Thinking of buying a 320d

Rob55 · 06-19-2010, 05:02 PM

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of buying a 2005 E90 320d SE, pictured below. The car in question is SE spec but has "sport suspension" - was this ever an option from the factory or has it been retrofitted? Was there much difference between the SE and Sport suspension?

As for the rest of the car, it's 2005, 76k, manual, Monaco blue, black leather, silver dash trim, rear privacy glass, and has a few mods (18" MV3 wheels, m sport boot spoiler, ACS window spoiler and remap 210bhp). The guy is asking for £9k and won't budge on the price much. What's the gut feeling on this - does it seem like a fair enough deal?

Finally, I actually had my heart set on an E46 320cd M Sport but I drove one today and thought it was awful

Heavy steering, terrible seats, just not a great driving car.. will the E90 be much better?

Thanks!

Rob

cstavaru · 06-19-2010, 05:44 PM

Car looks nice but the remap would bother me...I wouldn't buy it unless I would be prepared for maintenance (new turbo and possibly other parts). Remap would also mean that the car was possibly driven hard.

I would buy a less good looking but stock e90 320d and would do my own modding. For the 163hp engine there is a BMW-approved Power Kit which ups the power by 20hp and the torque by 50Nm. I think that the 2005 model had an 150 hp engine though.

Rob55 · 06-19-2010, 05:54 PM

Really? I didn't realise the engine changed much. I know the guy who owns the car, he took it as a trade in 4 months ago and has been driving it for a while before he sells it on. He does drive his cars but then don't we all? Imo as long as a car is well looked after with regular servicing it doesn't matter that much unless someone is giving it actual abuse.

Rob55 · 06-19-2010, 06:15 PM

I was also wondering whether xenon headlights were standard or an option?

Rob55 · 06-20-2010, 03:20 AM

Any other advice lads?

cstavaru · 06-20-2010, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrob

Really? I didn't realise the engine changed much.

The e90 320d engine changed 3 times until now: 163hp, 177hp and 184hp.

Hairyarse · 06-20-2010, 05:29 AM

Have you driven it? Some will moan the M sport is too crashy with run flats (if still fitted) others wont. It was and still is an option from new.(M sport suspension that is) Should be a real good handler though. Sports seats would be a bonus as some say the SE are too flat. Personally I wouldn't be too worried about the re-map, if done properly should cause no issue.
I used to have an E46 330d and loved it, then had E90 only as courtesy car and did think it was so much nicer. Mine (E91) is being delivered on Friday so can't give you up to date critique!

Personally, if you can spare the extra cash, buy of a BMW dealer as from experience the used warranty is worth it's weight in gold but if you know this chap it's not so bad.

Otherwise, all I would say is keep you head on and rose tinted specs off, make sure any car has full genuine history and dont compromise, there should be plenty of choice out there to buy the car you want

Good luck and keep us posted on how you get on

Andy

Rob55 · 06-22-2010, 05:34 PM

Well I test drove the car this evening and put a deposit on it

MUCH nicer to drive than the E46, the difference is hard to believe. Needs a couple of bits tidied so got a bit off the asking price to take this into account, but overall I'm pretty happy with her. Never actually seen Monaco blue before in the flesh, have to say I kinda like it!

Can't wait to collect her in a week or two

Full spec as below..

2005 BMW 320d SE
Monaco Blue
Black Dakota Leather
18" MV3 Alloys
3 Spoke Leather MFSW
Tinted Front Screen
Electric Sunroof
Rear PDC
Extended Lights Package
Bluetooth
Professional CD
M Sport Boot Spoiler
ACS Window Spoiler
Lowered
Remap

Hairyarse · 06-23-2010, 03:33 PM

Nice one! Daft question but I guess it's the one you posted about first?

shuarma · 06-23-2010, 03:39 PM

i would look into a 330d or at least a 325d. the 320 is a bit too slow for my taste.

cstavaru · 06-23-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuarma

i would look into a 330d or at least a 325d. the 320 is a bit too slow for my taste.

320d with the BMW Power Kit has 400Nm (350 stock)...just like the stock 335i

shuarma · 06-23-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstavaru

320d with the BMW Power Kit has 400Nm (350 stock)...just like the stock 335i

sorry i don't think the BMW power kit adds 175hp

Hairyarse · 06-23-2010, 04:25 PM

He was talking NM (Torque) not bhp

shuarma · 06-23-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairyarse

He was talking NM (Torque) not bhp

sorry, my mistake

Hairyarse · 06-23-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuarma

sorry, my mistake

No worries, just thought I'd point it out

Hairyarse · 06-23-2010, 05:38 PM

...an extra 175 hp would be damn nice though!

Rob55 · 06-24-2010, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairyarse

Nice one! Daft question but I guess it's the one you posted about first?

Yep same car! Haven't had a chance to pick it up yet as the guy is clearing his finance off it, can't wait!

Mind you, I'll be kissing goodbye to my current pride and joy, 333bhp Focus RS

Hairyarse · 06-24-2010, 04:12 PM

Nice RS, but the Be-em should be more 'refined!' Make sure you see proof of the finance being paid off

Rob55 · 06-25-2010, 06:01 AM

RS is doing 25mpg, what kind of return should I expect from the 320d, will I hit 45ish??

