Top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium'
Discussion
Hi All,
Just starting the process of looking to change my car. Currently driving a 2009 Mazda 6. This is a 'top of the range' Sport version which i've had a couple of years.
The mileage is racking up (i do 25k a year) and i'm ready for a change! So on to the options...
Option 1: Replace with the new Mazda 6 Touring. Again in top of the range spec (manual, leather, satnav, reversing camera etc etc). This is another 2.2d with around 175bhp
Car cost circa £29k
Pricing wise, circa £3.5k down then around £479 p/mth + service pack (without any discounts etc). Based on 25k p/annum for 3 years and 0% APR.
Option 2: Go RWD and pick up a 520d touring, a few options has this at over £40k with ease. Last year I had a quote on one for £620 p/mth (no deposit, 25k p/year, service pack included over 4 years). With a deposit I expect this to be a little cheaper p/mth. In fact if you work off £30 p/mth for every £1k 'borrowed' putting in £3.5k should see the monthly payments at around £500 p/mth
So the BMW is more expensive, more common, has less 'toys', has a bigger boot (important as we have another kid on the way) and will cost me more to run. If it was a 530d the extra power would make the decision much easier!
So the question comes down too... top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium' OR see if I can get a good deal on a 530d!
Phill
PS. Yes I know that I can get x/y/z for £500 and run it until it dies, i've tried that and enjoyed it BUT when the banger starts to die it got too stressful. I want/need the convenience of being able to throw it back at the dealer. Secondarily I work bloody hard and i've never had a new car!
Just starting the process of looking to change my car. Currently driving a 2009 Mazda 6. This is a 'top of the range' Sport version which i've had a couple of years.
The mileage is racking up (i do 25k a year) and i'm ready for a change! So on to the options...
Option 1: Replace with the new Mazda 6 Touring. Again in top of the range spec (manual, leather, satnav, reversing camera etc etc). This is another 2.2d with around 175bhp
Car cost circa £29k
Pricing wise, circa £3.5k down then around £479 p/mth + service pack (without any discounts etc). Based on 25k p/annum for 3 years and 0% APR.
Option 2: Go RWD and pick up a 520d touring, a few options has this at over £40k with ease. Last year I had a quote on one for £620 p/mth (no deposit, 25k p/year, service pack included over 4 years). With a deposit I expect this to be a little cheaper p/mth. In fact if you work off £30 p/mth for every £1k 'borrowed' putting in £3.5k should see the monthly payments at around £500 p/mth
So the BMW is more expensive, more common, has less 'toys', has a bigger boot (important as we have another kid on the way) and will cost me more to run. If it was a 530d the extra power would make the decision much easier!
So the question comes down too... top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium' OR see if I can get a good deal on a 530d!
Phill
PS. Yes I know that I can get x/y/z for £500 and run it until it dies, i've tried that and enjoyed it BUT when the banger starts to die it got too stressful. I want/need the convenience of being able to throw it back at the dealer. Secondarily I work bloody hard and i've never had a new car!
philmots said:
If a Mazda 6 is big enough won't a 3 series? In that case a 330d!
Out of your two though I'd have the 5.
The 6 hatch is big enough... and it has a massive boot, so dropping to a 3 touring would see luggage space reduced (which we'll need more of due to the dog). Out of your two though I'd have the 5.
I did have a look at an Octavia VRs, I couldn't put my finger on it but I just didn't like the interior. Also the costs seemed to have rocketed!
CallorFold said:
carparkno1 said:
New seat leon ST? Looks good and not expensive.
Chucking in DAB, led lights and sat nav at the moment as part of a deal.
May as well consider the Focus ST as well then (in estate guise)Chucking in DAB, led lights and sat nav at the moment as part of a deal.
Maxus said:
What are the "toys" that you are sacrificing by going for the BMW? As standard they come with heated leather, nav, xenons, Bluetooth, climate, parking sensors. Rather than more options spend the extra on the auto box. I love a manual but the auto suits the car so well.
I commute 120 miles a day in mine (saloon auto). It is very comfortable, goes well enough and does over 45 mpg. Add to that some great lease deals and you can understand why you see so many on the roads.
Give one a go then decide.
Sounds odd but it's the little things like keyless entry that I would miss. I commute 120 miles a day in mine (saloon auto). It is very comfortable, goes well enough and does over 45 mpg. Add to that some great lease deals and you can understand why you see so many on the roads.
