BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 01:04

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Archangel

Hi,

I'm looking to exchange my Honda Civic 62 for something a bit more sporty.

The 2012 BMW 3 Series or Audi A4 have caught my eye and aren't too bad on the wallet.

Any thoughts on which would be the better option? Features, reliability etc.

I do city driving probably 85-90% of the time so thinking petrol may be the better option. Although diesel does return more mpg and costs less/year in road tax. Then again it is noisy but I'll have to see how much in person.

Cheers, look forward to hearing your thoughts :)

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 01:24

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Avant

You probably won't find this helpful, but I personally wouldn't swap a car for something the same age or older: I'd save up till I could afford a newer model.

Audis have a habit of going wrong when the three-year warranty has expired: BMWs have a better name for reliability but can still be expensive if things go wrong, and also even for routine replacements, which will happen at the age you're looking at.

So maybe wait till a 2-year-old 320i is within your budget: the Mazda 6 2.0 petrol is also good to drive, as are higher-powered Fords. Mind you, your Civic is no slouch, whether it's petrol or diesel powered, so you'd need to make sure that whatever you buy does have appreciably more performance if that's what you're looking for. You're right - with your type of driving petrol is the way to go.

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 09:36

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - sandy56

DOnt buy an older car than the one you have.

I like both BMW and Audi but I would buy the BMW.

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 10:52

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Archangel

Thank you for your insight.

I will look around and maybe up my budget.

You're right about the performance. I've been careful not to short list anything slower than what I currently have.

Some dealers offer a complimentary or additional extended warranty. Would you say that's something to consider?

Approved used BMW's also come with a 1yr warranty so that might be worth the premium.

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 11:45

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - RobJP

I've got the current-shape BMW 325d estate, have had it since December 2013 (it was registered in May 2013, and a 'press car' for BMWGB before I had it, so very well specced)

For urban driving, you really want a petrol. I'd also say to seriously consider an automatic too, some people seem to not be able to get on with the manual gearboxes and find them 'notchy' (though every one I've driven has seemed fine to me). The auto is a very good 8-speed unit.

As always with BMWs, spec and type can turn a good car into a terrible (or great !) one. MSport with big wheels isn't much fun unless it's got adaptive suspension - SE with normal-sized wheels is pretty good.

My warranty came to an end in May this year. Cost for extending it for a year (including BMW roadside assist, where BMW techs will come out to the car to try getting you going) was £500. Should be similar price next year.

Now, I'm a serial car changer. My wife calls the autotrader site "Robporn". But I've had this car getting on 3 years, and still have no desire to change it. The latest incarnation of the 3 series is that good.

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 11:57

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Archangel

Sounds good.

I'd definitely be wanting a manual. I've not yet reached the point where I find driving a chore. Automatics do make sense as city driving is very start stop and slow moving traffic but I kind of still want to be involved in the whole driving process.

I think I'll have a look at a few at car giant later and see what they're like in person.

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 15:00

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - catsdad

As a current Civic owner and erstwhile BMW driver I prefer the Civic overall. My BMW was only a 2litre petrol in a mid range spec. If I were to back to a BMW I'd only be tempted by one of the higher spec/performance models. I'd pay particular attention the seats and their thigh support, I used to get aches after an hour or so.
I am sure the right BMW will be the better drivers car...... but at a cost. Do let us know how your search goes.

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Fri 26 Aug 2016 22:44

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Avant

Good point, Catsdad: having had many test drives of BMWs I get the impression that to be truly comfortable in one you have to be a certain size and shape.

In my current Volvo and three previous Skodas I could have been comfortable whatever size I was: they seem to have been designed to fit the occupants rather than the other way round. SWMBO's Mini has good seats but - as with most other BMWs - to be in the right place to work the pedals I'm sitting too near to the steering wheel.

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Sat 27 Aug 2016 20:34

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Bilboman

I'm having similar thoughts, having recently been made redundant and now (company) car-less. A good second hand A3 or BMW 1/3 series would be my bucket list choices and as I live in Spain am seriously contemplating an LHD import from Germany, where they cost thousands less and are generally well specced, well maintained and with genuine mileage. Germans tend to sell their cars on at the 3 or 4 year mark, so it's a buyer's market.
I can only park in the street, so a brand new car doesn't make much sense in my case. I'd much prefer 'good second hand' and would keep the car for 5 or 6 years, mechanicals permitting!
It would involve a flight there and drive back but the paperwork is very quick these days (thousands of s/h cars come from Germany to Spain annually). I know that the eventual resale value would also be lower, but this isn't a concern.
Am I onto a bargain, or do I need my head examining?

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Sat 27 Aug 2016 21:11

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - RobJP

For BMWs, ensure that oil changes have been done at least every 10k miles / 16k (ish) kms. In the UK at least, BMW's standard oil change interval is 18k miles, which is far too long for engine longevity.

