Expensive to Run? MPG? Realible?
Discussion
I am 23 I have been working for a number of years, I have sufficent funds and I am desperate to purchase a second hand (97-00) Porsche 911 (The one I like) but just how much would it cost to run ... much more expensive to run than a BMW 3 series?
Everyone I know just says it's more expensive but by just how much. Whats kinda MPG does this car do, that would be the first sign.
Your thoughts please
James
Everyone I know just says it's more expensive but by just how much. Whats kinda MPG does this car do, that would be the first sign.
Your thoughts please
James
James.
Depends on what type of 3-series really. I came out of a E36 M3 Evo in about 1999. That car, whilst excellent, was dearer to service and about the same to run (MPG) as the car that replaced it. A 1998 996 C2 Cab.
The BMW avearge service (main Agent) was around £850 a go. The 996 was usually cheaper but I had one large service where I had to have new discs all round - this was at the 48000 mile mark - I used to huge mileages back then.
The car itself would deliver around 26MPG on average - although with a very spirited drive would fall to late teens.
I had a RMS problem around 50k miles which was covered by the warranty. As for Insurance costs they were actually cheaper than the M3 that I came out of.
In my experience the 996 was cheaper to run than a 1998 M3 Evo Cab. Can't speak for running costs of any other 3-series as I have never owned a non-M version.
Hope this helps.
PS - Make sure you get the 996 checked and warranteed. Saves any hassle.
Depends on what type of 3-series really. I came out of a E36 M3 Evo in about 1999. That car, whilst excellent, was dearer to service and about the same to run (MPG) as the car that replaced it. A 1998 996 C2 Cab.
The BMW avearge service (main Agent) was around £850 a go. The 996 was usually cheaper but I had one large service where I had to have new discs all round - this was at the 48000 mile mark - I used to huge mileages back then.
The car itself would deliver around 26MPG on average - although with a very spirited drive would fall to late teens.
I had a RMS problem around 50k miles which was covered by the warranty. As for Insurance costs they were actually cheaper than the M3 that I came out of.
In my experience the 996 was cheaper to run than a 1998 M3 Evo Cab. Can't speak for running costs of any other 3-series as I have never owned a non-M version.
Hope this helps.
PS - Make sure you get the 996 checked and warranteed. Saves any hassle.
£1000 to service per year £900 for warranty plus 250 for the initial inspection (and if money is tight you need an offcial porsche warranty) plus what ever they ask for insurance for a 23rd old in a sports car (sounds expensive). MPG around town high teens longer runs high 20's would be ball park. Work on 24 or so on average at best.
Wish I'd had one at 23 (would have been a 930 then given a choice)
Wish I'd had one at 23 (would have been a 930 then given a choice)
I ran a '98 C2 for a few years, and found it quite reasonable. I usually got low to mid 20s MPG, and on a long run up to 30 on 98 RON.
Tyres will set you back 600 - 1000 a set, depending on what you get, so it's worth getting a car with nearly new ones already fitted.
Generally reliable, but it's if something does go wrong that you're likely to get stung. Mine had a couple of electrical gremlins which would probably have been pretty expensive had I not had a warranty. If you can get a warranty, do it (especially if it covers the RMS!).
Not as well built as the 993, but obviously good value next to the 997, and still a brilliant car IMO.
Tyres will set you back 600 - 1000 a set, depending on what you get, so it's worth getting a car with nearly new ones already fitted.
Generally reliable, but it's if something does go wrong that you're likely to get stung. Mine had a couple of electrical gremlins which would probably have been pretty expensive had I not had a warranty. If you can get a warranty, do it (especially if it covers the RMS!).
Not as well built as the 993, but obviously good value next to the 997, and still a brilliant car IMO.
ROTFIL said:
Well, Its not just fuel consumption, I would like to think that I have enough disposable income but I was just interested if someone could place a figure on the annual increase in cost I would face as apposed to driving a 3Series..
See my profile.
£900 a year for warranty
£1000 a year for servicing
£1000 every two years for brakes
£2000 a year for insurance at 35 with full NCD and tracker
My 2000 car does about 20mpg overall when on a run, but in London traffic I get 7mpg.
I had two three series before. Different SPORT, let alone ball park!
Mine's for sale, BTW.
Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Friday 15th December 14:33
WetWipe said:
Yes mate, but yours has a spearmint interior.....
Vesuvius 996 said:
WetWipe said:
Yes mate, but yours has a spearmint interior.....
The only mint thing about it is it's condition, ask anyone who's seen it.
Plus, it's got the correct number of pedals.
and of course, an OPC warranty....
magic torch said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
WetWipe said:
Yes mate, but yours has a spearmint interior.....
The only mint thing about it is it's condition, ask anyone who's seen it.
Plus, it's got the correct number of pedals.
and of course, an OPC warranty....
Just joshing, mate!!
