Meh...New car can't decide

[Youstolemyname]

An E46 318i SE is easily doable for £6k. There's loads to choose from.

Quite correct. Just spotted a couple of beauties on autotrader. Also turns out my old mans mate does a nice line in bimmers and should be able to sort me out with something swish.

I just liked the sports pack on the compact, the skirts etc but I suppose I could add that later...

 

[willd58]

Yea, its just a shame there terrible cars for the money

 

[Raymond Lin]

Get a Mini Cooper

 

[NickXX]

An E46 318i SE is easily doable for £6k. There's loads to choose from.

Agreed. Please don't buy an e36 Compact. They're mostly based on a car which is two generations old (I think the e36 appeared around 1993ish), however some bits - such as the rear suspension is taken from the e30 which first appeared around 1985 :/

The e46 Compact isn't that bad, if not a tad pointless. The e36 Compact on the other hand should just be avoided at all costs.

As for an e46 320i (@100k) v e36 318 (@40k) compact, then go and test drive them both, I can guarantee you'll be driving away in the 320 at the end of the day.

 

[Youstolemyname]

Okay, it's now getting silly. Looking at a GT TDI Golf later. Any experience with these anyone?

 

[Oracle]

What year? Mk4 / Mk5?

Avoid <2000 Mk4s if you can as these were not Pumpe Duese. Revisions to MK4 were new 115 PD, 130 PD and 150PD. All can be chipped, 150 GT TDi can be chipped upto 180bhp and 370nm of torque. 130 and 150 both had 6spd boxes. This is a 1.9litre engine.

Please, please, if you are serioulsy looking here, also look at Seat Leon and Skoda.

Same cars, slightly better VFM

Golfs are seriously well built but they depend on their badges too much. Having said that, a well serviced TDi will see well into the 100ks mileage wise.

Early Mk4s dont handle well regardless of GT badge, late MK4s handle as well as MK5s thanks to 2003 revised suspension.

Mk5s are mainly 2.0litre TDis now, but are crazily expensive for what they are.