Is This BMW 3 Series Too Expensive?

Hello.

I have a big and important question for all of you. Since I'm only 17 and will soon be getting my driver's license, I've already been looking at cars, and guess what? On my first day of vacation, I found one: a black Golf 3! Now, I'd like to know from you if the price is reasonable considering the features. I'm still quite inexperienced with this topic.
Okay, here's the data:

Volkswagen Golf 3 TDI.
1.9L engine, 90 horsepower, GL trim level.
First registration: 05/31/1995.
132,640 km
Adjustable electric exterior mirrors.
Tachometer.
Adjustable steering wheel height.
Split rear seats.
Tinted glazing.
Immobilizer.
Central locking.
Airbags for driver and front passenger.
Servo.
elektr. Sunroof.
Metallic black paint.
and radio.

What do you think? Is it worth the price of €6600?
How does the 90hp TDI perform? My father has a 100hp PD engine in his Golf IV.
That will definitely make a difference, right?

Thank you for your responses!

Hi,

The 90 hp TDI version will probably perform even better because the Golf 3, especially this model year, is likely several crucial kilograms lighter than the Golf 4. You could calculate the kg/hp ratio just for fun...

Otherwise, I would also recommend the following:

Take a look at the used TDI section on the homepage – you can read there about all the things you need to consider if you're thinking of buying one.

Take a look at www.mobile.de, not necessarily to buy something, but with the intention of getting a sense of the prices.

Then take a look at insurance - if you want to register the car in your name, it could be very expensive with the TDI engine. If it's registered under your father and used as a second car, it's not quite as bad (you can legally transfer the percentage of driving you actually do to your name later, which will save you a lot).

And then there's the question of whether your "dream car" has to be your first car, or whether it might be better to drive a really old, beat-up car for the first year, where it doesn't matter if something happens. Of course, this is highly dependent on you, and no one can give you real advice on that.

Otherwise, to go back to the car: 13,200 DM (I can think better in that currency ) is, of course, a lot for a seven-year-old car, but TDI models are simply in demand, and therefore expensive (I realized this myself when I was briefly looking for a used Golf 3 TDI...), on the other hand, the stated distance of 132,000 km is not really a lot for 7 years.

Hopefully, I was able to help you a little.

Best regards,

Jan.

With your car insurance, you can transfer the number of years you've been driving. After 4 years of driving experience, you can essentially obtain an SF3 bonus class, and anything above that, if already present, will simply be disregarded by the insurance company.

I bought my Golf 3 two years ago when it was already 7 years old. Let me put that in perspective for you.

Golf 3 TDI - Golf 3 TD
1.9L engine, 90 horsepower, GL trim - 1.9L engine, 75 horsepower, CL trim.
First registration: May 31, 1995 - August 1, 1993.
132,640 km - 164,000 km
Adjustable electric exterior mirrors - manually adjustable mirrors, not heated.
Tachometer - Tachometer.
Adjustable steering wheel - fixed.
Split-folding rear seats.
Tinted glazing - k/a (unknown)
Immobilizer - No immobilizer.
Central locking system - remote control.
Driver and passenger airbags.
Servo - Servo
elektr. Schiebedach - elektr. Sunroof.
Metallic paint, black - Indian Red, pearl effect metallic.
and Radio - Of course.

I paid approximately 4600 EUR for this car back then.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to compare them directly in this way, as mine had a brand new cylinder head. I just wanted to let you know so you have some context for comparison. There are also significant regional differences.

'However, the TDI costs 150 euros less in annual taxes, the engine is generally quieter and runs better, the equipment is at least as good and sometimes better (e.g., immobilizer), and it has fewer kilometers.'

Here's the ADAC used car valuation report for you.

5600 EUR

• ABS + 3%
• Without side airbags - 2%
• Electric sliding/tilting roof + 3%
• 4-speed automatic + 4%
• incl. SUnfortunately, I cannot translate the word 'ervolenkung' because it does not appear to be a recognized word in German. It is possible that it is a misspelling, a technical term, or a word from a specific dialect. If you can provide more context or clarify the spelling, I would be happy to assist you further.