My mum has had a 335d M Sport since new and I absolutely love it, as you say a lot more refined

06-19-2010, 05:02 PM	#1
Rob55 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Ireland iTrader: (0)	Thinking of buying a 320d edit BOUGHT! Hi guys, I'm thinking of buying a 2005 E90 320d SE, pictured below. The car in question is SE spec but has "sport suspension" - was this ever an option from the factory or has it been retrofitted? Was there much difference between the SE and Sport suspension? As for the rest of the car, it's 2005, 76k, manual, Monaco blue, black leather, silver dash trim, rear privacy glass, and has a few mods (18" MV3 wheels, m sport boot spoiler, ACS window spoiler and remap 210bhp). The guy is asking for £9k and won't budge on the price much. What's the gut feeling on this - does it seem like a fair enough deal? Finally, I actually had my heart set on an E46 320cd M Sport but I drove one today and thought it was awful Heavy steering, terrible seats, just not a great driving car.. will the E90 be much better? Thanks! Rob Last edited by Rob55; 06-22-2010 at 05:42 PM..
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06-19-2010, 05:44 PM	#2
cstavaru Brigadier General 313 Rep 3,262 Posts Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania iTrader: (0)	Car looks nice but the remap would bother me...I wouldn't buy it unless I would be prepared for maintenance (new turbo and possibly other parts). Remap would also mean that the car was possibly driven hard. I would buy a less good looking but stock e90 320d and would do my own modding. For the 163hp engine there is a BMW-approved Power Kit which ups the power by 20hp and the torque by 50Nm. I think that the 2005 model had an 150 hp engine though. __________________ Mods(click): Cobb + RB Turbos \| Aquamist HFS-4 Meth \| Drexler LSD \| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit \| Custom K&N Apollo Intake \| Wagner Intercooler \| Macht Schnell Downpipes \| BMW Performance Power Kit \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMW Performance Short Shifter \| M3 Subframe Bushings \|
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06-19-2010, 05:54 PM	#3
Rob55 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Ireland iTrader: (0)	Really? I didn't realise the engine changed much. I know the guy who owns the car, he took it as a trade in 4 months ago and has been driving it for a while before he sells it on. He does drive his cars but then don't we all? Imo as long as a car is well looked after with regular servicing it doesn't matter that much unless someone is giving it actual abuse.
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06-19-2010, 06:15 PM	#4
Rob55 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Ireland iTrader: (0)	I was also wondering whether xenon headlights were standard or an option?
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06-20-2010, 03:20 AM	#5
Rob55 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Ireland iTrader: (0)	Any other advice lads?
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06-20-2010, 05:29 AM	#7
Hairyarse First Lieutenant 8 Rep 314 Posts Drives: BMW E91 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Stamford UK iTrader: (0)	Have you driven it? Some will moan the M sport is too crashy with run flats (if still fitted) others wont. It was and still is an option from new.(M sport suspension that is) Should be a real good handler though. Sports seats would be a bonus as some say the SE are too flat. Personally I wouldn't be too worried about the re-map, if done properly should cause no issue. I used to have an E46 330d and loved it, then had E90 only as courtesy car and did think it was so much nicer. Mine (E91) is being delivered on Friday so can't give you up to date critique! Personally, if you can spare the extra cash, buy of a BMW dealer as from experience the used warranty is worth it's weight in gold but if you know this chap it's not so bad. Otherwise, all I would say is keep you head on and rose tinted specs off, make sure any car has full genuine history and dont compromise, there should be plenty of choice out there to buy the car you want Good luck and keep us posted on how you get on Andy
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06-22-2010, 05:34 PM	#8
Rob55 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Ireland iTrader: (0)	Well I test drove the car this evening and put a deposit on it MUCH nicer to drive than the E46, the difference is hard to believe. Needs a couple of bits tidied so got a bit off the asking price to take this into account, but overall I'm pretty happy with her. Never actually seen Monaco blue before in the flesh, have to say I kinda like it! Can't wait to collect her in a week or two Full spec as below.. 2005 BMW 320d SE Monaco Blue Black Dakota Leather 18" MV3 Alloys 3 Spoke Leather MFSW Tinted Front Screen Electric Sunroof Rear PDC Extended Lights Package Bluetooth Professional CD M Sport Boot Spoiler ACS Window Spoiler Lowered Remap Last edited by Rob55; 06-23-2010 at 04:09 AM..
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06-23-2010, 03:33 PM	#9
Hairyarse First Lieutenant 8 Rep 314 Posts Drives: BMW E91 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Stamford UK iTrader: (0)	Nice one! Daft question but I guess it's the one you posted about first?
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06-23-2010, 03:39 PM	#10
shuarma Banned 87 Rep 718 Posts Drives: AW e92 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	i would look into a 330d or at least a 325d. the 320 is a bit too slow for my taste.
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06-23-2010, 04:25 PM	#13
Hairyarse First Lieutenant 8 Rep 314 Posts Drives: BMW E91 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Stamford UK iTrader: (0)	He was talking NM (Torque) not bhp
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06-23-2010, 05:38 PM	#16
Hairyarse First Lieutenant 8 Rep 314 Posts Drives: BMW E91 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Stamford UK iTrader: (0)	...an extra 175 hp would be damn nice though!
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06-24-2010, 04:12 PM	#18
Hairyarse First Lieutenant 8 Rep 314 Posts Drives: BMW E91 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Stamford UK iTrader: (0)	Nice RS, but the Be-em should be more 'refined!' Make sure you see proof of the finance being paid off
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06-25-2010, 06:01 AM	#19
Rob55 Private First Class 17 Rep 114 Posts Drives: E90 320d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Ireland iTrader: (0)	RS is doing 25mpg, what kind of return should I expect from the 320d, will I hit 45ish?? My mum has had a 335d M Sport since new and I absolutely love it, as you say a lot more refined
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