Ten year car - keep an E39 or buy an F31 or G31?
Discussion
Hi all,
Could do with some thoughts with a conundrum I am currently having. I have a self-imposed desire to not buy a post 2024 car for the next 10 to 15 years as I don’t want to have the nannying electronics etc, nor do I want all the controls on a screen – I want buttons!
I currently have a 2024 Cupra Born as a company car which I like and am tempted to buy at the end of the lease in 18 months’ time. This would likely become my wife’s car to replace hers. It would suit 99% of her driving so it would be a good match.
That leaves me working out what to do for my car. I currently have a E39 530i Touring, which I do enjoy using It always seems to need ‘something’, but I am willing to accept that as it is an older car and cars always need maintaining regardless of age. I accept that is applies to any of the options below.
I’ve been having thoughts about selling it and replacing it with a newer touring/estate to match the 10 to 15 years life mentioned above. For this, assume I do 10,000 miles a year. I feel there are the following options:
1) Keep the E39. Its currently on 105,000 miles so 15 years use would take it to 250,000 miles. I’m sure the car is capable, but maintaining it will become more expensive as it gets (even) older.
2) Buy a F31 340i. The boot space is similar to the E39, but obviously newer. From research the B58 engines are reliable. I’d look to buy one at around 50,000 miles, so would end up at around 200,000 miles.
3) Buy a G31 540i. The boot space is bigger than both the E39 & F31 which would be good, and I suspect a 5 series would be more comfortable. Again, I believe the B58 engines to be reliable. One concern I do have is that the 540i’s all seem to be X-drive which may add complications to deal with. I’d look to buy one at around 50,000 miles, so would end up at around 200,000 miles.
4) Wildcard suggestion: Mk4 Focus ST estate (pre facelift)
5) Anything the good people of Pistonheads suggest!
So if you’ve got any thoughts to help me see a solution, I’m all ears!
Thanks, Matt
Could do with some thoughts with a conundrum I am currently having. I have a self-imposed desire to not buy a post 2024 car for the next 10 to 15 years as I don’t want to have the nannying electronics etc, nor do I want all the controls on a screen – I want buttons!
I currently have a 2024 Cupra Born as a company car which I like and am tempted to buy at the end of the lease in 18 months’ time. This would likely become my wife’s car to replace hers. It would suit 99% of her driving so it would be a good match.
That leaves me working out what to do for my car. I currently have a E39 530i Touring, which I do enjoy using It always seems to need ‘something’, but I am willing to accept that as it is an older car and cars always need maintaining regardless of age. I accept that is applies to any of the options below.
I’ve been having thoughts about selling it and replacing it with a newer touring/estate to match the 10 to 15 years life mentioned above. For this, assume I do 10,000 miles a year. I feel there are the following options:
1) Keep the E39. Its currently on 105,000 miles so 15 years use would take it to 250,000 miles. I’m sure the car is capable, but maintaining it will become more expensive as it gets (even) older.
2) Buy a F31 340i. The boot space is similar to the E39, but obviously newer. From research the B58 engines are reliable. I’d look to buy one at around 50,000 miles, so would end up at around 200,000 miles.
3) Buy a G31 540i. The boot space is bigger than both the E39 & F31 which would be good, and I suspect a 5 series would be more comfortable. Again, I believe the B58 engines to be reliable. One concern I do have is that the 540i’s all seem to be X-drive which may add complications to deal with. I’d look to buy one at around 50,000 miles, so would end up at around 200,000 miles.
4) Wildcard suggestion: Mk4 Focus ST estate (pre facelift)
5) Anything the good people of Pistonheads suggest!
So if you’ve got any thoughts to help me see a solution, I’m all ears!
Thanks, Matt
Is there an option 2.5) A very late F11 535i LCi? There are a few of those on AutoTrader with amazing looking specs (i.e. all 5 buttons on the little panel below the light controls to the RHS of the steering wheel). I wonder if they are Japanese imports.
I am also very much in your camp with regards to wanting physical buttons, straight 6 and not wanting x-drive complexity. I have been considering both your options and also F11 535ds. At the moment the F11 is my fave, despite being an older design. 3series boots are a bit pokey for me.
I think aiming to keep the E39 going might become tiresome.
During my looong deliberation I have also considered a Leon ST 300 4-drive (quick, good sized boot, less tyre sensitive 4wd system, not diesel). No straight 6 though and prices have not really softened at all in 2yrs+ ! Its sister the Golf-R is another obvious choice but I don't really like the look of the estate. If a Leon LUX turned up locally at the right price I could see myself in one and it removes the slight future concern about owning a diesel.
I will watch this thread with interest.
I am also very much in your camp with regards to wanting physical buttons, straight 6 and not wanting x-drive complexity. I have been considering both your options and also F11 535ds. At the moment the F11 is my fave, despite being an older design. 3series boots are a bit pokey for me.
I think aiming to keep the E39 going might become tiresome.
