Should I buy a Bmw 318 Touring estate?

[hardtailstar]

Hi All,

 

As above should I buy one?

 

Any one had one or got one?

 

Are they reliable and relatively cost effective to run?

 

The car in question is an 2009 plate with 61k on the clock. Its only had one owner from new and a full service history.

 

It looks in good shape but I haven't test driven it yet.

 

Thanks in advance.

[3s-gtech]

Petrol or diesel?

[hardtailstar]

Petrol or diesel?

 

Diesel

[bossman]

@hardtailstar

 

BMW 3-Series Touring (2005-2012) Owners Reviews | Parkers

[speckytecky]

I'd recommend paying for one of those RAF / AA car checks unless you have a good knowledge yourself or have a mate who is a mechanic.

 

Best car I ever had was a BMW 535i Estate. It was petrol and a bit heavy on the juice. I didn't pay for a check though and since found the dealer I bought it from didn't have a solid rep - he is currently doing bird for fraud!

 

I sold it on a tad prematurely as I found when it rained the rear right footwell carpet tended to get a soaking! Turns out that's a known issue with the sliding roof and is pretty easily resolved by finding the end of the drain pipe that's meant to take that water and unblocking it.

 

It was the third Beamer I've had. The first two were brand new 3 series when I was in the Forces in Germany. Love them but can't afford one nowadays.

[Andrew_C]

Do you know what indicators are for?

 

No - buy it

Yes - don't buy it

 

[LeMarchand]

I'd say no, but this flowchart may help.

 

[JordanT91]

I'd go for the 320d over the 318d any day. You'll still get around 50MPG.

[Danp]

The 320D and even the 325D return about the same MPG on standard driving but you have more poke when needed. Tend to have higher trim spec too.

[3s-gtech]

Parents have a 2010 318d Touring. It's a good solid car, well made, nice to drive, plenty of poke (even the de-tuned 2 litre makes 140bhp) cheap on tax and it's economical. It's done 190,000 miles, many of them towing a horse box but it has had a new clutch and DMF during its life. Very few issues. The light grey interior trim shows marks very easily but it's hard wearing. Leather would be better. Rear seat space is limited due to the transmission tunnel - it's a good four seater but tight for five. No spare wheel or water temperature gauge, both of which are a pain.

[Sheridan]

Do you need to drive in the snow/slush/frosts? If so be prepared to put winter tyres on or you won't get it off the drive.

[DJ-1701]

I'd recommend paying for one of those RAF / AA car checks...

If it could fly, I certainly would consider it.

[hardtailstar]

Do you need to drive in the snow/slush/frosts? If so be prepared to put winter tyres on or you won't get it off the drive.

 

I walk to work. I just need it for days I need to fit large amount of stuff in the boot, this could potentially be during snow/slush/frosts

[Davit2005]

My old boss had a 320d and it almost got stuck a few times in the car park at work in snow. Shouldn't be a problem if the car park is flat with no inclines as long as you take it easy or buy snow chains.

[john]

I walk to work. I just need it for days I need to fit large amount of stuff in the boot, this could potentially be during snow/slush/frosts

 

Avoid a BMW then Go for something else German from VW perhaps a nice Passat if you need a big boot or Golf Estate, Skoda Octavia is also a good choice They also include working indicators unlike BMWs

[3s-gtech]

It's not necessarily that well known, but the Passat has a reputation in some circles for being an absolute hound, at least up till recently. I would never recommend a used one without warranty. The 3 series tourer is not a load lugger really though - if you need space, look at the mk IV Mondeo estate (vast beyond reason), possibly 5 series, a Volvo V70 in older guises, or possibly an E-Class. Some will be cheaper than others, of course. The load area in the 3 series won't take more than a few bags of shopping - forget muddy bikes, dogs etc.

[hardtailstar]

It's not necessarily that well known, but the Passat has a reputation in some circles for being an absolute hound, at least up till recently. I would never recommend a used one without warranty. The 3 series tourer is not a load lugger really though - if you need space, look at the mk IV Mondeo estate (vast beyond reason), possibly 5 series, a Volvo V70 in older guises, or possibly an E-Class. Some will be cheaper than others, of course. The load area in the 3 series won't take more than a few bags of shopping - forget muddy bikes, dogs etc.

 

I looked at a 3 series at the weekend and it has enough room for bags that I'll be putting in it.

[Andrew_C]

And not all that much room in the cabin. I'm 6', and a colleague had one. I fitted, but it certainly wasn't roomy.

[Danp]

I changed from a 525i Touring to Passat 2.0D Estate this March. I miss the BMW most days it was such a lovely car to drive, but it was a 2000 so it was showing it's age. The Passat is only a 2007 but feels so much fresher. Even though they are both 170bhp, the diesel has so much more poke and I get around 50mpg compared to the 30 from the BMW. Towing is far nicer in the Passat.

[bossman]

@3s-gtech

 

I really don't know where you have got your information from but for the past 20 years I have had 3 diesel Passat's and they all worked perfectly fine for me, never had any MOT failures and the current one I have now is 12 years old and still sails through its MOT and has not cost me anything apart from the usual servicing and replacement tyres and filters etc.

 

Great cars but unfortunately like everything else they then decided to make them cheaper by investing in another country like Peru to make them and thus the later models are indeed prone to serious engine malfunctions as the quality control has been decidedly dropped a notch since the German manufacturing days.

 

If I was to purchase one today I would go for the pre-2006 models.

 

That's all I have to say on that from experience

Edited November 14, 2016 by bossman

[Dos_Box]

The Modeo estates have a huge amount of space and score slightly higher than the 318 Touring on Parkers etc.

They are also cheaper to repair and very economical with a huge spec if you look for a Titanium based model. Even the Zetecs are will kitted out.

I'm a bit biased as I have a Zetec hatchback and am very happy with it. The heated windscreen has been a joy last week!

Edited November 14, 2016 by Dos_Box

[elsiegee40]

Our Mondeo estate was good.

 

We've been on Volvo of late - V70 - comfortable ride and phenomenal luggage capacity

 

Both have heated windscreens

Edited November 14, 2016 by elsiegee40

[newpersn]

The Modeo estates have a huge amount of space and score slightly higher than the 318 Touring on Parkers etc.

They are also cheaper to repair and very economical with a huge spec if you look for a Titanium based model. Even the Zetecs are will kitted out.

I'm a bit biased as I have a Zetec saloon and am very happy with it. The heated windscreen has been a joy last week!

 

I got a Mondeo mk4.5 (2012) stop start Zetec 1.6tdci.

 

Cheep to run. Loaded with some kit. And a big boot. (Hatchback) and to agree with @Dos_Box heated windscreen is lush.

[XiJ]

Buy it. Especially an 09 with 61k

 

Last year I upgraded my 318d touring to a 520d. It was 08 plate and I'd had it 3.5 years. Yeah cheapest car I've every run. Serviced at either dealer and a specialist it was so cheap as conditional servicing.

 

The only thing it ever needed out of the ordinary was the central locking went. Apparantly the wiring loom is near the rear high break light and can occasionally Be subject to wear and tear / water ingress. Cost me £70 at a specialist - although that was a bit of mates rates.

Edited November 14, 2016 by XiJ

[3s-gtech]

My information was from the trade, as well as personal experiences. Of course, there are plenty of excellent Passats about - as there are Alfa 159s with 200k on them. Reputation doesn't affect your own experiences, and I'm glad you've done well with them.