[anonymousmoose]

I know this is predominately a USA based forum but hear me out

There are two BMW 320d's for sale.

One is an 2006 with 94,000km

Second is 2009 with 64,000km.

There is a $12,000 price difference.

The 2006 will have about 217,000km on the odometer after I'd drive it for 5 years.
The 2009 will have 189,000km on the odometer after 5 years.

The 09 has the full innovations package (sat nav etc) and still have a few months new warranty left.

The 06 has the M Sport package with the upgraded leather and also the sat/nav etc.

Which would you choose & why?

[suff]

Neither

I'd be looking for something newer, and with less K's such as:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=12F3C0BCCF4B

or

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=12F3C0BCCF4B

I'm guessing your budget is <$45k, so both of these will fit within your budget (especially after a bit of haggling given the recent price drops on new 3er's)

Shipping from east to west is $1100 inclusive of insurance (last 3 cars have come to me via this manner).. If you have property, or access to property in the state of origin, you can also register the vehicle in this state (and thus save further on stamp duty)

Lastly, ANY car with 150k+ on it is going to need repairs, and mostly likely expensive ones (at a bare minimum things like shocks + exhaust are most likely going to be getting tired by this time)

[anonymousmoose]

Very good points, yet I dont have property over east.

Can you take me through how to get one from over the east side? PM me if you wish. I would appreciate it a lot

Originally Posted by suff

Neither

I'd be looking for something newer, and with less K's such as:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=12F3C0BCCF4B

or

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=12F3C0BCCF4B

I'm guessing your budget is <$45k, so both of these will fit within your budget (especially after a bit of haggling given the recent price drops on new 3er's)

Shipping from east to west is $1100 inclusive of insurance (last 3 cars have come to me via this manner).. If you have property, or access to property in the state of origin, you can also register the vehicle in this state (and thus save further on stamp duty)

Lastly, ANY car with 150k+ on it is going to need repairs, and mostly likely expensive ones (at a bare minimum things like shocks + exhaust are most likely going to be getting tired by this time)

[amk2912]

Can't really comment other than to say I LOVE the 320d as a daily driver. After living with one for 3 days as a loaner I was really impressed with the torque. A bit laggy but still impressive. The 330d is an absolute pearler if you could stretch the budget.

If BMW AU brought in the 335d, I'd give serious thought to getting rid of the M3!!

[anonymousmoose]

Just thinking here... the 06 model I could probably put on a 3 year plan rather then 5 year lease cashflow wise. Yet it would still have and estimated 170,000km on the odometer once its time to sell the car.

[QLD]

Originally Posted by suff

Neither - I'd be looking for something newer,

+1

[Chris.G]

Originally Posted by suff

Neither

I'd be looking for something newer, and with less K's such as:

+1

Don't get yourself in a situation where you will fork out dollars constantly to repair bits and pieces that are worn out due to high kms.

[sbce90]

2009 w/ 64000 is HEAPS of kms!

[John_01]

If the car has been serviced properly, maybe 30,000km/year for two years isn't too bad for a 320d. It seems like you are planning on 25,000km/year anyway. Still having factory warranty is a bonus, and a later model car would be preferable for me because of the various upgrades, updated styling and probably less hassles. Maybe you should check the technical specs, but I think there might be some differences in the engine between 2006 and 2009 320d.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by SBC

2009 w/ 64000 is HEAPS of kms!

Yeh I know. BMW dealer has an 2010 which they have for $55000 and it's got 63,000km. Price wise the 09 is good yet I see the point many are making about problems in the future.

A car dealer my father knows very well just got a w203 2006 C200 aventgard with AMG pack in for $37k with 55,000km. I could lease that for 3 years and probably get a nice discount on the price. But it's no BMW :-(

Problem with Australia is that we are literally flooded with 4 cyl 320i's. They still sell for $30-$40k depending on year and milege. So any diesel or i6 speced BMW cost a large premium.

[bcoz]

Originally Posted by John_01

Maybe you should check the technical specs, but I think there might be some differences in the engine between 2006 and 2009 320d.

+1

320d power increased from 120kW to 130kW (Euro spec & Oz?) sometime in 2007, so maybe go for a 2008+ model.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_(E90)#Engines

[anonymousmoose]

Just today I saw an 08 for $42k private sale, 320d 40000km

[John_01]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Just today I saw an 08 for $42k private sale, 320d 40000km

So you save 2k for an older car with Pre-LCI styling?

[suff]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Just thinking here... the 06 model I could probably put on a 3 year plan rather then 5 year lease cashflow wise. Yet it would still have and estimated 170,000km on the odometer once its time to sell the car.

On top of my previous comments, personally I would be avoiding a "first release" car (ie a 2006 MY).. That's not to say they are all dud's, far from it.. but given that BMW's are notorious for gremlins (especially electrical), I'd be aiming for an MY07+ purely for the comfort that there is "less" likelihood in having a teething issue from the first batch

Many will dis-agree with me here, but that's my opinion.

feel free to PM me with any questions you have about transport (or buy me a beer )

[cruvon]

MY05 is the first release car, not MY06, atleast for the 320i, did the 320d come later?

[Dan320]

2009 model 320d uses particle filter and if it not maintained property including driving style and fuel used, they will cause problems.

[anonymousmoose]

Thanks for all the info everyone.

Well, if I get one of the 320d's, the 3rd option 2008 model would be it. My fathers car dealer friend has a Mercedes w203 c200 kompressor with AMG factory options I'm also going to test drive, if I can get that for a really good price, perhaps I'll go Merc for 2-3 years before BMW. I'll post whatever happens.

[suff]

Originally Posted by cruvon

MY05 is the first release car, not MY06, atleast for the 320i, did the 320d come later?

Carsales shows only 2006 onwards in the 320d

[V1_R]

I'm trying to sell my 335i and it has occured to me the price has really come down (to my disgust!!!!)

Have you considered buying a 335i?

You can get a 2006/7 with 80,000K for about $55K (or less)

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by PersianPete

You can get a 2006/7 with 80,000K for about $55K (or less)

$45k lease would be pushing it... so $55k is a no. I'd be living for the car-repayments on a $55k leave and I dont roll like that .

Even if I could swing it for 5 years, buy the end of it, the 335i would have much to high KM.

But a 335i would be so desirable

Looking to spend $35k-$40k on a 3-4 year leave. But if I can find a really low KM car for $45k I might sign up for a 5 year lease.

[johnnydad]

I'd get the newer one.

Later models do also get the benefit of ongoing refinements in suspension tune as well as the superior diesel engine as others have mentioned. As for having a few km up, if you are keeping it for 4-5 years and adding that much to the odo yourself, a 20-30,000 difference now pales into insignificance compared to your preferred spec and overall condition. Besides, drive a new car after a cherished 50,000km old one and there isn't a great deal of deterioration.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Thanks for all the info everyone.

Well, if I get one of the 320d's, the 3rd option 2008 model would be it. My fathers car dealer friend has a Mercedes w203 c200 kompressor with AMG factory options I'm also going to test drive, if I can get that for a really good price, perhaps I'll go Merc for 2-3 years before BMW. I'll post whatever happens.

I ended up buying a Benz. I know, shock horror. lol. But it was at a dealership my fathers friend owns, probably the most prestige car dealership in the state. I got a super warranty for almost wholesale price. I couldnt say no. And I do love Mercs as much as I love BMW;