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So I gotta decide between a E90 (or E46) 320d, a S40 T5 or a V50 T5. All are pretty much in the same price range (R140k - R190k), and the same year (around 2004-2007). The Beemer gets awesome mileage to the gallon, but I don't think it'll match up to the (230 odd hp?) of the Volvo T5's. And I've always had a soft spot for a sportwagon-y thing. And I'm sure I'd get some more from the T5 with a modded ECU. BMW has their optional extended motorplan deal though.

Any suggestions?

E46 Diesel Specs
E90 Diesel Specs

Not near the Volvo's specs BUT I'd rather drive a BMW than a Volvo

My mom owns a Volva (V70 T5) and the thing moves like a bullet but it's crap.
It's annoying to drive. The turbo lag is huge and when you do get power you get buckets (and I do mean buckets) of torque steer followed by several terrifying seconds of loss of control, a brown moment and then a slamming on the brakes and stopping inches from a tree.

In other words, go for the BMW but as long as it's not the one with the pinched bum. It's not cool if your car looks like it needs to pinch it's own bum-much rather get a girl to do it.

Ok I'm pratting about but I still would take the beemer.
...Further googling of pics reveals this as the E90
http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/pics/3er ... 5_rear.jpg
AAAh-it is the pinched bum one. Hate it. Take the Volvo. It's a bangle car-ie ugly.

Frozenfireside have you seen the E46? I must say I prefer the E46 over the E90

I'd get the 320d

I prefer the E46 but get the E90 320d if you can, the E46 model had problems with the turbo, apparently it's fixed but I still don't know if I'd trust a car that's been through so many turbos. When I was interested in buying one a few years ago, one of them on the floor had 30,000km on the clock and had been through 4 turbos (I asked for the FSH). Motorplan will replace it and generally they are very quick but still... Inconvenience of having no car for a few days.

The E46 looks better, has much better interior and the suspension feels like proper BMW suspension (E36 had it as well), very smooth ride. The E90 isn't as smooth of a ride (unless you get the sports suspension, for some reason it feels smoother but not as good as the E46s). But I've only driven E90 330d's, don't know how the E90 320d feels but I doubt it's better.

If your financing through BMW, make sure they give you a good interest rate. They're desperate to sell cars now, you have the upper hand.

@ Hex: IIRC the E36 had the turbo problems which were sorted out in the E46's. Which year model was the car you were looking at? I think the 1999-2001 320d's had the turbo problems too

Looking at 2004-2007 ish.

well the E46 came to an end in 2005, so to find one is not hard but not as easy as finding say a 2001 model. I woul dstill go with the E46 over the E90 and the volvo. Its just a much nicer car, Its what BMW is meant to feel like, performance and comfort

Vampyre_2099 wrote:Frozenfireside have you seen the E46? I must say I prefer the E46 over the E90

Old school beemers were the best. My dad owed an old old old old 5 series and 3 series and they caused trouble but we fixed the issue eventually.

I still love the old M coupe based on the Z3. That's a steel because no one likes it except me.

Bangle was a crime against humanity.

Just an update, been reading about the 3 series bmw's and I came across this. As much as I love bm's I can't let you screw yourself over

culprit

@ Hex: IIRC the E36 had the turbo problems which were sorted out in the E46's. Which year model was the car you were looking at? I think the 1999-2001 320d's had the turbo problems too

I was looking at a 2003 320d (facelift), it had been through 4 turbos which is why I opted out completely and decided on a 2.2l petrol engine instead. I wouldn't even buy a E46 diesel BMW under motorplan, they were notorious for blowing turbos. One of the dealerships (think Clearwater BMW) was selling a car that had the motorplan lifted to 200,000km they were so desperate to sell it (it had already about 70k put on the clock in just under a year - obviously a fleet vehicle or something).

They made a 325tds E36 as well and I think it was as almost as fast as the 325i which made many people amazed, this was obviously long ago before turbo diesel became so popular. I think BMW were way too reckless with the boost before they worked out how to make reliable diesel engines. The E90s don't seem to have the problems. And they haul, on the highveld the 330d feels like a sport's car compared to normally aspirated cars.

I liked the diesel due to the claimed fuel consumption (about 7.5l/100km). Apparantly the turbos suck.

But I thought turbos blow?