The more I look the less I find...

[Ghost91]

danlightbulb said:

It would appear that way. I thought 6 grand was a very reasonable amount to have available to spend on a used car. I still do really. The problem is im wanting something that isnt a run of the mill hatchback.

I really like those 5 series, but only a tiny handful of manual 530i around for under 6k.

Why i really wanted a 4x4? Because its exciting. I cant have a sports car or a hot hatch so where does my excitement come from? Size size size. Massive chunky wheels. My 2 boys (8 and 6) would love it whereas they wont really appreciate a straight 6 bmw petrol engine under the bonnet of an estate.

There are many bmw diesels around. Why the issue with these engines? Diesel should be a simpler fuel than petrol not more complex.

Diesels are prone to eating dual mass flywheels, needing new injectors, dpf failures, egr problems. If said diesel has been driven how diesels should, I.e decent long runs at temperature, then they don't tend to have these problems. The trouble is, these days everyone is brainwashed in to buying a diesel, so miss daisy has one for popping to the shops and back, clogging everything up ready for it to break, never reaching temp for very long. Petrols while some may consume more fuel, will invariably have less expensive problems than diesels so you pay more at the pump, but less in repairs, so the cost in my experience of owning a decent petrol motor has been much cheaper than a troublesome diesel. Of course there are plenty of diesels which have been driven properly and don't have these problems.

[Rovinghawk]

danlightbulb said:

It would appear that way. I thought 6 grand was a very reasonable amount to have available to spend on a used car. I still do really. The problem is im wanting something that isnt a run of the mill hatchback.

I really like those 5 series, but only a tiny handful of manual 530i around for under 6k.

Why i really wanted a 4x4? Because its exciting. I cant have a sports car or a hot hatch so where does my excitement come from? Size size size. Massive chunky wheels. My 2 boys (8 and 6) would love it whereas they wont really appreciate a straight 6 bmw petrol engine under the bonnet of an estate.

There are many bmw diesels around. Why the issue with these engines? Diesel should be a simpler fuel than petrol not more complex.

So what you want is a newish 7 seater, ideally 4WD, decent performance, great style, excitement, nice interior, excellent fuel economy but at a relatively low price?

We all want one of those, so surely they must have been produced as there's such a massive demand?

[jontykint]

A bit like rocking horse droppings to find but VW Sharan 1.9tdi 4motion? 35mpg 7 seats. Plenty spares.
Or even harder to find and thirstier VR6 versions are around.
Or wait till next year and hope for a 4motion of the new Touran

[kinghottinger]

The answer to this, and many other questions is surely: Defender

It isn't fast, economical or sensible, but it's a fine ownership experience, and your kids/wife will love it as much as you do (given time).

[ehonda]

This might get a flaming, but here goes:
I've got a petrol bongo, my kids love it but it's 2 wheel drive and drinks, but if you fancy camping they're practical with the bed upstairs and fold down seats. Asides from the thirst it costs peanuts to service/insure. A converted one would lose you seats though.

But this is in budget, diesel and 4X4:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I have a soft spot for these too..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I'd take either of those over an MPV any day of the week.

[Bennet]

danlightbulb said:

I feel as if I could go out and spent £6k and, other than it being newer, the new car would have nothing over and above my current car.

In my opinion this can and should be a very liberating realisation - you suddenly realise you were about to spend £x000 on something that won't add to your happiness one bit, and after all, the old car still works and serves you faithfully after all these years. I peruse the ads and often look out the window at my old (mk2) Mondeo and realise it still works and I still like it so I just save up and find contentment in things that matter.

(Furthermore, your kids loving the bad ass looks should be, to me, the lowest thing on the priority list. You could come home in a hummer and they'll be over it within a month.)

[Alex@POD]

danlightbulb said:

The new 4x4s manage 40+ mpg. Cant afford them. In the same way as my 12 year old mondy gets 45mpg which is not bettered (by much) on the modern version, I didn't expect such a gap down to these 4x4 mpgs from the modern lot.

Which modern 4x4 are you looking at that does 40+MPG? I don't think it's a fair comparison, 12 years ago 4x4s were usually 4x4s, but nowadays, apart from the bigger ones, it's all electronic diffs and part-time 4x4. A "good" MPG will be measured in the best conditions possible and not "real-world".

[danlightbulb]

Bennet said:

danlightbulb said:

I feel as if I could go out and spent £6k and, other than it being newer, the new car would have nothing over and above my current car.

