replacing beloved old bmw...opinions please

love_lifer

Prowla- you have a Saab coupe?

BertTheRaccoon

I would recommend checking out a 330i on the E46 shape you are familiar with. They have all the shove you'll ever need and are not actually that thirsty.

The 330d's are a liability unless you buy the best, but in anything in the sub £3k category you're taking a bit of a gamble.
Failing that, what about the E46 325ti compact. They don't suffer as bad with wheel arch rot as the other shapes and are a relatively lively performer.

The N43 valvetronic engine in the 318 from 2002 onwards is a bit of a liability. The 6 pots are more reliable, if you can live with the poorer mpg.

addyboy1982

How about a 330i coupe on an 03 or 04 plate? Still look fantastic and not that bad on juice unless you give it some throttle all the time.

Lovely cars

steve-L

love_lifer wrote: »

I've had a look at that link thanks Steve. Some fantastic offers on Saab diesels- what's the catch? And yes the insurance looks a bit lower than on my 323.

Still undecided but weighing up all the info I'm getting before I make a decision to stick or twist

The catch is that Saab went out of business.
People worry about getting spares.....

However, the Swedish Govt. somehow funded Saab

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2012/4/24/saab-parts-uk-stock-availability-improves-further/43303/

Saab Automobile Parts AB recently signed an agreement with the administrators of Saab Automobile AB allowing them the use of Saab’s press and body shop plant, including the specialist tooling, for the manufacture and assembly of body parts.

So this isn't as big a deal as it seems.... or really all that different from buying any older car no longer in production.

I'm sure like any car they have a list of faults.... but I guess we have a similar view in what we might buy to follow a bimmer....
If I lost my no-claims I'd have to get rid of the bimmer (330D) so I keep a casual eye on what I might get instead....

Whilst I'm under no illusions it would be a complete replacement for my bimmer I also know I'd much rather drive a 9-3 than a Fiesta or Corsa!

If you can get a Titanium Spec Mondy it might also be OK but somehow I just like the Saab???

jb66

I actually went from a 328 to a mondeo titanium x. The boot is huge, its got every gadget I could ever want and the 2.0 diesel is powerful enough while im still hitting good mpg. I miss the badge, the noise of the 6pot but with the extra traffic on the road and the price of petrol I think I made the right choice.

prowla

love_lifer wrote: »

Prowla- you have a Saab coupe?

No, sorry for the misunderstanding, I have a BMW coupe - a 320ci, which is a 2.2 and a very nice drive.

(I once test drove a Saab coupe, but it didn't do anything for me.)