|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Aug 30, 2021 9:05:10 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Aug 30, 2021 11:10:13 GMT
I’d try and find one with Professional Navigation and upgraded speakers as the base system isn’t good, plus ideally electric seats because the manual adjustment is rubbish but that will be harder to find.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Aug 30, 2021 12:12:48 GMT
I’d try and find one with Professional Navigation and upgraded speakers as the base system isn’t good, plus ideally electric seats because the manual adjustment is rubbish but that will be harder to find. Ah, Professional Nav is the one to go for - had it in my mind the Business Nav was the favoured variety - glad I asked now! Entertainment system in the Skoda isn't all that brilliant tbh , though I've certainly had worse. Electric/memory seats would be a real boon, as the Skoda has neither; a major PITA when Herself has been driving it, as she never puts the seat back to the original distance, never mind height, rake etc etc etc. I was also leaning more towards an F11 or something of that ilk, having seen a lovely one (in white, but you can't have everything!) in a Stirling dealer. That did have ProNav, electric seats, autobox, pretty much everything I'd like. Sadly, by the time I got my mate ot check for me (he works in the place) it was gone. He said they simply can't keep hold of anything even remotely tidy for very long at all - not that they're complaining, I don't suppose! |
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Aug 30, 2021 12:50:26 GMT
Having just helped both my SiL and a friend of my wife’s buy new Skodas I’d look to get a new(er) one of them over this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Aug 30, 2021 15:27:09 GMT
Having just helped both my SiL and a friend of my wife’s buy new Skodas I’d look to get a new(er) one of them over this. I don’t think I’d buy one either, as I’ve never been impressed with the E90 20d in any flavour, an F11 would be a much better option if you want a BMW of that vintage. I was just trying to answer the question without saying what spec I really think is ‘right’  |
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 30, 2021 18:19:43 GMT
My father in law has a 63 plate 320i which looks almost identical to that one and he rather likes it. Of course that means that it is starting to look a lot older than a 2018 car should.
Agree that some choice options should be sought but is Pro Nav a deal breaker bearing in mind Apple CarPlay and Android Auto give you real time navigation via Waze or Google maps?
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Aug 30, 2021 18:25:22 GMT
Having just helped both my SiL and a friend of my wife’s buy new Skodas I’d look to get a new(er) one of them over this. Not entirely against that idea to be fair; I have a 3-year old vRS in my 'garage' which I really fancy. My father in law has a 63 plate 320i which looks almost identical to that one and he rather likes it. Of course that means that it is starting to look a lot older than a 2018 car should. Agree that some choice options should be sought but is Pro Nav a deal breaker bearing in mind Apple CarPlay and Android Auto give you real time navigation via Waze or Google maps? The navigation wouldn't break any deal for me, but I must admit I'd rather whatever it was is in a 5-series over a 3 any day.
Interestingly (to me) is, that having reset the search to 'any make' within 100 miles, there are NO fords, French cars of any marque, a couple of V60's and a couple of Seats. EVERYthing else is German.  |
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Aug 31, 2021 8:30:57 GMT
Has that got CLOTH seats? Not sure I've seen those in an F3X!
My old 320 had manual seats but they were fine and easy to adjust.
I'm not sure if all these shape 3s have it but mine had a tilt for the whole seat which I liked a lot.
Agree on the sound system - when we bought the 430 we also tested another 4 series that had the standard stereo and that was enough to put us off, it really is puny.
