730D or 745i?

[hughjayteens]

Am pondering a Luxo barge with a weekend toy (Elise maybe) when my lease expires, and whilst I know a 730D might be the sensible option, I can get a like for like 745i for about £3k less (£10k versus £13k ish for a 2003 65k mile car).

The saving in purchase price would cover the difference in my fuel bills I think (I only do 10k a year) so would the 745i be the better option?

Anyone owned or driven one?

Cheers

Chris

[hughjayteens]

SJobson said:

Chris, buy the petrol. If you want some pleasure at weekends, you hardly want 2 minutes of tractor noises first. Actually, ignore me, just try starting the diesel with the door open.

Hi Simon,
Weekend pleasure isn't an issue as if I did get a 7, it would be in conjunction with an Elise S2 or VX220 Turbo (a friend and I want to share one but it will live on my drive which seems like a good deal to me!). Slightly concerned about potential big bills with an out of warranty 7, but if I am going to get a weekend toy and a waftomatic, it might as well be a proper one!!

[hughjayteens]

What about a 730i or 735i? Underpowered?

[hughjayteens]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Or........... how much do 760s start at?

Go on, be a grizzly!

Haha - don't tempt me! Test drives needed I think!

[hughjayteens]

jdwoodbury said:

Go with the petrol as long as the fuel costs do not put you off, I think 21-24mpg is a good average. The 4.4 V8 was voted engine of the year in 2002 for a good reason. I have a 545i and think it's excellent. Diesel is only a choice on costs, petrol for power and refinement (it's also a more reliable motor than the turbo diesel motors)

I only get 25-26mpg from my 325i so 21-24mpg sounds very palatable. Suppose a sports exhaust isn't the done thing on a 7!!

[hughjayteens]

noumenon said:

hughjayteens said:

jdwoodbury said:

Go with the petrol as long as the fuel costs do not put you off, I think 21-24mpg is a good average. The 4.4 V8 was voted engine of the year in 2002 for a good reason. I have a 545i and think it's excellent. Diesel is only a choice on costs, petrol for power and refinement (it's also a more reliable motor than the turbo diesel motors)

I only get 25-26mpg from my 325i so 21-24mpg sounds very palatable. Suppose a sports exhaust isn't the done thing on a 7!!

Cherry pipe on a 7?

Sounds like you might want a 5 series. Still a luxury barge, but just that bit more sporting than a 7 (which stats to feel heavy when pushed).

I was actually taking the p*ss!! If I get a 7, it will be joined by an Elise for when I fancy a spirited drive!

[hughjayteens]

I didn't realise that the 745i had Dynamic Drive and the 730D didn't. Apart from the potential cost if it goes wrong (do you know if the 730D has EDC too as I would imagine new dampers will be ££££) then it does make a compelling case for the 745i. Just googled and found a glowing review in Evo too:

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/1569...

Hmmmm this looks like a good price..

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

Edited by hughjayteens on Friday 9th January 13:09

[hughjayteens]

matt uk said:

Not all of lifes decisions should be made with an excel spreadsheet

A perfect motto for a credit crunch ridden world - love it!

[hughjayteens]

I did the same exercise for my mum when she was looking at X3 3.0Ds and X3 3.0is - the petrol made sense given the mileage she does but she preferred the drive of the diesel auto so ignored me advice!

Looks like a 745i is the way forward if I go down that route. 745i + Elise or 335i? Hmmmmm