Unfortunately, you can't really take that as a given. The TDIs are selling like hotcakes and are therefore very valuable. Furthermore, used car dealers are now required to offer warranties, which they will undoubtedly charge extra for.

Thank you, you have really helped me!
I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to order it. He's only had it for a few days, and it's still in the workshop for refurbishment and cleaning; otherwise, it would probably already be gone.
I was initially hesitant about buying a car that was quite expensive for me, especially since the first car – as you often hear – often ends up against a tree or in a ditch, but that remains to be seen! You shouldn't always tempt fate...
'You're right about the warranty; I get a year. Also, the timing belt is still relatively new (at 90,000 miles/km).'
I can't drive it yet, as I have to wait 4 months, but that doesn't really matter...

Hi,

I've been driving a Golf 3 for 7 years.
It's very similar to the one you selected.

Year: 1995, 145,000 km, 90 HP TDI, but it's the GT trim with air conditioning (very useful, except maybe this summer ...).

Regarding the price (6,600 euros), I would say it's in the upper-middle range.
Remote diagnoses are generally a bad thing.
And as has already been mentioned: TDI models are in demand.
Tip: Was the timing belt replaced at 90,000 km?

Therefore, my general opinion of this car is:
So far, it's been a great car.
Especially not as overweight as the new compact cars.
However, it's also somewhat demanding. As you've probably heard, the insurance is expensive, even with a low damage class, and the maintenance costs are relatively high (although this is less true when compared to cars from brands like Benz, BMW, or Porsche).
'But even after 7 years, filling up the tank still makes me happy - I drive for half the price compared to friends with GTIs or Astra gasoline cars. That's the deciding factor for me.'
However, by today's diesel standards, it's no longer really that fast.
It looked completely different back in 1995...
However, for a beginner, it should offer the maximum possible performance!

The price seems a bit questionable to me.

For my G3 TDI KOMBI (!!! still being searched for), manufactured in 10/95, additional features include: air conditioning, central locking with remote control + alarm, detachable tow hitch, GRA (automatic speed regulation), alloy wheels. Unfortunately, it's currently in storage and the paint is white. Several dealers offered me between 4200 and 4800 Euros for it about six months ago!

Are cars very expensive where you are?

Dealers might offer you a certain price, but you have to consider that if they buy the car from you and resell it, they will likely have to provide a one-year warranty. This creates an unpredictable risk, which is why cars will probably be significantly more expensive when bought from dealers in the future compared to buying from private individuals.

Bei deinem wird wohl auch die Farbe ausschlaggebend sein, ein weißer 3er Golf wird hald doch nicht so schnell verkauft wie ein schwarzer. How many kilometers?

I think used cars are generally more expensive in Bavaria.

Regarding prices: what are retailers paying?

In the summer of 2000, I bought my Passat GT Limo TDI with 90 horsepower and 150,000 km (dark pearl effect paint, sports seats, sport suspension, dual airbags, alloy wheels, central locking, power steering, MFA, GRA...) from VW (including a 1-year warranty) for 12,900 euros.

Since I was planning to resell it about 4 weeks later due to a lack of money (I was an apprentice), I was in for a rude awakening:
Maximum: independent dealer, already had customers interested in the car, willing to pay €12,000.

And now for the kicker: The Hyundai dealership (it was just a trial run) offered me 5600 euros (and I would have had to buy a car from them...).

Ultimately, I didn't sell the car and I'm quite satisfied with it (especially the fuel consumption and comfort ).

So much for the topic of wholesale prices.

Best regards.
David.

@Stukov:

at that time, 145,000 km.
Yes, the color was the problem, but mine has significantly more features, and it's a station wagon, so that shouldn't make a difference. Also, the difference of 4500 (asking price) to 6600 (selling price) seems too high. A good dealer should be insured against warranty risks, and that shouldn't cost more than 400 euros per car!


