I’m a Newbie! Info needed please.

Quote: Originally posted by stiscooby on 31-March-2003

---

What I would like to know from you nice people is:

1) What are the service intervals on BMW's and what kind of money am I looking at for servicing?

They have variable service intervals - the car will tell you when it needs serviced. I get approx 10k between services, but this will vary from driver to driver. I think I pay £90 for an oil service, £140 for an Inspection I and £250 for an Inspection II. (There are preferential service prices for 4 year old and older cars - BMW 4 plus) Sequence goes Oil, I, Oil, II with the occasional 'Annual' service thrown in - it cost me £35 last time the car claimed to need it.

2) I would like something along the lines of a 328 SE/328 CI 2 door, what is the difference between the SE/CI?

BMWs have varying spec levels as there are plenty options for owners to pick/choose from. a 328se is a 4 door a 328ci is a coupe. Best bet is just to shop around for the spec that suits you.

3) Would 30mpg be achievable on the above models?

I get 28-32mpg from my 1996 328i coupe. Depends on the type of driving I'm doing.

Does anyone have any comments on the 328? Or would I be better off with another model such as the 325 etc??

I like the 328i, but then I'm a wee bit biased... See http://www.newtongrove.demon.co.uk/bmwcc/ color=#0000cccar328i.html for my car. While I doubt any of them will have the out and out shove of your scooby, I do not think any of the bigger 6's will disappoint - 323/325/328.

P.S. Budget is around 15-16K???

Should get you a pretty decent approved used car from a dealer (IMHO well worth the premium over a private purchase). You could realistically find an M3 for that money although it would almost certainly be a private purchase and compromise your reduced insurance aim...

HTH,

Duncan

---

Quote: Originally posted by stiscooby on 02-April-2003

---

M3 hey! as much as I would like one it would prob cost nearly as much in petrol, well I think it would?

---

Quote: Originally posted by kbannon on 03-April-2003

---

isn't hooligan mode what they were made for?

---

Sti Scooby,i have just bought a 330d touring sport.

The STi has to go i need more boot space for a double buggy.

Plus the fuel bills were starting to get on my nerves!!!

I'm sorry the car is going but i have to be a bit sensible for a couple of years!!!! 

Service intervals are flexible according to how you drive. If most of your driving is motorway, they will be longer, maybe as much as 15k. Older models had a series of lights that went out, current ones tell you when you start up how many miles until the next service.

As to which model, I don't know if a 330 would come in your budget, but it's a big step up from the 328 in performance, much more than you'd think for an extra 200 cc.

Ive got a 2000 E46 325 SE,before i bought i tried out E46 323 and 328 There is not a lot of difference in performance/mpg in any of them, the 325 replaced the 323 a couple of years ago.I paid £14,000 for mine from the internet car showroom and they have loads of 3 series all ex lease BMWSH for a lot less money than elsewhere.Check out their website and happy hunting. www.internetcarshowroom.com

PS No I am not on commission for them!!