Discussion
What are the realistic running costs of one?
I'm thinking way ahead here (after December when I can get a years NCB hopefully) but fancy one as my second car, currently have a 2 litre DTI vectra and get about 45mpg.
I do about 250 miles a week so I'm guessing the diesel would be worth it? Journey to work is 26 miles, 12 miles dual carriageway, 10 or so NSL and a few through towns.
A friend works for BMW so there wouldn't be too much of an issue for servicing etc.
I'm thinking way ahead here (after December when I can get a years NCB hopefully) but fancy one as my second car, currently have a 2 litre DTI vectra and get about 45mpg.
I do about 250 miles a week so I'm guessing the diesel would be worth it? Journey to work is 26 miles, 12 miles dual carriageway, 10 or so NSL and a few through towns.
A friend works for BMW so there wouldn't be too much of an issue for servicing etc.
Edited by DirtyHarry88 on Sunday 29th March 16:58
Great car, but you don't do enough mileage to justify (in cash prize monies) the differential between the diesel and the petrol.
I think you need to be hitting about 35K miles per year to see saved monies in fuel economy.
Also, the petrol is a simpler engine (no turbo, for a start) and less likely to present you with a big bill.
That said, if you go for the diesel, might as well go the whole nine yards and get the auto. The BMW slushbox is a very good mate to the big oilburner up front.
I think you need to be hitting about 35K miles per year to see saved monies in fuel economy.
Also, the petrol is a simpler engine (no turbo, for a start) and less likely to present you with a big bill.
That said, if you go for the diesel, might as well go the whole nine yards and get the auto. The BMW slushbox is a very good mate to the big oilburner up front.
Edited by CommanderJameson on Sunday 29th March 17:23
I have a 2002 530i, my Dad has a 2002 530d. Both are manual and I drive both on a regular basis.
Get the 530i. The extra in fuel costs will be offset by the fact you wont need to buy a new turbo or replace all the injectors in the petrol version. Plus it sounds better, is cheaper, and is faster.
But whichever you get make sure you have a grand tucked away for unforseen expenses. They are now cheap to buy but they are not cheap to run.
Get the 530i. The extra in fuel costs will be offset by the fact you wont need to buy a new turbo or replace all the injectors in the petrol version. Plus it sounds better, is cheaper, and is faster.
But whichever you get make sure you have a grand tucked away for unforseen expenses. They are now cheap to buy but they are not cheap to run.
Fox- said:
I have a 2002 530i, my Dad has a 2002 530d. Both are manual and I drive both on a regular basis.
Get the 530i. The extra in fuel costs will be offset by the fact you wont need to buy a new turbo or replace all the injectors in the petrol version. Plus it sounds better, is cheaper, and is faster.
But whichever you get make sure you have a grand tucked away for unforseen expenses. They are now cheap to buy but they are not cheap to run.
Cheers for the advice, what sort of expenses are you thinking about here that would be the most likely?Get the 530i. The extra in fuel costs will be offset by the fact you wont need to buy a new turbo or replace all the injectors in the petrol version. Plus it sounds better, is cheaper, and is faster.
But whichever you get make sure you have a grand tucked away for unforseen expenses. They are now cheap to buy but they are not cheap to run.
Edited by DirtyHarry88 on Sunday 29th March 19:11
Fox- said:
DirtyHarry88 said:
My mechanic friend could come in handy for tyres as well.
Well not really, my experience is that anyone 'in the trade' who reckons they can get a 'good deal' on tyres can get cheap crap for cheap, you wont find them undercutting the likes of Camskill and Mytyres.Fox- said:
DirtyHarry88 said:
My mechanic friend could come in handy for tyres as well.
Well not really, my experience is that anyone 'in the trade' who reckons they can get a 'good deal' on tyres can get cheap crap for cheap, you wont find them undercutting the likes of Camskill and Mytyres.I don't know the exact model he needed for his car but they were bridgestones at about 180 quid each and he got them for 90 each.
I picked up a 2001 (Y reg) 530d last Saturday from a Dealer just outside Leicester. Paid just under £6000 but got a service, warranty, 12 months tax and new MOT. Car is in very good condition and has done 105,000.
To be honest I stretched the budget slightly higher than I initially wanted to, but just needed something as an everyday workhorse to cover approx 40 miles to work and back.
Averaged over 50mpg back down the M1 (not really pushing it as was new to the car and took it fairly easy between 70-80mph) but have since got approx 37-38 on the work journey (mainly a mix of A roads and cross country).
Looked at a couple of others before deciding on this one - again high mileage (to be expected) but just a bit untidy. Private sales on average will get the better deal - I was looking for approx 2 months so perhaps best advice I can offer is take your time - a good one will come along.
Good luck!
To be honest I stretched the budget slightly higher than I initially wanted to, but just needed something as an everyday workhorse to cover approx 40 miles to work and back.
Averaged over 50mpg back down the M1 (not really pushing it as was new to the car and took it fairly easy between 70-80mph) but have since got approx 37-38 on the work journey (mainly a mix of A roads and cross country).
Looked at a couple of others before deciding on this one - again high mileage (to be expected) but just a bit untidy. Private sales on average will get the better deal - I was looking for approx 2 months so perhaps best advice I can offer is take your time - a good one will come along.
Good luck!
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