Hopsta Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Finally going to change the A3 after 9 years and 120k miles of ownership and have the E90 320 M Sport on the list as a possible replacement. Any pit fulls I should be aware of? What major things should be changed at age/mileage? We're looking to spend around £10k, have a few things that are must haves. Petrol 4 Door 170 Bhp Ideally with Nav/Bluetooth Going to a local place (Big Motor World) just to let the misses have a look at one as she'll be driving it more than me. Edit - what are the standard headlights like? ideally I'd like Xenons but this does not seem to be standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 I'd avoid that dealer for a start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Not looking to buy there, I've heard most of the rumours and the fact that you're in a diff country and said to avoid speaks volumes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 MrsEldavo has an E93 320i cab. Can't help you with the headlights as the cab has xenons as standard but I would say check for warranty work and specifically coil pack replacement. These engines are notorious for issues with the coil packs and they should have been changed for update parts by now but do check. I have an E91 touring and have changed the headlight bulbs to some better ones. To be honest after the A3 I had before they seemed great initially but after getting the cab and experiencing the xenons I felt that there was room for improvement. The 320i engine is alright, not amazing economy (MrsEldavo is a GP so lots of short stop start journeys) we see about 26-27 knocking round the houses and 33-34 on a run. The engine has a fair amount of shove when it gets going and whilst no torque monster it'll pull we'll even when in a gear too high. I've just put the summer wheels back on this morning and given it a wash and polished a couple of marks out, gratuitous picture opportunity: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Have a read through this G, Biscuits and a load of others did a campaign to get to the top of any search for BMWorld Big Motoring World, Independent Used BMW Cars for Sale in West Malling, Kent, Reviews - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Edit - what are the standard headlights like? ideally I'd like Xenons but this does not seem to be standard. Xenons standard on all coupe's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 I had the standard lights on my e90 and they weren't bad at all, not Xenon good but far better than many others I've had in the past they aren't a problem and you could always get some of the powerbulb offerings to improve things if you feel the need. If you could push to the 325i or the 330i I would. I did a quick search on BMW.co.uk and found a few 325 and 330i M-Sports but they were 2006/7 so not that much different to some of the 320i and they had a good healthy spec on them as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 325i is a 3.0l de-tuned for economy... good engine and I recon will return similar economy to the 320i..... BUT have a nice sound track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 The 325i had almost identical economy to the 330i and less power so made the 330i a no brainer as a used but both do indeed have a delightful noise, I miss mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Cheers people all good info there, the trip the BM world was interesting and even if id not read/ heard about them i wouldn't buy there anyhow. They felt very 80's in their approach, trying to get my details for 'health and safety' so naturally they got No 10 Sw1a 2aa Mrs said are they going to phone our next of kin if there is a fire Yes there are plenty of cars, but not any I would buy, prices were just all over the place too. There was a good spec 320d m sport but its was about £4k more than any other of the same age. Note taken about the 325/330, although 6/7 years is pushing it as I'm likely to keep it a few years. Shame about Xenons, but looking for 4 door (future planning and all that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Your right most of the 330 / 325 will be getting on a little buy you might just find something on a National search at a main dealer that they just want to move on. Also have a look at a 5 series or an A6, you tend to get a lot more for your money and it will be newer surprisingly. If you are planning for family expansion the 3 series isn't very big at all by the time you have a big buggy in the boot there isn't much space left for anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Shame about Xenons, but looking for 4 door (future planning and all that). If you are going for a saloon, then I can't stress enough about getting into a face-lift model. The front end looks MILES better, interior got a spruce up too. Think it was c March 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 My colleague has the same car as me but the saloon version. He wishes he'd got the touring - large boot on the saloon but very tight opening to try and fit a buggy in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 My colleague has the same car as me but the saloon version. He wishes he'd got the touring - large boot on the saloon but very tight opening to try and fit a buggy in! So you don't like a tight opening then ?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 If you're loading something big enough, every opening is tight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 If you're loading something big enough, every opening is tight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 How rooood :nono: A6/5 series is too wide for the garage sadly, plus it has to navigate a coppers car park too I'd dismissed the BMW Used as assumed they'll not have anything that old, will check it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 I really thought we'd get a 3 series last time but after seeing the piss awful size of the Touring's boot we ended up with (yet) another Audi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 Mike Brewer appears to be the face of Big Motoring World, at least on the TV ad anyway. Seems a bit odd given he has his own Mike Brewer Motors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Well this is going to be my new home, after 16 years of VAG ownership (1 VW and 2 Audi) i'm jumping ship to the world of no indicators. Picking up a 2009 E90 320 M-Sport on Friday, 1 owner, few toys including BMW Professional and Visibility Pack, no Nav but will get the tomtom or similar for iPhone instead. It felt strange driving a NA compared to turbo, something I'll get used quickly along with the RWD. Luckily we've got a weekend away visiting friends in the west country so will have a chance to give it a good run taking the scenic route from stealers Big thanks to Biscuits and J_C for popping down to give us their thoughts Can't bloody wait to pick it up [ATTACH]49017[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Nothing quite like owning a vag for 16 years Nice choice - that 2l engine is a cracker. What's a visibility pack? Rear view mirrors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Xenons plus some gadget for main beam, detects incoming cars. I'll be honest, not a fooking clue lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Good looking and spec'd car that G, about time you got a proper car You want a set of winter tyres ?! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 I'lllet you know in Jan Will have that cradle if you're still selling it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Quick google on visibility package Xenons Headlight wash Adaptive (xenon lens pivots left and right for corners) Rain Sensor and Auto on headlights High beam assistant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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