caled Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) Cars registered after 23rd March 2006 with emissions over 225gCO2/km will be in band L, £425 a year. So avoid 06 plate ST220s Edited January 3, 2011 by caled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoo2000 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...ds/st?logcode=p MMMMMMMmmm tasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eetaylog Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Just beware of buying a super-late model, as the last of the line ones fall into a much higher tax bracket. Band L, £425/year The petrol model i take it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwwd Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Mate, get a BMW E46. I have one, therefore it's an excellent choice. You can't argue with the facts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eetaylog Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Mate, get a BMW E46. I have one, therefore it's an excellent choice. You can't argue with the facts. Believe me ive been trying, i test drove a 325ci a few weeks ago and have seen a few others, but theyve all been dogs. Its been pretty quiet in the car market over christmas (obviously), but im hoping things will pick up in the next few months, though admittedly im being pretty fussy... Im specifically after a blue 325/330ci manual coupe with black leather. and obviously its got to be in good condish. I was hoping to have one by now though as ive got a kid on the way in 2 weeks time and the escort just isnt cutting the mustard any more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig855S Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 They sound ace, have great seats, and look very smart. I'd take one over a smiliarly priced used E46 no question http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...ds/st?logcode=p MMMMMMMmmm tasty Neighbour has one of these, this colour too. got a lot going for it (looks, seats, the fact its a mk3 mondie) but the engine should really have a bit more grunt to warrant an ST badge..why didnt they use the D5 engine found in my car (or even better the facelift S60 engine, 185BHP diesel, yes please) Mate, get a BMW E46. I have one, therefore it's an excellent choice. You can't argue with the facts. Believe me ive been trying, i test drove a 325ci a few weeks ago and have seen a few others, but theyve all been dogs. Its been pretty quiet in the car market over christmas (obviously), but im hoping things will pick up in the next few months, though admittedly im being pretty fussy... Im specifically after a blue 325/330ci manual coupe with black leather. and obviously its got to be in good condish. I was hoping to have one by now though as ive got a kid on the way in 2 weeks time and the escort just isnt cutting the mustard any more! Be careful with your car choice with a littleun on the way, a lot of travel system prams dont fold down too small, taking up 90% of the boot and making it difficult to fit things (pedal bins, PC chairs, stacker boxes, random things you buy on impulse) in the boot (true of volvo S60s, cant say what E46 coupes are like but you really wanna check) In case you cant tell, part of me wishes i'd have gotten an estate again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaweV6 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 why didnt they use the D5 engine found in my car (or even better the facelift S60 engine, 185BHP diesel, yes please) Because they had the most powerful 4 cylinder diesel engine under 2.4 in the world ? 155 BHP is a start, 180 is a pee easy upgrade and you can go for over reliable 200 BHP for under £2k. Only problems I've really heard of are rear subframe bushes and the usual flywheel/clutch issues that you get with every modern car. I have heard rumours of them spinning big end shells, but I've never actually found one that's had the problem. Concerning early models - If You drive them like a hooligan they can suffer from oil starvation thanks to the lack of baffled sump. Mended since 53-04. Big ends do go and rods get thrown, but not on a massive scale. IMHO E46 has more common problems than Mk3 Mondeo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McRic Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Craig speaks sense here. Would never of got the little uns pram in the boot of my e46 saloon. e39 would've swallowed it though. How anyone can compare a Mondeo to a BMW is beyond me to be completely honest. Obviously you get get good and bad examples of both mind you. Don't under estimate the cost of having a little un either hence my e39 528 m sport made way for my Mondeo tdci 130 ghia x. Could I compare the ghia x in comparison to my e46 or my e39, not a chance and I'm not just talking about the grunt. The ghia x hit 60 in about the same time as the e39 but the overall drive of both bmws was just far superior. I know I'm comparing different models here but my ghia x was likely of a higher spec than the 220 with almost every option ticked. Obviously the 220 would be far quicker than the tdci 130 but is that important with a little un? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwwd Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Mate, get a BMW E46. I have one, therefore it's an excellent choice. You can't argue with the facts. Believe me ive been trying, i test drove a 325ci a few weeks ago and have seen a few others, but theyve all been dogs. Its been pretty quiet in the car market over christmas (obviously), but im hoping things will pick up in the next few months, though admittedly im being pretty fussy... Im specifically after a blue 325/330ci manual coupe with black leather. and obviously its got to be in good condish. I was hoping to have one by now though as ive got a kid on the way in 2 weeks time and the escort just isnt cutting the mustard any more!With a family on the way why don't you get a saloon? I've got a BMW E46 M Sport and it's a saloon, for that very reason. When I have a family in a couple of years I can still keep the car. It's also got full leather I went for the 318i which is actually a 2 litre, and is the best compromise between speed and economy. Need any more tips just give me a shout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eetaylog Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Mate, get a BMW E46. I have one, therefore it's an excellent choice. You can't argue with the facts. Believe me ive been trying, i test drove a 325ci a few weeks ago and have seen a few others, but theyve all been dogs. Its been pretty quiet in the car market over christmas (obviously), but im hoping things will pick up in the next few months, though admittedly im being pretty fussy... Im specifically after a blue 325/330ci manual coupe with black leather. and obviously its got to be in good condish. I was hoping to have one by now though as ive got a kid on the way in 2 weeks time and the escort just isnt cutting the mustard any more!With a family on the way why don't you get a saloon? I've got a BMW E46 M Sport and it's a saloon, for that very reason. When I have a family in a couple of years I can still keep the car. It's also got full leather I went for the 318i which is actually a 2 litre, and is the best compromise between speed and economy. Need any more tips just give me a shout. The grapevine tells me that the 318 is actually less efficient than the 2.5l engines? As for saloons, im actually not that keen on how they look, id only get a 3 series (ie spend more money) if i found a coupe. I actually took our pram and baby seat when i viewed the last couple of 2 door bmw's and it was absolutely fine (i actually found it a bit easier being in front of the baby seat via the folding front seat as i cold get the seat belt on easier). