Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Oneheadlight,

Knew that u are going to come up with that line!

Anyway, newbies pls don't be afraid to come up and intro yourselves!

Now lets go back to the topic on hand!
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

thanks for knowing me so well haha... ok..better not ka-jiao pple's thread.
Anyway, for Fuel Consumption... i can actualy do 600km on one tank. Prob 70% highway though.
Not very heavy footed but certainly not gu-niang...

If i may digress a little... i find Esso fuel allows me greater mileage. My driving patterns are quite consistent. SPC doesn't seem as good.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Will there really be a big difference in terms of power and speed comparing a 318 and 320?

Thanks!
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Hi vintantc.

We've got an E46 320 for sale. My dad is upgrading to E90. Reg date - April 2004. Its got 6 mths new road tax, M steering, 137 rims, PDC, titanium trimmings, xenons (LTA approved) with titanium trimmings, silver grey colour with grey interior and mileage is 24000 plus Km.

Pls call my dad at 94353313 if keen. Our own car. We're not dealer.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Hi Fellow Red...

i went thru the same "riddle" b4 i bought my car which is a 318. I tested a couple of 320 during my info search.
I am an idiot technically and mechanically so i will just express in layman language, n leave to the gurus here to explain the details. 320 is definitely more responsive, felt smoother... but for me 318 is good enough cos its more for everyday travelling. I dont track, and dont even mod my car except on exterior stuff.
the regulars here mentioned that its easier to mod a 320...and its an inline 6potter which shud be smoother than a 4potter. (if i recall correctly). I know u wouldnt wanna hear this but no one can answer your question, as we dunno about your budget, your lifestyle etc etc.

maybe u shud check out tripleX's car first... :)
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

hEY OneHeadlight,

Thanks for helping out,

Just saw a few 2004 320 and selling around 120k. Hoping that after the e90 is launched the e46 will drop in prices.

By the way how much does the M kit cost? Is it inclusive of the front bumper with fog light and spoiler?
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Liverpudlian said:
hEY OneHeadlight,

Thanks for helping out,

Just saw a few 2004 320 and selling around 120k. Hoping that after the e90 is launched the e46 will drop in prices.

By the way how much does the M kit cost? Is it inclusive of the front bumper with fog light and spoiler?

As the song goes...You'll Never Walk Alone... BRing on Chelsea !
anyway.... i actually think that the e90 will help maintain or bring up the price of e46. Firstly, e90 is price at 150+.
Secondly, many pple still like the e46 exterior better (for now until the e90 grows on us). I could be wrong...as always, but gues wat... i'll never walk alone haha...cheesy...
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I saw a advert. asking for $99,000 for a May 2003 318i model. Is the price reasonable?

That works out to be the depreciation range of about $9000 - $9300.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

henry said:
I saw a advert. asking for $99,000 for a May 2003 318i model. Is the price reasonable?

That works out to be the depreciation range of about $9000 - $9300.

I think you should be paying about 95- 96k. Depreciation about 9k/year.
I just bought a June 2003 318i for 86.8k.

Car condition is important. You can send the car for Vicom test and to PML for engine diagnostic test.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I believe the E46 320i would still command a slight premium, given that it's still a M54 6-cyl engine.

Anyway, for the 318i, buy on condition. Some of them are really well maintained and kitted out. Stock condition may not always be good -- could be all the goodies sold off liao :)
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

megaclaw said:
I think you should be paying about 95- 96k. Depreciation about 9k/year.
I just bought a June 2003 318i for 86.8k.

Car condition is important. You can send the car for Vicom test and to PML for engine diagnostic test.