In my opinion this can and should be a very liberating realisation - you suddenly realise you were about to spend £x000 on something that won't add to your happiness one bit, and after all, the old car still works and serves you faithfully after all these years. I peruse the ads and often look out the window at my old (mk2) Mondeo and realise it still works and I still like it so I just save up and find contentment in things that matter.

(Furthermore, your kids loving the bad ass looks should be, to me, the lowest thing on the priority list. You could come home in a hummer and they'll be over it within a month.)

Well yes and no. It is very likely that my mondy will cost me several hundred to get through the MOT in a few weeks time. So its whether I stump up at this point or take the opportunity to get a replacement. You are right about the kids of course, but I do like 4x4s too. In fact, 4x4 vs sports car - i wouldn't be able to get anything out of a sports car where i live (middle of the west midlands). Low speed roads, speed bumps everywhere, loads of traffic, no twisty stuff. In fact the 4x4 will be very useful given all the poor roads and potholes, so it would have a small reason to exist.

Alex@POD said:

Which modern 4x4 are you looking at that does 40+MPG? I don't think it's a fair comparison, 12 years ago 4x4s were usually 4x4s, but nowadays, apart from the bigger ones, it's all electronic diffs and part-time 4x4. A "good" MPG will be measured in the best conditions possible and not "real-world".

A few have claimed 40+mpg although take your point. My mondy gets within 3 mpg of the original ford claimed figure of 48mpg. But nowadays the claimed values are fantasy I agree.

Rovinghawk said:

So what you want is a newish 7 seater, ideally 4WD, decent performance, great style, excitement, nice interior, excellent fuel economy but at a relatively low price?

We all want one of those, so surely they must have been produced as there's such a massive demand?

To answer this I would say that I'm not after something perfect, am willing to compromise provided that there are aspects of these things in the car I buy. Firstly, 6 to 7 years old is not really newish, and that's reflected in my £6k budget. If I had a 4x4 then blistering performance isn't a priority as long as its not a total slouch. If I don't get a 4x4 (i.e a 5 series) then it would be nice to have some decent punch. Style is subjective. I like the truck look, I like the 5 series. I don't like the Bongo (sorry ehonda). I don't really like the boxy MPVs. I'm not really a fan of supercars either. Interior - comfortable, modern looking (i.e no mahogany), decent stereo. Fuel economy is pretty much a given these days yes? I'm not after the best in class in all of these things, just something that is average at all of them.


This whole diesel thing. I'm confused by it. The only thing that's gone wrong with my mondy engine was the DMF, which cost about a grand to replace about 6 or 7 years ago. You guys saying there is nothing on a petrol engine that can cost a grand to repair, EVEN on a straight six BMW engine? And where have these DPF's come from? My mondy doesn't have one of these as far as I know. So this whole 'total cost of ownership' thing, well I see the point being made but in my experience the diesel engine has been pretty reliable. I would not want to stump up for another DMF repair though.


I've had the 530i recommended to me here, and I like it very much, but can't find any. So while I am grateful for the recommendations, it seems they are as unrealistic as my own expectations.


Been on a trip to north wales yesterday and today. Mondy did great on a run. Its not a bad car. But if Im changing it its natural to want something better isn't it. Saw lots of 4x4s parked up at the seaside. Love the chunky truck look. Hate 4x4s on 19" alloys, looks stupid. 15" wheels and high profile tyres - perfect. Some of them are bigger than I thought they were when up close.

Edited by danlightbulb on Tuesday 1st September 21:50

Edited by danlightbulb on Tuesday 1st September 21:55

[hman]

X5 petrol.

[danlightbulb]

hman said:

X5 petrol.

30mpg I could handle. 20 mpg on the x5 petrol is just too much of a added cost for me.

Plus, I don't actually like them, lol. I don't really like 4x4s that are really just cars. If I'm not getting a 4x4 that looks like a 4x4 should, then I'd rather have a 5 series.

[Eski1991]

Hyundai terracan
Santana ps10
Great wall steed

[danlightbulb]

Think am finally narrowing down what I would like.

Option 1, a 2005 530d tourer, automatic, 35mpg claimed, approx £5.5k.

Option 2, a 2007 530d tourer, manual, 44mpg claimed (big difference from above), approx £6k.

Option 3, a 2006 nissan pathfinder 2.5D, 31mpg (ouch), approx £5 to £6k for a 130k miler.

[RobinBanks]

About the Pathfinder, having had a Navara, you're unlikely to get that 31mpg. I had 38mpg on a long run (50mph cruise control) once but mid 20s was more typical.

