chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Just a quick bump on this as I'm really looking at BMW's now, around 08/09. 320D / 325D / 330D. Few questions...

How good are the 2 and 3 litres engines on mileage, i.e. what goes wrong first and is this at 100,000 miles plus? I've heard/read the 325 and 330D use the same straight-6 engine just to different 'tune', so a reputable remapper could make a 325D a very quick car?

I like the look of the M-sport coupes, now my son is 3, 2-doors is no issue.

Also, auto or manual? I prefer manual and 6sp sounds nice for runs, but not really had exposure to a good auto box (apart from a 4sp auto on my old 20 year old Merc luxo-barge ) so unsure what it does for things like acceleration, power delivery and mpg.

Oh, budget is £11k inc. a conservative £1k price for my Polo TDI as trade in/px. so £10,000 cash and car.

Cheers.

hodgy0_2

mmmmm, I always found this an issue, and I know my wife did too

back breaking getting that car seat in and out - all imo

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Hi Hodgy, my sons car seat stays in our car all the time anyway now as he's held in with the cars seatbelt. So taking it in and out once in a while isn't an issue if necessary. If he messes about getting in and out currently, 'the look' does the trick

hodgy0_2

Sure, I can see with only 1 it is not too bad - and not enough to compromise on the car etc

I had 16 years of getting kids into cars - with all the crap that goes with them too

I had a phrase called our ETD (estimated time to departure) and at its worst, when we had 5 under 9, and 3 or 4 of whome needed some sort of parental input to get them strapped in

It would takes us over 30 mins to all get in the car - so if we had to leave by 12.00 to get anyware our ETD of 30 mins would mean we would have actually start getting in the car at 11.30

Jeez - all in the past now, thank fvck

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I have something similar even with just one (usually selective hearing) toddler to strap in. Fortunately I allow 10 mins, 5 to get him in and the whole "set off 5 minutes early" idea as I used to be notorious for being just on time or slightly late for social meetings etc.

Without wanting to sound an **** (not my aim), you did choose the 5 kids and I can safely say I could not do it both on a financial and sanity point of view. 1 is plenty

ScoobyJawa

Just about to have a little one, got rid of my E92, it would be a nightmare with the 2 looooong doors in car parks, and no good on our backs!

Other than that it was a superb car and wouldn't have got rid of it. had the 330d which was great, you neeeeeed the 6 pot, plus it would still do 48mpg on a mway run.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

The modern bmws, it's best to go for the 3.0 detuned versions as they have the better engines and better fuel efficient than the 2.5 (3.0).
The new auto boxes are nice (7speed) but it it hasn't got that then go for manual.

IMO, I'd only buy a diesel if buying brand new with manufactures warranty the sell it when warranty expires (as this is what everyone else does) and this way you get the full benefit a diesel gives you.
Otherwise it's a petrol.
I just recently got a audi b8, was looking into a 3.0diesel as they seem fairly reliable than the 2.0d as the dpf is closer to turbo on 3.0d so dosent have the dpf issues as the 2.0d has.

Extended warranty is rubbish (third parties) unless getting manufactor warranty at a great cost, but worth it if the inevitable happens.

In the end I got a petrol.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

This is why I like the 325D. 3.0 straight-6 and 197/296 so not exactly stressed.

Down the road a DPF delete and possibly anything the recommended if I found a trustworthy inde specialists. Not 100% yet.

hodgy0_2

Well, we have heard that one before (lol) - and often from our own children, in fact my fourteen year old boy keeps telling "you have no friends" and (this does make me chuckle) "you are obviously being bullied at work"

Money aside (and you may not believe me) but it gets easier, much easier, it helps that in general they all get on,

Some of them have had friends that are only children - and the parents have to work so hard to keep them happy and entertained, and that will never really stop - now ours just get on with it and always have each other

And tbh it is simply great fun

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Make sure it's the later lci engine as these are more refined and reliable 2.5 (204hp) 3.0 (245hp)
But for your budget it's going to be a sub 80k

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Corky, I thought both the 325d and 330d were both the 3 litre engine? Where's 2.5 come from? Also what MY was the lci engine in? The 2010 facelift? I doubt my budget will get a 2010> car.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Sorry mistyped the 2.5 I meant to say 325 3.0 and 3.0 330 etc

They all have different engine codes (older vs newer ones, and revised set ups etc iirc) although they are all 3 litres, they usually make 2 3litre versions (hence 325 and 330. Detuned and tuned. (Selling tactics and so they can charge different prices)

Yes the later engines will be more hp and better mpg than the older ones (hp of later ones quoted in my earlier post)
Hth


Edit- 2007on they changed engine to a lc1 and then 2009/10on they got a slight power upgrade and better emmissions/mpg.
So both them are lc1 engines and better than pre 2007.

