Thoughts on 2010 BMW 320i

[Rocket-Boy]

So Im needing some advice.
Im looking at replacing my aging polo with something a little more reliable for long distance travelling.
Friends have suggested the 320i saying its fairly cheap to maintain being normally aspirated and should last a long time.
Im not too interested in vw/opel/kia/hyundai etc, in my experience those cars are just as expensive as more luxurious cars with regards to repairs.

So long story short, any reason not to get a 2010 or newer 320i? any known problems with them?
Got a very good independent mech locally who specializes in out of warranty BMW's and Merc's.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

No one have any opinions?

/lures Roux...
Maybe I should buy a vw.

 

[PostmanPot]

No one have any opinions?

/lures Roux...
Maybe I should buy a vw.

Yes, agreed. The Audi variant.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Yes, agreed. The Audi variant.

I like Audi's most of my family drives them but in all honesty the equivalent A4 is not as good looking as the BMW.
Sorry dude, its just my opinion - I know you have one. The A4 got damn sexy recently but older ones just look disjointed.
Also we have an indy that specializes in BMW and none that are great with Audi.

 

[D3x!]

Hello no, would be out of warranty in a few months if it is a low km model and that engine is dead kak. Buy a new/newer Kia cerato or something similar.

 

[zizo911]

Audi a3?

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Hello no, would be out of warranty in a few months if it is a low km model and that engine is dead kak. Buy a new/newer Kia cerato or something similar.

It is low kilos and I know it would be out of warranty which is why I'm looking at normally aspirated. How is the engine dead kak? As in low power or lots of trouble?
I'm happy with my 1.6 polo power of that is any indication about my need for speed!
In my experience repairs to my polo cost as much as repairs to most other makes so would rather have the comfort of a nicer car.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Audi a3?

I need a boot unfortunately. Always have a lot of stuff to carry around and used to a sedans boot now. I love hatches but they aren't as practical as a sedan.

 

[phiber]

Very underpowered car

 

[PostmanPot]

I like Audi's most of my family drives them but in all honesty the equivalent A4 is not as good looking as the BMW.
Sorry dude, its just my opinion - I know you have one. The A4 got damn sexy recently but older ones just look disjointed.
Also we have an indy that specializes in BMW and none that are great with Audi.

What's your budget? I see two options:

1. 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 2.0 N/A S-line
2. 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 1.8T/2.0T S-line
3. 2008 - 2011 Audi A4 B8 1.8T S-line with LED 'dot'/Xenon lighting

Going B7 you would save a lot of cash, seeing as they're around R100,000. Tons of car for the money.

VW reliability/commonality.

S-line because you find them a bit dull compared to the 3 Series.

 

[Spotja]

What's your budget? I see two options:

1. 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 2.0 N/A S-line
2. 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 1.8T/2.0T S-line
3. 2008 - 2011 Audi A4 B8 1.8T S-line with LED 'dot'/Xenon lighting

Going B7 you would save a lot of cash, seeing as they're around R100,000. Tons of car for the money.

VW reliability/commonality.

S-line because you find them a bit dull compared to the 3 Series.

But damn those aging turbo engines!

 

[Hemi300c]

I'd rather go for the 320D.
Better power and consumption.

 

[PostmanPot]

But damn those aging turbo engines!

Please elaborate?

 

[Archer]

Please elaborate?

It is a well known fact that if any vehicle passes 100 000km the engine is likely to implode, leaving the owner with a financial black hole to repair said vehicle Even more likely if the vehicle had a maintenance plan recently expire. And almost guaranteed if a turbo is present

 

[PostmanPot]

It is a well known fact that if any vehicle passes 100 000km the engine is likely to implode, leaving the owner with a financial black hole to repair said vehicle Even more likely if the vehicle had a maintenance plan recently expire. And almost guaranteed if a turbo is present

Bwahaha. I'm sure this is in line with the answer I can expect.

That's where we come in to take advantage of the low mileage myth.

Unless he was referring to the engines being less efficient/powerful than today's.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

What's your budget? I see two options:

1. 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 2.0 N/A S-line
2. 2007/2008 Audi A4 B7 1.8T/2.0T S-line
3. 2008 - 2011 Audi A4 B8 1.8T S-line with LED 'dot'/Xenon lighting

Going B7 you would save a lot of cash, seeing as they're around R100,000. Tons of car for the money.

VW reliability/commonality.

S-line because you find them a bit dull compared to the 3 Series.

The S-line is always nice. Looking at about R120k
Im going to be that chop that says I want to avoid a turbo on an out of warranty car. Not because Im super worried about it going but because it would just cost more to fix if it did go.
I dont really need tons of power, Im happy with my 1600 in terms of power if that is any indication.
Will definitely take a look at Audi again, just my VW experiences have put me off them for a while with the cost of repairs.

 

[PostmanPot]

The S-line is always nice. Looking at about R120k
Im going to be that chop that says I want to avoid a turbo on an out of warranty car. Not because Im super worried about it going but because it would just cost more to fix if it did go.
I dont really need tons of power, Im happy with my 1600 in terms of power if that is any indication.
Will definitely take a look at Audi again, just my VW experiences have put me off them for a while with the cost of repairs.

B7 2.0 N/A would suit you well. It's what I started with, also because of fears. On 2.0T now and will never look back. You can read through everything I went through in buying it as a first time entry luxury German car buyer who probably had all the same concerns as you - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/550775-The-Audi-Thread (it became 'The Audi Thread').

R120,000 for a 2010 3 Series would either be in poor condition or high mileage, or both.

BMW isn't going to be any cheaper to fix, in fact probably more. The B7 2.0 is not a high maintenance car at all. Your largest expense at around 100,000km would be front control arms (suspension) which usually go, ±R10,000 to fit new ones. Check this part when you buy/test the car.

 

[D3x!]

It is low kilos and I know it would be out of warranty which is why I'm looking at normally aspirated. How is the engine dead kak? As in low power or lots of trouble?
I'm happy with my 1.6 polo power of that is any indication about my need for speed!
In my experience repairs to my polo cost as much as repairs to most other makes so would rather have the comfort of a nicer car.

your 1.6 polo pulls better than that car power wise. serious no jokes.

 

[ahoudet]

your 1.6 polo pulls better than that car power wise. serious no jokes.

This. Driving a 2010 320i Coupe at the moment. No power at all and my consumption is 13 l/100km and I don't drive fast

 

[Kix]

For once I agree with PostmanPot.

The 320i is horrible and slow, and the engine has it's issues. Google is your friend.

Audi 2.0 n/a is much better.

Better still would be a Volvo S40 2.0. More reliable than any of them and should be younger with less mileage.