[GT3]

I am looking to get a used BMW to satisfy my needs for driving pleasure. I am totally aware of the maintenance costs of a 7-9 year old German car. I have a maximum budget of 11 Lakhs and I am ready to get cars anywhere from India(I am based in Tamil Nadu, so South Indian cars are preferred). Though I can extend my budget till 20 Lakhs and get newer BMW's, I decided against it since newer BMW's are not hardcore and it would be better if I spend as little as possible.

Here are my requirements and intended usage:

1)Should be mechanically sound to serve me for a minimum of 7-8 years. I have an yearly running of 20-25K Kms. I can tolerate any electrical issues, niggles and sort it out in specialist Euro garages. But mechanically it should be built to last. Have seen BMW's in UK run for 3-4 Lakh Kms over a period of 15 years.

2)I am looking for maximum driving pleasure and I am not cared about 0-100 times and fuel efficiency. I value cornering stability and balance more than straight line speed.

3)Though I don't care about fuel efficiency, I have not short-listed the 330i and 530i because the fuel quality around my place is very bad. So no petrol cars for me.

4)Comfort takes the least precedence and I am not cared about it.

5)Space available in the 3 series is more than enough for my usage.

6)I will use it mostly on highways and country roads. The city usage would be around 10% of the total.

7)Regular maintenance will be done by myself and complex jobs will be done at specialist garages.

8)We have three other cars at home so some down time is manageable.

I have shortlisted the following cars and please don't suggest any other car than these two :

1)2009-10 E60 530d Highline.

2)2011-12 E90 320d Exclusive.

BHPians which of the above cars do you think would be perfect for my intended use and requirement. Also is it possible to get the cars which have run less than 60K Kms, single owner and company records within my budget.

PS: If anybody is aware of cars for sale in your known circle kindly let me know.

[karan561]

I see in a budget of 11L you can get pretty decent examples of E90 320d's but you may or may not get the e60 530d for around the same budget.

Between these two i'd personally pick the 320d, also as i see you have mentioned that 0-100 timing is not your criteria but max driving pleasure is & i see that you are OK with the space of the 3 series hence i dont see any reason for you to look at the e60 530d.

Though I can extend my budget till 20 Lakhs

^ If you do that then you can buy both e90 320d (Corporate Edition) & a e60 530d

[reignofchaos]

The e60 530d was one of the nicest cars BMW ever made.

[Sahil]

Will be hard to get a good condition 530d in that budget. I have got higher offers for my 520d E60 currently.

Try and see if you can find a E90 330i or 325i, the petrols depreciate way more.

[Fullrevs]

Hi GT3! Since you have other cars at home and this new purchase isn't going to be the work horse of your household, why not be a bit adventurous and go for the 530D? Its simply wonderful.

I own a E60 525i, my folks have been dogging me about selling it but I just can't part ways with it. Its 8 years old but has only done 42,000km. Still young if you ask me.

[GTO]

Between the two, it's a no-brainer. The E60 530d was an iconic sports sedan, the likes of which will never be made again (it was very extreme). However:

Originally Posted by GT3

I have a maximum budget of 11 Lakhs

For 11 lakhs, better you get a 320d which is newer and has lesser km on it. Be a bit flexible on the budget. If you come across a pristine condition car and have to spend 2 - 3 lakhs more on it, don't hesitate. You are anyway saving so much money vs new. Remember, there is no such thing as a cheap BMW / Mercedes / Audi (if it's cheap to buy, it won't be cheap to own).

Suggestion: Since you currently drive an Etios / Swift / Zen, be open to a late model Jetta or Octavia. They will be a serious upgrade over your current rides and you'll get a far newer car too. These offer 75% of the experience, power & driving pleasure of a 3-Series at a significantly lower price.

Should be mechanically sound to serve me for a minimum of 7-8 years. I have an yearly running of 20-25K Kms.

You better budget to spend major $$$ on maintenance. Say, you get a car with 50,000 km on it. With annual running of 20 - 25k km, you'll cross 100,000 km in ~3 years. For the ownership period you mention, you'll easily cross 200,000 km. Though BMWs are more reliable than Mercedes' & Audis, they aren't Toyota Corollas. And any part replacement costs big $$$. Not only repairs, but even scheduled maintenance requirements cost a lot of money.

Originally Posted by Sahil

Try and see if you can find a E90 330i or 325i, the petrols depreciate way more.

Oh, please no!

1. The 320d was a lot more fun to drive than the 325i / 330i which had a completely DEAD bottom end, and woke up only past 3,000 rpm.

2. A 6 - 7 kmpl petrol car to someone who has an annual running of up to 25,000 km means over 3 lakh rupees / year in fuel costs alone .

Get a nice remap on the 320d and it'll give you driving pleasure + practicality.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by GTO

330i which had a completely DEAD bottom end, and woke up only past 3,000 rpm.


Get a nice remap on the 320d and it'll give you driving pleasure + practicality.

I had driven the 330i abroad and it was pretty quick but I guess with our fuel the detune has messed up the bottom end torque.