Give one a go then decide.
I would be looking at the auto
It seems we're all split into two camps!
I've got a bit of time to decide (planning to change May/June). Love the looks of the new Mazda 6 touring but have always wanted to get back into a BMW.
In regards to 'toy's previously mentioned my 6 has things like keyless go, blindspot monitoring and the new 6 sport adds things like rear view camera. Obviously all available on the BMW but as options (hence why the one I spec'd last year got up to around £42k without really trying
Fox - have you driven the 525d? Looks to be an interesting middle ground
I've got a bit of time to decide (planning to change May/June). Love the looks of the new Mazda 6 touring but have always wanted to get back into a BMW.
In regards to 'toy's previously mentioned my 6 has things like keyless go, blindspot monitoring and the new 6 sport adds things like rear view camera. Obviously all available on the BMW but as options (hence why the one I spec'd last year got up to around £42k without really trying
Fox - have you driven the 525d? Looks to be an interesting middle ground
A900ss said:
I don't doubt the cars can do it but when doing it regularly it's the driver that feels the fatigue. I stand by my 520d being more refined/relaxing than a Mazda (or a Jazz 
) when regularly doing big miles.
I'm down to only 25k miles a year but over the past 10 years have driven half a million miles so I would always take the refined car for mileage.
(I have a TVR for fun)
That's the thing. All cars can do it, i've done long commutes in my wife's Juke if she's needed to borrow mine. It's underpowered on the motorway, feels top heavy etc etc and I certainly don't get out of it feeling relaxed. I find having a bigger car on the motorway much better. ) when regularly doing big miles. I'm down to only 25k miles a year but over the past 10 years have driven half a million miles so I would always take the refined car for mileage.
(I have a TVR for fun)
Edited by A900ss on Thursday 5th March 21:03
I've also done the 2nd car thing (also a TVR) but recently got rid as it just wasn't getting used at the weekends (either poor weather or mainly family duties - football practise /swim school / dog walking etc). I'll have another one at some point but only once the kid(s) (we have no2 on the way) are a little older.
Edited to add - I have a car allowance which will be part funding this (as it currently does with the Mazda - well it's covering the mazda and some but you know what I mean)
MattHall91 said:
Looked at anything else? Volvo? New Passat, new Mondeo?
Still early days. New Mondeo looks very nice I have to say. Jag XF may be another one to consider.Looked at an octavia vrs the other week and although the seats were great the interior felt and looked much cheaper than the facelift (just about to be releaes) mazda 6 that I sat in last week.
id quite like a RR sport or discovery but my wife isn't keen.
New merc c class estate looks nice as well but id be sacrificing boot space when we actually need more
muppets_mate said:
ncjones said:
I bought a 6 tourer a year ago. Was 99% decided on a 320d touring but dropped into a Mazda dealer on a whim and ended up securing a cracking deal late on the 31/3. Still love it, think it looks great and like the fact it's so much rarer than a BMW.
Receives a staggering amount of positive comments, particularly as its a diesel family wagon.
Only downside is the wind noise at speed, but I've got used to it.
Unless there is a big difference between the old model and the newer one the OP is considering, this quoted snippet would have a big influence on my thinking if I was doing 25k miles per year. The car to cover those sorts of distances should leave you refreshed and ready to get on with work when you get out at the end of your journey.Receives a staggering amount of positive comments, particularly as its a diesel family wagon.
Only downside is the wind noise at speed, but I've got used to it.
A900ss said:
I 'think' the summary is different strokes for different folks.
However people that have spent some time in the 520d thinks this is a no-brainier (of which I am one) and people that haven't spent time in a 520d are comparing specs.
Good luck OP, it's gone a bit out of control (well it is PH
), please let us know which you choose once you've friven both.
Will do. There is certainly a lot of divided opinions! However people that have spent some time in the 520d thinks this is a no-brainier (of which I am one) and people that haven't spent time in a 520d are comparing specs.
Good luck OP, it's gone a bit out of control (well it is PH
), please let us know which you choose once you've friven both. Local Mazda garage has just invited me to a 'VIP' event on Friday, they should have the facelift 6 in so I will report back.
Popped into the dealer for their 'VIP' event at lunchtime and had a test drive of a new (pre-facelift 6).
My thoughts were that the car pulled better than mine (with 102k on the clock) but the interior & tyre noise was a massive let down.
