BMW 320d es.

[kwak zzr]

i'm looking at a 2ltr automatic diesel model with 80k on the clock 53 plate, anything i should be looking out for? does the milage really matter on the 2ltr diesel lump? and being auto am i right in thinking it wouldnt have been thrashed? any info gladly welcome.

[kwak zzr]

this one-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150180265413&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005

[fizzwheel]

Its possible to thrash anything if you are good enough !

[Biker_Billy]

Hi Kwak,

Looks like a good car - the mileage could indicate its just been used up and down the motorway...no not really stressed.

The 2ltr engine is a good one I think, although personally I wouldnt bother with the auto box - the standards are 6 speed manuals I think, and you are likely to get better mpg and performance with a manual.

If it was up to me, I wouldnt buy that car - but it depends on how long you are going to keep it. 80k is quite high miles - not for the car, but for potential buyers when you come to sell it - If you put another 20k on in 2 years, its getting towards that 100k mark which seems to put buyers off - you could find yourself having to take a hit financially when you come to sell...?

For 10k, have you considered a Merc C220cdi? - I had one for a year - and personally I rate it higher than the BMW - although I havent had a 320d, only borrowed one..

Also consider the Audi A4 sportline...cracking looking car, and great to drive.

Failing that a new shape passat 2.0d?

p.s. Parkers show avg mileage for that car as 30k - and a dealer price of 11-11.5. IMO it is too much money for the mileage...

HTH,

Billy.

[wyrdness]

80K is nothing for a modern diesel engine. It should be good for 200-300K. I've just bought a diesel Mondeo with 80K on the clock from Carsite (http://www.carsite.co.uk/). They sell ex-Bank of Scotland fleet cars, all with independent RAC inspections. They mainly sell through Ebay, and you can sometimes pick up a real bargain from them. There's loads of BMWs on their site at the moment.

[Lissa]

No, don't buy it.................it's SILVER!!!!

Step away from the silver!:D

[kwak zzr]

i sort of know where your coming from lissa.

[Luckypants]

Silver Beee'ems are wrong.:smt077

[Frank]

used to have a BM.Expensive to service

[chazzyb]

i'm looking at a 2ltr automatic diesel model with 80k on the clock 53 plate, anything i should be looking out for? does the milage really matter on the 2ltr diesel lump? and being auto am i right in thinking it wouldnt have been thrashed? any info gladly welcome.

I'd guess that as long it's got a full service history, it's probably OK. Auto is probably a 6-speeder and probably doesn't lose much go-wise over a manual. I test drove both a manual 320d (most recent model) and an auto 520d a couple of weeks ago. Image problems aside; both very nice cars but as ever, the 3 series are the drivers' car of choice. Allegedly.

[Biker_Billy]

The auto is a 5 speeder, and whilst its nearly as quick as the manual, it aint nearly as economical. The maunal benefits from having the 6th gear which is great on m'ways.


Unless you really want the auto, Id not bother - its a bit pointless getting the diesel if you dont need the auto as it saps a fair few mpg.

Depending on where you are, Id try to use an independant specialist to service it too. I used to use Quarry Motors in Sheffield - very good, only worked on BM's and were very good on prices. Servicing doesnt have to be that expensive - general consumables are available through a number of motorfactors (German, Swedish and French or Euro Car Parts the pick in my book), although some specialised stuff is dealer only, and you'll pay a premium. That said, its pretty similar for most German cars.

HTH, Billy.

[gettin2dizzy]

A nice car, but not worth replacing for a passat. Just restless?

[kwak zzr]

the passat is a great car but not really me, its like driving a sofa around with good mpg. ive always fancied a bmw but lots of high milage examples are tatty and good low miles ones are out of my price bracket.

[Biker_Billy]

Is a diesel a must?

[kwak zzr]

no not really.

[Biker_Billy]

In that case...

fancy an M3 convertible.....am selling mine!:D

Seriously tho...what is it for...what must it have..?
e.g.:

Desired economy - i.e. expected annual mileage..?
No of seats
Length of time of expected ownership
etc...

Then you can narrow it down...

[kwak zzr]

i like this one too -http://www.blackhorsecarsales.co.uk/UsedCarQuote.aspx?id=34469
but its petrol with 77k on clock.

[kwak zzr]

what reg is the M3? my wife doesnt like rag tops but i love them:) must have room for at leest 4 and have 4 wheels and a BMW badge.

[fizzwheel]

I'd rather have an Audi than a BMW....

[Luckypants]

Aye, an RS4 if I could afford it!

[fizzwheel]

Aye, an RS4 if I could afford it!

Yep me to. :cool:

[Biker_Billy]

what reg is the M3? my wife doesnt like rag tops but i love them:) must have room for at leest 4 and have 4 wheels and a BMW badge.

Prob too old for you...P reg, 1996..room for 4 tho, def 4 wheels too:D

[Biker_Billy]

Audi A6's are cheap...year 2000, 2.7 twin turbo, 230bhp 60k - £7495....

There are some 4.2 quattros available too...if you like spending money on tyres.!

[kwak zzr]

TBH i looked at an A4 when i got the passat and its virtuly the same car but the VW had more goodies, sort of made up my mind on the BMW 3 series or a MERC i did test a jaguar x type 2.1 v6 which was a loverly car but wifey said it was too big.

[fizzwheel]

jaguar x type 2.1 v6 which was a loverly car but wifey said it was too big.

Boss had one of those, felt like driving a mondeo all the switch gear and every thing was the same and the spec wasnt as good as some of the Mondeo's I'd driven.

