Prospective S3 owner from 320d a BMW 320d

 
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J3oef said:
This is why I like getting opinions as I never considered things which you have such as the steering wheel and seats being Shiney which could indicate wear.

Supersport seats look very nice but I've read negatives above the comfort compared to the standard sport seats.

I've not actually looked at their other stock so might take a look. With regards to wiggle room, I'll be using cash to buy the car rather than finance so do you think that's more of a bargaining tool?
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Like @wab172uk says I would check the other stock and again as others have stated I would not chose the S3 with the BMW on offer. The BMW also has adaptive suspension that make a big difference, yes the interior can be perceived as a little dated but when you consider how much bang for your buck your getting its a small compromise, oh and from experience the BMW seats are very comfy.
EDIT: Just my opinion fella :thumbs up:
 
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Jcbmally said:
Like @wab172uk says I would check the other stock and again as others have stated I would not chose the S3 with the BMW on offer. The BMW also has adaptive suspension that make a big difference, yes the interior can be perceived as a little dated but when you consider how much bang for your buck your getting its a small compromise, oh and from experience the BMW seats are very comfy.
EDIT: Just my opinion fella :thumbs up:
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This!

I find it very hard to sit upright (as opposed to slouched) in my saloon, mrs BM.. no problem, that is much more comfortable and i find the driving position better too.

Everything else you've said bang on agree with.
 
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J3oef said:
This is why I like getting opinions as I never considered things which you have such as the steering wheel and seats being Shiney which could indicate wear.

Supersport seats look very nice but I've read negatives above the comfort compared to the standard sport seats.

I've not actually looked at their other stock so might take a look. With regards to wiggle room, I'll be using cash to buy the car rather than finance so do you think that's more of a bargaining tool?
Click to expand...

Super Sport seat are excellent. In 5 years I never once complained about mine.

Cash buying isn't what it once was, as they will get a kick back from the finance provider, so it's in their interests to push you towards finance.

There are 1,129 S3's currently on Autotrader. So you're not limited to choice. Unless a dealer is offering at least a 12 month warranty, then maybe look to buy from a private seller. That way paying cash could get you a better deal.

There is very little wrong with the car being advertised. For me choosing against an S3 or M135i / M140i, I'd still buy the S3, as I prefer the looks (both inside and out) and the all weather ability. Might not be as quick in a straight line, but who really cares?

If I was looking to buy that particular S3, I'd be trying to get the price closer to £18,000. If he doesn't play ball, simply walk away. Loads to choose from.
 
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A1DEYB said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905027547342?onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&keywords=m140&postcode=bd228hb&sort=relevance&radius=1501&make=BMW&advertising-location=at_cars&model=1 SERIES&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910163361167?onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&keywords=m140&postcode=bd228hb&sort=relevance&radius=1501&make=BMW&advertising-location=at_cars&model=1 SERIES&page=1

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001065845741?onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&keywords=m140&postcode=bd228hb&sort=relevance&radius=1501&make=BMW&advertising-location=at_cars&model=1 SERIES&page=1

A quick look on Auto trader.. just to confuse you even more!
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:) Now why did you do that? Its completely thrown my thought process out the window

Jcbmally said:
Like @wab172uk says I would check the other stock and again as others have stated I would not chose the S3 with the BMW on offer. The BMW also has adaptive suspension that make a big difference, yes the interior can be perceived as a little dated but when you consider how much bang for your buck your getting its a small compromise, oh and from experience the BMW seats are very comfy.
EDIT: Just my opinion fella :thumbs up:
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I must say, i agree with the seats. The seats in my 320d are very very comfy and on long journeys i have zero issues, my last car a seat leon fr, those seats were awful on long journeys, back ache the lot. The wife's TT's are nice but not as comfy as mine. I suppose regarding S3/135i interior, its all down to personal preference, essentially i'd imagine you can get the same if not similar spec/tech in both cars.

wab172uk said:
Super Sport seat are excellent. In 5 years I never once complained about mine.

