Stressing about M6 mileage
Discussion
Hi folks.
I've been a long-term Alpina owner, but recently whilst browsing the ads I saw a really good deal on a 2005 M6. I'd been thinking of another car for a while but didn't think there was anything out there within budget until I saw how low M6 prices had come. (They surely are the performance bargains of the decade)
The only thing that put me off slightly was the mileage which was 59,000 miles - fine given the age, but a little higher than I'd normally go for (I bought the Alpina B10 V8 with 34K miles on it - it's now got 140K miles and it's still in fantastic shape).
Anyway I bought the M6, on the basis that it was cheap, and I might not like it so I didn't want to risk too much money. The plan was that if it turned out that I loved it, I could always chop it in for a lower-mileage example.
Well, I love it - and I love it more every time I drive it, but the mileage still bothers me. It's almost like I don't want to let myself fall in love with something that's too old, even though the car is in amazing condition and drives beautifully. It also doesn't need servicing for at least a year.
I went for the BMW Insured warranty, which I now understand is good past 100K miles - so from that point of view I have things covered - it's a good colour (black) and a great spec (including full leather) so really the only thing that's bugging me is the mileage.
I should have learned from the Alpina that the mileage doesn't really matter if you keep it long enough... but I'm trying to figure out if it makes most sense just to stick with this one for ever, or chop it in now whilst I can still get back what I paid for it (and then start looking for a lower mileage car) or stick with this one for a coupe of years and then sell whilst there's still a transferrable warranty on the car.
The thing that worries me a little about a lower mileage car is that I get the feeling the clutches need replacing around 40k miles (could be wrong) and mine at least has at least already had a new clutch (at around 45k miles) so hopefully won't need another one for a while, but if I buy a car with, say, 35k or 40k miles on it there might be a clutch replacement right round the corner.
I'm going round in circles a bit on this one so would appreciate any opinions. I know I should just enjoy the car and stop worrying, but sadly I'm not wired that way
Any thoughts??
[PS In terms of anticipated usage, I was only planning to use the M6 on special occasions (to keep the whole thing special) but I just cant stop driving it, so I've already done about 4K miles in 6 months]
I've been a long-term Alpina owner, but recently whilst browsing the ads I saw a really good deal on a 2005 M6. I'd been thinking of another car for a while but didn't think there was anything out there within budget until I saw how low M6 prices had come. (They surely are the performance bargains of the decade)
The only thing that put me off slightly was the mileage which was 59,000 miles - fine given the age, but a little higher than I'd normally go for (I bought the Alpina B10 V8 with 34K miles on it - it's now got 140K miles and it's still in fantastic shape).
Anyway I bought the M6, on the basis that it was cheap, and I might not like it so I didn't want to risk too much money. The plan was that if it turned out that I loved it, I could always chop it in for a lower-mileage example.
Well, I love it - and I love it more every time I drive it, but the mileage still bothers me. It's almost like I don't want to let myself fall in love with something that's too old, even though the car is in amazing condition and drives beautifully. It also doesn't need servicing for at least a year.
I went for the BMW Insured warranty, which I now understand is good past 100K miles - so from that point of view I have things covered - it's a good colour (black) and a great spec (including full leather) so really the only thing that's bugging me is the mileage.
I should have learned from the Alpina that the mileage doesn't really matter if you keep it long enough... but I'm trying to figure out if it makes most sense just to stick with this one for ever, or chop it in now whilst I can still get back what I paid for it (and then start looking for a lower mileage car) or stick with this one for a coupe of years and then sell whilst there's still a transferrable warranty on the car.
The thing that worries me a little about a lower mileage car is that I get the feeling the clutches need replacing around 40k miles (could be wrong) and mine at least has at least already had a new clutch (at around 45k miles) so hopefully won't need another one for a while, but if I buy a car with, say, 35k or 40k miles on it there might be a clutch replacement right round the corner.
I'm going round in circles a bit on this one so would appreciate any opinions. I know I should just enjoy the car and stop worrying, but sadly I'm not wired that way
Any thoughts??
[PS In terms of anticipated usage, I was only planning to use the M6 on special occasions (to keep the whole thing special) but I just cant stop driving it, so I've already done about 4K miles in 6 months]
Its hard to not sound insulting with my thoughts. 30 years ago a car with 60k on its clock running in an old 1.6 was probably near its terminal life span but today?
