how many miles are beemers good for, say for instance a T reg on 120K, is this OK or would you advise to stay clear.

thanks

ru thinkin of gettin one with ths kinda mileage mate ?

hmm... id stay clear mate...unless its had alot of work and receipts to show it...

sort of mate, As most people are aware I am tired of the astra, its really not big enough for my family, but I dont want a people carrier. Always liked the 3 series, so just browsing at the mo.

Petrol or diesel?

Beemers, like any engines, are good for as long as they are looked after (within reason, I wouldnt say go past 180,000 miles for a petrol lol)

You can buy a screwed up engine that has only done 45,000 miles for instance, simply because the owner has never looked after it, its been a dodgy one from the start, or its been ragged.

My old Pug had 163,000 on the clock when I sold it - the engine itself was an absolute dream - granted the clutch wasnt the best ever, probably only had a year left in it, but the engine itself was a lovely drive.

As the mileage goes higher, its the car around the engine that tends to wear, so long as the engine has been looked after. Take it for a test drive, look for service history, if the engine feels nice and runs smooth, check the ancillary components, the clutch, the bodywork etc...

I think Joe and Stuy will be able to offer more direct advice with regards BMW engines, mine is very general.

will warn you..the 3 series isnt big on the inside!!

cant see the mileage being a prob as long as its been looked after, i'd want a comprehensive history, cos if anything goes wrong it could be expensive on a bm, best person to talk to i would say would be... young sailor Joe.

As already said, stay clear unless it has FSH.

As Matty said, things around the engine tend to go before the engine does itself and the cost of parts and replacing them are quite expensive, so bare that in mind.

what series you looking at?

another good point, saloons never seem to be any good for young families with small children , they're hard to get stuff in/out the boot...

excuse me! sod the 4 cylinder ones, they are the letdowns
let that be a lesson to you
i`ve had plenty of bmw`s and the 4 cylinder ones are not reliable, but hey, like any car, if you want it and are prepared to spend the money on it you get it
the 3 series is a nice car, but if you do get one thats been "hammered", you will notice in the test drive
As joe says, service history is a must or the cars not worth looking at
Personally, i would leave the 4 cylinder models alone

exuse me for my ignorance, but which ones are 4 cylinder?

I agree (as I friggin own one lol)

I think im right in saying, 316 and 318 are generally 4 cyl (some 318 are 6 cyl)

non v6 lol.

usually less the 2.5L, Jow will clear it up though?

have a look at the audi a4 avant diesels..those engines are bulletproof...i know im a fan of audi..but it will give you the room your wanting..without being an mpv...

Yeah, nice cars, more room than the beemer 3 too, i had an Audi 80 2.6 v6 for 2 years, never had a problem with it, only thing i replaced were new brakes all round (discs and pads) which only cost me 350 as i fitted them myself.

Ultra relible, got rid when it hit 198k and was sad to see it go

Bmw 3 4 cylinder came in 1.6, 1.8, 1.9 (Ti)

Audi A4 advent is lush and was 1st on the list but I dont have that many benjimans. thats why I was looking at the older beemers.

look at the older a4s....pre 2001 shape change...

the other engines came in 6 cylinder (straight 6) 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.3 (M3 Evo)

like this one

exactly!

Consider the Volvo; 850 like mine or the later V/S 70. The 5 cylinder engines are bombproof & they're going for silly money at present. Also, if you go for a T5 like mine, the performance is pretty brisk. To give you an idea, you could buy an 850 for well under £1000 & a T5 for not much over that.

or the T4, they kick ass too but don`t look as pretty

Dont know how this is gonna come across, as nice as the Volvo is and the speed is very tempting, 2 years ago at the age of 23 when I was getting married and my 1st baby was due, all my mates were winding me up about me settling down as a family man and said I would be buying a Volvo next, so dont really want to add fuel to the fire.

minor problem with the t5 is the fuel consumption...like you said chris..it cost you 20 quid to come visit us!

if you get an M they have unlimited milage warrentie s !

BMWs are good for a million miles if they have been looked after. FSH is a must...

Go for a 6 Cylinder - these are much betetr engines, the 4 pots are underpowered and dont last.

Ive had an E30 which was on 240k miles and the inside / chassis / body and engine where all good when I sold it - it was even on its original exhaust!!!