I agree, the 320d/520d have some great remap potentials.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by karan561

then you can buy both e90 320d (Corporate Edition) & a e60 530d

Maybe in my dreams

Originally Posted by Sahil

I have got higher offers for my 520d E60 currently.

What offers are you getting for your 520d?

Originally Posted by GTO

Suggestion: Since you currently drive an Etios / Swift / Zen, be open to a late model Jetta or Octavia. They will be a serious upgrade over your current rides and you'll get a far newer car too.

You better budget to spend major $$$ on maintenance.

Get a nice remap on the 320d and it'll give you driving pleasure + practicality.

My previous cars were the 1st gen Octavia diesel and the Figo 1.5 diesel. I have test driven the Jetta but the suspension compliance and steering weight were no match to the old Octi. But it was vastly better to any cars on sale in the D segment, the new Octavia was even worse in this regard. So am looking at BMW's.

I am fully aware of the maintenance costs of old Germans and I am prepared both technically and financially.

So the final conclusion is both cars do meet my criteria. I will keep looking for a good 320d Exclusive or a 530d Highline. Remap will be done is it's the 320d. If I get a pristine car I am ready to pay a premium. But the issue is I am yet to see a well maintained example that is priced sensibly excluding the car I had posted about on your thread.

Originally Posted by Sahil

I agree, the 320d/520d have some great remap potentials.

520d is not my primary choice. If its a 5 series it's got to be a 530d. But if there a 520d that is well priced I may be interested.

[Turbojc]

Originally Posted by GT3

I am looking to get a used BMW to satisfy my needs for driving pleasure.

Hi! A few weeks back, I saw a silver 320d for sale at Prasana Cars, a pre-owned car dealer on Avinashi Road. I don't remember the exact price they quoted, but it was somewhere between Rs 13L to Rs 16L. Maybe you should check that out. You can find their number here - http://prasanacars.net/default.aspx

Also, there is another pre-owned car dealer opposite Brookfields Mall called Mannadiar Cars. I've seen a few BMWs parked in their lot. You could try your luck there too.

Cheers!

[a4anurag]

Waking this thread up...

Currently own a 2017 Creta 1.6L CRDi SX(O) which is my daily driver car that has covered 27,400 in 7.5 months and the only car at home currently. Have decided to get a used BMW for sheer driving pleasure + to experience of how life will be with these premium segment cars.

Car: 320d (F30). No alternatives considered.

This car will be retained ONLY for 1 year maximum as the 530d purchase has been pushed ahead by an year.

Usage: Will be used by me 90% of the time and 10% IF wife feels like getting behind the wheel ever. This will be a weekend only car as weekdays it'll be the Creta.

Been searching a few used car showrooms since a month and have seen a few of them. Most of them are 2011-2013 manufactured with odometer readings between 65,000 - 1,00,000 kms all first owners with good maintenance and track record available at BMW. Asking prices are ranging between 16L to 22L but I am willing to spend maximum of 15L on this.

There is one particular car that is a 2014 manufactured 320d with 81,533 kms on the odometer and is a Sportline variant. Red colour. Asking price is 17L. Looks and drives brilliant as I have driven it twice already. I am yet to sit with the owner to bargain, can I ask it for 14.5-15L?


Source: CarTrade. Representation only. I haven't clicked any images yet. Car looks like this.

BMW showroom has given a clean chit to the car after a thorough inspection. Tyres are new, insurance is expiring in September and was last serviced in February.

Can I go ahead with the car?

[a4anurag]

Forgot to mention, this particular car as mentioned in my previous post has a valid BSI till September, 2019.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Forgot to mention, this particular car as mentioned in my previous post has a valid BSI till September, 2019.

With the above its a fairly good choice then. I would say go for it. And you probably won't lose too much money over the next year too on it.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

This car will be retained ONLY for 1 year maximum as the 530d purchase has been pushed ahead by an year.

My suggestion:

1. Don't buy this car. The km reading is too high for my liking, BSI notwithstanding.

2. Since you intend to keep it only for a year, instead save / invest the money you'd spend on this car and go buy a better 530d next year with the enhanced budget. You'd have more money on your hand for a 530d if you skip this car.

[BLACKRiVAL]

Hey guys. Was looking to buy a used f10 530d. I have seen a 2012 march 530d with comfort seats and updated dynamic experience control modes (eco & comfort). I wanted to know if this model has the updated engine with 258hp. Also was this model updated with increased GC (158mm).

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Car: 320d (F30). No alternatives considered.

Can I go ahead with the car?

Originally Posted by GTO

My suggestion:

1. Don't buy this car. The km reading is too high for my liking, BSI notwithstanding.

2. Since you intend to keep it only for a year, instead save / invest the money you'd spend on this car and go buy a better 530d next year with the enhanced budget. You'd have more money on your hand for a 530d if you skip this car.

Another issue which comes to mind is BHPian A4anurag's own health related trouble. He had issues with Swift's low seating, and had to get Creta. Wasn't it one of the main reasons to upgrade to Creta?? 320d's seating is also low.

Regards,
Shashi