Long time lurker with a motoring dilemma
Discussion
Hi all,
Long time lurker as the title suggests but found myself in a tricky situation car wise.
Current daily is a e90 330d 108k on the clock and its been relatively trouble free, never let me down, quick enough, bills and maintenance acceptable, a genuinely great all rounder but with covid WFH the annual mileage is now below 10k per annum and mostly shorter journeys. Low and behold a clogged DPF has arisen which didn't come as a major surprise but with another big bill down I'm starting to really consider whether it's worth holding onto a diesel. Don't get me wrong I appreciate a 30 mile trip every week would be adequate to clear it but otherwise I cant help feeling that I'm not driving enough to justify it and that brings me to the next question..
What petrol can you get that could replace the 330d all rounder? My budget would probably be 8.5k tops and a V8 itch I would like to scratch but when looking at the options XF SV8, RS5, 650/750i all 100k + on the clock; in this price range I assume were talking serious bork factor especially with the reliability concerns of the jag and the notorious BMW V8's of the era. For family reasons I would need reasonable reliability and whilst I appreciate you cant have everything, is this idea barking mad?
So all in all, I just need some rational guidance here. Keep or shift, if the latter replace with what?
Long time lurker as the title suggests but found myself in a tricky situation car wise.
Current daily is a e90 330d 108k on the clock and its been relatively trouble free, never let me down, quick enough, bills and maintenance acceptable, a genuinely great all rounder but with covid WFH the annual mileage is now below 10k per annum and mostly shorter journeys. Low and behold a clogged DPF has arisen which didn't come as a major surprise but with another big bill down I'm starting to really consider whether it's worth holding onto a diesel. Don't get me wrong I appreciate a 30 mile trip every week would be adequate to clear it but otherwise I cant help feeling that I'm not driving enough to justify it and that brings me to the next question..
What petrol can you get that could replace the 330d all rounder? My budget would probably be 8.5k tops and a V8 itch I would like to scratch but when looking at the options XF SV8, RS5, 650/750i all 100k + on the clock; in this price range I assume were talking serious bork factor especially with the reliability concerns of the jag and the notorious BMW V8's of the era. For family reasons I would need reasonable reliability and whilst I appreciate you cant have everything, is this idea barking mad?
So all in all, I just need some rational guidance here. Keep or shift, if the latter replace with what?
You’re worrying about big bills with the diesel BMW and considering buying an ageing petrol V8…I can understand the appeal but if you need reliability and reasonable running costs I can’t understand the logic. How much would it cost to repair the BMW? Although your use has changed it is a known quantity and a run every week isn’t a bad thing. While there’s a few interesting cars around for that budget they’re all going to be getting on a bit. Tough decision
andrew1997 said:
Hi all,
Long time lurker as the title suggests but found myself in a tricky situation car wise.
Current daily is a e90 330d 108k on the clock and its been relatively trouble free, never let me down, quick enough, bills and maintenance acceptable, a genuinely great all rounder but with covid WFH the annual mileage is now below 10k per annum and mostly shorter journeys. Low and behold a clogged DPF has arisen which didn't come as a major surprise but with another big bill down I'm starting to really consider whether it's worth holding onto a diesel. Don't get me wrong I appreciate a 30 mile trip every week would be adequate to clear it but otherwise I cant help feeling that I'm not driving enough to justify it and that brings me to the next question..
What petrol can you get that could replace the 330d all rounder? My budget would probably be 8.5k tops and a V8 itch I would like to scratch but when looking at the options XF SV8, RS5, 650/750i all 100k + on the clock; in this price range I assume were talking serious bork factor especially with the reliability concerns of the jag and the notorious BMW V8's of the era. For family reasons I would need reasonable reliability and whilst I appreciate you cant have everything, is this idea barking mad?
So all in all, I just need some rational guidance here. Keep or shift, if the latter replace with what?
BMW & Audi V8's actually have more bork factor than Jag & Mercedes 8.5k is a healthy budget you could get a nice V8 for your budget, going for an N/A model will also help keep maintenance costs sensible.Long time lurker as the title suggests but found myself in a tricky situation car wise.
