i with decent km on for a decent price, if I can get a good private sale for my car the options are even.

330i faster, simpler and 50k cheaper,
320d cooler, >330NM which is nice and less hassle as its at a garage and they will do everything for me.

Getting a new car is nice, buying it is a hassle though!


Tippster, whats your fuel consumption on that 330i? Some guy said his friend gets 6kmpl with a 135i average, I dont really believe that, even more so as he only got 15k km on a set of tyres... self explanatory

Depends on the driving but I get about 13-16 L per 100km in town and between 9-10 L per 100km on the highway. Coming from a small diesel its killer! I used to fill up every 3 weeks in my diesel with its 45L tank and now I fill up every week about with this cars 60L tank but have been doing a little more driving. Used to get 6-7L per 100km with my diesel and I drove it so hard haha!

thanks for all the replys guys.

also had a e46 328 that was tinkered with by sav speed,en ek het ook my gat gesien met hom. but now its been 2 yrs with a slow car to allow me to mature a bit. heh

i am taking the 320d for a proper test drive tomorrow, will see if it can make me smile like an idiot and take it from there.

thanks for all the replys guys.

also had a e46 328 that was tinkered with by sav speed,en ek het ook my gat gesien met hom. but now its been 2 yrs with a slow car to allow me to mature a bit. heh

i am taking the 320d for a proper test drive tomorrow, will see if it can make me smile like an idiot and take it from there.

My thoughts on cars, they a waste of cash, honestly... Buy a car with a big engine that will last for ever, if you live in JHB and you don't suffer rust, get someone, either a demo model or a car with like 20k on the clock and keep it for ever.. I will get myself some other car like a automatic Jazz for the traffic and the car is just so easy to drive. My car is getting to the point I can't drive it anymore, it just eats to much petrol, I got 380km to a 60l tank this last fillup.

not far off you there pump, got just over 400km on 60l tank.. Just insane.. Selling my car and gonna get a 1.8 opel corsa utility and drop it low with a power flow and some 17s hos..

And this petrol isn't going to decrease any further, my sisters fiance is a big boi in the whole petrol industry in this country, and it's just going to get worse.

A bud of mine is selling his e46 330 individual if you're interested. The car is in great condition. Check the link below for details
www.vwclub.co.za/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=132205

00pump wrote: My thoughts on cars, they a waste of cash, honestly... Buy a car with a big engine that will last for ever, if you live in JHB and you don't suffer rust, get someone, either a demo model or a car with like 20k on the clock and keep it for ever.. I will get myself some other car like a automatic Jazz for the traffic and the car is just so easy to drive. My car is getting to the point I can't drive it anymore, it just eats to much petrol, I got 380km to a 60l tank this last fillup.

That's not how we roll. Then I'd have to make the chicks drunk before they will get in. Drive in style or trap fiets

Sorry you have to rely on a car to get laid jakes, some of us don't have this issue

00pump wrote: Sorry you have to rely on a car to get laid jakes, some of us don't have this issue

you guys remember that faknut that was here a while ago that threatened to unleash the ANC on us? calling us all white racists. (deadgoat being the biggest one)

well that guy had one good saying...

Its not about the car you drive, its about the size of the arm hanging out the window!

00pump wrote: Sorry you have to rely on a car to get laid jakes, some of us don't have this issue

Haha sharp! :lol:

@thunderbeat as dit so is trade ek maar my beamer' in en koop 'n uno!

Thunderbeast wrote: you guys remember that faknut that was here a while ago that threatened to unleash the ANC on us? calling us all white racists. (deadgoat being the biggest one)

well that guy had one good saying...

Its not about the car you drive, its about the size of the arm hanging out the window!

I think that doos copied the quote from Netro.