Had the punto for 2 years now and getting a bit bored / fed up of it. I used to do just town driving and it was fine, but now i have a 180mile drive home from uni once a month its just not that comfortable on the motorway.
Looking at getting a 2001> BMW 320cd but not sure if its worth it as im going to be at uni for another 4 years.. and its going to be more expensive to run, What do you think??

(would obviously get it remapped by reddot 150bhp>167Bhp and 320nm >375nm!)

keep punto so people dont think you are a :tosser:

lol thanks for the input dave

even the german says german cars are rubbish how about a nice stilo jtd remapped?

Have you driven it yet? All I can say is that those BMWs with the sports suspension and 18inch wheels drive superbly and handle very well...but the ride is pretty damn firm and apart from slightly better seats and a nicer driving position it may not be massively more comfortable on the motorway although may be happier/more stable sitting at high cruising speeds.

It probably has cruise control though which is always good and they are quick and economical, they are lovely cars and are mostly very reliable and very well built.

You will easily see 40mpg on a run maybe more but filling a large tank of diesel every week isnt going to be cheap, combined with higher insurance costs its a close call wether its worth it, for me personally it would be because its a BMW and its a nice thing to own.

iirc you only do about 20 miles a week to get the shopping and that your journey home once a month is yours only main drive? I'd keep the Punto for the time being. The BMW would just be a big waist of money for what you want/need a car for.

If its a close call, keep the punto and save your money.

However, if you feel you really need the bigger car, the bmw would be a fine choice imo, however id be tempted to leave it for now

Thanks for the advice guys, think im going to save my money for the moment and keep the punto for a while. If it lasts till im out of university ill get a 330cd now that will be nice! or mabeee if I have enough cash for petrol 330ci!!
I don't really need a bigger car, and if I drive sensibly my car will give me 45mpg on the 180mile trip home so not going to be much better than the Bmw but im sure it would be much more comfortable cruising at 80mph....
I was just soooo tempted at the dealership when i went to see that 320cd
But i guess i don't need any more expenses for the next 4 years here at uni.
Was quite interested in a Punto HGT JTD mk2b.... but there aren't many about..

dave said:

keep punto so people dont think you are a :tosser:

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i agree with you... me and you are very alike

Rich_65402 said:

i agree with you... me and you are very alike

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Oi, not all bmw owners are :tosser:s, I've wanted one since i was like 3 and my dad had a 1994 525i which had an amazing engine. I honestly can't wait to own one and if possible keep my punto alongside

Singh! said:

Oi, not all bmw owners are :tosser:s, I've wanted one since i was like 3 and my dad had a 1994 525i which had an amazing engine. I honestly can't wait to own one and if possible keep my punto alongside

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i must say e36 m3's make me stare...

keep the punto you will be at least normal then... but that's just me i hate beamers.. :yuck:

Save some money! Definitely the right choice. Money is good.

TBF a student turning up in a Beemer 320? Great cars but people will assume you're either a spoilt brat or borrowing it off your dad even if neither of those is the case.

StevenRB45 said:

TBF a student turning up in a Beemer 320? Great cars but people will assume your either a spoilt brat or borrowing it off your dad even if neither of those is the case.

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My friend just bought a 2.3 litre engine R reg Mercedes SLK, 19 years old. Whats the point in all honesty!? :tosser:

If you want the BMW have it, when I was a student I had a Merc E430 V8.... Had more £££££ when I was a student!!!

Although I clicked to keep your punto(your in Uni you need all your money for alcohol and pot ) The BMW, especially nowadays are awesome cars... If you haven't driven one and wish to make hate comments DON'T, drive one and then return with your comments. The comparision between a BMW 330D/330Ci and a FIAT in ANY form, it's like comparing Ralph Lauren with ASDA George. When you are no longer a student and get your £30kp/a job buy yourself a 330Ci

Se7enHP said:

When you are no longer a student and get your £30kp/a job buy yourself a 330Ci

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if i had a 30k p/a job it would not be a 330Ci that i would have it would have to be the M5

richy2009 said:

if i had a 30k p/a job it would not be a 330Ci that i would have it would have to be the M5

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66k for a new M5
I am not blowing any sort of Trumpet here but I earn 28kp/a and own a GP T-Jet!
In reallity when you have mortgage, kids, as well as having to run a car, you need to be sensible. And with even with a decent wage I wouldn't fancy the running costs of of a M3, let alone an M5. 350 miles a week contributes to my level headedness as well. Imagine doing 350 miles a week at 15mpg??????? looking at £4500 a year on petrol alone. try explaining to the wife why almost a 5th of your salary is being spent on petrol. Not good.

All I'll say is that Fiats rank among the highest of 'cars you would let out of a junction', BMWs rank lowest. If your journey time is highly dependent on other people's courtesy, keep the Punto.

And let's be honest, 360 miles (there and back) once a month is not bad. I commute the M6 to Manchester daily in a Punto 55 S, a round trip of 80 miles, plus the odd weekend journey to Warwickshire. In the Punto, it feels special, an adventure, with plenty of gear stirring, high revs and noisy rear suspension. The BMW may be more capable, but that's what it is supposed to do, so it will just be a regular, mundane commute-mobile.