25k per year - commuter barge? - Page 1 - Car Buying

AlpineWhite

Original Poster

2,164 posts

224 months

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Tuesday 4th June 2019

Hi all
I currently drive around 25k per year. Most of this is a 75 mile round trip every day on the motorway, plus a few longer drives.

Looking to the wisdom of the PH collective for a new car to commute in. Currently driving a 116d (3 cyl 1.5) which is fantastic on fuel, but a little small and a little loud.

Budget is negotiable. I think somewhere around 12-14k looks reasonable.

I had a 2015-ish 320d in mind if I can find the right spec - LED headlights and heated seats for winter are a must have for me.

Thanks!

ninjag

1,878 posts

148 months

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Tuesday 4th June 2019

XF 3.0d V6 Portfolio. Loads of torque for effortless overtaking, quiet cabin and the excellent Meridian Surround system. Heated seats, cooled seats (not sure if standard) and a big spec list as standard. 2013+ facelift recommended as the dpf was relocated so doesn't fill up and returns decent enough economy as well.

Doesn't have led headlights but does have good bi-xeons.

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Tuesday 4th June 2019

Theguy5

201 posts

88 months

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Tuesday 4th June 2019

Audi A8!

Chainsaw Rebuild

2,136 posts

131 months

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Tuesday 4th June 2019

I know this isn’t what you asked but I would think that finding ways to work from home a couple of days a week would make all the difference.

AlpineWhite

Original Poster

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224 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Thanks all. Some really good food for thought in here. Particularly the Jaguar xe/xf. Is the step up from xe to xf worthwhile? Is there a significant fuel economy difference going up one class?

Alas working from home regularly isn't really an option, although it would save me a lot of time and money.

Earthdweller

19,144 posts

155 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

320d ... it’s all the car you’ll ever need. Get one with SE suspension and it’ll even ride ok smile

I’d recommend the 8 speed auto

Theguy5

201 posts

88 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Also although I’m betting most people on here will hate Jeremy clarkson, be he rates the 5 series as one of the best saloons in the world. Given how harsh he is on cars i guess it means something at least, 5 series would also suit your needs.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Buy an F10 535d pre LCI or even post M sport with lots of toys easily in your budget.

Traders offering £8k for mine so I assume they don’t have £6k margin in it when they offer it for sale.

SWoll

22,762 posts

287 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Got to agree on the XF/5 Series suggestions. The jump up in price over the XE/3 as a used buy is minimal but the difference in comfort, space, quality is very obvious and running costs are barely different.

I ran an F10 520D SE for 12 months as a company car covering 25k and it was fantastic. Yes a previous M-Sport 530D was more fun but it was just so comfortable, rode really well and the range from a tank of fuel was ludicrous.

ETA - And the ZF8 autobox is the best in the business. Much better than Mercedes 7/9G or Audi's Tiptronic/DSG offerings.

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 5th June 15:51

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

SWoll said:

Got to agree on the XF/5 Series suggestions. The jump up in price over the XE/3 as a used buy is minimal but the difference in comfort, space, quality is very obvious and running costs are barely different.

I ran an F10 520D SE for 12 months as a company car covering 25k and it was fantastic. Yes a previous M-Sport 530D was more fun but it was just so comfortable, rode really well and the range from a tank of fuel was ludicrous.

ETA - And the ZF8 autobox is the best in the business. Much better than Mercedes 7/9G or Audi's Tiptronic/DSG offerings.

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 5th June 15:51

Tyres last 40-50k too or in my ownership.
Seats are great
The 535d M sports will be loaded up with options - the 520d / and less so 530d will be much less optioned.
There is no economy difference between the 520/30/35d in my experience - bizarre as that may sound.
My OBC always under-reads by c10%
Discs my fronts lasted 96k the rears still fine for another 40k at 110k.
Adaptive lights are great

The only thing to dislike about it is - there is the M5.

