BMW 320i vs 320D: your choice?

Foxhound5366 said:
From the sounds of it, you're not getting it through BMW? It is critical that you get the car's VIN number and ask BMW if they can show you the mechanical history, specifically related to if the servicing was done on time and whether there are any comments of any kind on the record (that's where it'd indicate if the vehicle was in an accident).

Something else you can do (you'd just have to read up how -> I've only seen it done once) is use the i-Drive controller in the vehicle to check the vehicle maintenance status and see what's necessary and in how many km. It will tell you when the oil change, brake disc replacement and a major service need to be performed (there's a fourth thing too, I forget). That will help you see how long you've got until you'll have to spend money.

Finally, pay special attention to the tire condition. BMW's run flat tires aren't cheap, specifically the more exotic ones that come on the sporty rims.

On a personal note, what trim line are you interested in? M Sport (red line), Luxury Line (wood), standard (gray plastic)? Personally I'd avoid a high-mileage M Sport coz you know it'll have been thrashed harder than most. Good luck with it, let us know how it goes. I'm picking up my new baby tomorrow morning, bright and early! :D
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I will be buying at BMW SMG cape town, so will let them check mechanical condition.

Cool will check if I can play the I-drive system and check that info.

Yeah tyres are exspensive, and I do want one with fancy rims. This one has 18 inch wheels.

It is the sport line, but not m-sport I think. Not sure if their is a difference between the two.
 
Gtx Gaming said:
I will be buying at BMW SMG cape town, so will let them check mechanical condition.

Cool will check if I can play the I-drive system and check that info.

Yeah tyres are exspensive, and I do want one with fancy rims. This one has 18 inch wheels.

It is the sport line, but not m-sport I think. Not sure if their is a difference between the two.
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Ok then, that makes it much easier :) Just ask the sales guy to call up the vehicle's mechanical report on the computer and let you have a look at the screen. He can show you the service history and you can clearly see the fields labelled 'Comments' (there are two of them) and verify for yourself that there's nothing written there. It's not personal, it's just business.

As for the i-Drive thing, it's just through the main settings -> I think it's something like "Vehicle -> Status" and then you can click on the four options and see when the next action is necessary on them. Again just ask the sales guy to show you that, my one showed me that no problem.

If it's going through BMW are you going to get any motorplan left? Mine's a 2013 model so I'm at least covered until April next year (the motorplan is valid for five years/100 000km standard). That's something else important to be sure about, because it gives you some built-in peace of mind.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Something you must be sure to do on your test drive is slip the car into Sport mode (selector's right there next to the gearshift) and also pop the gearshift left into S mode ... that greatly improves responsiveness.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Ok then, that makes it much easier :) Just ask the sales guy to call up the vehicle's mechanical report on the computer and let you have a look at the screen. He can show you the service history and you can clearly see the fields labelled 'Comments' (there are two of them) and verify for yourself that there's nothing written there. It's not personal, it's just business.

As for the i-Drive thing, it's just through the main settings -> I think it's something like "Vehicle -> Status" and then you can click on the four options and see when the next action is necessary on them. Again just ask the sales guy to show you that, my one showed me that no problem.

If it's going through BMW are you going to get any motorplan left? Mine's a 2013 model so I'm at least covered until April next year (the motorplan is valid for five years/100 000km standard). That's something else important to be sure about, because it gives you some built-in peace of mind.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Something you must be sure to do on your test drive is slip the car into Sport mode (selector's right there next to the gearshift) and also pop the gearshift left into S mode ... that greatly improves responsiveness.
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Won't have any motorplan left, all the ones in my budget are 2012 models which just expired :(. Any nice sedan I looked at was out of warranty, so will be taking a bit of a risk. Hence the 3rd party warranty. But I do trust bmw diesels, the family one has been going for years without any maintenance lol

I am going to mark it part of the deal that they have to service the car now or include the next service for free also. Hopefully they will do this as part of the deal.
 
Aah ok buddy. Maybe test drive a 320i while you're at it lol. They're really pretty good, huge improvement for us folk coming in from regular hatchbacks lol. Might address any concerns you have about reliability.

And good to see you're ready to negotiate. They'll definitely have a margin for that.
 
Gtx Gaming said:
Won't have any motorplan left, all the ones in my budget are 2012 models which just expired :(. Any nice sedan I looked at was out of warranty, so will be taking a bit of a risk. Hence the 3rd party warranty. But I do trust bmw diesels, the family one has been going for years without any maintenance lol

I am going to mark it part of the deal that they have to service the car now or include the next service for free also. Hopefully they will do this as part of the deal.
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Good luck if the DPF packs up. That is one hellishly expensive thing to replace. Been there, got the t-shirt ( Although not a BMW )
 
Gtx Gaming said:
Without creating a new thread. What should I look out for on used bmw 320D F30 Auto?

Really want to switch to auto and something that has comfy seats.

The car looks like the car of my dreams on the pictures, hope it is when I go and look at it later today.

