New to UK from India. Which car?

[legendracer]

Hello dear piston heads.

I'm new to UK and need a bike and car asap. Hope you guys understand the itch. Going for the used market route.
Bike is fixed, going to be triumph Street triple RS, maybe a 2017-18 model under 6.5-7k. BTW how is resale here? After 2 years will it fetch at least 5K?

Regarding cars, I'm used to VW 1.6 diesel engine. Love the stage 3 remapped torque. Let me be clear on my want, coz how much I would munch miles per month is not certain as of now. But I wish to have 200 horses for anytime run and have to get resale value after 2 years.
Some search in auto trader website gave me this info,
VW-jetta-golf-Skoda-octavia-under 80000 miles and after 2016 costs same for 2.0 TDI manual. Reason that I want a car below 80k odo is that less run car means good and 2016 means MOT renewed only once, hence safer with regards to odometer tampering. I know diesels are supposed to run and I have done 125000 miles on my 1.6 TDI without any problem. But still I feel getting a sub 80k done car is better. Odometer cheating is very hard to find out anywhere in the world and best solution is to stick to newest possible car. Isn't it so?
Is it wise to get Jetta/Octavia considering golf is without much space and comfort when compared.

Later on remap it to stage 3. DSG is avoided by me since I think German ATs are better with company warranty. In India Skoda suffers badly in resale, that it fetches very little when sold.
Which one to pick and from where and at what price. Heart is inclined to Jetta coz it got independent suspension too but need to know regarding resale and least expensive possible.

Since I'm new here, finding it difficult to reach places to see car, Uber taxi is expensive here and bus network isn't that great. Costly, but is it worth to go via VW showroom used cars? Or if any links to genuine used car dealers who serve only enthusiasts which I have seen in India.

After picking a bike I would have lesser cash but hope to shell out £1000 each as deposit for bike and car and every month installment as £200 for each. Guess that's fine to start with.
Thank you and please give me necessary info to have a good stay in the UK.

[ZX10R NIN]

Like all bikes the first four years are the worst so get something that's been through the worst of the depreciation & therefore you're more likely to see more of your money back, with this in mind I'd recommend a Aprilia Tuono Factory:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APRILIA-TUONO-1000-Fact...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Aprilia-Tuono-1000...

With the bike sorted I'd say go for a reps car something like an Insignia which will have a low purchase price to begin with & you'll get a well spec'd reliable car that'll eat up the miles in comfort, in the UK people want an Auto so I'd say get one.

Insignia Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[mickyh7]

ZX10R NIN said:

Like all bikes the first four years are the worst so get something that's been through the worst of the depreciation & therefore you're more likely to see more of your money back, with this in mind I'd recommend a Aprilia Tuono Factory:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APRILIA-TUONO-1000-Fact...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Aprilia-Tuono-1000...

With the bike sorted I'd say go for a reps car something like an Insignia which will have a low purchase price to begin with & you'll get a well spec'd reliable car that'll eat up the miles in comfort, in the UK people want an Auto so I'd say get one.

Insignia Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Hopefully one that has had the pick up pipe gasket replaced. So the bottom ends dont self destruct at 100k ? Look how many broken one are for sale needing bottom engine rebuild ? Anything up to a 12 plate I wouldn't touch. Easy gasket change on the Auto but an expensive pain on the Manual box (Sump access bolts).

[legendracer]

ZX10R NIN said:

Like all bikes the first four years are the worst so get something that's been through the worst of the depreciation & therefore you're more likely to see more of your money back, with this in mind I'd recommend a Aprilia Tuono Factory:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APRILIA-TUONO-1000-Fact...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Aprilia-Tuono-1000...

With the bike sorted I'd say go for a reps car something like an Insignia which will have a low purchase price to begin with & you'll get a well spec'd reliable car that'll eat up the miles in comfort, in the UK people want an Auto so I'd say get one.

Insignia Elite Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Thank you. I made S triple 765 rs as choice coz isn't it better to stay updated with safety tech? And the inline fun. When a 700 cc can do the job why to pick 1000. My second choice was Duke 790 with all the latest tech, but I'm used to KTM character and it's snatchy and rough.
So you suggest me aprila tuono coz it wouldn't fail in resale, isn't. I'm surprised this bike still seeks for huge price. Is that a collector's item? But this bike seems old bulky design with huge exhaust and all. I like more of a slim naked bike with 100 bhp in a linear way.
So in that case should I check out some other older bikes?