Cash buying isn't what it once was, as they will get a kick back from the finance provider, so it's in their interests to push you towards finance.

There are 1,129 S3's currently on Autotrader. So you're not limited to choice. Unless a dealer is offering at least a 12 month warranty, then maybe look to buy from a private seller. That way paying cash could get you a better deal.

There is very little wrong with the car being advertised. For me choosing against an S3 or M135i / M140i, I'd still buy the S3, as I prefer the looks (both inside and out) and the all weather ability. Might not be as quick in a straight line, but who really cares?

If I was looking to buy that particular S3, I'd be trying to get the price closer to £18,000. If he doesn't play ball, simply walk away. Loads to choose from.
Click to expand...

There are plenty on Autotrader yes, but it seems the well specced ones are over my budget of 19. It seems i am maybe comparing the last car which had a good spec to one which i must have now, hence why i thought the previous s3 was nice and well specced although expensive given the year of the car.

I'll just have to bide my time i guess and weigh up the options, go check a few out in the local area, take them out etc and go from there. It doesn't necessarily have to be that S3/dealer in scotland as its no where near where i am in Lancashire.
 
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wab172uk said:
Dealer has some very nice cars in stock.

Let us know how you get on.
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Money has been put down on that M235i :D what a machine, soooo much better in person compared to those website pics. I'm well chuffed, This was the second car this morning, first was an S3 which was nice and ticked a lot of boxes but once i seen the BMW, my mind was made up! Managed to get £5500 for my current car as part exchange which is good as i was hoping to get 6k for it privately.
 
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J3oef said:
Money has been put down on that M235i :D what a machine, soooo much better in person compared to those website pics. I'm well chuffed, This was the second car this morning, first was an S3 which was nice and ticked a lot of boxes but once i seen the BMW, my mind was made up! Managed to get £5500 for my current car as part exchange which is good as i was hoping to get 6k for it privately.
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Great news buddy, the M235i is a cool looking car. As long as your happy then its matter less what others think :thumbs up:
 
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Jcbmally said:
Great news buddy, the M235i is a cool looking car. As long as your happy then its matter less what others think :thumbs up:
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Cheers fella :)

What a great forum this is, not many places i've signed up to are this welcoming and have balanced views on cars plus those of other brands.
 
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J3oef said:
Cheers fella :)

What a great forum this is, not many places i've signed up to are this welcoming and have balanced views on cars plus those of other brands.
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Forum rules..........No pics and or it hasn't happened.:whistle2:
Congrats on the purchase looks like a 'corker' of a motor.:thumbs up:
ps Garage pics don't count lol
 
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pburv said:
Forum rules..........No pics and or it hasn't happened.:whistle2:
Congrats on the purchase looks like a 'corker' of a motor.:thumbs up:
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HaHa, pics will follow next weekend when i collect it. I cannot wait :)
 
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J3oef said:
Money has been put down on that M235i :D what a machine, soooo much better in person compared to those website pics. I'm well chuffed, This was the second car this morning, first was an S3 which was nice and ticked a lot of boxes but once i seen the BMW, my mind was made up! Managed to get £5500 for my current car as part exchange which is good as i was hoping to get 6k for it privately.
Click to expand...

Congratulations Buddy. Hope you enjoy it.
 
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J3oef said:
Cheers fella :)

What a great forum this is, not many places i've signed up to are this welcoming and have balanced views on cars plus those of other brands.
Click to expand...

Few of us (including me) on here have recently moved away from Audi for one reason or another. BMW is winning a few of us over to the Dark side.

Now if you'd bought a Mercedes? That would have been an entirely different situation, Lol.
 
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wab172uk said:
Few of us (including me) on here have recently moved away from Audi for one reason or another. BMW is winning a few of us over to the Dark side.