Your cxar is a lovely one, if our friend here wants a manual he can do no better.
The figures above are pretty accurate. Make sure you have an inspection on the car before buying and the seller corrects any issues. That way you won't be in for any shocks. Warranty can help the predictablity of any bills but still have some put back for non-covered items inc consumables. Coming from a BM you will tyres eye wateringly expensive also other consumables like a clutch are more expensive (£600 from an indy approx)
Fuel economy really depends on how you drive. On a motorway slog 28-30 is achievable (just) I average about 22 I think. Traffic is a killer, think single figures. If you wring it's neck expect low MPG too, I can keep it in single figure on my 20 mile back road commute to the office, but it took some trying fun though 
Insurance well mine cost half what I was paying on my S2000, 28, full protected NCB, parked on the street with full business use - £900 with A-Plan. However they will want proof of experience in a 'sports car' and well a 216 won't count. You might find someone who will say yes but it will hurt.
Fuel economy really depends on how you drive. On a motorway slog 28-30 is achievable (just) I average about 22 I think. Traffic is a killer, think single figures. If you wring it's neck expect low MPG too, I can keep it in single figure on my 20 mile back road commute to the office, but it took some trying
fun though Insurance well mine cost half what I was paying on my S2000, 28, full protected NCB, parked on the street with full business use - £900 with A-Plan. However they will want proof of experience in a 'sports car' and well a 216 won't count. You might find someone who will say yes but it will hurt.
I purchase my Boxster when I was 23, went from a Seat Ibiza Cupra (20v Turbo one) The actual running costs weren't that different, also I got a higher mileage rate through work because of the increased engine size which out weighed the difference! I was doing alot of Business miles at the time though!
I was living at home (with parents) at the time and it was either a House Purchase or a Porsche, I didn't need a house so Bought the Porsche, I don't have any regrets but looking back I probably would have been better off with a house!
I think the 911 will be quite a bit more to run than your BMW but if you have enough disposable income then go for it, I thought it may be my only chance to get one when I did but I'm now on my second (with a house!)!
Buy wisely and get a warranty (I didn't but I guess was lucky!) then you shouldn't need to worry!
Good Luck!
I was living at home (with parents) at the time and it was either a House Purchase or a Porsche, I didn't need a house so Bought the Porsche, I don't have any regrets but looking back I probably would have been better off with a house!
I think the 911 will be quite a bit more to run than your BMW but if you have enough disposable income then go for it, I thought it may be my only chance to get one when I did but I'm now on my second (with a house!)!
Buy wisely and get a warranty (I didn't but I guess was lucky!) then you shouldn't need to worry!
Good Luck!
I had a look at the insurance £2500 a year ..
Plus fuel and every thing so it would cost around 6000-7000 to run a year!
I guess I will have to wait a few years! and Mate that car looks so good, if it didn't cost me about 1/3 value of the car to run every year i would buy it or one like that now!
James
Plus fuel and every thing so it would cost around 6000-7000 to run a year!
I guess I will have to wait a few years! and Mate that car looks so good, if it didn't cost me about 1/3 value of the car to run every year i would buy it or one like that now!
James
That’s not exactly that bad, after another year the insurance would drop some more.
The thing is though I don't have a warranty on my BMW but, with a Porsche I think that I would have to. It’s a minor cost compared to the cost of fixing something that could happen.
If the insurance was only £1500... If only there was a company that could charge less, for people that are less likely to crash. I would treat a car so differently to another 23 year old.. But then if I fulfilled my dream now, what would happen to me! What would be left to live for...
Its not really that much more than a BMW really, and a hell of a lot more fun I would imagine so worth the extra. It just seems so unfair to have such expensive insurance.
The thing is though I don't have a warranty on my BMW but, with a Porsche I think that I would have to. It’s a minor cost compared to the cost of fixing something that could happen.
If the insurance was only £1500... If only there was a company that could charge less, for people that are less likely to crash. I would treat a car so differently to another 23 year old.. But then if I fulfilled my dream now, what would happen to me! What would be left to live for...
Its not really that much more than a BMW really, and a hell of a lot more fun I would imagine so worth the extra. It just seems so unfair to have such expensive insurance.
phib said:
James, You don't have to start with a 911 there are some other options :
Boxter : Cheaper to buy better mpg ad fairly cheap to run (well in comparison to a 996)
968 : Cheap to buy and run still great fun if you buy a sport or a club sport
Boxter : Cheaper to buy better mpg ad fairly cheap to run (well in comparison to a 996)
968 : Cheap to buy and run still great fun if you buy a sport or a club sport
Agreed, I've had both and both are excellent.
My Boxster was £1500 to insure when I was 23 with 3years NCB.
Tesco seemed pretty good at that time, they can increase the excess to decrease the premium... Others will do the same, my excess on the boxster was about £800
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