I want to buy a 2nd hand BMW for under 125k what are my best options.

[PsyCLown]

The most interesting car that springs to mind (that was also fairly easy to work on, diagnose etc) was the 330ci that recently left my garage.

I was literally thinking the same thing.

An E46 325i to 330i would be a great car! Not the lightest on fuel compared to the modern run arounds like the Shitzuki Swift but a far nicer car to drive and be in.
I wouldn't mind a 330ci as a weekend car myself to be honest, really cool first car. Not the fastest by modern standards either but enough to not hate driving it and regret purchasing it.

The Audi's I would advise against, as FILV said they are unfortunately cheap for a reason as that was the time when 1.8T and 2.0T engines were known for engine issues with excessive oil consumption. The diesel gearboxes weren't the quickest/sportiest and at times had a delay when accelerating from stand still. Not bad cars though (the diesels), I had a 2014 A4 2.0TDI (manual) but I must admit I wished it was auto and it was a boring car to drive despite it having a bit more of power. Being FWD it couldn't put the power down either, spinning the tyres in 2nd gear and the traction control turns itself back on... The E90 320d was far better to drive, the ZF autobox in the E90 was great as well.

Honda's are not my thing to be honest, despite me almost having a Civic Type R (FN2) as my first car. I'd rather get the E46 over a Honda.
Perhaps even something like a BMW E87 (1 series) 125i, 128i or 130i could be a lot of fun. Not sure what price they sell for though.

 

[need_4_speed]

just chiming in on my search for a e90 320d. Took me about 1 year to find a decent one.

In your price range I've seen one via a forum with full bmw service history and 135k km on the clock. On facebook I've seen much worse examples listed for R150k

As said earlier in the thread you'd need to budget for suspension and gearbox maintenance on top of that.

You'd need to be patient and keep browsing ads daily. By chance I found one on autotrader with < 80k km earlier this year but paid a premium for the low mileage

 

[Joshua Turner]

just chiming in on my search for a e90 320d. Took me about 1 year to find a decent one.

In your price range I've seen one via a forum with full bmw service history and 135k km on the clock. On facebook I've seen much worse examples listed for R150k

As said earlier in the thread you'd need to budget for suspension and gearbox maintenance on top of that.

You'd need to be patient and keep browsing ads daily. By chance I found one on autotrader with < 80k km earlier this year but paid a premium for the low mileage

Thanks man

 

[Joshua Turner]

I was literally thinking the same thing.

An E46 325i to 330i would be a great car! Not the lightest on fuel compared to the modern run arounds like the Shitzuki Swift but a far nicer car to drive and be in.
I wouldn't mind a 330ci as a weekend car myself to be honest, really cool first car. Not the fastest by modern standards either but enough to not hate driving it and regret purchasing it.

The Audi's I would advise against, as FILV said they are unfortunately cheap for a reason as that was the time when 1.8T and 2.0T engines were known for engine oils with excessive oil consumption. The diesel gearboxes weren't great... Not bad cars, I had a 2014 A4 2.0TDI (manual) but I must admit I wished it was auto and it was a boring car to drive despite it having a bit more of power. Being FWD it couldn't put the power down either, spinning the tyres in 2nd gear and the traction control turns itself back on... The E90 320d was far better to drive, the ZF autobox in the E90 was great as well.

Honda's are not my thing to be honest, despite me almost having a Civic Type R (FN2) as my first car. I'd rather get the E46 over a Honda.
Perhaps even something like a BMW E87 (1 series) 125i, 128i or 130i could be a lot of fun. Not sure what price they sell for though.

Thank you for the advice

 

[individj]

I would of said try and get a 130i Msport 4 door hatch manual but ya that goes agasitn everything youre saying...even a 125i sport manual. Good luck with the journey. My sons first car now is a Champ bakkie that we are doing up.

 

[Joshua Turner]

I would of said try and get a 130i Msport 4 door hatch manual but ya that goes agasitn everything youre saying...even a 125i sport manual. Good luck with the journey. My sons first car now is a Champ bakkie that we are doing up.

Thats amazing I hope it comes out right. I prefer myself a sporty looking car however. I am also buying it with my own money too so got to be smart

 

[Teezoh]

Ah, the allure of a first car – and the dream of a sporty car! I get it. Nothing screams “I’ve arrived” like a sleek sporty car... until you realize it also screams, “I’m broke now, but my car is shiny!” Let’s break this down like we’re trying to jump-start reality.

R150,000 Budget: Sporty Car Edition​

You’re shopping in the “pre-loved with character” section of the sporty car world. The cars you’ll find here will come with bonus features like:

• Random dashboard lights that double as a Christmas display.
• An engine that makes every drive feel like a gamble.
• A monthly mechanic subscription that will make you question your life choices.

Now Enter: Pompwagen Polo with Air Suspension​

This, my friend, is the sweet spot. Why?