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

With your budget and needs I would not look further then an Octavia dieasel estate or hatch
Very spacious and ideal for the next few years with a growing family
Will take the long distance jobs and all your music equipment etc and will not stand out like a BMW

Excellent build quality ,fully loaded with toys and built to last long term and parts and servicing cheap too

Don't be put of by the Skoda badge as they are a quality product
I ran my Octavia L&C to 88k in 5 years Averageing 55mpg and nothing went wrong

Why do taxi drivers swear by them ?

And they have mirrors unlike BMW which will bankrupt you in parts and serviceing

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Or get a 3.0tdi audi Quattro see you through all them winters with ease

I'd personally go for f11 bmw 5 series touring 'IF' they made it in x-drive instead of giving it to the suckers in the 3 series

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

An extremely good suggestion there

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Had four Subaru's and as per the 1st post, they don't meet my criteria.


John, I've looked extensively at the Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo diesel. It's a VAG car and speaking to the chap who looks after my current VW, it'd cost about the same to look after, ie not as cheap as Fords, Vauxhslls etc. but hold their value better. A reason why I'm looking at German due to that fact.

hodgy0_2

What about a diesel mondeo, the later (estate) models look fantastic - maybe too big though

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

get a life

jonc

For £9k consider
For fun
2008/9 BMW 118d 143bhp, 70mpg, £30 VED, under 30k miles, RWD handling and solid build.
For warrenty
2011 Focus TDCI 1.6, 115bhp, 76mpg, £20 VED, under 7k miles. Have good chassis for ride and handling.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Cheers Jon.

Budget is upto £11k now, £10k cash and £1k px for my current car.

jonc

Well in that case I'd go with this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01406044753587
Should tick all boxes except for warranty, but you can buy that separately if it worrys you.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Cob, are you after an estate or saloon?
As you'd get a newish saloon in budget but estates hold their money.

Oh and get a m sport at least you tight get, you'll regret it if not and get rid of run flats whenever possible.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Saloon, Coupe is fine. I'm looking at M-sports as I'm not spending £9-11k on something which doesn't look nice to me or make me wish I'd gone for a different option.

With regards run-flats, do you just replace size for size and a respectable brand? Nothing specific to consider apart from speed ratings etc.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Good lad, saloon would be the best buy as the coupes still sell quick lye to the required market.

Yeah like for like afaik, you'll probably have 18s if buying a msport along with sport suspension so it would be beneficial to change, so in other words find a car with low tread tyres so you can blagg more off price

I'd still get a 3.0d over a 2.0d as the latter 'can' be problematic.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...3-9l?logcode=p
Facelift with extras

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

So these auto boxes... what are they like? 4/5/6sp, good changes, sluggish or fast?

I'm a manual gearbox type (or that's what I'm used too), so wary of a gearbox doing it all for me.

Brun

I have a pre LCI 330d msport auto.
I was looking for manual but as soon as I test drove an auto, I was hooked. Changes are not quick really but I don't find it an issue.
I get 40mpg all day long and I "use" the car!
Run flats don't bother me. I've already had a new set. I like the firm ride. A bit tram liney but not enough to bother me.
If you do get one and decide on non rft's then you will need to acquire a spare and a jack!

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

That's pre-2007 then at a guess? Lci being the aforementioned engine model code for 2008>

I'll get there in the end

Brun

Mine is an 08 plate, the LCI's appeared during 08/58 from what I can tell.
They are given away by the slightly different bonnet and rear lights.
If you happen to be anywhere in the Wakefield/Barnsley area you are welcome to have a bash

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Ahh, something I wasn't aware of. So look out for the different bonnet and possibly 58-plate models.

You've gone and done it now, offering me a spin

So my assumption is the pre Lci models (upto 08 plate) aren't a bad car either, just slight improvements in the later Lci models.