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwwd Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 With a family on the way why don't you get a saloon? I've got a BMW E46 M Sport and it's a saloon, for that very reason. When I have a family in a couple of years I can still keep the car. It's also got full leather I went for the 318i which is actually a 2 litre, and is the best compromise between speed and economy. Need any more tips just give me a shout.The grapevine tells me that the 318 is actually less efficient than the 2.5l engines? As for saloons, im actually not that keen on how they look, id only get a 3 series (ie spend more money) if i found a coupe. I actually took our pram and baby seat when i viewed the last couple of 2 door bmw's and it was absolutely fine (i actually found it a bit easier being in front of the baby seat via the folding front seat as i cold get the seat belt on easier).From the research I did (and I did a lot!) I'm sure the 318i had the best economy. I do like the look of the coupes and if I was single then I'd probably have gone for that. But with taking passengers I can't be bothered faffing around pulling down the seats all the time! If you get the right saloon with the right spec then I think they still look nice. And you've picked the right time to buy, they're the cheapest they've ever been! Plus, when you're driving in your Mondeo and you see a BMW go past, you'll just regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScORTED Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Mate, get a BMW E46. I have one, therefore it's an excellent choice. You can't argue with the facts. Believe me ive been trying, i test drove a 325ci a few weeks ago and have seen a few others, but theyve all been dogs. Its been pretty quiet in the car market over christmas (obviously), but im hoping things will pick up in the next few months, though admittedly im being pretty fussy... Im specifically after a blue 325/330ci manual coupe with black leather. and obviously its got to be in good condish. I was hoping to have one by now though as ive got a kid on the way in 2 weeks time and the escort just isnt cutting the mustard any more!With a family on the way why don't you get a saloon? I've got a BMW E46 M Sport and it's a saloon, for that very reason. When I have a family in a couple of years I can still keep the car. It's also got full leather I went for the 318i which is actually a 2 litre, and is the best compromise between speed and economy. Need any more tips just give me a shout. With a family on the way why don't you get a saloon? I've got a BMW E46 M Sport and it's a saloon, for that very reason. When I have a family in a couple of years I can still keep the car. It's also got full leather I went for the 318i which is actually a 2 litre, and is the best compromise between speed and economy. Need any more tips just give me a shout.The grapevine tells me that the 318 is actually less efficient than the 2.5l engines? As for saloons, im actually not that keen on how they look, id only get a 3 series (ie spend more money) if i found a coupe. I actually took our pram and baby seat when i viewed the last couple of 2 door bmw's and it was absolutely fine (i actually found it a bit easier being in front of the baby seat via the folding front seat as i cold get the seat belt on easier).From the research I did (and I did a lot!) I'm sure the 318i had the best economy. I do like the look of the coupes and if I was single then I'd probably have gone for that. But with taking passengers I can't be bothered faffing around pulling down the seats all the time! If you get the right saloon with the right spec then I think they still look nice. And you've picked the right time to buy, they're the cheapest they've ever been! Plus, when you're driving in your Mondeo and you see a BMW go past, you'll just regret it. the e46 330ci is a nice car... don't buy something "sporty" with a low power output, makes you a idiot if you want to give up on life and become a family taxi driver get a people carrier and let the world know. also everytime you drive it and put your foot down you'll rememebr when you could have bought something with some go... the petrol head in me says go for a 330ci... however with spawn on the way go for the mondeo, the monster boot makes it super practical, and the v6 is a hoon in mk3 st form Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee R Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 god forbid you had an accident that knocked you and the missus out, would you want the little un stuck in the back of a coupe????? no thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eetaylog Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 the e46 330ci is a nice car... don't buy something "sporty" with a low power output, makes you a idiot if you want to give up on life and become a family taxi driver get a people carrier and let the world know. also everytime you drive it and put your foot down you'll rememebr when you could have bought something with some go... the petrol head in me says go for a 330ci... however with spawn on the way go for the mondeo, the monster boot makes it super practical, and the v6 is a hoon in mk3 st form I think id leave the v6 petrol engine alone tbh as its super juicy apparently (even more so than the 330ci). Im tempted by the mondy tdci though, but despite lots and lots of torque they dont seem to be too quick. can anyone confirm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massivewangers Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I would wager that the TDCI is just as quick in gear in most situations as the petrol one. It has a massive amount of torque. But I'm with a couple of others above, I cannot see any reason at all that you'd buy a 2dr coupe with kids on the way. I don't think you can possibly estimate how much shite you might end up carrying about with kids. My brother had a baby last year and they have no end of stuff around. The E46 is a decent car, don't get me wrong, but it's dated now in my eyes, and the boot space isn't amazing compared to a lot of others, nor is the rear cabin space in my experience of them. Then you have the fact that you have a big metal parcel shelf in the way. Buy a Mondeo hatch and you can get stuff into it so easily, and they're plenty spacious inside. I've owned loads of saloon cars and they're a pain in the arse compared to a hatchback. With kids on the way, a car with 5drs is the most logical choice, and would be far easier to live with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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