Buying a diesel in the current climate

Buying a diesel in the current climate

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CooperS

Original Poster:

4,503 posts

219 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
I drive a BMW i3 currently do around 25k a year in it.

Its great, love it in fact but EU has meant the stopped the range extender models meaning the i3 has a 160 mile range (I do a 110 mile commute) which means it's too close for comfort as a replacement.

As it happens I've got a 520d touring as a courtesy car.

Wow... Smooth on the motorway doesn't sound to harsh or tractor like. I'd be committing treason by going PCP!!!!!!! So it's not like I'll have to worry about future costs. But is there a good reason to not go for D with petrol or EV is either far worse MPG or prices at 70k+ for something comparable

quinny100

922 posts

186 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
I've just switched back from a leased PHEV to a owned diesel car - C350e to E220d. I had diesels from 2000 - 2012, then petrols when i wasn't doing so many miles, then the PHEV from 2017.

I do a lot of long business journeys and the diesel is more economical and with much better range.

Run whatever suits you best IMO. I can't see the bottom dropping out of the value for used executive diesel cars because there simply aren't the numbers petrol models available for people to buy. If it does become worthless I'll just run it in to the ground - it won't owe me anything after 6 years anyway.

The EV game won't move on significantly until there's a step change in battery technology.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

108 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
Why not just keep the i3 that you already have?

Wilmslowboy

4,208 posts

206 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
We have a 520d Touring...... in the real world (outside London ULEZ) it is pretty much one of the best cars around.

Ours is 104k miles, 6 years old, like new inside (once we can be bothered to clean it), drives great (once the run flat tyres were got rid off), handsome (dark blue Msport), fast enough (yep no need for a 535d), practical and ours has been ultra-reliable.

The only thing stopping me replacing it with a brand new one.....is the £30k+ cost to change.






CooperS

Original Poster:

4,503 posts

219 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
Why not just keep the i3 that you already have?
Currently my warranty claimed total is north of £7k in the past 3 years.

I don't want to payoff the residual and hold a risk of potential bill worth 60% of the cars value (new electric motor & gearbox).

ZX10R NIN

27,598 posts

125 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
Buy one they won't be going anywhere soon & you'll be looking at a euro6 car anyway so there's no reason not to choose one.

Lester H

2,726 posts

105 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
It depends (unhelpful answer) but for anything used under £5000 why would you not? Older Clio diesels for example can virtually run on fumes. Higher up the scale there may - but only may- be residual concerns but Average Punter and his Wife are not having sleepless nights about the planet.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

108 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
CooperS said:
DoubleD said:
Why not just keep the i3 that you already have?
Currently my warranty claimed total is north of £7k in the past 3 years.

I don't want to payoff the residual and hold a risk of potential bill worth 60% of the cars value (new electric motor & gearbox).
Oh right, not very reliable then?

Jag_NE

2,978 posts

100 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
If you buy a euro6 diesel there isn’t anything drafted that suggests you will be penalised any time now or ever vs petrol. The added bonus is that because loads of people are wetting the bed about the situation you can get diesels for great prices vs petrol versions. I have a 530d and the mix of power, economy and refinement is brilliant.

Alex Z

1,118 posts

76 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
Didn’t they stop the RX when the battery capacity was increased? Nothing to do with the EU?

CooperS

Original Poster:

4,503 posts

219 months

Tuesday 22nd October 2019
quotequote all
Alex Z said:
Didn’t they stop the RX when the battery capacity was increased? Nothing to do with the EU?
No as it's still offered in the states.

Roger Irrelevant

2,932 posts

113 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
CooperS said:
Alex Z said:
Didn’t they stop the RX when the battery capacity was increased? Nothing to do with the EU?
No as it's still offered in the states.
They stopped selling it Europe because hardly anybody in Europe bought one and the uprated battery would likely depress sales of the range extender model further. Unlike the States where people tend to do longer journeys more often and so, even with the uprated battery, there would still be demand for it. So indeed nothing to do with the EU.

CooperS

Original Poster:

4,503 posts

219 months

Wednesday 23rd October 2019
quotequote all
Roger Irrelevant said:
CooperS said:
Alex Z said:
Didn’t they stop the RX when the battery capacity was increased? Nothing to do with the EU?
No as it's still offered in the states.
They stopped selling it Europe because hardly anybody in Europe bought one and the uprated battery would likely depress sales of the range extender model further. Unlike the States where people tend to do longer journeys more often and so, even with the uprated battery, there would still be demand for it. So indeed nothing to do with the EU.
Ah I thought it was about making it compliant with the latest round of emission tests put out by the EU. Which also affected alot of other manufacturers like VW with the Golf GTI PP??