3 or 5 Series?

MentalMinnie

I should also say that the insurance goes from £500 for the 3 series to £700 for the 5 series. Don't know whether it would be worth it. We don't plan on buying til next Aug, giving me plenty of time to get used to driving solo etc.

skivenov

The 3 series is comparable in size, the 5's a fair bit bigger.

Try before you buy, some people really can't get on with BMW's (I'm one, I'd have a Mazda 6 or a Volvo V70 over one any day).

Buellguy

Don't worry about size - you'll get used to it
Another one to look at (if you want a petrol rather than diesel) might be an E class Merc. I know the petrol ones go for stupidly low money (don't look at the diesel they hold on to their value). They aren't as scary to service/repair as some people will tell you (don't go anywhere near a dealer, just a specialist) and my dad loves his

MentalMinnie

Ah, the husband has stipulated that it must be a diesel, what ever we get.

colino

You will find the power steering has a "heavier" feel than the vectra, more in keeping with the beemers reputation of a sportier car. Most now come with at least rear parking sensors, have bigger mirrors that the veccie, and with all cars, you'll get used to it.

Buellguy

MentalMinnie wrote: »

Ah, the husband has stipulated that it must be a diesel, what ever we get.

OK ignore my last, big Citroen C6 maybe, loads of room comfy as anything and dirt cheap, huge and LOADS of toys.
My thought is, look somewhere else, don't get fixated on the BMW

MentalMinnie

colino wrote: »

You will find the power steering has a "heavier" feel than the vectra, more in keeping with the beemers reputation of a sportier car. Most now come with at least rear parking sensors, have bigger mirrors that the veccie, and with all cars, you'll get used to it.

Which is probably a blessing, my parrallel parking isn't great!

bris

3 series is a reps car, run of the mill and no better than any other car in its class, same goes for the merc c class. 5 series is a cut above and is a step up to luxury, as is the e class. And yes I have had them all, I now run an XC90 which is great but if I was looking for an estate it would be the XC70 just because I like the XC90 so much.

BertTheRaccoon

What age of car are you looking at/ how much are you looking at spending?

The diesels are fantastic things, when they are working properly, but can be horrific if they go wrong as far as costs are concerned.

neilmcl

bris wrote: »

3 series is a reps car, run of the mill and no better than any other car in its class

Sorry, but I can't agree with this at all. The 3 series is one of the best driver's cars in its class, certainly not "run of the mill".