I also had a look at the new facelift car that they had in the showroom, the interior quality is much higher! I grabbed a few pics (not great due to the sunlight coming through the showroom windows):
Deal wise, it's looking to be significantly cheaper than the 520d, although the figures they've quoted me are straight off the website so i'm expecting to be able to get them down even further.
My thoughts were that the car pulled better than mine (with 102k on the clock) but the interior & tyre noise was a massive let down.
I also had a look at the new facelift car that they had in the showroom, the interior quality is much higher! I grabbed a few pics (not great due to the sunlight coming through the showroom windows):
Deal wise, it's looking to be significantly cheaper than the 520d, although the figures they've quoted me are straight off the website so i'm expecting to be able to get them down even further.
The quote on the Mazda has just come through:
25k miles p/annum
175bhp Sport Tourer with Nav & Auto
Safety Pack
Soul Red Paint
Stone interior
Car - £30,455.
Based on £1k down from me and £500 Mazda contribution with a GFV of £7,565 over 3yr i'm looking at £594 p/mth
They don't seem to like to budge on list price! I'm just waiting for them to let me know the service costs (i'm guessing an extra £27 p/mth for my mileage which takes me to £599. For an extra £27 I can have the BMW!
Broadspeed are offering the base car @ £25,624 + options (£1,660) = £27,124
Updated costs as he'd quoted on a saloon not a touring (£800 difference). Servicing is looking at £47.30 p/mth (6 services - £1,702.80).
Total cost - £641.30 p/mth. Not a true like for like as the BMW was on 48mths @ £626 IIRC.
A call to broadspeed may be in order.
25k miles p/annum
175bhp Sport Tourer with Nav & Auto
Safety Pack
Soul Red Paint
Stone interior
Car - £30,455.
Based on £1k down from me and £500 Mazda contribution with a GFV of £7,565 over 3yr i'm looking at £594 p/mth
They don't seem to like to budge on list price! I'm just waiting for them to let me know the service costs (i'm guessing an extra £27 p/mth for my mileage which takes me to £599. For an extra £27 I can have the BMW!
Broadspeed are offering the base car @ £25,624 + options (£1,660) = £27,124
Updated costs as he'd quoted on a saloon not a touring (£800 difference). Servicing is looking at £47.30 p/mth (6 services - £1,702.80).
Total cost - £641.30 p/mth. Not a true like for like as the BMW was on 48mths @ £626 IIRC.
A call to broadspeed may be in order.
Edited by pmanson on Monday 16th March 15:25
hornetrider said:
That GFV is ridiculous!
I concur on the tyre noise though. Maybe an SE-L on smaller wheels would help?
I've just picked a random leasing site and based on 3 years and 25k miles:I concur on the tyre noise though. Maybe an SE-L on smaller wheels would help?
£1,500ish in
£492 p/mth
Aiding maintenance takes it to £625 (including all servicing, tyres etc).
I thought I would come back and update this. I ended up delaying the change until after our 2nd baby arrived (I also flirted with changing jobs as it would have meant a different commute).
Yesterday I picked this up:
3.0d S XF. Ex Jag Mgt car so lots of toys. It also has the red zone interior.
A slight change to what I previously looking at but I wasn't impressed with the road/tyre noise on the mazda and the bmw stating working out expensive once you started adding toys
A very happy chap!
Yesterday I picked this up:
3.0d S XF. Ex Jag Mgt car so lots of toys. It also has the red zone interior.
A slight change to what I previously looking at but I wasn't impressed with the road/tyre noise on the mazda and the bmw stating working out expensive once you started adding toys
A very happy chap!
ORD said:
Good choice. Huge, like the 5er, but I bet you got a fairly good deal on it.
Newish makes the most sense if you're doing big miles. New cars are for people who have status anxiety or don't understand depreciation.
I really like the XF estate.
More than happy with the deal! Newish makes the most sense if you're doing big miles. New cars are for people who have status anxiety or don't understand depreciation.
I really like the XF estate.
Would really recommend the dealer - Jaguar Burnham.The car itself is fantastic, i only popped in to have a quick at the interior (red zone), ended up talking numbers and having a test drive. Rang up the next day & did a deal, then picked it up the day after that.
The colour is very similar to the Rosso Pearl I had on my Chim.
Interior doesn't photo well but just works. Dash top is black leather with red stitching & then you have the seats:
All the toys in it, comfy and did 40mpg yesterday on my trip up North & back.
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