Current daily is a e90 330d 108k on the clock and its been relatively trouble free, never let me down, quick enough, bills and maintenance acceptable, a genuinely great all rounder but with covid WFH the annual mileage is now below 10k per annum and mostly shorter journeys. Low and behold a clogged DPF has arisen which didn't come as a major surprise but with another big bill down I'm starting to really consider whether it's worth holding onto a diesel. Don't get me wrong I appreciate a 30 mile trip every week would be adequate to clear it but otherwise I cant help feeling that I'm not driving enough to justify it and that brings me to the next question..
What petrol can you get that could replace the 330d all rounder? My budget would probably be 8.5k tops and a V8 itch I would like to scratch but when looking at the options XF SV8, RS5, 650/750i all 100k + on the clock; in this price range I assume were talking serious bork factor especially with the reliability concerns of the jag and the notorious BMW V8's of the era. For family reasons I would need reasonable reliability and whilst I appreciate you cant have everything, is this idea barking mad?
So all in all, I just need some rational guidance here. Keep or shift, if the latter replace with what?
With this in mind I'd recommend you take a look at these.
C55 AMG sensible miles & seems well maintained, this would be my pick if you want a low bork V8:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175141542706?hash=item2...
GS430 Sport
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384707340899?hash=item5...
5.0 CLS 500
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110017...
5.0 XF Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...
Cheers all for your responses.
I should have perhaps made clearer that I will/have get the DPF sorted cleaned out 500 quid all in. My worry is that realistically treating it as a low mileage round town daily with the occasional sprints here and there is sustainable. The other thing of course is the selfish longing for something more special whilst we still can.
On the 335i suggestion, I have taken a look at this as an option I thought a 335 over a 330 would be the one to go for as I imagine coming from the diesel 330 to petrol would feel a little gutless low down? My other issue is getting one that hasn't been fettered with although upper range 8k plus seems doable..
To be honest, I should also have said I don't really fancy getting something before 06 plate, especially above 5k I know the market is manic at the moment but that strikes me as a bit of a downgrade. Begger's can't be choosers but not sure if I'm willing to go back to an earlier vintage like that at too higher cost.
The worry I have with XF's is the rising gear selector jamming, am I worrying too much here about stranding the family somewhere random? CLS seemed like a solid option along with the RS5 online seemingly the less problematic of a difficult bunch. Any PH consensus on this or any other torquey v6 options most welcome.
Cheers again!
I should have perhaps made clearer that I will/have get the DPF sorted cleaned out 500 quid all in. My worry is that realistically treating it as a low mileage round town daily with the occasional sprints here and there is sustainable. The other thing of course is the selfish longing for something more special whilst we still can.
On the 335i suggestion, I have taken a look at this as an option I thought a 335 over a 330 would be the one to go for as I imagine coming from the diesel 330 to petrol would feel a little gutless low down? My other issue is getting one that hasn't been fettered with although upper range 8k plus seems doable..
To be honest, I should also have said I don't really fancy getting something before 06 plate, especially above 5k I know the market is manic at the moment but that strikes me as a bit of a downgrade. Begger's can't be choosers but not sure if I'm willing to go back to an earlier vintage like that at too higher cost.
The worry I have with XF's is the rising gear selector jamming, am I worrying too much here about stranding the family somewhere random? CLS seemed like a solid option along with the RS5 online seemingly the less problematic of a difficult bunch. Any PH consensus on this or any other torquey v6 options most welcome.
Cheers again!
Ideas
Infiniti M35h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112240...
BMW 335i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
Lexus GS450h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...
A bit older
Volvo S60 R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...
Jaguar S-Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...
Chrysler 300C Hemi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111119...
Infiniti M35h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112240...
BMW 335i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
Lexus GS450h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...
A bit older
Volvo S60 R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...
Jaguar S-Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...
Chrysler 300C Hemi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111119...
Although it would be earlier I thought I read somewhere that some E90s had the M57 diesel that doesn't have a DPF - but I'm not certain.
My everyday car is a 55 plate manual 330i that I've had nearly 4 years (and cost way less than £5K). I wanted an early one with the N52 engine because I'd had a couple of Z4s with it and really liked them. I'd also read that the later N53 direct injection engine could suffer from coked-up inlet manifolds as well as problems with injectors and High Pressure Fuel Pumps. Although the N53 is slightly more powerful and is one band cheaper for tax.
I didn't really need a 335i and then you've got the added issue of turbos plus £600 a year Road Tax on some.