June 2003 318i for only 86.8k??? I can't believe it. Unless you are talking abt 2002... :p
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

bmw4life said:
June 2003 318i for only 86.8k??? I can't believe it. Unless you are talking abt 2002... :p

Oops....sorry. You are right...it's 2002.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Tire also play a part in fuel consumption. I have used Michelin Energy (MXV8) model before, and it is instead very fuel efficieny - Comfort. But I am using Pilot Preceda now - Performance. It is also very fuel saving for me. It has saved me a lot of $$$$. But also depend on your driving habit lor! :)
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Well I use Mobil RON95-98 petrol and alternate with Shell, and can get about 500km for full tank. 318iA is actually good enough for local roads including highways, while 320s would give u more oomph when u step on the pedal, naturally... but after having sped thru from SG-Malacca-SG (avg speeds at 150-180km/h) recently, I can tell ya, 318iA would suffice for the average Bimmer lover, just need to add that low profile tyres and great rims for look... woot woot!
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

If you're buying a 2nd hand car and if you wanted to get it inspected, would it be better to send it to VICOM/STA or to an independent workshop that is equipped with BMW diagnostic tools? The latter is significantly cheaper, I think, but are there any drawbacks? Anyway, I think that PML charges quite a bit more than every one else, so that's not an option.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

No need to waste time and money go Vicom/STA. Straight send to independent/BMW specialist workshops for inspection. More ex but peace of mind. Made the mistake to go to only Vicom/STA. Many problems they did not detect ah. Expensive mistakes...but luckily no lives are lost.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

grommit said:
If you're buying a 2nd hand car and if you wanted to get it inspected, would it be better to send it to VICOM/STA or to an independent workshop that is equipped with BMW diagnostic tools? The latter is significantly cheaper, I think, but are there any drawbacks? Anyway, I think that PML charges quite a bit more than every one else, so that's not an option.


If u go places like STA, they can do basic check including checking usual wear and tear parts, but will not know much else abt BMW electronics. Gd thing abt Vicom is that they can tell u the condn of the chassis, which part of the car got thicker coat of paint etc. They will also give the car a grading. I think costs $125 or thereabts.

If u go external workshop with experience in BMW, they can do a pretty thorough check, especially on the engine area, undercarriage, wear and tear parts etc. They can use the diagnostic tool to see if the odometer has been tampered with (this part I heard, no sure true or not). I am not aware of any workshop that can check the car for a package price. Normally done out of favour through contacts. But I think where they lose out to places like STA is in their ability check if the car is accdt free or not. They probably know if the car has not gone thru a major accd but minor accdt not so obvious to the naked eye, they may not be able to tell.

The third option is the BMW 100pt check which I think is available at the Kampong Arang branch. Costs $300plus and takes either a day or 2. They probably check the parts and electronics. But accdt-free or not, not sure if they can tell.
 
Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

T6 said:
If u go places like STA, they can do basic check including checking usual wear and tear parts, but will not know much else abt BMW electronics. Gd thing abt Vicom is that they can tell u the condn of the chassis, which part of the car got thicker coat of paint etc. They will also give the car a grading. I think costs $125 or thereabts.

If u go external workshop with experience in BMW, they can do a pretty thorough check, especially on the engine area, undercarriage, wear and tear parts etc. They can use the diagnostic tool to see if the odometer has been tampered with (this part I heard, no sure true or not). I am not aware of any workshop that can check the car for a package price. Normally done out of favour through contacts. But I think where they lose out to places like STA is in their ability check if the car is accdt free or not. They probably know if the car has not gone thru a major accd but minor accdt not so obvious to the naked eye, they may not be able to tell.

The third option is the BMW 100pt check which I think is available at the Kampong Arang branch. Costs $300plus and takes either a day or 2. They probably check the parts and electronics. But accdt-free or not, not sure if they can tell.


Hi guys,

is there an external workshop that you can recommend to do the disgnostic test? I am also planning to get a 2nd hand 3 series and from the posts that i have read so far, looks like i have to send the car to at least 2 places to inspect :

1) STA/VICOM
2) External workshop with diagnosic test kit / BMW

Also, do you know of any good second hand car dealers out there for the 3 series?

Thanks!
 

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