Need some advice on purchasing a BMW

rorz0r said:
It's not my outlook, it's just the facts. A 318i is a 318i with the exact same mechanical components regardless of it being the base model, sport, luxury, modern, m sport or m performance spec. The "tannies" on this thread are busy going "omg it has an M in the name it must be owned by a hooligan!", meanwhile someone just preferred the look of the car with the "M Sport" bumpers on, or maybe just the feel of a different steering wheel, or maybe the dealer just said he'd throw it in.
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Doenst M sport have a different suspension setup to the normal Exclusive? Surely this is a mechanical difference, and not just cosmetic?

Anyway, I agree with you that its a waste of money, I actually bought an Exclusive over an Msport.
 
Tman* said:
Doenst M sport have a different suspension setup to the normal Exclusive? Surely this is a mechanical difference, and not just cosmetic?

Anyway, I agree with you that its a waste of money, I actually bought an Exclusive over an Msport.
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Nothing to do with the engine though, and not really a performance enhancement.
 
Tman* said:
Doenst M sport have a different suspension setup to the normal Exclusive? Surely this is a mechanical difference, and not just cosmetic?

Anyway, I agree with you that its a waste of money, I actually bought an Exclusive over an Msport.
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As I said earlier, that is the only difference, a slightly stiffer suspension.
 
The M Sport package does include the M Sport Suspension but you can spec the suspension separately even onto the base car. Not really a differentiating factor then.

The same goes for comments regarding "added turbos". Even the 3 cylinder mommy wagon 218i Active Tourer comes with a "twinpower" turbo on it. Must be for mommy hooligans then. You'd struggle to buy any bmw, audi or merc made in the current decade that doesn't have a turbo. Most new vw/ford/hyundai etc have turbos now.
 
So the M variety of this 1 series doesn't even have a slightly updated Ecu map?
What's the point then?
 
airborne said:
So the M variety of this 1 series doesn't even have a slightly updated Ecu map?
What's the point then?
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Nothing if you want performance.

According to the BMW configurator, the M sport package on the 118i includes:
Different paint colour selection
M Sports Suspension
Sports seats (it's worth the price just for this, the standard seats are terrible)
Different cloth interior
Shadow line (the trim around the windows on the car is gloss black)
Different trim on the dash (aluminium with a blue stripe)
Armrest
Anthracite roof lining
Fog lamps
Different style/bigger wheels
Sport steering wheel (also hate the non sport ones personally)

https://www.bmw.co.za/en/ssl/configurator.html#/myconfig/s7e4m0b8



If you do want a slight bit of extra performance there's a "PPK" (Power and Performance Kit) package but it's only available on some cars in certain levels (PPK1 for 20k, PPK2 for 30k etc).

What I've noticed is that 90% of 3 series in JHB are of the M Sport variety. In cape town it's the opposite.
 
To OP: If your heart is set on the Beemer just be sure of the following:

Make sure vehicle has a full BMW service history.
Get it inspected at an independent workshop, if possible.
Always keep about R10,000 - R15,000 handy for unexpected repairs.
If the car is out of motorplan, find yourself a good BMW specialist mechanic.
Remember the suspension has a stiffer setup, so avoid potholes for the sake of the rims and the ryn flat tyres.
Lastly, just remember that car prices depreciate, however, part prices do not.

All the best bud. Let us know what your decision is.
 
Okay so after getting the Motorplan history i've decided against buying it.

Found a 2013 Golf 7 1.4 TSi DSG for 210K which is interesting me (in terms of maintenance costs etc)
95 000KM
Leather
Sunroof

Any other decent options out there? (German only)
 
BBC said:
Okay so after getting the Motorplan history i've decided against buying it.

Found a 2013 Golf 7 1.4 TSi DSG for 210K which is interesting me (in terms of maintenance costs etc)
95 000KM
Leather
Sunroof

Any other decent options out there? (German only)
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Definitely not. It has a turbo so it was driven by a lunatic. Turbo will probably explode at 100,000km and VW will want R500,000 to repair it. Everywhere you go people will sneer at you for driving a 1.4. Also you will get hijacked at every second robot. DSG means you'll have to replace 2 clutches instead of one.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
The moral of the story is always to never buy what you can't yet truly afford.

Whether that means having to load up a residual that's so large that you're only renting a car, or moving into a house that is making every inch of your budget scream, just don't go there.

I wouldn't take a risk on a 3 Series, and especially not a 'boring' one like a 318i, and ESPECIALLY not an M-Sport variety (i.e. somebody pimped it because they can't afford a real sports car). If you're gonna hold a gun to your heard, at least let the prize be worthwhile the risk yes?

My advice would be to look at running costs. There are BMW run-flat tyres that cost R5 000 a pop and can only be replaced as a whole set. You get one of those cars and you're screwed.
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It's a 118 not a 318.

Also you can easily swop to non-ry flats at the first change.

They generally also aren't that expensive any more, depending on what rubber exactly you put on of course. A little silly putting super sticky track rubber on a 118 but still many will do it.

Also why the hate for M-sport? Sometimes people just want the trimmings without the V8 that drinks all the fuel.
 
rorz0r said:
Definitely not. It has a turbo so it was driven by a lunatic. Turbo will probably explode at 100,000km and VW will want R500,000 to repair it. Everywhere you go people will sneer at you for driving a 1.4. Also you will get hijacked at every second robot. DSG means you'll have to replace 2 clutches instead of one.
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I'm seriously hoping this is sarcasm.
 
SauRoNZA said:
I'm seriously hoping this is sarcasm.
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+1. A lot of the posts here have been seriously unhelpful.

OP, have a look at the A3 and A-Class. Nothing stops you from finding another 1 Series too. The Golfs are solid though. If I were to choose from the Germans, it would be a well-species 1 Series or Golf.
 
Yeah majority of the posts here are just snarky comments with nothing helpful at all. It's like being witch hunted for wanting to purchase a Beemer lol.

Anyway as per the comments above, it is difficult finding a well spec'd low mileage Auto in my price range (200 - 210K). I can find lots of Manual models but very few Auto
 
Brenden_E said:
Or buy a real hot hatch like a polo gti and you can race robot to robot like a champ :D
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Heard nothing but horror stories about the 1.4 GTi and that is why I haven't considered it.

Turbo, engine, gearbox, mechatronics all failing. Okay if it's still in warranty but na, I rather not go that route
 
TrueETO said:
I mean it's a fun car with decent resale value (everyone wants a VW) and no need to compare lemons and oranges

Maybe if OP got money laying around he could take it to stage 2
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You started the comparison, I mentioned the BMWs and you suggested the PGTI rather as the "real hot hatch".
 
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