BMW 3 Series running costs

bigmaz

Oof dear, what have I started, lol that Pistonheads deal, does look over inflated likes. I quite fancy getting an older BMW, they seem to last forever, and one of the most reliable cars at this age.

fivetide

It is but it is a dreamer dealer.

I think £750 at a dealer does seem cheap is all. Check out rodenal's link as you can see the prices they go for private/auction so remember the dealer will be making a profit even at £750. That means he really did pay beans for it in the first place.

From a dealer, I'd expect a good car to be a bit more than that so I'd be looking over it very hard.

5t.

rodenal

First one, 318is coupe - different and slightly more desireable car (140bhp, coupe, better spec vs 115/20ish bhp, estate).

Second, 318is again.

Third, 318is again.

I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative here but you are making innacurate comments

fivetide

rodenal wrote: »

First one, 318is coupe - different and slightly more desireable car (140bhp, coupe, better spec vs 115/20ish bhp, estate).

Second, 318is again.

Third, 318is again.

I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative here but you are making innacurate comments

I respectfully disagree Besides, those were in YOUR link! lol

£750 for one of these just seems cheap. You are making it sound like a complete bargain - are you the dealer ?? heh.

Seriously, I think the OP should have a look on the bimmerforums, find out what goes wrong and check this car out carefully. Dealer has paid £500 for this car, if that. It is a 1997 model and for me, that's low. The OP should check it out so the dealer doesn't have his trousers down.

I'm being sensible in the Money Saving spirit of the forum.

5t.

does this link work?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/bmw/3_series/postcode/s603pn/radius/100/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/sort/priceasc/body-type/saloon/price-to/1000/fuel-type/petrol/price-from/0/transmission/manual/maximum-age/over_10_years_old

Look like some right binners for super low prices. Remember the test they did on Top Gear too. Didn't they look at the 325 version?

5t.

rodenal

Ok, I know those came up in the link but you only had to read the description to see it was a different model of car. You can disagree and that's fine but as I keep saying over and over I had an e36 in good condition that was a model much, much more desireable than a 318i that I had to sell for not too much more than that one's at. That's why I'm telling you the car isn't cheap and the OP isn't going to get a billy bargain by running out and buying it.

I would say the dealer paid £2-300 for the car, has cleaned it up and maybe serviced it then put it on at £750 - I dont think it's a crazy price but I'd be willing to bet there's a little bit of movement in it. They are good, reliable cars barring bodywork issues and some head gasket problems with the 318is and 328i which is easily checked

bigmaz

Yeah, on the Bimmer forums, they were saying to offer a cheeky £600 for it, and might get it for £650, not sure if they would go all the way to that price tho, worth a try I suppose

fivetide

It's great you had such a reliable motor and it was nice and inexpensive. Not sure they'd all be the same that's the point. A lot of people swap a car when it has got issues, even more when they'll take £200 or 300 for it as you say.

I'm sure there is movement but I'd rather be sceptical. If it was really good it would be worth more.

Good list of faults here http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/

I will accept you said expensive so apologise for saying you were making it seem a bargain, i knew what I meant there.

5t.

bigmaz

Sorry to annoy you guys again. Looking at another garage, and they have this car:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...28jb?logcode=p

Are the 5 series cars much more on running costs? And Petrol?

rodenal

The 5 is a more modern design but more expensive for parts. I believe the best 520i would be a post 2000 one when they switched to a 2.2. I *think* the 6 cylinder 520i you've picked out there is a carry over of the old engine, if you were to get that you'd be as well to have a 523 or 528i as there will be little real difference in fuel economy - would be worth checking that out.

At 190k you may also have another round of suspension work coming on the car, and I'd expect the engine to be getting near the end of its useful life - they can go on forever if they have been looked after but I'd look over it particularly carefully.

CRH71

E39 520i, Manual with cloth interior.

Likely to be the M50 engine (bulletproof), box is about as strong as they come, and mileage isn't too bad for a 1999.

I've got a 1996 520i Estate, Manual, E34 series and absolutely love it.

Round town, fuel costs are fairly high (20-22mpg if I'm lucky - dropped as low as 18 in the last lot of snow we had, but that's life - it is an 1800kg car..) but on a run, especially a decent motorway run, 36-38mpg easily achievable without having to drive Miss Daisy.

Rear subframe bushings are a bit of a weak spot - bushings themselves are pretty cheap (£12+VAT from GSF) but labour will hurt, big time.

Parts, generally, very cheap but be aware that there are some parts that will be BMW only and they will cost. Thankfully, these parts seem to be those that wear out fairly infrequently, so the lifespan of them is worthy of the additional cost.

Run it on the correct oil, and make sure you change that oil (fully synthetic) very frequently - personally, I ignore the "service indicator" and change the oil every 8-10,000 miles regardless. Coolant changes every 2 years (essential).

Insurance is a bit higher than I would have expected for a 2.0, but it's a solid, well built car that will last for many more miles.

Watch out for a "shimmy" appearing between 55-60mph - this is the classic sign of the upper/lower thrust arm bushings failing and will start to affect comfort and handling if left - this is about a £200 job at a garage, but is possible DIY.

https://www.bmwland.co.uk is an invaluable resource for repairs/real-life ownership experiences.