The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T (Vol XVI)
Discussion
right,,, as you are all experts on the breed.
I need a nice motor with 4 seats (me, the missus and the 2yr old urchin). circa £16k
choices are
bmw 630i sport convertible (2008 onwards, facelight version with the better idrive and fuel economy)
Porsche 996 3.6 (probably tin-top and I don't think it works so well as a convertible).
struggling at the moment... the beemer is much more modern, economical and comfy but with stacks of electronics to bork. the porker is much more simple, will (perhaps) have a better residual, but has an engine with the potential to bankrupt me if it goes pop.
I need a nice motor with 4 seats (me, the missus and the 2yr old urchin). circa £16k
choices are
bmw 630i sport convertible (2008 onwards, facelight version with the better idrive and fuel economy)
Porsche 996 3.6 (probably tin-top and I don't think it works so well as a convertible).
struggling at the moment... the beemer is much more modern, economical and comfy but with stacks of electronics to bork. the porker is much more simple, will (perhaps) have a better residual, but has an engine with the potential to bankrupt me if it goes pop.
Crook said:
Re costs on E36 M3s against an E9x?
My colleague has a 92 M3 and says (I'm not sure if this is true maybe Gruber can confirm) that the service intervals are longer then the 36/46 and cost less.
There would be very little upkeep cost and you'd have a warranty for the expected unexpected.
Gruber's first rule of motoring is to buy cars that have just been serviced and sell them just before they need doing again... My colleague has a 92 M3 and says (I'm not sure if this is true maybe Gruber can confirm) that the service intervals are longer then the 36/46 and cost less.
There would be very little upkeep cost and you'd have a warranty for the expected unexpected.
But broadly, your colleague's assessment is perhaps right, although I doubt there'd much in it (e46 vs e92). However... the e92 breaks away from the e46 oil-Insp-oil-Insp routine, so the CBS means there's a reasonable chance you end up having to take it in more often, as and when it decides it needs stuff doing. Or everything needs doing at the same time. Mine was due a £1200 service when I sold it back to the dealer earlier this year.
Fuel and tax are the big differences between the two.
Gruber said:
Gruber's first rule of motoring is to buy cars that have just been serviced and sell them just before they need doing again...
But broadly, your colleague's assessment is perhaps right, although I doubt there'd much in it (e46 vs e92). However... the e92 breaks away from the e46 oil-Insp-oil-Insp routine, so the CBS means there's a reasonable chance you end up having to take it in more often, as and when it decides it needs stuff doing. Or everything needs doing at the same time. Mine was due a £1200 service when I sold it back to the dealer earlier this year.
Fuel and tax are the big differences between the two.
I tend to buy and keep then get repeatedly mugged then sell at a loss...But broadly, your colleague's assessment is perhaps right, although I doubt there'd much in it (e46 vs e92). However... the e92 breaks away from the e46 oil-Insp-oil-Insp routine, so the CBS means there's a reasonable chance you end up having to take it in more often, as and when it decides it needs stuff doing. Or everything needs doing at the same time. Mine was due a £1200 service when I sold it back to the dealer earlier this year.
Fuel and tax are the big differences between the two.
king hell!
I'm after advice please. I'm interested in a 91 Mercedes SL, but have just discovered it was originally registered in Hong Kong, and imported and registered in the UK in 2003.
Should this bother me? Anything in particular to look out for as a consequence?
Might it make it less desirable when I come to sell it? Does it attract adverse HIP comment? The VRN is A2 VPE.
Thanks in advance. Planning to view tomorrow.
Should this bother me? Anything in particular to look out for as a consequence?
Might it make it less desirable when I come to sell it? Does it attract adverse HIP comment? The VRN is A2 VPE.
Thanks in advance. Planning to view tomorrow.
It seems to me to be one of those things that logically shouldn't make a difference (especially given the timeframes) but yet still acts as some sort of mental barrier. For reasons I can't explain, I'd always choose a UK car over an import given the choice.
But if condition, history and price stack up, go for it.
Of course, your insurance co will probably ask whether it's an import. I've no idea what difference that makes to premiums.
Oh... And Baby Grubes (who turned up last Tuesday) seems to be enjoying Mummy's e61! The old tank is doing solid work as the family wagon
But if condition, history and price stack up, go for it.
Of course, your insurance co will probably ask whether it's an import. I've no idea what difference that makes to premiums.
Oh... And Baby Grubes (who turned up last Tuesday) seems to be enjoying Mummy's e61! The old tank is doing solid work as the family wagon
Gruber said:
It seems to me to be one of those things that logically shouldn't make a difference (especially given the timeframes) but yet still acts as some sort of mental barrier. For reasons I can't explain, I'd always choose a UK car over an import given the choice.
But if condition, history and price stack up, go for it.
Of course, your insurance co will probably ask whether it's an import. I've no idea what difference that makes to premiums.
Oh... And Baby Grubes (who turned up last Tuesday) seems to be enjoying Mummy's e61! The old tank is doing solid work as the family wagon
Do you mean E39? But if condition, history and price stack up, go for it.
Of course, your insurance co will probably ask whether it's an import. I've no idea what difference that makes to premiums.
Oh... And Baby Grubes (who turned up last Tuesday) seems to be enjoying Mummy's e61! The old tank is doing solid work as the family wagon
Congratulations.
Littl'un #2 arrived at my household about 6 weeks ago.I expect a car that has spent its first 12 years in HK will have a fresher underside compared to a UK car?
braddo said:
Do you mean E39?
Congratulations. Littl'un #2 arrived at my household about 6 weeks ago.
I expect a car that has spent its first 12 years in HK will have a fresher underside compared to a UK car?
No - e61. We bought the good President CdG's 523i wagon from him earlier in the year to use as Mrs G's daily driver / baby wagon.Congratulations.
Littl'un #2 arrived at my household about 6 weeks ago.I expect a car that has spent its first 12 years in HK will have a fresher underside compared to a UK car?
We're currently a two 5 series family!
Thanks for the congrats. It's a knackering old business. The idea of having a second one seems like complete madness.
Gruber said:
Oh... And Baby Grubes (who turned up last Tuesday) seems to be enjoying Mummy's e61! The old tank is doing solid work as the family wagon
Many congratulations - fantastic news and best wishes to your wife. PH-ers queue up to tell new dads that they don't really need an estate when sprogs come along, but my goodness the space makes life easier. CharlesdeGaulle said:
Many congratulations - fantastic news and best wishes to your wife. PH-ers queue up to tell new dads that they don't really need an estate when sprogs come along, but my goodness the space makes life easier.
Thank you (and from Mrs G).Absolutely. I can see, in theory, why a Golf would be sufficient. But practically, given relative values etc, why wouldn't you go for the bigger car?! The e61 seems perfect for London - super light power steering, smooth auto-box, beepers front and rear, loads of space for shopping and baby gubbins, classy image but ubiquitous and unassuming etc. We're very happy with it. Mrs G seems rather attached to it, so it looks like it'll be a keeper.
Gruber said:
No - e61. We bought the good President CdG's 523i wagon from him earlier in the year to use as Mrs G's daily driver / baby wagon.
We're currently a two 5 series family!
Thanks for the congrats. It's a knackering old business. The idea of having a second one seems like complete madness.
Ah, 2 5-series, I see!We're currently a two 5 series family!
Thanks for the congrats. It's a knackering old business. The idea of having a second one seems like complete madness.
I have always thought the same, that having a second kid seems like madness. It wasn't really planned.... Having them 4 years apart makes a big difference as the elder one is a lot more independent by then (and just starting school, so no doubling up on nursery fees - result!).
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