Now if you'd bought a Mercedes? That would have been an entirely different situation, Lol.
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Never been a fan of Mercedes, Don't know why, just doesn't do it for me. What did you have previously and move to?
 
J3oef said:
Never been a fan of Mercedes, Don't know why, just doesn't do it for me. What did you have previously and move to?
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I moved from S3 Saloon to X3 M40i.

Had a test drive of the new A35 AMG Hatch, and found the ride awful.
 
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wab172uk said:
I moved from S3 Saloon to X3 M40i.

Had a test drive of the new A35 AMG Hatch, and found the ride awful.
Click to expand...

Very nice :) Mate at work wants an A35, he currently has a 220 diesel a class but each to their own.
 
J3oef said:
Money has been put down on that M235i :D what a machine, soooo much better in person compared to those website pics. I'm well chuffed, This was the second car this morning, first was an S3 which was nice and ticked a lot of boxes but once i seen the BMW, my mind was made up! Managed to get £5500 for my current car as part exchange which is good as i was hoping to get 6k for it privately.
Click to expand...
You can’t beat a straight 6. Congratulations, you’ve definitely made the right choice going for the BM
 
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J3oef said:
Money has been put down on that M235i :D what a machine, soooo much better in person compared to those website pics. I'm well chuffed, This was the second car this morning, first was an S3 which was nice and ticked a lot of boxes but once i seen the BMW, my mind was made up! Managed to get £5500 for my current car as part exchange which is good as i was hoping to get 6k for it privately.
Click to expand...

Enjoy!
 
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Good end to the the thread. It's nice to see you have found the car you want so quickly I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Enjoy !

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
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Thanks all for the input and views. Just out of interest, do any of you bother with GAP insurance? Thanks
 
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J3oef said:
Thanks all for the input and views. Just out of interest, do any of you bother with GAP insurance? Thanks
Click to expand...
I didn't on my S3. Thought I would take the risk. Took out GAP on my wife's Q3 though...The thought of having both cars involved in a theft or accident would hit my finances too much. For peace of mind and depending on cost I would probably take out GAP insurance again. At the end of the day it's your decision. Also if you do decide then I would say shop around as dealers GAP packages tend to be on the high side.
 
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pburv said:
I didn't on my S3. Thought I would take the risk. Took out GAP on my wife's Q3 though...The thought of having both cars involved in a theft or accident would hit my finances too much. For peace of mind and depending on cost I would probably take out GAP insurance again. At the end of the day it's your decision. Also if you do decide then I would say shop around as dealers GAP packages tend to be on the high side.
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I've carried out a quote and its £148 for 3 years Invoice Gap which seems to be the one most people go for so they don't lose out. Seems very reasonable and for such a price would be worth taking for £50 a year just for peace of mind.
 
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J3oef said:
I've carried out a quote and its £148 for 3 years Invoice Gap which seems to be the one most people go for so they don't lose out. Seems very reasonable and for such a price would be worth taking for £50 a year just for peace of mind.
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Yep sounds good.£50 a year ain't going to break the bank.:icon thumright:
 
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J3oef said:
I've carried out a quote and its £148 for 3 years Invoice Gap which seems to be the one most people go for so they don't lose out. Seems very reasonable and for such a price would be worth taking for £50 a year just for peace of mind.
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That's a good price. GAP insurance for me is a must.
 
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wab172uk said:
To go along side the M235i he just bought?
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I mean only 3 door and some shady practices behind it would never even deal with
I have A3 2015 and I want to trade in to buy S3 but only 5 door and I can see nice one for 15.100k or 16k So plenty money I need to save
 
Picked up this morning few shots from the drive before it lashed it down.

https://ibb.co/3sMyK3P
https://ibb.co/k0b29Zz
https://ibb.co/Ky7SPz4
3sMyK3P

k0b29Zz

Ky7SPz4
 
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Nice colour mate...Given the choice again on a new car I would have to have BMW on my wish list:icon thumright:
 
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