Older BMW or Newer Alternative?

macfanuk

I will be looking to buy a new car in May so have started to look around to see what I would like and how much cash I'm going to need to save.

I am hoping to have a budget of around £4000 and looking for an Automatic. Will be doing between 10-15k per year.

So, my question... would I be better off buying an older BMW or a newer cheaper alternative (such as vauxhall)?

I want a car that I will keep for a couple of years, be relatively trouble free and not lose me too much money when I come to sell it.

As an example, at present, I could get either of the following:

1) 2004 BMW 318Ci SE, 64,000 Miles, 2L Petrol, FSH @ £3,995.
2) 2008 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTi SRi, 1.9L Diesel, Partial SH @ £3,487

So, what out of the two would be a better buy? I must admit, the BMW, even though it's 4 years older, looks much more luxurious inside.

BeenThroughItAll

macfanuk wrote: »

I will be looking to buy a new car in May so have started to look around to see what I would like and how much cash I'm going to need to save.

I am hoping to have a budget of around £4000 and looking for an Automatic. Will be doing between 10-15k per year.

So, my question... would I be better off buying an older BMW or a newer cheaper alternative (such as vauxhall)?

I want a car that I will keep for a couple of years, be relatively trouble free and not lose me too much money when I come to sell it.

As an example, at present, I could get either of the following:

1) 2004 BMW 318Ci SE, 64,000 Miles, 2L Petrol, FSH @ £3,995.
2) 2008 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTi SRi, 1.9L Diesel, Partial SH @ £3,487

So, what out of the two would be a better buy? I must admit, the BMW, even though it's 4 years older, looks much more luxurious inside.

I wouldn't touch the Vectra with your pole.

The 1.9CDTi is a complete pig of a motor.

Probably - buy yourself a really nice late 2002/3 E39 530D for that money. Be better either of the options you've come up with.

macfanuk

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I wouldn't touch the Vectra with your pole.


The 1.9CDTi is a complete pig of a motor.


Buy yourself a really nice late 2002/3 E39 530D for that money. Be better either of the options you've come up with.

Thanks for the recommendation but I don't like the look of the E39 to be honest, plus I've read on other threads on here that they are VERY heavy so likely fuel guzzlers.

What's wrong with the 318Ci?

OddballJamie

I personally wouldn't buy a Vectra unless it was <£1000.

As above a 5 series or if you want something newer, a Mondeo, Avensis although you can't go far wrong with an Octavia or Superb.

macfanuk

OddballJamie wrote: »

I personally wouldn't buy a Vectra unless it was <£1000.

As above a 5 series or if you want something newer, a Mondeo, Avensis although you can't go far wrong with an Octavia or Superb.

Want to stay as far away from Fords as possible. Their automatics are shocking. I take the point about the Vectra but it was just used as an example. As per the first post, I am asking if I would be better off going for an older BMW or a newer Anything Else.

pinkteapot

I'll put in a vote for a Mondeo (07 onwards model). Love ours. Brilliant motorway cruising car. Front-heated windscreen and Ford's magic 'MAX' button on the climate system are a godsend for getting demisted and away quickly in winter. And I say all this when our other car is an Audi.

EDIT: D'oh, just seen your comment posted while I wrote. Ours is a manual so admittedly I can't comment on the automatic version.

macfanuk

pinkteapot wrote: »

I'll put in a vote for a Mondeo (07 onwards model). Love ours. Brilliant motorway cruising car. Front-heated windscreen and Ford's magic 'MAX' button on the climate system are a godsend for getting demisted and away quickly in winter. And I say all this when our other car is an Audi.

Thanks for your vote. I do like the facts that Fords have a heated front windscreen...loved this on my old car, but as I say, the automatics are awful on Ford cars. If I was looking for a Manual, I would strongly consider a Mondeo.

kwmlondon

I'd suggest considering a Mondeo or Mazda6. £4k should get you a good condition, reasonable mileage one or other and you'll get much more car for your money than a BMW AND while I love beemers, if you are unlucky enough to have an issue with one they can be very, very expensive to repair.

Just as a leftfield sugggestion, how about a Volvo S60? A D4 would be lovely to do miles in and cheap to run. Edit - they have lovely auto boxes...

BeenThroughItAll

macfanuk wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendation but I don't like the look of the E39 to be honest, plus I've read on other threads on here that they are VERY heavy so likely fuel guzzlers.

What's wrong with the 318Ci?

That age of 3 series will be rusty around arches, sill ends and door bottoms in all likelihood.


Volvo S60? S80?

macfanuk

kwmlondon wrote: »

I'd suggest considering a Mondeo or Mazda6. £4k should get you a good condition, reasonable mileage one or other and you'll get much more car for your money than a BMW AND while I love beemers, if you are unlucky enough to have an issue with one they can be very, very expensive to repair.

Just as a leftfield sugggestion, how about a Volvo S60? A D4 would be lovely to do miles in and cheap to run. Edit - they have lovely auto boxes...

Thanks, I will have a look at volvos

macfanuk

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

That age of 3 series will be rusty around arches, sill ends and door bottoms in all likelihood.


Volvo S60? S80?

Thanks, this is the kind of info I find helpful Things to look out for.