I'm looking to buy a car and I should have somewhere between 10-12K by the time I'm ready to do so. I'm currently looking at E46 BMWs because I'm told they're good cars to buy used and they also look good (c'mon, who doesn't want to drive a BMW?). I would like the gearheads at bit to weigh in with opinions. I drive an India-spec Ford Fiesta while I'm home, if that's any help. The only requirement that I'm inflexible on is that it must have a manual transmission as I simply cannot get used to auto 'boxes. So is an E46 the way to go or is there something better out there for my money?
Can't help you on pricing coz I'm not over there. However, I will say that yeah, the E46 is generally a great bit of kit - IF it's been looked after. Mechanically, they are very well put together, but there are other issues to look out for. If you're really interested, read this: http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW_E46 When stipulating a stick over there, you're narrowing the field somewhat. Benz is out, which is a shame, but hey. I would be looking at B5 and B6 Audi A4s. The 2.0TFSI is a superb powerplant and the six-speed manual is a joy to use. I would also look at a GTI, same engine, same box, cheaper to buy and more fun to drive.
-1 To the GTI, IMHO. Having driven a 2005 A3 Audi 1.8T with an aftermarket airfilter, and having owned a 2005 Golf V GTI at that time, I'd take the Audi. With the aftermarket airfilter (normal K&N unit), it's quicker ina cceleration at highway speeds. It's also more stable at higher speeds (i.e. >160km/h). The GTI gets a bit twitchy there, which the Audi doesn't. Jut my opinion though. an E46 Bimmer is a good option. well built, and the 320D is SUPER efficient, clocking in at ~1500km on a tank...
i wouldnt as in the UK generally its muppets who drive them or drug dealers lol. generally its BMW drivers that cut me up and sit on my bumper. although getting a lot of audi drivers doing that too.
Around here it's moved to prettym uhc ONLY the Audi drivers behaving like ***tards. It's like all the BMW drivers sold their Bimmers and moved to the new A4...
Folks in *new* Bimmers are tards, folks in old Bimmers are not. ... or at least that's what I'd like to believe
Well I'll be honest and say that I'd think you were a cock just by looking at your car! You might change my mind depending on how considerate your driving was (were I given the opportunity to see it). I know it's wrong, but that's just how it is. If you bought a Benz instead, I would think you enjoyed the finer things in life and had spent your money wisely. If you had an E30 M3, that'd be a whole different story. In the US though, BMW drivers don't seem to have the same issues as they do here, either perceptually or demonstrably. There was something wrong with your GTI then. The 1.8T is a solid lump (I have the 180ps myself), but not a patch on the 2.0TFSI. It's quicker, more efficient and develops more torque. It's also smoother and quieter. However, the Audi will be more stable at high speeds because it's larger and uses front multi-link suspension which is geared more to comfort than handling. A K&N filter adds 5bhp AT BEST, on it's own.
Ok, so GTI is in the picture. I've always had a soft spot for Golfs. Thing is, my friend works in a used luxury car dealership, so she's always shooting me emails with deals on BMWs, Audis and so on, so VW never crossed my mind.
the GTI is ~200hp. Off the line it's quicker than my mate's Audi. No doubt. At highway speeds, he pulled away from me. I know this not from normal cruising but from the fact that we had a (rather irresposnible, I might add - don't try this... if something happens you're DEAD, make no mistake) >200km/h chase on a Sunday afternoon. At anything above 150km/h, that Audi lost me when putting his foot down. Mind, it MIGHT have been because I didn't have th car for long, and it was driven by a woman in the city only before.
That makes more sense. Don't discount the the E46, a well maintained one will serve you well. A decent B5 or B6 A4 would also be a great choice. However, the V GTI is a really, really fantastic bit of kit. The interior is a tiny bit weak, but the rest of it is superb. It's a fantastic value, quick, comfortable car.
Is that a bad thing? EDIT: What sort of mileage should I look out for? Is there a point beyond which an E46 or a V GTI shouldn't be bought? I plan on using this car for local travel in LA and the occasional roadtrip (say, >500mi every 3 months).
The powerplant and drivetrain in the E46 will be more durable than the GTI. However, the GTI can suffer a tiny bit more abuse than the BMW. Both will need to be fully serviced with regular oil changes and cambelts/chains done. I don't know what your budget buys you over there, but for example, my 1.8T has done 150,000 and is still sweet as a nut. But she's had an uprated clutch and flywheel and she doesn't want for anything in genuine bits and consumables. Why don't you give us some examples to look at, in your price range?
