Didn't read that properly! For that budget you're well into E46 320 diesel territory. Sorted!

1.) wasn't there only a 320D back then?

2.) Personal preference. I think the wagons look better and are slightly more practical (they're not real load haulers though)

3.) I think the 320s had a reputation for eating turbos. Other than that, they seem very good cars. The main pitfalls being general wear and tear commensurate with an older/high mileage cars.

I'd be looking out for and avoiding ones that 'go a bit too well' ie heavily remapped. Clutch life might be dicey in those (although changing a clutch is cheaper for a RWD car).

Make sure they start when they're hot as well as cold!

If possible, yes. Although at 10 years old or so, most will have "some" service history, rather than full.

The biggest tip is to be conservative. Don't try and get a bargain. Remember, the vendor ALWAYS knows more about that particular car than you do, and when people mis-price a car, they tend to mis-price high...

When I bought a used BMW 3 series about 8 years ago, it took about 3 months of searching to find an eledery one that had not been pimped or not serviced or thrashed to death.

And you need a local friendly independent garage if you don't diy. Main dealers will skin you alive. When things go wrong - which they will - £125 per hour will soon cost more than teh car.

Wattch out for bulging/leaking/rusty radiators - they tend to go with age..

With your mileage I agree: diesel only. I has a 325i: great fun but very expensive on fuel.

You NEED winter tyres in snow unless you either walk or like killing yourself.. Factor that into your sums. (I spun an E36 318i in fresh snow at under 10mph with wrong camber on a corner)

BIL has a 1994 Mercedes 300TD estate: it's a tank and NOT cheap to run as things wear out and parts prices are NOT cheap.. and some parts of the suspension design require knwoledge to repair and adjust.. Same comments about winter tyres.

I had a Mercedes 260E.. Fine car but lethal in wet if driving fast and forget it in snow.

Outdated.. and by today's standards horrible to drive unless you like lorries.

Edited by madf on 31/03/2012 at 16:28