EXTRAS TO LOOK OUT FOR
- Thread starter neo-ninja
- Start date
Depends on what you an the car for, your lifestyle, etc.
Is it a fairly stripped out weekend toy where you don't want extras or a fully loaded daily drive where comfort is important?? they change a lot of what you shoudl seek
Personally I would have:
Sat Nav, ///M sport seats and xenon lights in my list as retrofit is expensive, difficult and they make a difference. (of course sat nav can be accomplised by any aftermarket or mobile, but it's not integrated)
Cruise is an easy retrofit, so forget that
Def have the larger engine, unless you have a particular reason not to (age for insurance, etc.) They also have a lot more as standard that you won't even notice until you have it.
Consider manual, auto or SMG
Wheels to make a lot of difference. split rims look great but corrode.
Nice to have is a hardtop and heated seats
Just a few starters
If you post what age and model your really after then it's easier to say what's standard
Is it a fairly stripped out weekend toy where you don't want extras or a fully loaded daily drive where comfort is important?? they change a lot of what you shoudl seek
Personally I would have:
Sat Nav, ///M sport seats and xenon lights in my list as retrofit is expensive, difficult and they make a difference. (of course sat nav can be accomplised by any aftermarket or mobile, but it's not integrated)
Cruise is an easy retrofit, so forget that
Def have the larger engine, unless you have a particular reason not to (age for insurance, etc.) They also have a lot more as standard that you won't even notice until you have it.
Consider manual, auto or SMG
Wheels to make a lot of difference. split rims look great but corrode.
Nice to have is a hardtop and heated seats
Just a few starters
If you post what age and model your really after then it's easier to say what's standard
Worth asking bmw about their own insurance too if you have two years no claims, the dealer put me in touch with bmw insurance who knew the exact spec of the car so didn't class the extras as modifications (my previous insurer wanted to put xenon lights down as additional rally spot lights as it was the closest thing they could find on their list lol) ended up being several hundred less than the nearest other quote I got.
For extras, heated seats, hi-fi with amplifier in the boot, xenon lights would be my must haves, mine also has extended leather, msport suspension which was standard on the 3lr at the time, electric seats, electric mirror folding, auto wipers and auto lights, 108 style 18in wheels.
Cruise control is about £100 to retrofit if you want it and satnav is the only other option mine doesn’t have I think other than the personalised stuff like optional interior trims and colours.
For extras, heated seats, hi-fi with amplifier in the boot, xenon lights would be my must haves, mine also has extended leather, msport suspension which was standard on the 3lr at the time, electric seats, electric mirror folding, auto wipers and auto lights, 108 style 18in wheels.
Cruise control is about £100 to retrofit if you want it and satnav is the only other option mine doesn’t have I think other than the personalised stuff like optional interior trims and colours.
Good advice.cj10jeeper said:
///M sport seats:
I always say this about them, make sure you try them. They can be a bit tight if you're bigger (I'm normal weight but with wide shoulders for my size, and couldn't sit comfortably in ///M Sport seats).
18" alloys of some variety are essential.
Leather is essential.
Heated seats would be nice to have for winter (wish I did sometimes).
Anything else is a bonus. I'd always go on mileage/condition of car rather than base a decision on what extras it has though (hence why I ended up without heated seats, my only regret!).
OK well cost wise i am looking to spend about 10-12k
Which puts me in the running for a - 2003 2.5ltr
I am only 24 so have to becareful insuance wise, although i will check with BMW themselves if you think it makes a difference.
I currently own a Smart Roadster, which are very basic inside, I will be using the car most days, doing short 1-2 mile journeys and maybe 100 miles at the weekend.
So really i am looking for sportyness with comfort if that makes sense..
Ideally i am after a manual, (smart was auto and is great fun but the gearboxes were aweful, so would like to go back to the full manual)...although i must confess what is a SMG?
Also wheels and tires wise....i have read alot about people complaining about run flats... does it actually make that much of a difference?
Anyway let me know,
Thanks,
Neo
Which puts me in the running for a - 2003 2.5ltr
I am only 24 so have to becareful insuance wise, although i will check with BMW themselves if you think it makes a difference.
I currently own a Smart Roadster, which are very basic inside, I will be using the car most days, doing short 1-2 mile journeys and maybe 100 miles at the weekend.
So really i am looking for sportyness with comfort if that makes sense..
Ideally i am after a manual, (smart was auto and is great fun but the gearboxes were aweful, so would like to go back to the full manual)...although i must confess what is a SMG?
Also wheels and tires wise....i have read alot about people complaining about run flats... does it actually make that much of a difference?
Anyway let me know,
Thanks,
Neo
neo-ninja said:
wow! £700?? that's quiet a lot. what does confused.com (etc) come up with for the 3.0?
i'm with elephant... 26, in london, 3 NCB, driving for 7 years, 3 points.
Agree with CJ, but from time to time you can find a secondhand hardtop crop up, so (personally) i wouldn't put that high up in the list. the same with wheels.
I love my parking distance control, never had it before and cant see myself without it now.
Make sure you like the sound of the Radio where they have the amp in the boot as its a real pain to upgrade.
Only thing other then a bigger engine i would change would be sports interior.
Make sure you like the sound of the Radio where they have the amp in the boot as its a real pain to upgrade.
Only thing other then a bigger engine i would change would be sports interior.
Ah - this is why the questions of what you're after are so important. I pay £250 fully comp on a 3.0i..lol
2003 2.5l at £10 to £12k should get you something decent, but frankly don't set your expectations too high as prices are way up on 9 months back. I'd be looking for a well maintained private example, decent service history, lowish mileage. Forget hardtops and fancy wheels, audio, etc. and get a good solid example, else you'll be over that price real quick. I'd steer clear of the 2.2 as it was a shortlived engine.
If you're testing some see how they drive, check crease lines and look for work required such as respraing the front or kerbed wheels.
Auto is a dream btw, but each to their own.
2003 2.5l at £10 to £12k should get you something decent, but frankly don't set your expectations too high as prices are way up on 9 months back. I'd be looking for a well maintained private example, decent service history, lowish mileage. Forget hardtops and fancy wheels, audio, etc. and get a good solid example, else you'll be over that price real quick. I'd steer clear of the 2.2 as it was a shortlived engine.
If you're testing some see how they drive, check crease lines and look for work required such as respraing the front or kerbed wheels.
Auto is a dream btw, but each to their own.