I'm new to vauxhall brand name, heard this is among top sellers of car in UK. Is their 2.0 cdti engine on par with VW 2.0? Supports remap and mods?

[ZX10R NIN]

legendracer said:

Thank you. I made S triple 765 rs as choice coz isn't it better to stay updated with safety tech? And the inline fun. When a 700 cc can do the job why to pick 1000. My second choice was Duke 790 with all the latest tech, but I'm used to KTM character and it's snatchy and rough.
So you suggest me aprila tuono coz it wouldn't fail in resale, isn't. I'm surprised this bike still seeks for huge price. Is that a collector's item? But this bike seems old bulky design with huge exhaust and all. I like more of a slim naked bike with 100 bhp in a linear way.
So in that case should I check out some other older bikes?

I'm new to vauxhall brand name, heard this is among top sellers of car in UK. Is their 2.0 cdti engine on par with VW 2.0? Supports remap and mods?

Simple the 765 is a regular model & not overly sought after (on the used market) because of this, the Tuono Factory will actually out handle the 765 due to it having a better chassis & suspension, the price is about right for a Factory I can understand you wanting modern safety features but you will suffer more depreciation.

The Insignia needs to have the engine flushed through every other service as the oil pick up pipe can get clogged up if it's not done but this is something I'd recommend on all diesels with long service intervals, mods wise I'd say engine wise i'd say leave it at a remap.

To give you an idea you can buy a 2017 RS with less than 7K from around £5500

[legendracer]

ZX10R NIN said:

Simple the 765 is a regular model & not overly sought after (on the used market) because of this, the Tuono Factory will actually out handle the 765 due to it having a better chassis & suspension, the price is about right for a Factory I can understand you wanting modern safety features but you will suffer more depreciation.

The Insignia needs to have the engine flushed through every other service as the oil pick up pipe can get clogged up if it's not done but this is something I'd recommend on all diesels with long service intervals, mods wise I'd say engine wise i'd say leave it at a remap.

To give you an idea you can buy a 2017 RS with less than 7K from around £5500

By flushing you mean draining and refilling new. Or using separate engine flush agent?Some people just top up. I have a practice of changing oil and filter before the OEM interval. So vauxhall insignia would be a wise choice in the UK with a proper remap. What stage of remap should I aim for and any reliable tuners for this engine who know things? Also any updated version of this car which I should look out for? Any specific variant as such?

In auto trader I couldn't find s triple rs 2017 below 6500. Maybe direct negotiation helps. Maybe I get close to 4k after 2 years. As I said staying updated on tech helps being safe on a bike. I'm not going to be a track junkie. Thank you.

[kuro]

Just curious, can you ride a bike in the UK on an Indian license?

[Monkeylegend]

Probably can if you have an Indian Scout.

[AlexiusG55]

kuro said:

Just curious, can you ride a bike in the UK on an Indian license?

I think bike rules are the same as cars- you can use any foreign licence for 12 months, but will have to pass a UK test in that time to get a UK licence.

India isn't on the list of countries where you can exchange your licence for a UK one without passing a test.

[legendracer]

Upon my enquiry with other people Indian license is valid up to 1 year. I have DL up to heavy goods in India. I'm also in the process of applying for provisional license.
I think provisional license is for both car and bike. And during application of theory test we select car and bike. Isn't. My objective is to take car and bike DL together.

[jonindorset]

My only advice is be very careful when you first head out on UK roads. I helped an Indian friend get a UK bike licence and he struggled terribly with roundabouts in particular and could be a danger to himself. Also coming from Mumbai, I don't think he was familiar with how fast people drive on the UK's comparatively good and less congested roads.

[nikaiyo2]

Morris Oxford

[CAPP0]

nikaiyo2 said:

Morris Oxford

And a Royal Enfield!

[Harji]

AlexiusG55 said:

kuro said:

Just curious, can you ride a bike in the UK on an Indian license?

I think bike rules are the same as cars- you can use any foreign licence for 12 months, but will have to pass a UK test in that time to get a UK licence.

India isn't on the list of countries where you can exchange your licence for a UK one without passing a test.

Not an indian national, born here and with a motorcycle licence. When I was taking my tests, I thought I'd check out other countries requirements. India's one takes the piss and is the easiest and a joke, though there was a USA state where you can do it all online without ever sitting on a bike. Poland was the hardest from memory.

