What's more economical / refined / decent to drive? BMW 3 or Saab 9-3?

[GavinS]

I need a car that can do 500 mile round trips in a day, thats economical and quiet on the motorway at 80/90mph but also fairly nippy around town (I don't want a barge). Some mid range thrust would be handy when joining motorways from slip roads. Budget is £4000 - £4500.

I've narrowed it down to the following possibilities:-

Saab 9-3 Saloon
1.8T (150bhp)
2.0T (175bhp)

BMW E46 3 Series
318i
320i
323i
320d

What do you think is best and why?

Any "real world" knowledge of mpg figures and annual servicing / maintenance costs for these cars would also be appreciated.

[Sinizter]

BMW 320i or 323i. Because I have seen those do what you want.

[GavinS]

What sort of mpg would those give?

[Guy]

looking at your list you dont seem to have many diesels in there! if your gonna be doing high miles, I would seriously look at getting something powered by the black-stuff!

You also get alot more torque which is great for motorways and sliproads alike!

so out of that list id go for the 320d, not sure what the sabb diesels are like, the best man to ask qould be zak 33

[pumpman]

what about a q6600 its best totally destroys everything



least that is what is plastered everywhere you go

[SilentDeath]

think the 9-3 would be better suited to high miles. More comfortable..
but not as fast.. probably more economical but thats going to depend on how you drive. I think they are quieter..
Have a look at the diesels, but test drive a petrol too... if your doing that milage you should be test driving everything Id also suggest an old 9000 if you really want a petrol... - £500-1000 on a good condition example, £300 on a decent service (full + few more things) and it should last forever even with those miles.

My 9000.. 2.3l non turbo... I get 17mpg with my foot down.. but motorway I get high 30's.. on a long journey it would be in the 40's!



My 9000 has been very cheap.. 16 years old and had a few things to fix.. Parts are also cheap (if you excuse the £7 for a sump plug... everything else has been), though that might just be the local dealership. Servicing is about the same COST as ford, but you get a lot more for it..

I think BMW would cost quite a bit more, atleast Im told they do.

[Howard]

If you're going to go for a 3 series and want one of the bigger 6cyl engines go for the 330i, it costs barely any more to run than a 323/325 (insurance, MPG, servicing costs) but is much better The 330D is also awesome so I'm told

Edit: whoops, didn't see the budget, that's 316/318 money, the 330i/d is out

[MrP]

BMW for driving fun, something tells me though that the saab woudl get you there is a more comfortable and relaxed manner

[Colossous]

I had a BMW 325i for a couple of weeks about a year ago and it was very nice but pretty costly to run, i have a Saab 9-5 estate 2ltr turbo with sportpack suspension and brakes and i have to say its fantastic to drive and very comfortable to boot (leather etc), i allways associated Saabs with the leather driving gloves brigade before but i'm converted with this i can tell you -allthough theres probably not too much difference cost wise when it comes to running the Saab i think the insurance is cheaper.

[Zak33]

Budget is £4000 - £4500.

I've narrowed it down to the following possibilities:-

Saab 9-3 Saloon
1.8T (150bhp)
2.0T (175bhp)

No hope. Not for a nice one. It'll be a worn out, badly serviced dog. It needs to be the old shape for that money, and while it'll be a nice hatchback, it might not suit your desire for looks.

[Fox]

I can't help thinking that with this budget with economy in mind you need to think about something a bit less prestige - the 3 Series is an excellent car but they were £20-30k new and still command runnig costs you'd associate with a £20-30k car.

Saab wise only the 9-5 is worthy of consideration at this budget. The 9-3 is a nasty cheap plastic Vectra.

[J4MES]

Golf Mk4 GT TDi ftw - it's prestige (ish), economical, and for the money you'd get an okay one (with high mileage though).. If you go for an A3 TDi it'll be tired and leggy..

[Fox]

A Golf TDI is prestige only in the minds of those who drive them

[Zak33]

Saab wise only the 9-5 is worthy of consideration at this budget. The 9-3 is a nasty cheap plastic Vectra.

part one....true
part two....false

[Cellado]

looking at your list you dont seem to have many diesels in there! if your gonna be doing high miles, I would seriously look at getting something powered by the black-stuff!

You also get alot more torque which is great for motorways and sliproads alike!

so out of that list id go for the 320d, not sure what the sabb diesels are like, the best man to ask qould be zak 33

Yep, was goign to say the same. Diesels can also be remapped for a few £100 if you ever want a bit more power aswell.

[hitman67]

Golf Mk4 GT TDi ftw - it's prestige (ish), economical, and for the money you'd get an okay one (with high mileage though).. If you go for an A3 TDi it'll be tired and leggy..

Or an A3 for everything a Golf does in a more sport and sexy package. A3 1.9 TDi 130 Quattro Sports are fantastic to drive.