Think I've made my mind up

[Tom_vRS]

Going to look at this tomorrow!!

Autotrader - BMW 320d SE

Nice power, nice economy, Right Wheel Drive, nice spec, decent seats...

I think this would keep me going nicely for a while! 150bhp, 8.5s 0-60 and 134 flat out.

Should be a nice drivers car, and not depreciate too much either!

[TKW]

What's wrong with the Ford?

[Tom_vRS]

Nothing really. The only real gripe is the seats are very flat (Ghia model). The ride can be a bit choppy with the sport suspension and low profiles. And I'm a bit bored tbh!

[Snoopie]

Good Luck with the car mate.

[texasjohn]

Have fun, Tom

BTW you might find the seats on the BMW SE very 'flat' also.

Have a look at a sport model if this is the case.

[lewisgraham]

they have quite a bit of punch for a 2.0 and quite a heavy car

[vrsfab]

My mate has a new shape 320d with the M sport pack. The new model is 160 bhp. It's a nice car and straight line performance is just about identical to a vrs Fabia. The fabia has more punch lower down the revs, but the BMW pulls well after the vrs is out of breath.

However add some serious twisties and rougher road surface and the BMW shines. It has much better feedback and feel than any FWD chassis and is more of a drivers car. I'm not knocking the Fabia, I love mine, but it's horses for courses and the BMW feeds back exactly what is going on. Mind you it does cost new £17,000 more than the skoda. :eek:

Try it Tom and let me know what you think. It will probably feel slower than the Fabia at first, but it's just the way it delivers it's power.

[VRStu]

Looks tidy Tom.

[cheezemonkhai]

Looks like a nice car.

IIRC the early 320d had problems with the turbo, the air sensors(no more than VAGs mind) and something else which i can't for the life of me remember.

I think the newer ones had a different turbo fitted.

[Tom_vRS]

Have fun, Tom

BTW you might find the seats on the BMW SE very 'flat' also.

Have a look at a sport model if this is the case.

Click the link The one I'll be looking at has half leather sport seats!

[Goochie]

I thought you were skint? :confused: Or is this another example of Tom's "budget motoring" ?

[Kelly]

I thought you were skint? :confused: Or is this another example of Tom's "budget motoring" ?

Thats what i thought :confused:

[Tom_vRS]

Lol, I was Phil. I wont be losing money on the Focus And, the 320D is actually more economical than my Focus too!

[VRStu]

Oh **** Tom, the boss is in town.

[Wardy]

Looks pretty nice Tom, and seems a fair price for the mileage and year. Can't help thinking the SE spec model looks a little bland though? Dare I say it - will you be bored of that in a couple of months time? :sofahide:

I would say hold out for a Sport spec model, but I know these are often few and far between, and often quite a bit more money.

Have you thought about the 2.0d unit in the last shape Compact? Was labelled a 320td if you're searching on AutoTrader. Should be a little lighter than its saloon cousin and a worthwhile alternative if you're not sure about moving to a saloon bodystyle.

I was tempted by one when I was shopping around and ended up with the Ibiza; the Compact was just out of price range.

Steve

[ScoobyChris]

Looks nice, Tom, but what you really want is the 330d in Sport trim ;

:rofl:

Chris

[Royston]

Nice car mate, I think You'll find a world of difference between this car and both the Focus and Fabia. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[Tom_vRS]

I've spent far too many hours on autotrader, this was the only 320 with sports seats. Couldn't find anything other than SE's, ES's and base models :(

I like the looks, and the wheels. Just a little bit of colour coding to do, and a wee spoiler.

I may drive it tomorrow and find it an absolute pig But I think its just what I'm after. A bit more performance, awesome handling, more refined, and just a nice interior to be sat in! I can't wait!!!

[ScoobyChris]

If you do get the BMW, find a decent independent specialist for servicing or you'll have a heart attack if you use main dealers

BMW Land - A Drivers Chat Talk Discussion Forum Board for UK BMW cars and owners 3 5 6 7 series Questions & Answers is an excellent resource in case you haven't found it yet

Chris

[Tom_vRS]

Already found that mate, ta.

Thats a good point though Chris, a car like that really needs a service (i.e. not done by me!) to keep its resale value... Will have to hit yell.com.

[Wardy]

BMW Land - A Drivers Chat Talk Discussion Forum Board for UK BMW cars and owners 3 5 6 7 series Questions & Answers is an excellent resource in case you haven't found it yet

Chris

Ahh that brings back memories - remember when that site first opened!

I'm user 'BMW' on there

Steve

[Glider]

Nice car, never seen the point in half leather trim tho.

[ScoobyChris]

Nice car, never seen the point in half leather trim tho.

It looks nice, but isn't as slippery in a performance car as full leather! Depending on which half is leather, obviously

Chris

[ScoobyChris]

I'm user 'BMW' on there

You'll never guess what my user name on there is

Chris

[kenny]

Nice car, never seen the point in half leather trim tho.

i prefer half leather to full leather seats. as Chris said, removes the slipping etc