Also the 2006 time models (mine was brand new in 2010) are known to be problematic and expensive to repair, aren't they?

[swisstoni]

danlightbulb said:

31mpg (ouch)

[Farmer Geddon]

If your finances are that tight then there is no way you can afford to own an old diesel 5 series. I think you should try to be realistic, you want the moon on a stick for half the price. You dismiss certain cars because of the styling and then dismiss the other option because you can't afford to fuel it. A 10 year old diesel BMW, if it breaks, can cost an arm and a leg to fix. You might not like it but the MPV was invented for people like you. How important is space? The MK4 Mondeo's are big and cheap to run, look nice and you could get a top spec one in budget.

If a 4x4 is a must then with my money I would probably buy something older and indestructible like a land cruiser or grand cherokee under budget and LPG it. Alright it's not as new and flashy as you want but that comes at a price...

Edited by Farmer Geddon on Wednesday 2nd September 08:49

[Bill]

With the best will in the world any 4x4 you get will struggle to get 30mpg (how many miles pa do you do?). And do you really need a huge amount of load space? There are a hell of a lot of fast, fun 4 seaters in budget.

You're lucky in many ways, I have three kids (two in boosters) so most estates are out, particularly as we often carry their friends about too. (Watch the mumsnet whingers froth at the idea of someone who actual needs a 7-seater. )

[Willy Nilly]

Farmer Geddon said:

If your finances are that tight then there is no way you can afford to own an old diesel 5 series. I think you should try to be realistic, you want the moon on a stick for half the price. You dismiss certain cars because of the styling and then dismiss the other option because you can't afford to fuel it. A 10 year old diesel BMW, if it breaks, can cost an arm and a leg to fix. You might not like it but the MPV was invented for people like you. How important is space? The MK4 Mondeo's are big and cheap to run, look nice and you could get a top spec one in budget.

If a 4x4 is a must then with my money I would probably buy something older and indestructible like a land cruiser or grand cherokee under budget and LPG it. Alright it's not as new and flashy as you want but that comes at a price...

Edited by Farmer Geddon on Wednesday 2nd September 08:49

This.

The OP hasn't got enough money for the car he wants, but has enough for a car that will do what he wants. There are 10 S-Max's on PH on budget and there will be loads of Mondeos, Insignias and Avensiseseses, all of which will be better to own that a shagged 5 series.

As for thinking pickups are PH They are st, utter st.

I look forward to steaming past the OP in my Jazz as he tries to coax an old 5 Series to 35 mpg.

[danlightbulb]

Would a 8/10 year old BMW which had done 100k be shagged?

Why would repair bills on a 530d be any more than on a mondeo TDCi? I had to have the DMF done on my Mondy and it cost the best part of a grand. Why would the DMF be any different on the BMW? My mondy has never had an injector fault (thankfully), I know its a risk though as with any car. Why wouldn't a petrol engine have injector failure?

Isn't a 8/10 year old BMW better built than a 5/6 year old mondeo, which is all I can get for the cash? Both will have done around 100k miles give or take 20k.

Im getting very mixed messages. Everyone is saying avoid the diesel but there are hardly any petrol models around and they cost the same as the diesel. Economy is important but i can live with 35mpg. Don't want lower than this it starts to cost alot more. There will always be a risk of major expense with any car won't there, diesel or not?

Bill said:

With the best will in the world any 4x4 you get will struggle to get 30mpg (how many miles pa do you do?). And do you really need a huge amount of load space? There are a hell of a lot of fast, fun 4 seaters in budget.

You're lucky in many ways, I have three kids (two in boosters) so most estates are out, particularly as we often carry their friends about too. (Watch the mumsnet whingers froth at the idea of someone who actual needs a 7-seater. )

I do 10 to 12 k a year, town, motorway, dual carriageways, a run out every so often. I do need a decent load space for carrying bikes mostly.

I have 2 kids in boosters and my missus has one toddler in a full car seat. So we tend to take 2 cars most places at the moment.

Edited by danlightbulb on Wednesday 2nd September 10:42

[Justin Case]

Mid 2000s Honda CRV or Nissan X trail

/thread

[danlightbulb]

Ok so I can get a 2007 Nissan X trail in 2.2 diesel with 100k miles for my £6k. Honda CRV is roughly the same. How is this any more or less of a risk than a similarly aged, similarly miled, BMW 530d?

If I should be avoiding diesels then shouldn't I be avoiding them in all marques?