I expect the one in the pictures will ride nicely on those small wheels and in SE spec compared to an M Sport on 19s.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Aug 31, 2021 9:44:31 GMT
Has that got CLOTH seats? Not sure I've seen those in an F3X! My old 320 had manual seats but they were fine and easy to adjust. I'm not sure if all these shape 3s have it but mine had a tilt for the whole seat which I liked a lot. Agree on the sound system - when we bought the 430 we also tested another 4 series that had the standard stereo and that was enough to put us off, it really is puny. I expect the one in the pictures will ride nicely on those small wheels and in SE spec compared to an M Sport on 19s. I'm not averse to cloth seats, but as they don't come with electric seats (AFAIK), it's moot anyway. Point taken on the sound, will look out for that. My thoughts were that SE spec seemed fairly well thought of by you guys, and smaller wheels round here are a real boon! |
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Aug 31, 2021 10:40:20 GMT
Has that got CLOTH seats? Not sure I've seen those in an F3X! My old 320 had manual seats but they were fine and easy to adjust. I'm not sure if all these shape 3s have it but mine had a tilt for the whole seat which I liked a lot. Agree on the sound system - when we bought the 430 we also tested another 4 series that had the standard stereo and that was enough to put us off, it really is puny. I expect the one in the pictures will ride nicely on those small wheels and in SE spec compared to an M Sport on 19s. I'm not averse to cloth seats, but as they don't come with electric seats (AFAIK), it's moot anyway. Point taken on the sound, will look out for that. My thoughts were that SE spec seemed fairly well thought of by you guys, and smaller wheels round here are a real boon! My E92 was a 2.0d in SE trim on 17" wheels and it rode pretty well - far better than the M Sport of it's time. I'm not averse to cloth seats but I'd always prefer leather. I've had 3 sereis with both the standard and professional nav and, realistically, there's bugger all difference in practical use. |
|
|
|
Post by PetrolEd on Aug 31, 2021 10:53:13 GMT
I just couldn't get on with the driving position of our old F31, pedals, seat ad steering wheel all pointing in different directions and a seat that just wouldn't go low enough. The ride was truly awful on 19"s and run flats but you'll be ok if you go for 18's and normal tyres I assume. make sure you go for an Auto as the manual is like trying to change gear through concrete and the clutch has a springy nature which leaves you bunny hoping down the road. It was a class leading drive once you got it moving but never felt like it shrunk around you.
If I had 20K and not too bothered about badging how about a Hyundai i30N Performance. Nothing like the BMW but if your looking at a VRS...
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Aug 31, 2021 11:05:14 GMT
I just couldn't get on with the driving position of our old F31, pedals, seat ad steering wheel all pointing in different directions and a seat that just wouldn't go low enough. The ride was truly awful on 19"s and run flats but you'll be ok if you go for 18's and normal tyres I assume. make sure you go for an Auto as the manual is like trying to change gear through concrete and the clutch has a springy nature which leaves you bunny hoping down the road. It was a class leading drive once you got it moving but never felt like it shrunk around you. If I had 20K and not too bothered about badging how about a Hyundai i30N Performance. Nothing like the BMW but if your looking at a VRS... Not sure it would be big enough inside, I'd need to see one. Looking at a vRS, yeah, but after the Subaru I'm less than enamoured of buying something like that for the use I would put it to 99% of the time. Not going to rule it out completely though, given how much Stu liked his, and I liked the one I test drove at the time I bought my current steed. Not as wary of the DSG box now either, as it's what Herself had in her Superb. |
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Aug 31, 2021 13:37:30 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Aug 31, 2021 19:47:05 GMT
The second one is gone, but the first looks rather nice indeed! Pity it's so far away though, as I'd much rather have a sit in it and een a test drive if possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisM on Aug 31, 2021 20:08:29 GMT
The second one is gone, but the first looks rather nice indeed! Pity it's so far away though, as I'd much rather have a sit in it and een a test drive if possible. Second one was a Category S crashed and repaired anyway, so IMHO no great loss that it has already been sold. I wouldn't want to buy a car with known crash damage unless I'd seen photos and had some reassurance of how it had been rebuilt |
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Aug 31, 2021 21:36:47 GMT
They were available with electric seats. Probably a rare option on a 320d though.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Sept 1, 2021 7:59:31 GMT
The second one is gone, but the first looks rather nice indeed! Pity it's so far away though, as I'd much rather have a sit in it and een a test drive if possible. We've had 3 road trip purchases of used cars - I think it makes it a bit more special. The dealer would hold the car for a small deposit with no strings attached if you didn't like it. |
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Sept 1, 2021 8:10:25 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Sept 1, 2021 8:43:09 GMT
Would you really buy a used car from those wankers at Arnold Clark? The old shape one looks like a much nicer option to me but do any of the ones linked have electric seats or were those standard and just not mentioned in the ads? Barons have a fantastic reputation and I noticed last night that my 2003 530 Touring was originally from them. Actually, Ian, if you'd said you were looking for something else I could've tried flogging that to you for substantially less than £20k  As it is it looks as if it'll shortly making the journey West to another, er, happy owner. |
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Sept 1, 2021 8:57:55 GMT
I know of a LHD F11 that’s available at this price. Heated and cooled seats….
