BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 24 Feb 2019 18:06
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - Babygotoo
Hi,

I have put a refundable deposit, unplanned, down on a 59 BMW 318 M sport 2.0l petrol.

49k miles full "extensive" service history, seems to be a local runaround.

I'm looking at replacing a 1.6 Astra and just fancied something a bit better as bored of Vauxhall's having had at least 5 previously, doing 25k year on motorways.

Read the car by car breakdown and completely scared off by the what's bad section, it went on forever.

Anything you can do put my mind at rest, or agree with the breakdown?

Thanks

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Feb 2019 18:15
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - SLO76
I’d ask for your “refundable deposit” back. Older BMW’s are a total liability and this particular engine is bad for timing chain failure.

Never leave a deposit if you’re not prepared to lose it. Some sales staff will tell you your money is refundable when in 99% of times it isn’t. What would be the point of a deposit if it was refundable? It’s meant to hold you to the deal and cover any costs incurred if you do walk away. Never leave money on a car you’re unsure of.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Feb 2019 18:29
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - Babygotoo
Thanks, I think I am coming around tomtha way of thinking.

Am I wasting my time on all models of this age, BMW, Audi and Mercedes in this price range, approx 6k?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Feb 2019 18:34
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - SLO76
Thanks, I think I am coming around tomtha way of thinking. Am I wasting my time on all models of this age, BMW, Audi and Mercedes in this price range, approx 6k?

Yes. Live within your means and stick with mass produced conventional petrol powered family hatches preferably Japanese such as the Mazda 3, Honda Civic and any Ford Focus equipped with the Yamaha designed 1.6 petrol.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Feb 2019 19:16
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - paul 1963

Wise words from Mr Slo yet again! that will have had a hard life imho, 6k will get you a nice civic, follkowed a 59 plate one today in white....looked wonderfull

just out of interest please let us know if you get your deposit back.

Edited by paul 1963 on 24/02/2019 at 19:18

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Feb 2019 19:40
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - Babygotoo

Wise words from Mr Slo yet again! that will have had a hard life imho, 6k will get you a nice civic, follkowed a 59 plate one today in white....looked wonderfull

just out of interest please let us know if you get your deposit back.

There were two of us at the time and repeatedly made sure we get it back, it was a £100 for the deposit. I'll let you know.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 27 Feb 2019 11:52
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - Babygotoo

Wise words from Mr Slo yet again! that will have had a hard life imho, 6k will get you a nice civic, follkowed a 59 plate one today in white....looked wonderfull

just out of interest please let us know if you get your deposit back.

Yes, got my deposit back.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 27 Feb 2019 15:05
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - SLO76
“Yes, got my deposit back.”

That’s good news and shows the dealer isn’t all bad. Reign in your ambitions a little and aim for something with a better reputation for reliability. Honda Accord is a good alternative to a 3 series. Enjoyable to drive and very robust yet a bit different too.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 Feb 2019 00:29
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - SteveLee

If I wanted something a bit more interesting than an Astra but dependable - could do much worse than a Hyundai Velostar. If you want performance and reliability, the Civic Type R has got to be at the top of the list - if you can find a standard one.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 27 Feb 2019 17:54
BMW 3 Series E90 - Looking at buying now worried CbyC b'down - Eyan1
I had an e91 with the same engine. It was faultless for 8 years only problem I had was a snapped suspension coil.
Great motorway car, good refinement and handling. Engine wasn’t fast though. Did about 30 mpg .
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....