Am I mad?

[Jakeyboy999]

Evening all.
I currently do a 120 mile commute 3x per week. Pretty much 50/50 motorway/a roads.
In a few months it will be 150 2x per week, sometimes 3x and 95% motorway

I bought a Volvo C30 se lux diesel for this and I’m careful and get 48-50mpg. But I’m 6ft 4 and it’s tiresome and the family moan about 2 doors. It doesn’t exactly stir the soul either.

So I’m looking to spend around 5-6k (or less) on s mike muncher and keep getting drawn to a 2006 bmw 730d around the corner from me and other big cars like the 3.0 a6, 270 e class etc.

The cars I’m looking at are around the 60-70k mark in miles and tick the boxes (happy with 40ish mpg) Am I mad looking at cars like this or should I just look for a newer insignia with a few less miles on?

[Mercky]

Whats an s mike muncher?

[eldar]

Mercky said:

Whats an s mike muncher?

A vibrator, but a very green and ecological version. Probably.

[greysquirrel]

I had a 520d that did 50+ mpg and I would recommend one of those. I also had a 6 series v8, which did feck all mpg but showed the difference not only in fuel costs but running costs. The costs of parts, brakes, tyres on a 5 series were half that of the 6 series. If you are happy to pay much more for pads, discs, tyres etc etc then get the 7 series.

[Summit_Detailing]

270CDI or 320CDI E-class would be what I'd go for.

My wife has the 270 in a CLK and I had a 320CDI in a C-class estate a few years ago.

270 is very willing, well matched to the auto box, a bit agricultural compared to the 320 however.

Cheers,

Chris

[ZX10R NIN]

E320cdi if it has to be four doors:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you can live with two doors then the 320 CLK is the pick for me but I am bias:

Very rare Avantgarde Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Elegance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Dave80s]

Could you show us the link to the 730d?

E65 is more handsome than those Mercs I’d say but you will struggle to get 40mpg. I had one for 2 years - averaged 33.

[anonymous-user]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Great cars!

[Mr Tidy]

While a 730d might be great, couldn't you consider a 530d or 330d as it'll be the same engine if the same age?

[Pit Pony]

Jakeyboy999 said:

Evening all.
I currently do a 120 mile commute 3x per week. Pretty much 50/50 motorway/a roads.
In a few months it will be 150 2x per week, sometimes 3x and 95% motorway

I bought a Volvo C30 se lux diesel for this and I’m careful and get 48-50mpg. But I’m 6ft 4 and it’s tiresome and the family moan about 2 doors. It doesn’t exactly stir the soul either.

So I’m looking to spend around 5-6k (or less) on s mike muncher and keep getting drawn to a 2006 bmw 730d around the corner from me and other big cars like the 3.0 a6, 270 e class etc.

The cars I’m looking at are around the 60-70k mark in miles and tick the boxes (happy with 40ish mpg) Am I mad looking at cars like this or should I just look for a newer insignia with a few less miles on?

I choose to.do the exact opposite. I do 20k business miles in a 3.2 petrol Vauxhall that cost me 525 quid and had 163k on the clock. Now has 214k

I figured that depreciation at near zero woukd offset the 30 mpg consumption. And if something broke. I wouldn't have invested 6k in it and need to fix it.

That said, I've spent time and money on making it a better car than when I got it. But mostly just correct servicing and the usual things that wear out or fail.
Wishbones. Drop.links and steering arm ball joints.
Coil packs
Rocker cover gaskets
blocked breather pipes
Oil leaks from.oil filter housing
And obviously
Tyres brakes, oil. Filters and spark plugs

[RSTurboPaul]

Pit Pony said:

Jakeyboy999 said:

Evening all.
I currently do a 120 mile commute 3x per week. Pretty much 50/50 motorway/a roads.
In a few months it will be 150 2x per week, sometimes 3x and 95% motorway

I bought a Volvo C30 se lux diesel for this and I’m careful and get 48-50mpg. But I’m 6ft 4 and it’s tiresome and the family moan about 2 doors. It doesn’t exactly stir the soul either.

So I’m looking to spend around 5-6k (or less) on s mike muncher and keep getting drawn to a 2006 bmw 730d around the corner from me and other big cars like the 3.0 a6, 270 e class etc.

The cars I’m looking at are around the 60-70k mark in miles and tick the boxes (happy with 40ish mpg) Am I mad looking at cars like this or should I just look for a newer insignia with a few less miles on?

I choose to.do the exact opposite. I do 20k business miles in a 3.2 petrol Vauxhall that cost me 525 quid and had 163k on the clock. Now has 214k

I figured that depreciation at near zero woukd offset the 30 mpg consumption. And if something broke. I wouldn't have invested 6k in it and need to fix it.

That said, I've spent time and money on making it a better car than when I got it. But mostly just correct servicing and the usual things that wear out or fail.
Wishbones. Drop.links and steering arm ball joints.
Coil packs
Rocker cover gaskets
blocked breather pipes
Oil leaks from.oil filter housing
And obviously
Tyres brakes, oil. Filters and spark plugs

+1 to this.

I have been doing 100 miles a day, four days a week, in a mid-90s Japanese thing that does 40mpg on cruise - it's done 225k, it's worth about £600, nothing ever needs doing apart from standard service items or one-off age-related things (radiator £100, suspension overhaul £300ish, and that's about it - all of which were bought from a reasonably-priced parts specialist and fitted by a friendly local mechanic for low cost) and I can park it on street without worrying about if some oik runs a key down the side.


The OP seems conflicted, though - current diesel wafty thing is tiresome and doesn't stir the soul, so he's looking at another diesel wafty thing but bigger? Or an Insignia??

If needing to be seen to drive an 'executive vehicle' is not a criterion, why not get something fun that's also reliable and does decent MPG?