@DocSnydor:

That's exactly the problem I had - so, keep it and modify it :-))))

Do you think there are already insurance policies for something like that? I can hardly imagine an insurance company taking that on, because it would be so easy to commit fraud. The dealer knowingly buys cars that are actually bad, pays more for them, gets a cut from the seller, and then resells the car. Then it comes back, the insurance company pays out, and the dealer makes a profit.

I can't really imagine that happening; it would be like making a bet with someone that I wouldn't be able to eat two bread rolls one after the other.

Regarding the topic of 90 HP VE engines versus 100 HP TDI PD engines!
The 100 hp TDI PD engine performs significantly better than the 90 hp TDI VE engine!!!
'Because a 100 hp engine easily produces 260 Nm of torque and 110 hp!'

@Animalking: The statement referred to DIFFERENT cars, one of which is significantly lighter than the other. Engine power or torque alone are not sufficient for comparison; you need to convert it to kg/horsepower or kg/Nm to determine which one performs better.

If you were to put a 60 horsepower engine in a Trabant, it would actually perform better than an Ibiza with a 110 horsepower TDI engine.

Best regards,

Jan.

Yes, I understand that LOL!!! I was just talking about comparing the two machines!!! The old 90 HP TDI isn't bad in terms of fuel consumption and performance, but it's far inferior to the new TDI PD generation (IT WOULD BE FOR NOTHING). Furthermore, the 'actual' power of a car doesn't only depend on the power-to-weight ratio, but factors like the drag coefficient (CW value) or the gear ratio also play a role !!
In addition, there's front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or even all-wheel drive.

So, I was at the dealership today, signed the contract, and I'll be getting it on Friday!
As some people have mentioned in this forum, the car is a bit expensive, but it's a diesel, and I plan to drive it for at least 4 years.
'And where can you even find a 90hp TDI? I've already been to 5 dealerships, and they all only had gasoline models. Even on the internet, on websites like autoscout24.de, you don't find many TDIs that are being sold privately, and I don't want a car with a 1-year warranty.'
And I also live in Bavaria, in the Würzburg district, and the cars are a bit more expensive there, but never mind... a deal is a deal!
In terms of performance, the 90PS TDI has 205Nm of torque, and the 100PS TDI PD is supposed to have 240Nm, so it's not a huge difference... It's logical that it's not as quiet as the new Golf, but there are things you can do about that .

Okay, then... presumably, the waiting time for the driver's license will be especially difficult, especially if a car is already ready and just waiting for someone to drive it .

"Anyway, I'm rooting for you with the driving test and everything... and be careful, those TDI engines really have some power."

@Animalking: I'm aware of that, but in this case, the differences in translation are minimal, and when I said "geht," I wasn't referring to the maximum speed (Vmax), but rather the suit. And at low speeds, the relatively small difference in the drag coefficient (cw-value) between the Golf 3 and Golf 4 probably isn't that significant.

Best regards,

Jan.

'Hi, I also bought a 1995 Golf 3 with a 90hp diesel engine about 2 months ago. It's the Pink Floyd model, so it has all the electric features, but no air conditioning. The dealer wanted 6400€ for it, but I managed to get the price down to 6000€. (My arguments were: small scratches on the bumper, stone chip damage on the radiator grill/hood [barely visible], and a crack in the taillight. All minor things, but good for negotiating the price.)'
And every car has some flaws.
That meant the price was still higher than what's listed on the 'weak list,' but TDI models are just rare.
'The mileage is as listed, and the rest of the vehicle's specifications match those of the car owned by Markus, as described above.'

So, you should still be able to negotiate the price a bit, even with dealers.
and definitely take it for a thorough test drive.

Regarding the performance: it's just average, but you probably already know that from driving school. Most people probably learn to drive in a Golf 4 with a 110 TDI engine. (Mine was a 3-door compact, which was a terrible car).