|
|
|
|
Post by PG on Sept 1, 2021 9:15:04 GMT
That 5 series in SE trim looks OK. The 3 series of the OP just doesn't - it looks "cheap".
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Sept 1, 2021 9:37:36 GMT
Would you really buy a used car from those wankers at Arnold Clark? I don't think AC are particularly worse that other dealers but given that it is being sold through their BMW dealer, I think that gives a bit more peace of mind. All official BMW used cars come with a full warranty for a year. ....and Barons Bedford is where my car came from! |
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Sept 1, 2021 10:52:27 GMT
I got my last 3 series from AC Edinburgh - their Motorstore dealership. The salesman was very good actually, really on the ball with a video walkround and happy to get me 3 quotes for finance. Very painless experience.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 1, 2021 10:55:49 GMT
Would you really buy a used car from those wankers at Arnold Clark? I don't think AC are particularly worse that other dealers but given that it is being sold through their BMW dealer, I think that gives a bit more peace of mind. All official BMW used cars come with a full warranty for a year. . ...and Barons Bedford is where my car came from!And my 7 series, they looked after me really well. |
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Sept 1, 2021 11:19:04 GMT
The second one is gone, but the first looks rather nice indeed! Pity it's so far away though, as I'd much rather have a sit in it and een a test drive if possible. We've had 3 road trip purchases of used cars - I think it makes it a bit more special. The dealer would hold the car for a small deposit with no strings attached if you didn't like it. We went to Coventry for Herself's Superb 3 years ago; made a weekend of it, with the dogs, and had a grand wee trip. Would be easier now with no dogs .. .. .. Both nice cars, but too pricey for me unless they're prepared to drop a fair amount! I've come to the conclusion that if it IS a BMW I end up going for, it will be a 5 rather than a 3. I think (with no recent first-hand perusal of said load spaces) the interior of a 3-touring will be too tight to (safely) fit model aeroplanes in to, along with all the paraphernalia that goes with them! Having expanded the parameters a little, I'm now seeing some Fords (nah!) Pugs, more VAG stuff and a few Kia Optimas. The latter look quite tempting in a lot of ways, not "premium" I know, but that's not really the major consideration right now despite my original question! Plus, a friend in the club has one, and it takes all his models quite comfortably, even a 7-foot wingspan flying boat - thought that is a bit of squeeze admittedly! |
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 1, 2021 11:28:04 GMT
The 5 series gets rear air suspension so rides better than the saloon, along with the benefits of it being self levelling plus it has an electric load cover which is particularly useful when you only open the rear window as it powers up out of the way.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Sept 1, 2021 12:23:00 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Sept 1, 2021 12:45:10 GMT
Hadn't really thought about A6's, though size-wise they're not a far off the dimensions of a 5! The 3.0L one is lush, but not sure it isn't maybe a wee bit too old?! Will have a better look at home tonight. |
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Sept 1, 2021 14:05:32 GMT
My one experience of an A6 - a 67 plate 2 litre avant quattro - was deeply unimpressive.
Fine for cruising the motorway at 100, mediocre everywhere else, not fast, not economical and no better put together than anything else new I've been in.
The bluetooth music playing was particularly irritating and about 100 worse than the Mighty Micra.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Sept 1, 2021 15:03:07 GMT
My one experience of an A6 - a 67 plate 2 litre avant quattro - was deeply unimpressive. Fine for cruising the motorway at 100, mediocre everywhere else, not fast, not economical and no better put together than anything else new I've been in. The bluetooth music playing was particularly irritating and about 100 worse than the Mighty Micra. I knew there'd been an Audi of some flavour you had detested. Was that the one which had the autobox in it, with the 3-second lag built in? |
|