During my looong deliberation I have also considered a Leon ST 300 4-drive (quick, good sized boot, less tyre sensitive 4wd system, not diesel). No straight 6 though and prices have not really softened at all in 2yrs+ ! Its sister the Golf-R is another obvious choice but I don't really like the look of the estate. If a Leon LUX turned up locally at the right price I could see myself in one and it removes the slight future concern about owning a diesel.
I will watch this thread with interest.
Suspect the difference between option 2 and 3 will depend on whether you prioritise the larger rear passenger and boot space versus the more agility when driving on smaller roads?
I think if I recall when I was looking at similar recently that the newer 5 series were actually cheaper/better value given their age versus the F31 - presumably because the latter has so much appeal given it’s a handsome devil.
I think if I recall when I was looking at similar recently that the newer 5 series were actually cheaper/better value given their age versus the F31 - presumably because the latter has so much appeal given it’s a handsome devil.
Thanks both for your thoughts.
I agree the F31 is probably slightly better looking than the G31, but I like both so not that fussed. I'm happy if the G31 is cheaper to buy!
I like the look of the Golf R myself, but wondered if the Mk7 would now be too old, and not sure if they did an estate version in the Mk8. I'll have to check.
I'm not interested in diesel. Personal opinion - there's too much expensive stuff to go wrong with them at high mileage which would negate any fuel savings.
pb8g09 said:
Suspect the difference between option 2 and 3 will depend on whether you prioritise the larger rear passenger and boot space versus the more agility when driving on smaller roads?
I think if I recall when I was looking at similar recently that the newer 5 series were actually cheaper/better value given their age versus the F31 - presumably because the latter has so much appeal given it s a handsome devil.
Whilst I wouldn't often use the space currently, it should be in the future. It is also more flexible. I'm not against having a bigger car - before the E39 I have a mk4 Mondeo estate which was pretty big.I think if I recall when I was looking at similar recently that the newer 5 series were actually cheaper/better value given their age versus the F31 - presumably because the latter has so much appeal given it s a handsome devil.
I agree the F31 is probably slightly better looking than the G31, but I like both so not that fussed. I'm happy if the G31 is cheaper to buy!
SlowV6 said:
Is there an option 2.5) A very late F11 535i LCi? There are a few of those on AutoTrader with amazing looking specs (i.e. all 5 buttons on the little panel below the light controls to the RHS of the steering wheel). I wonder if they are Japanese imports.
I am also very much in your camp with regards to wanting physical buttons, straight 6 and not wanting x-drive complexity. I have been considering both your options and also F11 535ds. At the moment the F11 is my fave, despite being an older design. 3series boots are a bit pokey for me.
I think aiming to keep the E39 going might become tiresome.
During my looong deliberation I have also considered a Leon ST 300 4-drive (quick, good sized boot, less tyre sensitive 4wd system, not diesel). No straight 6 though and prices have not really softened at all in 2yrs+ ! Its sister the Golf-R is another obvious choice but I don't really like the look of the estate. If a Leon LUX turned up locally at the right price I could see myself in one and it removes the slight future concern about owning a diesel.
I will watch this thread with interest.
Oh - hadn't thought about that, probably put them in the slightly too old camp. I'm not against a Japanese import - the current E39 is. You share the same concern around boot space, and whether a 3 series is too small. I may have to go and look at some!I am also very much in your camp with regards to wanting physical buttons, straight 6 and not wanting x-drive complexity. I have been considering both your options and also F11 535ds. At the moment the F11 is my fave, despite being an older design. 3series boots are a bit pokey for me.
I think aiming to keep the E39 going might become tiresome.
During my looong deliberation I have also considered a Leon ST 300 4-drive (quick, good sized boot, less tyre sensitive 4wd system, not diesel). No straight 6 though and prices have not really softened at all in 2yrs+ ! Its sister the Golf-R is another obvious choice but I don't really like the look of the estate. If a Leon LUX turned up locally at the right price I could see myself in one and it removes the slight future concern about owning a diesel.
I will watch this thread with interest.
I like the look of the Golf R myself, but wondered if the Mk7 would now be too old, and not sure if they did an estate version in the Mk8. I'll have to check.
I'm not interested in diesel. Personal opinion - there's too much expensive stuff to go wrong with them at high mileage which would negate any fuel savings.
How much does money come into it? The difference in price between keeping the E39 and getting into one of the newer options I guess must be pretty large? Large enough to cover some pretty big bills on the E39?
Think the E39 era of cars are really enjoying a bit of a resurgence at the minute as some petrolheads are turned off newer stuff with the million electronic gizmos and almost boring bags of pace. Will we still feel the same way in 10 years time or will it just feel like a knackered POS? Who knows...
Think the E39 era of cars are really enjoying a bit of a resurgence at the minute as some petrolheads are turned off newer stuff with the million electronic gizmos and almost boring bags of pace. Will we still feel the same way in 10 years time or will it just feel like a knackered POS? Who knows...
- for the record I'm looking at getting into an E46 M3 at the minute as a forever car. Newer stuff, even the still-analogue E9X doesn't quite hold the same appeal as the older cars...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff