advice on bmw 320d

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positivenote

Registered User
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286
hi all, im thinking of getting this car:
http://carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=380330

i was in contact with the seller through the email and he has a full service history and will give a 3 month marrenty. If anyone has any opinions on wether its a good deal or should i be weary of it. I have looked about and similiar cars are all about 4k more expensive... should i be worried about the amount of miles as i do approx 18k a year myself... any advice would be great.
Thanks as always
 
this is true but alas ive been saving for months and have been on the look out, was waiting untill i got my full licence before pursuing any interest...
 
I wouldn't worry about the mileage, other than the fact that 71k seems relatively low for a 6 year old diesel, I'd ring the garages listed in the service history and ask when the last service was done and at what mileage. If a car is 4k cheaper than others then there must be a reason, however I am ALWAYS suspicious of all used car dealers (I've seen too many clocked cars). Also, get a mechanic to check it out unless you know a lot about cars yourself.

That said, they are a lovely car, very comfortable, but only average on reliability, and VERY expensive to get fixed at main dealers.

Why not source one in the UK?
 
I wouldn't worry about 70k on a diesel, do try and get someone to have a look for you though, he should be able to figure out why its a 'good deal'

Have you seen the car yet? those wheels don't look like 18"??
 
yeah, i kind of agree with you, in that it does sound like a good deal in comparison to similiar models... thus a certain amount of suspicion has to be evedent.
Re: bringing one in from the uk... aren't you wavering warrenty on imports and it would be more difficult to get alook at the car...
 
There was an issue with the turbos on these models pre Sep '01 I think. Unless it has already been refurbished or replaced, you are looking at an expensive fix. Check the history for any work on it. They are definitely not the 18" M wheels. Already I am suspicious. When someone can't get the description right, I always smell a rat, no matter how nice it looks.

If it hasn't climate control I'd walk away. Most people buying BMW's look for that if you ever decide to sell.
 
Nice looking car, seems like a big premium to have to pay just for the badge though.

As was mentioned 70k on an 00 is low, although not unreasonable.

Go and have a look get a good test drive and say you will come back with a mechanic.

On the price maybe this dealer is being realistic, bm owners tend to think there cars are worth than they actaully are.
 
There's no turbo issue with the first 320d pre-facelift 136BHP model, the issue is with the first of the facelift 150BHP early 2002 models, that said check for "siren" noises from the turbo especially when engine cold, it should be a turbo "whistle" noise which is fine. A new turbo will be 1000euro + labour to replace!(not BMW garage prices)
the airflow meter would need to be replaced at or before that mileage (about 250 +labour Euro from BMW) so ask if it’s been done. You can check this yourself by accelerating hard at around 20-30mph to 62mph in say 2 or 3rd gear and there should be no acceleration lag over 2000rpm if there is, most likely the airflow meter needs changing, but you can drive it like that if you want, it won't damage anything, it’s just frustrating.

Another thing is suspension bushes tend to go at this mileage in the 3 series, allow 100 + labour to fix. Again test the car on bumpy roads and if there’s a lot of knocking from the suspension or through the steering wheel, then they need replacing.

That all apart from normal crash repair/service history check, no timing belt to worry about.
 
Good advice above but i'd add my vote to checking the milage carefully. The reg no is high enough that it could be a uk import and if so get a hpi check done with the old reg and chassis number.

Don't just take the service history as a given, ring the dealers mentioned and check dates/milage match up and query the work done at the time. Check for very shiny steering wheel, excessive wear of drivers seat bolster for evidence of high milage too.

The 320d is a fine car and the price isn't unreasonable but i'm suspicious about the milage.
 
some great advice given there lads.. seems like alot of work and hassel to be honest ... all this talk of turbo etc... i supose the best bet would be to get my mechanic to have a look at it for me and take his advice... although the problem hear is that he doesnt believe in buying cars because of their make, and he'd advise me to get a diesel jap import instead as they are more economical and cheaper... whereas i would just love a 320d for my long drives
although thanks again for the advice
 
positivenote said:
sand he'd advise me to get a diesel jap import instead as they are more economical and cheaper
Click to expand...

Cheaper yes, but more economical? the 320d will do high 40's MPG that about 570 to 600miles to a full tank 60ltrs, not bad.

The Turbo thing is not just for BMW, its for all high mileage diesel cars. Don't be put off by that.
 
Your mechanic is wise.

Go for a vw tdi 130bhp.

a 2002 passat sport or highline bigger car same money
 
Was the car brought in from the UK ?
I notice the number plate is a late 00 C Reg.

Fine looking car, good colour too.
I've had three models of the E46.
good luck.
 
Have a look at the number on that carzone ad. 33 thousand odd. Now put in a search for "cars added today". See what numbers come up. That ad is six months old. That car is six months unsold. That is a "stuck" car. Ask yourself why, go check it out, if it's right offer a lot less than he's asking. He just wants to see the back of it!
 

Correct myself before anyone else does. 38 thousand odd.
 
what number are you talking about?
 
mc-BigE said:
what happens when the time for the ad runs out and the seller advertises the car again, will he get the same ID number or will he be issued with a new number?

If its the latter, then who knows how long the cars been for sale.
Click to expand...

Carzone operate on the basis that your car "Stay's there till it's sold". It never runs out till you sell.

The number you start with is the number you stay with.
 
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