BMW 3-Series E46 (1998 - 2005) - BMW trade-in?

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Thu 29 Oct 2009 08:14
BMW trade-in? - sandy56
I hope I can get some good feedback on this subject.

My wife has a 2002 BMW 1.8 SE. It has been a good buy with few problems or unexpected costs. Mileage 60,000 .
I am thinking of trading it in for something newer and more economical but after reading of all the problems with diesels I will probably stick with petrol and go for 1.6-1.8 Focus or Astra. However looking at the prices you dont get a lot for your money. I will pay cash but not a lot- £8000 -£9000. If I change this car now my wife will be having it for a LONG time.

Should I just keep the BMW?
ANy idea on what it is worth- standard car with a few small scratches.

Just had a service and new front brake pads and new rear shockers fitted. I use a BOSCH approved garage and find them very good.

thanks for any feedback
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Thu 29 Oct 2009 09:27
BMW trade-in? - uksant
Should I just keep the BMW?


Sandy56 - very subjective, isn't it? I think you'll get quite good reasons both for and against.

We had a 2004 3-series and changed it for a MkV Golf and regretted it ever since. Simply not the same level of quality or driving enjoyment. Now getting rid of the Golf and getting...you guessed it...a new 3-series. It could be that your wife will end up feeling the same way, but then again she might not. Definitely worth having extended test drives in the Focus and Astra before making your mind up. Will the cost of changing the car be outweighed by the better fuel economy and potentially lower maintenance costs? Probably not.

Why not spend a fraction of that cost and just get cosmetic repairs done? I have a six and half year old A4 that had a few shopping trolley dents, scrapes etc but otherwise in great mechanical condition. Took it to a reputable body shop and got them all sorted in one go and it looks terrific. Will keep it for another 4 - 5 years rather than spending £'000s on a newer car.
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Thu 29 Oct 2009 11:27
BMW trade-in? - jacks
ANy idea on what it is worth- standard car with a few small scratches.


Around £4K as a trade in on a '02' - maybe 4200 if it's a 52.

I'd keep the BMW - they are well built, and generally very reliable with no particular faults.
I expect you are getting around 35 mpg and the £4K you are considering spending as a cost to change on something more economical is unlikely to pay you back.
If you changed for something giving 25% more mpg it would take you over 10 years to get your £4K back!

If you keep away from the dealers the BMW is quite cheap to service at about £90 for an oil service, £170 for a Insp 1, and £280ish for a Insp 2 (which you only need every 60K).

If the scratches are bad a "chips away" type of operator charge around £90 per panel to sort them - maybe less if you've 2 or 3 panels to do.

At 60K yours is only just run in!

Jacks

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Thu 29 Oct 2009 11:47
BMW trade-in? - Falkirk Bairn
A few bumps and bashes!

Get chips away and the dent man followed by a £60 valet and it will look $1m!

keep the £4k in your bank for a rainy day - you can get repairs done out of the lesser depreciation on your own car.
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Thu 29 Oct 2009 11:57
BMW trade-in? - lucklesspedestrian
Whatever you do don't buy a petrol Focus on the basis of good fuel economy. Our 1.6 returns between 32 and 35mpg and it's a bit noisy at speed too. Handles really well, roomy and has so far proved reliable but economy is disappointing.
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Thu 29 Oct 2009 12:05
BMW trade-in? - legacylad
If it were mine I would keep it. It is a known quantity and it would take several years to recoup the fuel saving by spending thousands on a more economical mpg car.
Keep the money in the bank...or maybe spend £1k on two nice long weekends in Venice & Florence. We did!
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Thu 29 Oct 2009 16:55
BMW trade-in? - sandy56
many thanks for your messages.

My wife likes it and doesnt really want a Focus so I think we will keep it for a while longer.

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