I was once selling an original Fireblade, this was back in 2003. It had 30k on the clock and was as strong as the day it left the factory. It had just had all the adjustments done and it was such a sweet little engine. I then had tyre kickers complaining at the mileage, somehow they couldnt work out it was 3k a year on average.
Now I would rather get a 12 year old car with slightly more than 60k on the clock as other wise its long periods of no use = bad + high probability of shorter journeys = more strain on drive train.
Don't stress about mileage though the kind of stress makes it easier for the likes of myself to pick up true bargains. Would rather get a 10 year old car with 100k of motorway miles than a 10 year old car with 50k's worth of short trips.
I was once selling an original Fireblade, this was back in 2003. It had 30k on the clock and was as strong as the day it left the factory. It had just had all the adjustments done and it was such a sweet little engine. I then had tyre kickers complaining at the mileage, somehow they couldnt work out it was 3k a year on average.
Now I would rather get a 12 year old car with slightly more than 60k on the clock as other wise its long periods of no use = bad + high probability of shorter journeys = more strain on drive train.
Don't stress about mileage though the kind of stress makes it easier for the likes of myself to pick up true bargains. Would rather get a 10 year old car with 100k of motorway miles than a 10 year old car with 50k's worth of short trips.
I would relax. You've clearly got a good car, in excellent condition.
A friend put 100K KM on his M5 in a few years, and loved it. You have warranty, so the expensive bits should be taken care of, if anything does go wrong.
Perhaps put a piece of duct tape over the mileage thing, so you don't see it if it bothers you... but it shouldn't! - probably most of the mileage has come from easy motorway driving - and a car of similar age with lower mileage would likely have had a tougher life.
A friend put 100K KM on his M5 in a few years, and loved it. You have warranty, so the expensive bits should be taken care of, if anything does go wrong.
Perhaps put a piece of duct tape over the mileage thing, so you don't see it if it bothers you... but it shouldn't! - probably most of the mileage has come from easy motorway driving - and a car of similar age with lower mileage would likely have had a tougher life.
I know it's not an M6 but my E92 M3 has just hit 63K. The whole point of these cars is to use them as intended and that includes putting miles on them.
As long you have the warranty and get it serviced properly you will be fine.
There are too many M cars out there that people don't want to use.
As long you have the warranty and get it serviced properly you will be fine.
There are too many M cars out there that people don't want to use.
Thanks guys
I think the particular car I have is a decent example - which must also count for something - and as several people have said a car that's been used regularly is probably in better shape. In fact I know that's true - I had a really low mileage 928S4 years ago that was a nightmare.
I just fear it will become impossible to sell as it approaches 100k, but then again if it's a keeper then that doesn't really matter.
I just can't stop driving it. It's addictive. I guess as long as it keeps making that noise when I press the pedal, we're good.
I think the particular car I have is a decent example - which must also count for something - and as several people have said a car that's been used regularly is probably in better shape. In fact I know that's true - I had a really low mileage 928S4 years ago that was a nightmare.
I just fear it will become impossible to sell as it approaches 100k, but then again if it's a keeper then that doesn't really matter.
I just can't stop driving it. It's addictive. I guess as long as it keeps making that noise when I press the pedal, we're good.
zadumbreion said:
Thanks guys
I think the particular car I have is a decent example - which must also count for something - and as several people have said a car that's been used regularly is probably in better shape. In fact I know that's true - I had a really low mileage 928S4 years ago that was a nightmare.
I just fear it will become impossible to sell as it approaches 100k, but then again if it's a keeper then that doesn't really matter.
I just can't stop driving it. It's addictive. I guess as long as it keeps making that noise when I press the pedal, we're good.
You did well the get the BMW Mondial at 59K as it jumps quite a bit on the 60k+ mileage, keep paying monthlies and that rate won't change! I think the particular car I have is a decent example - which must also count for something - and as several people have said a car that's been used regularly is probably in better shape. In fact I know that's true - I had a really low mileage 928S4 years ago that was a nightmare.
I just fear it will become impossible to sell as it approaches 100k, but then again if it's a keeper then that doesn't really matter.
I just can't stop driving it. It's addictive. I guess as long as it keeps making that noise when I press the pedal, we're good.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff