Would this car be A Bad Idea?
Discussion
I've been watching this car for the last couple of months...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
And watched it come down from £9995 to £8995 and now £7995.
I guess i can "assume" it has a FBMWSH or at very least a comprehensive service history, has passed all the Approved Used checks, and being an Approved Used car will come with a years Approved Used warranty which i guess will be extendable.
The plan would be to keep it as a weekender and something i could scoot about it when i am at home and Mrs Thought has our M140i away with her to work (i now WFH at least a day a week).
Price seems right - cheap in fact, Approved Used, granted it would be nice if it was a 650i but it isnt, its a petrol straight six though not a diesel....
Cant see it losing a fortune over the next few years particularly if i'm adding just low miles and maintaining the FBMWSH.
Worth getting involved or steer clear?
Just to add, i live in NI, so big petrol coupes from a reputable dealer are a rarity.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
And watched it come down from £9995 to £8995 and now £7995.
I guess i can "assume" it has a FBMWSH or at very least a comprehensive service history, has passed all the Approved Used checks, and being an Approved Used car will come with a years Approved Used warranty which i guess will be extendable.
The plan would be to keep it as a weekender and something i could scoot about it when i am at home and Mrs Thought has our M140i away with her to work (i now WFH at least a day a week).
Price seems right - cheap in fact, Approved Used, granted it would be nice if it was a 650i but it isnt, its a petrol straight six though not a diesel....
Cant see it losing a fortune over the next few years particularly if i'm adding just low miles and maintaining the FBMWSH.
Worth getting involved or steer clear?
Just to add, i live in NI, so big petrol coupes from a reputable dealer are a rarity.
Edited by Deep Thought on Saturday 8th June 13:20
Road tax*, mpg** and lack of rear doors*** on a big car will be why it's not shifting.
(*) People seem irrationally scared of £500-555 road tax. Many would rather pay thousands more upfront for a lower tax band car so they can save a few hundred quid a year on road tax.
(**) Probably awful mpg in stop-start traffic but probably better than you'd expect on longer runs.
(***) A major reason for buying a big car is the need for extra space. Without rear doors it's not much more practical than a Fiat 500 and is a lot more difficult to park or manoeuvre!
(*) People seem irrationally scared of £500-555 road tax. Many would rather pay thousands more upfront for a lower tax band car so they can save a few hundred quid a year on road tax.
(**) Probably awful mpg in stop-start traffic but probably better than you'd expect on longer runs.
(***) A major reason for buying a big car is the need for extra space. Without rear doors it's not much more practical than a Fiat 500 and is a lot more difficult to park or manoeuvre!
That looks like cracking value and very clean. With the warranty you will be able to get pretty much any issue sorted in year one (if any), very reassuring on a big 10 year old car.
I agree with the poster above about the road tax. I just treat it as a 300 quid annual adder on top of a “base” tax.
I disagree on the practicality point. Obviously it’s not a massive estate but you can seat 4 adults in comfort and will have a decent sized boot.
I agree with the poster above about the road tax. I just treat it as a 300 quid annual adder on top of a “base” tax.
I disagree on the practicality point. Obviously it’s not a massive estate but you can seat 4 adults in comfort and will have a decent sized boot.
Ron99 said:
Road tax*, mpg** and lack of rear doors*** on a big car will be why it's not shifting.
(*) People seem irrationally scared of £500-555 road tax. Many would rather pay thousands more upfront for a lower tax band car so they can save a few hundred quid a year on road tax.
(**) Probably awful mpg in stop-start traffic but probably better than you'd expect on longer runs.
(***) A major reason for buying a big car is the need for extra space. Without rear doors it's not much more practical than a Fiat 500 and is a lot more difficult to park or manoeuvre!
Yeah the road tax would be a pain in the bum. We had that with our 370Z.(*) People seem irrationally scared of £500-555 road tax. Many would rather pay thousands more upfront for a lower tax band car so they can save a few hundred quid a year on road tax.
(**) Probably awful mpg in stop-start traffic but probably better than you'd expect on longer runs.
(***) A major reason for buying a big car is the need for extra space. Without rear doors it's not much more practical than a Fiat 500 and is a lot more difficult to park or manoeuvre!
Yes, would be expecting 20s to high 20s MPG.
I guess shes a big cruiser so yes, you've got a big car but not a big amount of space inside. I dont expect it would be terribly agile or nimble on the road.
Jag_NE said:
That looks like cracking value and very clean. With the warranty you will be able to get pretty much any issue sorted in year one (if any), very reassuring on a big 10 year old car.
I agree with the poster above about the road tax. I just treat it as a 300 quid annual adder on top of a “base” tax.
I disagree on the practicality point. Obviously it’s not a massive estate but you can seat 4 adults in comfort and will have a decent sized boot.
Yes, i wholly agree.I agree with the poster above about the road tax. I just treat it as a 300 quid annual adder on top of a “base” tax.
I disagree on the practicality point. Obviously it’s not a massive estate but you can seat 4 adults in comfort and will have a decent sized boot.
And thats a very good way of looking at the road tax.
Deep Thought said:
Yeah the road tax would be a pain in the bum. We had that with our 370Z.
Yes, would be expecting 20s to high 20s MPG.
I guess shes a big cruiser so yes, you've got a big car but not a big amount of space inside. I dont expect it would be terribly agile or nimble on the road.
The Road Tax thing is a bit irrational when you'll be spending around £300 normally so an extra £200 a year isn't that big a difference in the overall scheme of things.Yes, would be expecting 20s to high 20s MPG.
I guess shes a big cruiser so yes, you've got a big car but not a big amount of space inside. I dont expect it would be terribly agile or nimble on the road.
ZX10R NIN said:
Deep Thought said:
Yeah the road tax would be a pain in the bum. We had that with our 370Z.
Yes, would be expecting 20s to high 20s MPG.
I guess shes a big cruiser so yes, you've got a big car but not a big amount of space inside. I dont expect it would be terribly agile or nimble on the road.
The Road Tax thing is a bit irrational when you'll be spending around £300 normally so an extra £200 a year isn't that big a difference in the overall scheme of things.Yes, would be expecting 20s to high 20s MPG.
I guess shes a big cruiser so yes, you've got a big car but not a big amount of space inside. I dont expect it would be terribly agile or nimble on the road.
I think it looks like a cracking car, especially fir the cash. The three litre six us a great engine but won’t feel mega quick in that and the gearbox is a tad dim compared to more modern stuff. My E90 330 used to do low 20’s around town and low 30’s on a run. Theengine made s lovely noise and was very smooth.
That era six has aged well and looks great with the red leather. Do it.
That era six has aged well and looks great with the red leather. Do it.
Deep Thought said:
Would this car be a bad Idea?
If you want to sell it in the not too distant yes. If you want to keep it, cherish it and enjoy it, no.Deep Thought said:
I've watched it come down from £9995 to £8995 and now £7995.
See above 
Deep Thought said:
Can't see it losing a fortune over the next few years
I'd still budget £1k PA depreciation until these bottom out. Once they do and the molested and unloved tat gets scrapped who knows? I remember seeing oodles of E24s in the '£1000 and under' section of Autotrader back in the day (see E31s also). They make strong money now.A time will come when cars like these are simply not made anymore and good ones will fetch a premium. The Bangle looks are polarising but I'd say it's improved with age. It's a rear wheel drive, straight six BMW. Buy it, drive it, look after it and enjoy it.
I'm off to look at 635s
Swampy1982 said:
That adverts only been up since early Feb so surprised its dropped 2k, put in a cheeky offer and see how you get on
I think Bavarian operate a 3 month cycle, so once it goes beyond that they price drop to get it away.Its been at £7,995 for a few weeks now.
TBH i've a 2013 Cooper D that i took as a trade in against my 2018 Cooper S a couple of months ago that going nowhere, so thinking of trying to making a cheeky offer to change and see what they say....
Edited by Deep Thought on Saturday 8th June 17:35
[quote=Deep
Cant see it losing a fortune over the next few years particularly if i'm adding just low miles and maintaining the FBMWSH.
[/quote]
It looks a lovely example of that car, and must be a proper car looking at who's selling it. Nice colour combo, beautiful car to cruise around in.
But......
As for not loosing a fortune I'm not so sure.
I think in two/three years time when fuel has gone up, and that £550 Rfl probably gone up also, these cars might be very hard work to sell.
Added that you'll then be into the 80,000 miles, I wouldn't be surprised if the prices come right down.
Sorry to be negative, looks like a lovely motor.
Also, people are happy to pay the high road tax for something V8, but the 3.0cc sort of falls in the middle, it's not particularly quick in that car.
Cant see it losing a fortune over the next few years particularly if i'm adding just low miles and maintaining the FBMWSH.
[/quote]
It looks a lovely example of that car, and must be a proper car looking at who's selling it. Nice colour combo, beautiful car to cruise around in.
But......
As for not loosing a fortune I'm not so sure.
I think in two/three years time when fuel has gone up, and that £550 Rfl probably gone up also, these cars might be very hard work to sell.
Added that you'll then be into the 80,000 miles, I wouldn't be surprised if the prices come right down.
Sorry to be negative, looks like a lovely motor.
Also, people are happy to pay the high road tax for something V8, but the 3.0cc sort of falls in the middle, it's not particularly quick in that car.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff