730d run til it dies or 318d?

[bennyboydurham]

Chaps,

I run a late '05 730d which has done 90k miles. At the moment I mostly work from home so it doesn't go very far. It's possible however that I might soon be taking up a contract which would give me a 62 mile round commute everyday. Here's my thinking for and against changing the 730d for something more economical like a couple of year old 318d -

For the 730d:
Paid for, had it since nearly new so no nasty surprises, 35mpg on run, 40mpg if I try really hard, still feels like it's got plenty of life in it, lots of toys, stress-free commute.

Against:
Potential big bills as it goes past 100k miles, fuel economy suffers if you're cracking on, expensive to insure. Will be worthless in 2 years with 170k on the clock.

For a 318d:
Newer, warrantied, cheaper bits, cheaper RFL and easy 45mpg, 50mpg if I'm gentle, much cheaper to insure, could shift it on before it became worthless.

Against:
Would have to throw some cash into the deal to get a decent one, no toys, RF tyres, nothing like as wafty.

It's only a hypothietical question at the moment but it's something I've been thinking about. Any advice?

[SystemParanoia]

you'll have to replace almost every component on the 7 to make up for the difference in cost you'll be paying for the new 318.

as they say, the cheapest car to run is always the one you already have!

[RobCrezz]

Keep the 730d, that sort of commute sounds perfect for it.

[Six Fiend]

Keep the 730d and forget about big bills at the fabled 100k mark

Edited by Six Fiend on Tuesday 5th June 16:55

[v8will]

SystemParanoia said:

you'll have to replace almost every component on the 7 to make up for the difference in cost you'll be paying for the new 318.

as they say, the cheapest car to run is always the one you already have!

Can't imagine even a borked 730d ever being 'completely worthless' Besides, big miles daily is probably less stressful on a car than loads of short journeys.

[anonymous-user]

I would say keep the 730d.

[Oli.]

You'd hate the 318d after the 730d.

Keep the 7 series.

[phib]

Interesting I have a 57 plate 730d sport and have had since nearly new as well, mine has done 88k and I can extend my warranty to 100k. Which I think I am going to do.

Commute is 92 miles each way, had a 1 series as a loaner last week never been happy to get my 7 back !!

Don't do it you will regret it I suspect

I can't actually think of anything better to do my commute in hence why I have kept mine. Apart from my 355 haven't ever kept a car as long

Phib

[HBFS]

I have a feeling I know where this is going...

There are a few key questions in order to make an informed decision.

How much would YOU get for the 730D? (IE don't use dealer sell price if you are to sell privately)

How much more are the anticipated running costs of a 730d compared to 318d on a per annum basis? This should include tax, tyres, insurance etc(Excluding guesstimates of "big bills")

If you where putting more money into the proposed new car what would this be? Also, if any of this where to be using finance then remember to include this cost. (Surprising how some dealers wouldn't include this, or if they where to use a monthly repayment figure compare two different terms of agreement!)

Real world or book differences in combined MPG, then work out what the PA fuel costs would be for each.

Residual loss of 318D and 730D over proposed term of ownership.

Could be a close one. If it where me and the cost of change where low I'd go for the 318d (With reluctance) as I like my motoring costs to be low and predictable as I don't have a great deal of money kicking around.

[mmm-five]

If your car has 90k on it now, and you're doing 300 miles a week commuting (16k miles a year), then how will it have 170k miles on it in 2 years?

I'd keep the 730d and enjoy the comfort.

[HBFS]

mmm-five said:

If your car has 90k on it now, and you're doing 300 miles a week commuting (16k miles a year), then how will it have 170k miles on it in 2 years?

24,000M PA or 450M PW in personal mileage?

[billywhizzzzzz]

what big bills....? I've taken BMW 3 litre diesels up to circa 200k with no issues...

[bennyboydurham]

HBFS said:

I have a feeling I know where this is going...

There are a few key questions in order to make an informed decision.

How much would YOU get for the 730D? (IE don't use dealer sell price if you are to sell privately)

How much more are the anticipated running costs of a 730d compared to 318d on a per annum basis? This should include tax, tyres, insurance etc(Excluding guesstimates of "big bills")

If you where putting more money into the proposed new car what would this be? Also, if any of this where to be using finance then remember to include this cost. (Surprising how some dealers wouldn't include this, or if they where to use a monthly repayment figure compare two different terms of agreement!)

Real world or book differences in combined MPG, then work out what the PA fuel costs would be for each.

Residual loss of 318D and 730D over proposed term of ownership.

Could be a close one. If it where me and the cost of change where low I'd go for the 318d (With reluctance) as I like my motoring costs to be low and predictable as I don't have a great deal of money kicking around.

I guess the 730d would probably go for about £9k, with me looking at £14k for a decent 318d. I'd pay cash,so over say 3 years I'd need to save 5k to make it worthwhile. Fuel across 3 years would probably only save about £1000 a year, insurance maybe £300/400, RFL a couple of hundred. The big unknowns are servicing and maintenance. I'd expect (with no guarantees, of course) a low mileage 318d to be able to handle 60k additional miles without any major problems, whereas addding that mileage to my 730d on top of it's current 90k puts it into smoker territory and there's the potential for gearboxes, turbos, suspension parts etc and my niggling doubt is in dropping a lot of cash on parts for a car that's rapidly depreciating away. Saying that, I use a great indie who can do all this stuff for reasonable money so it doesn't worry me unduly. Perhaps I will keep the 7....

[bennyboydurham]

HBFS said:

24,000M PA or 450M PW in personal mileage?

6 day a week commute plus personal mileage won't be far off 30k a year. Times two years plus a Euro trip and current mileage - 170k...

[phib]

Isn't a newish 318 going to depreciate faster than a 7 that has done most of my depreciation ?

Or have I missed the point ?

Lastly 40k pa is a lot of hours in a very dull uncomfortable little box for the sake of potentially a couple of grand

Phib

[POORCARDEALER]

a executive luxury car into a near bottom of the range repmobile........Keep the 7.

[Deva Link]

bennyboydurham said:

6 day a week commute plus personal mileage won't be far off 30k a year. Times two years plus a Euro trip and current mileage - 170k...

I think you're doing a sort of reverse 'man maths' there, but anyway, it's only in the UK that we have an obsession with mileage. A colleague in Holland just changed his car - from a 350km Volvo to a 160km one and he was thrilled to get one that was low Klm's!

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 6th June 08:41

[thebigmacmoomin]

Keep the 730d. Going from that to a 318d would feel such a massive downgrade.

[davepoth]

Yup, 100k is barely run in for that drivetrain. Look at it this way; it's quite commonly used for taxis and police cars in the 5 series so it's expected to last a long time. It'll also be a much nicer drive than a 3 series if you are wafting.

[Alfahorn]

I've given up on changing cars, it's cost me a fortune over the years, money that could have been out to better use elsewhere.

As others have said the cheapest car is the car you already have.