I just like the look and shape of the Audi's, Liz really needs an esate car for lugging all her TA kit about and I think the Estate diesel would suit our needs especially as when she does take the car to work its costing a bomb at the moment.

My boss had a Passat for a while it was the 130bhp diesel, drove really well I thought and it had loads of space in it.

We were talking about cars the other day and I've got a soft spot for Hot Hatches, I like the MK5 GTI, or a MKIV R32 Golf... but dont get me started :D

[kwak zzr]

i do really like the 2 door coupe bmw but 4 doors is wise with the kids.

[-Ralph-]

Been there, got the T shirt, wouldn't go back. Don't touch with a barge pole.

Almost all* 150 bhp 320d's manufactured 2001 to Nov 2003 blow turbo's. If you absolutely must have one, find and 04 or 54 plate and check that it was manufactured after Nov 03 when the ECU software was updated and garrett turbocharger changed.

Just check google for BMW 320d Turbo Failure
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4SUNA_enGB244GB246&q=bmw+320d+turbo+failure&meta=

Mine burnt the oil from the intercooler whilst ticking over in a parking space outside the BMW dealership and revv'ed until it blew itself to pieces whilst I stood on the pavement flabbergasted. I grabbed the key out of the ignition thru the open window but it made no difference, diesels don't need ignition they run on compression. I'd driven straight there because the car started smoking from the exhaust.

New turbo, intercooler, engine, 4 injectors, catalytic convertor and full exhaust system. Repair estimate £8400. 3 years and 80K miles old with full BMW service history. 1 week out of warranty. After much threatening BMW they paid most of it but it still cost me £1500 quid and it never ran right again. Eventually traded it in loosing a further 2 grand over what I would have got if I sold private in autotrader.

*Notice I said "Almost All". This is in the opinion both of Heathrow Engines and M3 BMW, a specialist reconditioned engine supplier and a specialist BMW garage. Before I knew if BMW would make any contribution I was looking for the cheapest way to repair the car. When I phoned....

Me: Do you have a 2.0 diesel engine for a BMW 3 series?
Him: What year?
Me: 2003, its the 150 bhp model
Him: Ah right, Ok, engine ate the turbo did it?
Me: Yes, how did you know, is it that common?
Him: Every 320d blows the turbo mate, maybe at 50 or 60 thousand maybe not 'til 150 thousand, but it WILL blow the turbo
Me: Do you have one then?
Him: Let me check....Yes, I have one in stock, but if you want it let me know because it will go quickly
Me: How quickly
Him: Usually about a week or two, then somebody else will be along with the same problem as you and it'll sell.

I work in an office of 55 people and we have had 4 people and 5 different cars with blown turbos. Three 320d's including mine, one X3 (same engine) and a 330d. One of the other 320d's took the engine with it as well.

In addition to this in three years I had warranty claims for

1. Noisy window seals, in garage about 4 times, squeaks right in your ear. Design fault, they can't fix it, just keep spraying with silicone.
2. Collapsed passenger seat mechanism
3. Broken rear heated windscreen twice due to water getting in the rear window seal and rusting the connections (touring model with flip up glass)
4. Air flow meter replaced due to loosing power at 2-3K revs, just where you are when you want to pull quick out of a junction.
5. Central locking faults on drivers door

All of these are known faults but BMW find it cheaper to repair the ones that fail within the warranty period, than to issue a recall and repair every car. In other countries they've been forced by the governments to recall the turbo failure on saftety grounds as if the car rev's uncontrollably whilst in gear the car turns into a lethal runaway train with 330 nm of torque!

Now I have a Mondeo 2.0 TDCI 130bhp Zetec, which I bought in Motorpoint for £10500 at 6 months old. The BMW new with the extras fitted cost £29000. The Mondeo has all the same toys, cruise control, climate control etc. Rides better (BMW suspension is very hard), service for 130 quid not 300 quid, and has been a better car all round than the BMW ever was.

[kwak zzr]

mmm intresting, now i'm scared and my wife just said " bl@@dy keep the passat."

[Biker Biggles]

Sounds like good advice from your wife.Passat running well and a good car?
Why out it if so?

[kwak zzr]

i just wanted a bmw and shes always complaining the VW is too big.

[therealvw]

Bora Tdi V nice car, cracking economy too. Or as poeple have said the Passat too

[fizzwheel]

i just wanted a bmw and shes always complaining the VW is too big.

I think shes right why swap the car out if theres nothing wrong with it. You dont need your car to get your thrills you've got a bike !!!

Who does most of the driving kwak ? you or Mrs Kwak, if its Mrs Kwak why not get her something that she does like driving if you are going to change, have you asked her what she'd like ?

Just a thought.

[gettin2dizzy]

Get a focus again ;)

[kwak zzr]

mrs kwak agree's with you two.

[gettin2dizzy]

I'm really impressed with mine. 53 plate with the 115p diesel. Great fun to drive and the perfect size :) (I'm so tempted to get the 150hp chip ;))

[kwak zzr]

she loved our focus 1.8 zetec 2001, i sold it to a friend and he loves it too!

[gettin2dizzy]

I drove a 57 Focus the other day - you'll be dissapointed compared to the old model. It was too big and heavy. It's really lost the charm of the original :(

[kwak zzr]

looked at petrol models today 320ci coupe.

[Lissa]

You don't really know what you want, do you Daz?:D

I suggest letting Mrs Kwak have her Focus, you have your bike, and everyone is happy:cool:

[kwak zzr]

she never gets what she wants:) well 2 kids:(