I will be taking out after market warranty to cover the gearbox/turbo etc.
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Most of the market are probably Msport and "no trim"/base models.
I think sport and luxury are far less common.
Naturally full service history is a must. Mileage...well....lower the better. I like checking if the wheels are kerb'd and underneath the front bumpers to check if the car has been ramped up the pavement when being parked etc.
Options, well, those are personal. I'd opt for an upgraded factory stereo and the sports/paddle shift auto if you can find one with those options. Also the Xenon lights.....much better than the standard halogens.
 
Does anybody know how much BMW Xenons cost to replace, or how long they last?

My car sadly doesn't have the mean Xenons, but in my head I justified that this was maybe a good thing because regular lightbulbs will be cheaper to replace.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Does anybody know how much BMW Xenons cost to replace, or how long they last?

My car sadly doesn't have the mean Xenons, but in my head I justified that this was maybe a good thing because regular lightbulbs will be cheaper to replace.
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With the number of premium vehicles driven around lately in the Winelands with one xenon out, I can only imagine that its expensive.
BTW, when last did you buy normal (premium) Halogen bulbs. I was shocked to see that some can go as high as R450 per pair the other day.
 
A3@MBB said:
With the number of premium vehicles driven around lately in the Winelands with one xenon out, I can only imagine that its expensive.
BTW, when last did you buy normal (premium) Halogen bulbs. I was shocked to see that some can go as high as R450 per pair the other day.
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Luckily most new cars these days are using LEDs instead of old xenon technology.
 
I was extremely happy with the service from SMG CPT, the sales guy was helpful and explained everything to me.

The car was loaded with extra's over 100k of extra's , the car even park itself! No comments in maintenance record, I also have maintenance record with me will go through it again now.

Car costed 560k in 2012 with everything included.

Here is the list of extra's:
Optional equipment Automatic Transmission Steptronic; Sport leather steering wheel (3 spoke); 18" light alloy wheels Double-spoke
style 397; Rear view camera; Glass Sunroof, electric with sliding and vent function; Sport seats for driver and
front passenger; Interior trim finishers, Black high-gloss; Highlight trim finishers Coral Red matt; Headlamp
washer system; Park Distance Control (PDC),front & rear; Xenon headlights; Adaptive headlights; High Beam
Assist; Park Assist; Head-up display (not with grey shade band windscreen); Instrument cluster with extended
contents; Sport Line; Driving Lights Package; Parking Package.

Btw the heads-up display is awesome, basically sold the car for me :p

Warranty will be 10k once off for 2 year unlimited warranty, covers most of stuff just not for the full amount.

Time to fill in the forms!

Everything was smooth on the test drive and took it on the highway also.

Pics will come once I have the car!

Break pads is still good for 32k according to Idrive, everything was green in Idrive. Next service is only in 20k or so.

This is only thing that really had to be replaced on the car so far:

STEERING GEAR UNPLEASANT NOISES




3213023900


181940


Warranty Paid


02479MPL


2015/12/02


114767


00012617


0.00


20375.12


20375.12
 
Gtx Gaming said:
I was extremely happy with the service from SMG CPT, the sales guy was helpful and explained everything to me.

The car was loaded with extra's over 100k of extra's , the car even park itself! No comments in maintenance record, I also have maintenance record with me will go through it again now.

Car costed 560k in 2012 with everything included.

Here is the list of extra's:
Optional equipment Automatic Transmission Steptronic; Sport leather steering wheel (3 spoke); 18" light alloy wheels Double-spoke
style 397; Rear view camera; Glass Sunroof, electric with sliding and vent function; Sport seats for driver and
front passenger; Interior trim finishers, Black high-gloss; Highlight trim finishers Coral Red matt; Headlamp
washer system; Park Distance Control (PDC),front & rear; Xenon headlights; Adaptive headlights; High Beam
Assist; Park Assist; Head-up display (not with grey shade band windscreen); Instrument cluster with extended
contents; Sport Line; Driving Lights Package; Parking Package.
Click to expand...


how much were they asking?
Adaptive xenons :) nice. I have those too - first time I used the full brights on a dark night I was very impressed.
 
justplain said:
how much were they asking?
Adaptive xenons :) nice. I have those too - first time I used the full brights on a dark night I was very impressed.
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R220k which is quite decent I think.

The killer is the high mileage 140k :(

I think I should take the risk as I do have cash saved up if something goes wrong and I am just totally in love with it lol
 
FiestaST said:
Wow man R220k for all that spec...! Yes mileage is high.

She is a beauty though :)

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That is a *damn* lot of a car for the price of a new Polo TSI Trendline which retails for R226k.

http://www.vw.co.za/en/models/polo/prices-and-options.html
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Stop looking at my baby, hopefully they come back with finance options on Monday :P

I should have the car on Thursday then if all goes well.
 
^5 GTX, that's one sweet ride!

And good detective work, FiestaST! Did you do that on my car too?
 
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