so the time has come where i do what i said i would never. buy a 4x4!

long story short but im a hardened pork fan but have been without for the past 18 months or so as house moves and baby stuff took precedence. having always had 2 cars in the past, weve decided to try the one car option which is actually working out well

but with the demands of larger family and the one car strategy ive decided that the one car we do have has to be something that i fancy.

much as i love the e39 im not sure that keeping it makes sense given that the incoming car will likely be a cayenne. however, what i dont know is what ill get for it and whether it might actually be worth keeping it as a run around etc

its 52 place with 88k miles, black on silver with style 42 wheels (all in desperate need of refurb), heated seats, cruise, been maintained no expense spared at dm worx in bucks etc etc

cosmetically it needs some heavy duty detailing but otherwise a very straight and sweet runner

i cant imagine many folks buying an 11 year old car that does less than 25mpg combined but then i could be wrong

Don't know that's why I'm asking

I thought it would at least have a 3 at the beginning!

2 cars it is then

I would be astonished if so. Although I dare say a Cayenne is pleasing to drive if I may be so bold I would suggest there may be times you fancy taking the 525i out. I know that may sound a little crazy but I'll wager a few bob on the fact I'm right. They are nice cars, keep it.

Seriously considered a 540 but couldn't live with the V8 steering unless it is the 5l variant

Hi,

The E39 Touring will most likely do all of your motoring requirements in one competent package, yes I'm biased as I have one and I decided quite a few years ago that I'm just going to keep it running long term. The only thing it doesn't do is go super fast being a 530d, but it has 90% of the real world every day driving performance most poeple would want.

A Cayenne is a nice car. For me, that's about as far as it goes. Given it's bulk, it probably has a 'bit' more actual load space than the E39 or equivalent sized cars, it has the Porsche badge on it which means it's a VW Toureg in a sharper suit. It's not exactly the best looking thing out there and as you'll usually most likely be with the family when driving it, you aren't going to really be able to extract the Porsche derived sporty handling and performance aspects. For me, the 'plus' points into owning a big SUV type car is the feeling of a vast bulky car around you and your family and.. thats about it. Fuel costs are greater due to the bulk, weight and shape etc.

Given all the aspects above and probably others, you'll most likely buy the Cayenne anyway. The E39 Touring if you spent a little on it refreshing the suspension and tidying it up will perform (pretty much) all of what the cayenne will do, so really comes down to how deep your pockets are I guess!

Cheers, Dennis!

Keep it. When you know the car, its history and foibles - and if it does still make you smile from time to time given an opportunity - you'll miss it when it's gone. There's nothing can replace something that solid. And with something solid to rely on, you can buy something small and fun to augment the fleet (as my own profile attests!)

Using man-maths to rearrange the equation: positively Not worth getting-rid for the small sum it might realise

For context a friend of mine just bought

530i SE saloon - 6 months tax and MOT - 80k
Leather
Auto
Nav (widescreen)
Digital TV
Bluetooth (OEM BMW)
Rear electric blind
Rear side blinds
Being a facelift it has front and rear PDC and the sports wheel
Basic 16" wheels
No squeaks or rattles
Full BMWSH

£2900

I say keep it. I've gone from 530i Sport to Cayenne S, went without both and finally went back to a 530i Sport.
The Cayenne was ok, i loved the V8 and being higher up. But it was a lot more expensive to run: 100litre tank (so circa £140 for a full tank of Super), £250 a pop per tyre, £400 Road TAX a year and higher insurance. Plus compared to an 530 touring, probably less internal space.

The 530i Sport is comfy, effortless and rather nimble for its size. I took it up to the Lakes a couple of years back never missed a beat, from village driving to giving it the beans on the empty quiet lanes, lots of room inside too ;-)

The 530 doesn't owe me anything at £3K it was bought cash and i service it myself and its passed every MOT i've had to take it too. It sits outside and i'm not bothered if someone dinks the doors or parks a bit too close. Whilst i was always looking out the window with the Porsche; plus it's £50 for a new bonnet badge as i had to have mine replaced

I have a 530iSE Touring with 64k miles on it, I am the second owner. Its a lovely car and so hard to better for the money I'd have to spend. Often I find myself looking at X5s, Cayennes or even Rangeys, but for the additional £30k odd I'd have to spend to get one of those it just doesn't make sense. Add the fact I only drive it 2.5k miles a year and thats even more clear!

Looks like I will be running it into the ground then or, more likely, sell it when/if I move out of the UK.