Madness not to get one

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

AlpineWhite

Original Poster

2,164 posts

224 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Thanks all. Particularly the posters this afternoon! I did wonder if a step up again would be worthwhile and it seems the answer is yes. Now for a little man-maths.

Regarding the BMW engines and gearboxes. Assuming I buy a used car with 40-60k. In four years time it will have 140-160k. Assuming I keep to the service schedule (perhaps with more oil changes depending on the interval), is there anything much to worry about?

ninjag

1,878 posts

148 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

AlpineWhite said:

Regarding the BMW engines and gearboxes. Assuming I buy a used car with 40-60k. In four years time when I finally get it back from the dealers with a repaired EGR valve, is there anything much to worry about?

My 330d had to get the oil sump gasket replaced at the grand old age of 2.5 years / 35k miles and took them over two days to do. The engine also got quite noisy after a year but other than that it was a pretty reliable engine.

ZF 8 speed transmission is excellent, will need oil and filter change perhaps at 90-100k which is expensive because it has to be ZF fluid and I think there's over 6 litres at over £100 per litre. Filter is part of the pan so the whole thing gets replaced.

AlpineWhite

Original Poster

2,164 posts

224 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

ninjag said:

it has to be ZF fluid and I think there's over 6 litres at over £100 per litre. Filter is part of the pan so the whole thing gets replaced.

Holy moly... I'll need to factor that into the man maths calculator! Despite the fact most of my commuting distance is motorway, the last couple of miles is start stop. So auto would be a benefit.

Theguy5

201 posts

88 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Jeez £100 per litre!!? Is it unicorn semen or something...

ninjag

1,878 posts

148 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

I guess an excellent transmission needs excellent maintenence. But if you think about it, if it costs say even a thousand pounds it's only two or three lease payments of a premium car on pcp and you'll only have to do it once.

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

AlpineWhite said:

Thanks all. Particularly the posters this afternoon! I did wonder if a step up again would be worthwhile and it seems the answer is yes. Now for a little man-maths.

Regarding the BMW engines and gearboxes. Assuming I buy a used car with 40-60k. In four years time it will have 140-160k. Assuming I keep to the service schedule (perhaps with more oil changes depending on the interval), is there anything much to worry about?

As you get nearer to the 100k mark I'd be doing an oil & filter every 12k, I'd also be going for the E Class over the BMW but test drives will help you decide which car suits you best, if there's an Infiniti anywhere near you I would recommend driving one as they're a very nice drive.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

AlpineWhite said:

Thanks all. Particularly the posters this afternoon! I did wonder if a step up again would be worthwhile and it seems the answer is yes. Now for a little man-maths.

Regarding the BMW engines and gearboxes. Assuming I buy a used car with 40-60k. In four years time it will have 140-160k. Assuming I keep to the service schedule (perhaps with more oil changes depending on the interval), is there anything much to worry about?

Value at the end will be low so really 46-60k car you might as well go 80-100k get entry much lower £ and if wager you’ll be fine on the wear and tear.

CustardOnChips

1,936 posts

91 months

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Wednesday 5th June 2019

Welshbeef said:

Buy an F10 535d pre LCI or even post M sport with lots of toys easily in your budget.

Traders offering £8k for mine so I assume they don’t have £6k margin in it when they offer it for sale.

I've just got a F11 535d for a 120mile round trip commute. Had done 50k when I bought it and other than some minor road rash and swirly paint it was in amazing condition. The inside could have easily passed as new.

It's got the Msport plus back so comes with a few toys. Could have had more but went for AUC rather than private so had to compromise.

With my mix of about 40/60 town and motorway I'm averaging 42mpg (OBC). I could probably get it higher but I drive either in comfort or sport and have the AC on permanently.

Anyway, it's a fantastic car and covers the miles with ease. The engine and gearbox are a perfect match for each other and the car. I'm not sure the 20d would be the right engine for the car.

The only option I wish it has are comfort seats. The sports seats are fine but just lack a bit of fine adjustability.