1. Reliable AF: A Polo doesn’t need 30 minutes of prayer before you turn the ignition.
2. Air Suspension = Vibes: Roll up to the party, drop that suspension, and watch as everyone suddenly thinks you’re cooler than their cousin with the old BMW 3 Series.
3. Fuel Economy: You’ll actually have money left for petrol, snacks, and maybe even a date (imagine that!).
4. Affordable Repairs: Unlike a sporty car, fixing a Polo won’t require you to sell your kidney.

Conclusion​

Get a Polo. Invest in air suspension for that cool factor. Save money for life’s essentials – like petrol, insurance, and, you know, food. You'll have a reliable ride that won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road looking like a cautionary tale.

Trust me, you’re not downgrading – you’re upgrading to a life where you can flex and afford to eat.

 

[modocrat]

Ah, the allure of a first car – and the dream of a sporty car! I get it. Nothing screams “I’ve arrived” like a sleek sporty car... until you realize it also screams, “I’m broke now, but my car is shiny!” Let’s break this down like we’re trying to jump-start reality.

R150,000 Budget: Sporty Car Edition​

You’re shopping in the “pre-loved with character” section of the sporty car world. The cars you’ll find here will come with bonus features like:

• Random dashboard lights that double as a Christmas display.
• An engine that makes every drive feel like a gamble.
• A monthly mechanic subscription that will make you question your life choices.

Now Enter: Pompwagen Polo with Air Suspension​

This, my friend, is the sweet spot. Why?

1. Reliable AF: A Polo doesn’t need 30 minutes of prayer before you turn the ignition.
2. Air Suspension = Vibes: Roll up to the party, drop that suspension, and watch as everyone suddenly thinks you’re cooler than their cousin with the old BMW 3 Series.
3. Fuel Economy: You’ll actually have money left for petrol, snacks, and maybe even a date (imagine that!).
4. Affordable Repairs: Unlike a sporty car, fixing a Polo won’t require you to sell your kidney.

Conclusion​

Get a Polo. Invest in air suspension for that cool factor. Save money for life’s essentials – like petrol, insurance, and, you know, food. You'll have a reliable ride that won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road looking like a cautionary tale.

Trust me, you’re not downgrading – you’re upgrading to a life where you can flex and afford to eat.

You forget to mention the 0-7 seconds for his head to turn grey from the stress of parking said Polo and it not being there when he returns.

 

[Spanky]

1. Reliable AF: A Polo doesn’t need 30 minutes of prayer before you turn the ignition.

This part had me blowing air through my nose at an accelerated rate

 

[Teezoh]

You forget to mention the 0-7 seconds for his head to turn grey from the stress of parking said Polo and it not being there when he returns.

Ah, yes, the legendary Polo Vanishing Act! It’s true – owning a Polo can sometimes feel like playing hide-and-seek with your own car. But let’s be honest, any car in South Africa could pull this disappearing trick if it looks too nice or too there.

The solution?

1. Park Like a Ninja: Always choose a spot so obscure even Google Maps can’t find it.
2. DIY Anti-Theft: Install a steering lock, a wheel lock, a handbrake lock, and maybe a sangoma’s blessing for extra security.
3. Embrace the “Relatable Car” Look: Add a dent or two (strategically, of course). Nothing says "not worth stealing" like a slightly scratched bumper and an air freshener that’s too aggressive.

And if all else fails, slap on a bumper sticker that says, “This car is financed. Steal at your own risk.” Thieves hate paperwork!

 

[Greenz]

Ah, yes, the legendary Polo Vanishing Act! It’s true – owning a Polo can sometimes feel like playing hide-and-seek with your own car. But let’s be honest, any car in South Africa could pull this disappearing trick if it looks too nice or too there.

The solution?

1. Park Like a Ninja: Always choose a spot so obscure even Google Maps can’t find it.
2. DIY Anti-Theft: Install a steering lock, a wheel lock, a handbrake lock, and maybe a sangoma’s blessing for extra security.
3. Embrace the “Relatable Car” Look: Add a dent or two (strategically, of course). Nothing says "not worth stealing" like a slightly scratched bumper and an air freshener that’s too aggressive.

And if all else fails, slap on a bumper sticker that says, “This car is financed. Steal at your own risk.” Thieves hate paperwork!

Keep a spare pair of headlights in the boot as well.

 

[AshG108]

Do not buy a BMW where the engine code starts with N
Never

Haaibo,
I have to disagree here, N-series diesel engines are pretty solid and there is nothing wrong with the N55 and even N54 engines. Some of these have known issues more than others however we cannot label ALL N-series engines are horrible.

 

[DRCraig]

Buy a cheapie and enjoy your youth. Rather get a BMW at a later stage.

I get that the prospect of owning a BMW at your tender age gets you a lot of street cred, but a car shouldn't distract you from building a career/studying now.

Your envisaged car with said budget, could possibly require some attention.

Buy a suzuki swift and call it a day.