You'd definitely miss the low-down diesel torque in a 300i but it's still plenty quick enough if you rev it towards the 7,000 rpm red-line, which it does quite happily!
But I can understand the appeal of something with a V8 while we still can.
Good luck whatever you decide to get.
My everyday car is a 55 plate manual 330i that I've had nearly 4 years (and cost way less than £5K). I wanted an early one with the N52 engine because I'd had a couple of Z4s with it and really liked them. I'd also read that the later N53 direct injection engine could suffer from coked-up inlet manifolds as well as problems with injectors and High Pressure Fuel Pumps. Although the N53 is slightly more powerful and is one band cheaper for tax.
I didn't really need a 335i and then you've got the added issue of turbos plus £600 a year Road Tax on some.
You'd definitely miss the low-down diesel torque in a 300i but it's still plenty quick enough if you rev it towards the 7,000 rpm red-line, which it does quite happily!
But I can understand the appeal of something with a V8 while we still can.
Good luck whatever you decide to get.
Lozw86 said:
I’d just keep the 330d
I would too. Our e91 is on 148k and has spent most of the last 5 years doing inppropriately short journeys. In that time it required1 DPF chemical clean, otherwise its just been thermostats, remove swirl flaps and new glow plug controller, which are default M57 items. Other than that as good as gold.With used car prices as they are at the moment and transition to EVs well under way I vote hold on for as long as possible and save dosh for now. 330ds are good.
andrew1997 said:
On the 335i suggestion, I have taken a look at this as an option I thought a 335 over a 330 would be the one to go for as I imagine coming from the diesel 330 to petrol would feel a little gutless low down? My other issue is getting one that hasn't been fettered with although upper range 8k plus seems doable..
To be honest, I should also have said I don't really fancy getting something before 06 plate, especially above 5k I know the market is manic at the moment but that strikes me as a bit of a downgrade. Begger's can't be choosers but not sure if I'm willing to go back to an earlier vintage like that at too higher cost.
2006 BMW 130i and cheap V8 owner here (89k-mile 2006 Audi A6 Avant 4.2 V8). An affordable, non-ruinous sub-£8.5k V8 is definitely possible.To be honest, I should also have said I don't really fancy getting something before 06 plate, especially above 5k I know the market is manic at the moment but that strikes me as a bit of a downgrade. Begger's can't be choosers but not sure if I'm willing to go back to an earlier vintage like that at too higher cost.
I’ve owned the BMW for two years (and had two identical models previously for six years). Apart from standard maintenance, it has cost very little to run. The engine has plenty of torque and revs nicely. The 330i does have longer gearing and more weight, though, so won’t be quite as quick in-gear, but I can’t imagine it’d feel slow - especially in manual form.
I’ve had the Audi for four months and it’s been excellent so far. Comfy, very refined, nice and torquey engine and surprisingly quick when you’re heavier on the throttle. I’ve spent nothing on it to date and have a preventative gearbox and Quattro service coming up and nothing else should be needed until the annual service/MOT in August. All in it will owe me less than £6,500.
This Audi engine has a reputation for cam chain issues but that can be mitigated with regular oil services. I’d very much recommend it if you can find a good one.
Hi all,
Thanks again for your valid suggestions.
I think for now with the DPF maintenance done the short term pull factor of something more fruity has subsided in my mind. There's a lot to be said for the devil you know and some blasts on a regular basis doesn't sound too much.
My only final question is whether anyone has any advice on BMW N62B46 745/750/645/650i is this just a terrible idea in the round? I've read horror stories, plastic components in the engines etc but value for money does make me wonder..
Cheers again to all who have made valid suggestions and sound advice I appreciate it.
Thanks again for your valid suggestions.
I think for now with the DPF maintenance done the short term pull factor of something more fruity has subsided in my mind. There's a lot to be said for the devil you know and some blasts on a regular basis doesn't sound too much.
My only final question is whether anyone has any advice on BMW N62B46 745/750/645/650i is this just a terrible idea in the round? I've read horror stories, plastic components in the engines etc but value for money does make me wonder..
Cheers again to all who have made valid suggestions and sound advice I appreciate it.
The problem with BMW 6/7 Series cars is they were expensive when new and running costs are going reflect that.
Here's a link to a thread about them in BMW General, but a search should find plenty more.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here's a link to a thread about them in BMW General, but a search should find plenty more.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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