Stick or switch

[kiethton]

So I've got a E39 540i, near last of the line, sport model that has had everything that could possibly go wrong sorted, at great expense, but...

I'm itching for a change, had it 18 months now but I don't do the miles (3-4k a year), don't have a family (mid 20's) and am struggling to consider what else would replace it...

I typically keep cars about this length of time (barring 3 years doing 30k in an Astra) but for once I don't know what to do.

The 540i has had nearly 10k sunk in preventative, routine and essential repairs over the past 20 months and is now near perfect.

So what do I do?...carry on using it to get value (i still like it) or switch, if switching, what to?

Any replacement would have to live outdoors which rules out most of what takes my fancy, but the other limiting factor is budget. I could only spend the same as what i'd get for mine...unless....I'd go for some tick, but only on the provision value will hold as I'm looking to move house in 18 months or so and a far bigger deposit is needed...I currently save c. £500pm and could spend a chunk of this, but would rather not and like to run a decent surplus most months.

I like speed, more BHP = better but also like reliability, I work up to 80 hours a week so although not using it to commute I enjoy my weekends too much to tinker...

Broad limits for any replacement:

Faster than the 540i
Hold value
Reliable
Survive outdoors (priv. Car park)
Have "something" about them/be interesting

Previous cars:
Astra - yawn but served its purpose
335i - loved it but hated having £20k parked on the drive depreciating, sold to buy flat
924s - loved it but beyond my skills to fix
EP3 - loved it, but hated the image
540i - love it, could feel faster/more involving

[anonymous-user]

Keep it. They're about the best example of the breed and if you've sunk that much money into it you'll never see any of it back.

A properly sorted 540 is a genuinely good car even by modern standards.