 

[Joshua Turner]

You forget to mention the 0-7 seconds for his head to turn grey from the stress of parking said Polo and it not being there when he returns.

😂😂

 

[Joshua Turner]

I love the advice and sense of humour here. Great community of people. Thanks so much

 

[Jaws]

I see I ruffled some feathers apologies I should have been more clear.

BMW N series 4 cylinder engines.

I'm a bit salty I'm sitting with one I need to fix at the moment

 

[Joshua Turner]

I see I ruffled some feathers apologies I should have been more clear.

BMW N series 4 cylinder engines.

I'm a bit salty I'm sitting with one I need to fix at the moment

All the best with that😂

 

[FILV]

I see I ruffled some feathers apologies I should have been more clear.

BMW N series 4 cylinder engines.

I'm a bit salty I'm sitting with one I need to fix at the moment

Its a fact the N16 (Pre lci 318, 116,118) and N20 (pre lci 120i,320i) are unreliable and will break

 

[Benji]

Weirdly, I see nobody has recommended a good old E36? Not cool enough for the kids these days?

You can pick up a very nicely looked after 318is for under 70k, that will provide some fun, should be cheap to maintain and fuel, and isnt too fast for a first car. You dont want to find yourself having a closer look at the scenery, backwards, in your "new" BMW.

From very recent personal experience, you are really going to struggle to find a decent E90 at your price point. E46 makes more sense, but then you need to have the right attitude when it comes to problem solving and repairs. As a rule of thumb, mechanics lead you down a path of despair and financial ruin.

I bought a "clean" E46 330i for around 70 and very quickly spent another 70k on it to get it "nice" and to shorten the "pre-drive" prayer time. I did not pay one cent in labor, so you can double that amount if the car were going to mechanics. However, I love my car, I think it is the coolest thing since sliced bread and will never part ways with it.

As a side question, why do you want an auto? Personally, I think there should be a law that everyone's first car MUST be a manual. More fun, better driver, less maintenance/repairs.

 

[PsyCLown]

I see some on this forum recommending turd cards like the VW Polo (pronounced with a silent L) and the Swift.

I can only share my opinion and experience you need to decide end of the day. As my first car I ended up not getting a Civic Type-R and going for a newer Kia Picanto. The Type-R was slightly out of my budget and family were unable to assist me with the additional R10k I needed and the Kia was newer with lower mileage and had an amazing "claimed" fuel consumption. I did not know much about cars at this time, I was more into bikes. Looking back to the options I was offered, such as a Toyota MR2 (I felt it was too old and too risky in terms of potential maintenance) and a Renault Clio "sporty" 1.6L were suggestions from the salesman, I wonder if that MR2 might not have been a better choice.

Purchasing the Picanto was the worst purchase I have ever made. I still regret that purchase to this day. The biggest waste of money I feel.
Why? Not because it was unreliable, no, I never had any major issues with it at all and everything worked as it should. Not because it is a bad car, no, for the price and the features it had at the time I feel it was well spec'd for a budget vehicle. This was at a time when the VW Poo came without a radio as standard and had manual windows - the Picanto had a sunroof, auto lights, electric windows all around and a bluetooth radio.

The reason I hated the purchase and regret purchasing the car was because its firstly slow AF, good luck trying to overtake a delivery bike even. With the aircon on you have to have the patients of a monk. The accelerator is more an on/off switch.
I was lacking in knowledge and the claimed fuel consumption was far from what I was actually getting. So my one big justification I used to convince myself this is a car which makes more sense was a lie. I would average 6.5 to 7.2 L/100km in a tiny 1.2L with no power.
The stock speakers were also useless, you might as well play music through your phone. The experience would be similar, so I obviously had to dump some money into some proper sound, besides with it being as slow as it was I needed something to help keep me calm and busy behind the wheel.

I hated it so much that for the first 2 to 3 years of ownership I don't think I even put R15k on it as I mostly used my bike as that at least had power and was lighter on fuel even when pushing it.


So while going for a turd of a car as your first car might work some, for me it was a decision and purchase I regret. Its a lot of money to spend on a purchase, especially when one is so young. I sold it as soon as I got the Audi and boy was I glad to get rid of it! The years before purchasing the Audi did lead to many nights of being extremely unhappy and browsing autotrader and pondering WTF to do as selling it and buying something else felt like a big waste of money as well and just an all round losing situation.

The flip side to this is purchasing an old, beaten up car which is unreliable and requires you to spend money you don't have and you seldom get to drive it as it's often in for repairs.

So something in the middle makes the most sense I feel, you know yourself best and what you would be happy with and able to live with. I guess what is most important to you as well plays a big role.
I struggle to drive something that doesn't move when you put your foot flat. I am all for these tiny cars being scrapped and implementing a minimum KW limit on any vehicle being sold, I know this is unrealistic and will never happen though. lol
The irony is that I do not necessarily drive fast or in an unsafe manner when I am in a vehicle which has a bit of power, I just dislike feeling limited.