320d BMW advice needed
 

My dad has been offered the following...

BMW 320D ES on a 06 plate with 50k on the clock for 10.5k

Does anyone have any advice on these. Well I know people do have advice (Mattee etc) so please feel free to go crazy.....

The only advice I gave him was get rid of the RFT's.

Cheers

ES is fairly low spec but that price sounds pretty good. Any options at all? Some are quite important - leather, cruise, etc.

Engine is 165ishbhp stock (goes to 177bhp in Sept 07) which is plenty for most. It's a good unit and very efficient - can't go far wrong really but definitely ditch the RFTs once they have worn enough.

A small number had swirl flap trouble which is pretty serious - just make sure it's been well looked after.

Why is leather important, resale ?

To be honest my last few cars have had it and though it looks nicer, cloth is usually nicer to sit on, I think the best bargains are to be had for cars that dont have big alloys, leather, sat nav and whatever, ok if you have a big budget go for it but I think you get most of the same experience for a lot less money, its funny how luxury items have now become essentials and there is definitely a pecking order in the company car park

It just helps resale and I reckon it's easier to keep in good nick. Being an ES it's unlikely to have it though but it would be a plus if it does.

Yes, I suppose with kids it would be, ours have trashed the Galaxy interior, being the Ghia model it has posher cloth but it isnt very resillient, full of water marks now, needs a proper valet.

Our Astra (half leather) fared quite well - pretty durable (4 years and 60k miles - still looked pretty good) but it wasn't what I'd call "luxururious" in appearance.

Cloth seated Jimny gets treated like sh1te but faring well(ish) but then it's pretty basic.

I guess if you clean them and take a bit of care (treat the leather every 6 months, etc) then they are likely to fare better. Just find leather better for cleaning puke off!

How about this one for a comparision
06 320D SE 52K Miles
From a BMW dealer so 12 months warranty
For £10K. Sounds very good.

2006 BMW 3 SERIES DIESEL SALOON 2000 cc 320d SE 4dr

05-06 320D SE's with 50-60K seem to be around 10.5K ish.

Good colour (inside and out) too. Can't remember exactly what the SE gets over the ES but it's a fair bit more.

From my recollection, the extras for the SE relative to ES are cruise, rear parking sensors, I think auto-dimming rear view mirror, alloys (the ES has alloys but different ones I think), and I'm sure a few other things I've forgotten. When we were looking for a 320D touring, definitely decided we wanted SE rather than ES - we bought one approved used from dealer with nearly £7k of options, so struggling to remember what "basic" SE spec was! We have got the leather (very nice, particularly with a small child for cleaning, an option that adds value), privacy glass (less bright light for the daughter), bluetooth (good, adds re-saleability to the car), 17" alloys (look much nicer than the 16s), CD changer, extended lighting and luggage packs, and probably several other bits I've forgotten.

Also IIRC with the saloon, split/folding rear seats were an option on some models - which a lot of people would potentially want, but might not bother others.

163bhp, about 250lbft torque, so plenty enough for everyday motoring without ever feeling / being fast. Pretty good smooth power delivery and revs quite well for a diesel - preferable to the huge turbo rush or torque you get from the Audi TDis IMHO, comfy cruiser, 50mpg on a run, nice chassis. Doesn't feel as lively/fun as my old scoob or current Mk5 Golf GTi, but generally it's a great family car for us.

Had been looking at BM diesels until recently but I ended up buying something Oriental.

Compare this which has all the toys fitted.

BMW : BMW 330d M-Sport saloon (2004)

Its Talizman's car off the site here.