Ive had the 325tds which was on 130k miles and felt like new, and the 330 is on 90k and feels like new.

Wouldnt worry about a high miler, as long as its a 6 pot, and its been looked after

Nice lookin motor

The new 320d is the only 4 cylinder one Id consider...

320 Petrols are 6 pots (And a 2.2), but the 320 diesel is a 4 cylinder.

me mates just bought one the engines fine but the water pump went then the pipes were leaking and now the radiators on its way out.

LOL, Got the message. Anyway, it's more fun to wait till you retire to buy a 160MPH car. (& yes, it is thirsty).

Depends what age the car is, the newer 4 pot 2.0 litres are excellent engines.

hmmm....its the interiors that let the beemers down....cracking "drivers" cars...bt the switch gear is just.....lacking imho!

again, depends what you are looking at.

the saloon es models are basic - look pretty turd to be honest.

the later coupes which were only in se or sport spec were a lot beter.

yes...you get what you pay for!

Looking for an estate that has a presence on the road, if you know what I mean, i.e not an astra estate or mondeo estate etc.

Options I have looked at:

2002 52 Reg ALFA ROMEO 156 1.6 TS Turismo

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 63,000 miles, Grey. Service History, Climate Control, Air conditioning, CD, ABS, Velour Interior, Colour coding - Body, Colour coding - Interior, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Alloy wheels, Anti theft system, Central locking, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Front armrest, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Metallic paintwork, Multi function steering wheel, Power assisted steering, Tinted glass £4295

2002 02 Reg AUDI A4 1.8T 163 SE

Manual 5 speed, Estate, Petrol, Finished In A Light Burgundy Metallic With Auto Climate, Cruise & Traction Control, CD Player, Electric Sunroof, Twin Pipe Exhausts, 16" AUDI Alloys, Drivers Information System, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Chrome Roof Rails, Centre Armrest, Rear Load Cover, Nokia Phone Kit, Full Electric Pack, Front Fogs & Usual Top SE TURBO Spec, 1 Owner From New With FULL AUDI SERVICE HISTORY

2002 02 Reg BMW 3 SERIES 320d SE 5dr Diesel Touring 150BHP


5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 160,000 miles, Metallic GREEN. ABS, Adjustable seats, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Front armrest, Head restraints, Immobiliser, Park distance control, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Remote locking, Roof rails, Radio/Cassette, Side airbags, Rear headrests, Traction control, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Anti theft system, CD Multichanger, Climate Control, Cruise control, Multi function steering wheel. Insurance Group:13, 150 Brakehorse, Long MOT, Sports Cloth Interior, Rear Loadliners, Company Owner Car All Motoway Miles, Full BMW Service History With Fully Stamped Book And All BMW Reciepts, 3 Keys, This Car Is Absolutely A1 Allround And Has Superb Bills And Service History, Looks And Drives Like Thirty Thousand Miles.1st too see will definetly buy.PX POSS £4,995 ono

all three are up for £4995

My Volvo 855 T5 is now up for sale at £1995

I know someone who will be interested in that

too thirsty sorry

Here we go Waddi:

https://www.wikiwirral.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=185666#Post185666

I saw that Matty, and came back and edited.

Which would you choose?

mate the alfa estate looks hideous - beemer or audi for sure, both pretty close knit as far as pros and cons... for me it would be the audi tho (marginally)

you should be able to tell by now that I like unusual looking cars like the PT cruiser and the ALFA estate,

i'd go with the audi

do you know what the mileage is on it?

Alfa! go with it. I think it looks alrite and its different to your normal day one.
u dont see that many out ther

Personaly i'd go for the Audi, nice big motor.

Alfa will fall to pieces and break down every 5 mins, but they are so nice to look at and drive. I say the Alfa.

Go for a Toyota Caldina if it has to be an estate. Celica GT4 running gear and engine (depending on which caldina you go for)

the quest continues

I just bought myself a 2L run around

What about the Toyota Carolla VVT-i T3? £3,995 on autotrader.

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thats very nice that pomp, do you have the link to the advert. ta.

Thats nice that Pomp, a link would have been handy though lmao!

Click Me

Hmmm that didnt work out (tried to direct link it), well its the second one. Jst look for the price £3,995. (Broughton Car Centre)

Its 13miles away from mine so thats not too bad.

was looking at this

I like the Audi looks wise, but the BMW is going to be the better car.