[ZX10R NIN]

legendracer said:

By flushing you mean draining and refilling new. Or using separate engine flush agent?Some people just top up. I have a practice of changing oil and filter before the OEM interval. So vauxhall insignia would be a wise choice in the UK with a proper remap. What stage of remap should I aim for and any reliable tuners for this engine who know things? Also any updated version of this car which I should look out for? Any specific variant as such?

In auto trader I couldn't find s triple rs 2017 below 6500. Maybe direct negotiation helps. Maybe I get close to 4k after 2 years. As I said staying updated on tech helps being safe on a bike. I'm not going to be a track junkie. Thank you.

I meant using a separate engine flush, a map would only be a stage 1 because any other work would involve a changing of intercooler etc to go further & then you'd be making your car illegal when it comes to M.O.T time.

765 RS

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-STREET-TRIPLE-R...

[samoht]

You mention borrowing the money to buy the car and bike - you may have some difficulties getting people to lend money, as you have only recently arrived in this country and don't have an address history here. So I would check that out first, as that will decide the budget.

You say that resale value is important to you. I think if you buy a diesel, there is a bit of a risk that they may be further restricted in the next few years, causing values to fall. For example, Bristol has decided to ban all diesel cars from the city centre area next year. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-5029... Currently the London ULEZ only affects diesels sold before 2015, so you would be ok, but I suppose the risk is that it could change. Depending on how many miles you're doing, you could consider a petrol such as the 2.0 Turbo VWs, which also has good torque and reasonable economy. However for big mileage the diesel is still cheaper I imagine.

I think Skodas are a bit cheaper to buy new and a bit cheaper second hand, I don't think the resale values are too bad (?)

In terms of places to find cars, I have found that for enthusiasts' cars, owners' forums can be quite good - often owners only advertise them on the web forum, and no-one buys them so they keep reducing the price. You may also get to see some of the car's history from the owner's forum history.

For getting to cars, I'd generally ask the seller to pick me up from the nearest train station I think, trains are generally ok-ish and single tickets are sometimes cheap in advance. If you are just looking you could also hire a car for the day to get to a more rural location, usually not that expensive.

[samoht]

ZX10R NIN said:

I meant using a separate engine flush, a map would only be a stage 1 because any other work would involve a changing of intercooler etc to go further & then you'd be making your car illegal when it comes to M.O.T time.

Intercoolers aren't illegal ? Or do you mean DPF delete would be needed, which is?

[ZX10R NIN]

samoht said:

Intercoolers aren't illegal ? Or do you mean DPF delete would be needed, which is?

Exactly the DPF & EGR delete that will follow is what I was referring to.

[legendracer]

samoht said:

You mention borrowing the money to buy the car and bike -

You say that resale value is important to you. I think if you buy a diesel, there is a bit of a risk that they may be further restricted in the next few years, causing values to fall.

I have thought over that as you said and only after that I started this thread. Vehicles would be sold before 3 or max 4 years. It's a fact this is the last time to enjoy the IC engines, but can't burn my hands either.
I have sorted out money borrowing. But before that I thought of picking a smaller car at £2000 and later on, after 1 year, upgrading to bigger car with a higher budget of £12000. But won't I lose the precious time now, since we are on last leg of IC engines and lose £1000 in resale of small car...

Hence I set a rule of 200 bhp/£8000 for daily runs with minimum maintenance and best resale value. Also the car needs to be after 2015, to be on a safer side, newer the better, something which would be surely sold and not be for sale for months after 3 years.
A vw turbo 2.0 petrol is tempting but Skoda Octavia after 2015 costs above 10k which is out of my budget. Since petrol performance like golf 2.0 2015-16 models are above £10k I thought to stick with diesel 2.0. with a remap close to 200bhp is easy.

@ZX10R NIN says vauxhall insignia 2.0 cdti. I have to take a TD to know if it feels in the league of VW cars in engine, steering and handling.
I have done stage 3 with EGR and DPF delete on VW 1.6 TDI without any other mods and that ran fine, well, no WOT or racing though... So in UK I can't touch EGR or DPF? Just stage 1 remap?? That's close to just 160 bhp. I need 200 bhp with just a remap.
BTW 2015 model VW Jetta, Skoda Octavia also are sold at £8500 which is near to vauxhall insignia 2.0. guess the demand and ready selling of vauxhall wins here...

@joinindoeset
Speeds are higher here and roundabouts are new to me. I will take it slow and smooth with extreme caution. Most roundabouts have signals and have seen people stopping for right hand comers to cross on roundabouts without being rear ended.

[legendracer]

I couldn't post for a long time. Said, new members can't post... Lucky it works now.