Oil changes are cheap. Engines are expensive.

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Sun 28 Aug 2016 00:09

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Avant

"18k miles, which is far too long for engine longevity."

I agree absolutely in principle: on the other hand my Volvo came with free servicing for the first three years, the plan being for a service at 18,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first (it's a diesel).

In my case that'll probably happen at about the same time. If I were to follow my instincts and ask for it to be serviced at 10,000 miles, I'd have to pay for it. I'm going to have to trust Volvo to know best.

Edited by Avant on 28/08/2016 at 00:10

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Sat 27 Aug 2016 22:41

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Smileyman

Some years ago I visited Iceland, I was told by locals that they source a lot of their cars as pre-owned from Germany .....

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Sun 28 Aug 2016 18:50

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Engineer Andy

The one thing I found amazing (I had a quick look at some cars a week or so ago) for a car that is supposedly designed for comfort (the seats were very comfotable), was that the Volvo V40 didn't have a foot rest - must for me for driving, as I have suffered from back problems and need a good driving position/ergonomics, especially on longer journeys.

It was one of the things that put me off getting a Honda Civic (2001-05 model) before I chose my Mazda3. You'd think that manufacturers would add one in (both had the room) for the sake of an extra few Quid.

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Sun 28 Aug 2016 19:02

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - galileo

The one thing I found amazing (I had a quick look at some cars a week or so ago) for a car that is supposedly designed for comfort (the seats were very comfotable), was that the Volvo V40 didn't have a foot rest - must for me for driving, as I have suffered from back problems and need a good driving position/ergonomics, especially on longer journeys.

It was one of the things that put me off getting a Honda Civic (2001-05 model) before I chose my Mazda3. You'd think that manufacturers would add one in (both had the room) for the sake of an extra few Quid.

Toyota Corollas I had and my Hyundai i30 provide a footrest for the clutch foot. Not 'premium badge' cars though.

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Mon 29 Aug 2016 01:13

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Avant

It seems a small point, but the footrest is essential, certainly for me. Like the V40, the manual V60 doesn't have one, and it must be something to do with the amount of room after converting to RHD, as my automatic V60 does have a footrest - a sturdy affair that's in just the right place.

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Fri 16 Sep 2016 15:41

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Serial Car Changer

Ive had both the BM and the Audi in convertible models, although my BM is a 1 series not 3 series. Audi was very bland inside, steered like a truck and was like a slug to drive BUT I had no probs with it in the 18m I owned it.
BM has given me DPF probs to the tune of £450 over the first 8 months but it's good on diesel even around town and turns more heads.
I'm actually thinking of changing for a 3 series myself so am reading replies with interest!

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Fri 16 Sep 2016 17:14

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - SLO76

Never had much bother with any I've sold however I owned a 318i Coupe a number of year back that was a true boomerang car... Always heading back to the workshop. Trim falling off, shattered three road springs, two wishbones, anti roll bushes then topped it off by eating it's timing chain at 47,000 miles despite a full dealer and specialist service history. Believe it or not I'm not hard on cars either being a more relaxed driver who places comfort over all.

Plenty of tales of woe regarding BMW diesels on the net also and you certainly don't see that many surviving into old age, though they do tend to cover fairly hearty mileages within the first few years. They're over complex and troublesome as they age in a way your wee Civic will never be.

Audi's are pretty tough old things but a hard sell later on in petrol form unless it's an A3. They've an over firm ride and are really just glorified VW's. I prefer the VW's which have softer suspension, are cheaper to buy and service and are more honest.

I'd sooner have a newer Civic or a Golf than a BMW or an Audi but if you must I'd take the Audi.

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Fri 16 Sep 2016 20:01

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Miniman777

I've looked at a 3 series, an S3 and Q3, but when you read the number of people on HJ who have problems with VW and Audi, it does not fill me with confidence. Dealers' attitudes and intransigence has not help my opinion.

Having test driven a 330D auto, I felt the quality was far superiour to Audi, and the sat nav in the 3, didnt look like the afterthought in the Audi.

All you can hope is that whatever you buy it's reliable, as dealer forcourts are swimming with used cars, and there's plenty of cack around.

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Thu 22 Sep 2016 12:43

BMW 3 Series - Fancy a change. Thinking of the 3 series or A4. - Pelican

I've got a 3 series petrol manual on standard suspension and 17" wheels, bought new in Nov 2015. I strongly advise you NOT to buy one with manual gearbox and the standard suspension. The gearchange is too notchy in first and second and hard to put into reverse. Sometimes I have to use two hands to slot it into reverse. As for the suspension, oh dear, what a disaster. Unsettled on all road surfaces at all speeds. Some reviewers say that the auto box and adaptive suspension are "must-have" options. Wish I had read that before purchasing the car. Good luck.

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