In which case, MX5, surely...

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 10:20

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 10:21

[Pit Pony]

RSTurboPaul said:

+1 to this.

I have been doing 100 miles a day, four days a week, in a mid-90s Japanese thing that does 40mpg on cruise - it's done 225k, it's worth about £600, nothing ever needs doing apart from standard service items or one-off age-related things (radiator £100, suspension overhaul £300ish, and that's about it - all of which were bought from a reasonably-priced parts specialist and fitted by a friendly local mechanic for low cost) and I can park it on street without worrying about if some oik runs a key down the side.


The OP seems conflicted, though - current diesel wafty thing is tiresome and doesn't stir the soul, so he's looking at another diesel wafty thing but bigger? Or an Insignia??

If needing to be seen to drive an 'executive vehicle' is not a criterion, why not get something fun that's also reliable and does decent MPG?

In which case, MX5, surely...

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 10:20

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 10:21

Mx5 or CL500?

[Jakeyboy999]

Mercky said:

Whats an s mike muncher?

HAHA! bloody stubby fingers!

[Jakeyboy999]

Dave80s said:

Could you show us the link to the 730d?

E65 is more handsome than those Mercs I’d say but you will struggle to get 40mpg. I had one for 2 years - averaged 33.

it's about half way down. fully specced with DVD player/screens and he's had it 6mths+ so is likely to do a deal.
I can drive really careful (I get 40mpg+ in the wife's mk1 TT 225 when I take it to work), rarely go above 70mph, and other forums 'say' they can get 40+ on a run

https://www.hi-qautos.co.uk/cars

[Jakeyboy999]

Mr Tidy said:

While a 730d might be great, couldn't you consider a 530d or 330d as it'll be the same engine if the same age?

I test drove a 2008 520d M sport before I bought the Volvo. Bloody wish I'd bought it now. it was lovely. just 500 over budget at the time. would love a 5 series. just seem to be none about and If I see one it's always SE spec (would prefer m sport, but might have to look at SE)

[Jakeyboy999]

ZX10R NIN said:

E320cdi if it has to be four doors:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you can live with two doors then the 320 CLK is the pick for me but I am bias:

Very rare Avantgarde Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Elegance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nice! Thanks
I I think the sport or AV spec is quite nice (wheels seem to make it). travel is an issue, so need to try and find something in N Lincs, E/W/N Yorks really.

I do like the CLK, but 2 doors just won't cut it with SWMBO

[Jakeyboy999]

RSTurboPaul said:

+1 to this.

I have been doing 100 miles a day, four days a week, in a mid-90s Japanese thing that does 40mpg on cruise - it's done 225k, it's worth about £600, nothing ever needs doing apart from standard service items or one-off age-related things (radiator £100, suspension overhaul £300ish, and that's about it - all of which were bought from a reasonably-priced parts specialist and fitted by a friendly local mechanic for low cost) and I can park it on street without worrying about if some oik runs a key down the side.


The OP seems conflicted, though - current diesel wafty thing is tiresome and doesn't stir the soul, so he's looking at another diesel wafty thing but bigger? Or an Insignia??

If needing to be seen to drive an 'executive vehicle' is not a criterion, why not get something fun that's also reliable and does decent MPG?




In which case, MX5, surely...

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 10:20

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 10:21

yep, all very sensible, and my head says do that - insignia, s60/80, accord etc around the £2k mark that's cheap to run. it was my sensible head that made me buy the C30, but its 3 door and not the best when driving 3.5 hours a day.

MX5 is very nice, nice but I need a 4 door - it has to be a family car too, so when not commuting, it will do the usual days out, taxi service, family gatherings and the like. And I'm absolutely conflicted: nice allrounder (not too fussed about badges, but I have always liked my BMWs and Audis that I have had) or a banger that won't end up costing much.

[CustardOnChips]

I do a pretty similar 120 mile round trip. Half motorway a bit of a road and the rest heavy town traffic.

I went for the F11 Msport. I ended up with a 535 and have done 41ish mpg since buying it. It goes up and down depending on traffic. It probably could do more but I only drive in comfort or sport with AC on permanently.


The suspension and run flats can be pretty hard but generally it's a nice comfortable place to be. Only thing I really wish it has are the comfort seats.

[bearman68]

These posts always amuse me.

OP wants something reliable and economical with 4 doors or more, and there is talk of a 520d with M sport suspension. WTF?
120 miles a day will kill anything German and modern in short order unless you spend many thousands. Most modern ones are going to be close to dead at 150k, and expecting huge bills.

Just get a half tidy Volvo with big tyres and squidgy seats.

S60 for example is really cheap, with the D5 engine should just about come in at low 40's.

Or alternatively go for the Merc, and pray it never needs anything electrical doing to it.

[RSTurboPaul]

I am now thinking that Lexus LS400/LS430/GS430 would cover pretty much all the bases listed above maybe with the exception of 40mpg, but the difference between 30mpg and 40mpg won't be that big in the grand scheme of things...

(Say 400 miles a week, 48 weeks a year - that's 19200 miles. At 40mpg that's 480 gallons, at 30mpg that's 640 gallons. 160 gallons extra at, say, £6/gallon is £960, or £20 a week.)


King of Wafting, super-comfy and large interior, quiet, refined, ultra-reliable, does big mileage without issue, has no 'image' to worry about, and has a 280bhp V8 for pressing on

Plus you can get one in A1 condition for under half the budget, I reckon, leaving a large slush fund for 'just in case' or a weekend toy - it's like a nice all rounder and and banger in one vehicle


This one is called Larry and looks good to me! lol
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

but there are 24 around the country right now:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?minimum-ba...

at least one of which has an LPG conversion, which could be an option to consider if you get one without.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 22 May 22:38