Is There A Solution?

[FellowPazzini]

As much as I love my car, I'm completely bored of it & now not sure what to do. Currently got a Mondeo ST TDCi (56 plate) with 67k on the clock which is roughly valued around £6.5k (private sale) so I'll only get around £5-5.5k trade in value. It's a great car, looks great (imo), good size for the family, has good mpg (around 42) while not the quickest it's certainly no slouch. It's exactly what I was looking for when I bought it. I can't afford to add any value (says the boss ) so a straight swap is ideal because I'm also a lazy/impatient bugger whop can't be bothered with the whole putting it up for sale routine.

Basically, I'm looking for a car to buy that has a bit more grunt to it. Was originally looking at Subaru's but a quick calc on fuel costs turned me sick, insurance quotes was higher but manageable. Is there any other cars to consider other than a 3.0/3.5 D 5 series BMW that going to give me a decent 0-60 with decent mpg? Even then, them kind of BM's are all having over 120k miles for a half decent looking one.

Less than 7 secs 0-60 & more than 30 mpg would be great

After many many hours of searching I'd appreciate any thoughts on this Thanks.

[All that jazz]

How many miles are you doing a year? 67k on a 2006 car suggests to me that most of your driving is round the doors, so is a diesel really worthwhile?

[Kurtcobain]

Just buy a petrol diesel is for gays.

[drophead]

Kurtcobain said:

Just buy a petrol diesel is for gays.

So is not using punctuation.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Is mileage/age a big problem?

BMW e46 330? Big miles not a problem
BMW e36 M3? Certainly wins on performance, but too old / expensive to run?
Saab 9-5 Aero? Toys, pace, comfort, budget will get a newer lower miles car than more mainstream alternative
Saab 9-3ss Aero? As above.

[Davie_GLA]

£6.5k for your car in the private market. You sure? Not having a dig but seems high.

Anyway, for that kind of money you could secure a nice E39 5 series. Not sure if you are against them or not or just due to the ones in your budget being high mileage.

I've got an E60 525d and am in the same boat. Love the car, it's quick, refined does everything i need but isn't that economical and i'm getting a bit bored of it. Problem is finding the same level for the same money.

D.

[FellowPazzini]

All that jazz said:

How many miles are you doing a year? 67k on a 2006 car suggests to me that most of your driving is round the doors, so is a diesel really worthwhile?

Usually around 200-250 miles per week with work & the odd drive to the shops so your probably right there. I generally put in around £40 fuel p/w, the fuel costs for the Subaru STi would be around £70-75 for the same amount of miles. Somewhere in-between would be OK, Diesel or Petrol is fine but I would love a car that sounds nice too.

NiceCupOfTea said:

Is mileage/age a big problem?

Not a big problem but obviosuly the newer & less mileage the better. Good shout for the 3 Series BUT my flaming neighbour has one & wouldn't like to "copy" him lol. Don't mind the 9-3's at all but I suspect it's a little too similar to what I've already got... maybe.

@Davie_GLA Possibly mate, would cringe at it going any less than 6 though. I'd love a nice looking 5 series tbh & I really like the stats of the 3.0D's, got an eye on this one despite it being an Auto Link.

[FellowPazzini]

Although

This
&
This

Would be great, just the thought of having to sell them with 160k+ miles a few years down the line scares me a little.

[Davie_GLA]

Think carefully about 530's at that mileage. An extra turbo and more bits to go wrong will ruin you on your first big failure.

As mentioned mine's a 525, it's an M sport and i'd have nothing less. I drove the SE and it just wasn't the same. It will also help with resale. Unfortunately they also hold their money.

I paid just over £10k for mine @ 86k miles. Although it is a fairly basic spec with no sat nav or xenons. Xenons i miss but the BMW sat nav is shocking.

The biggest difference i made was mapping it. it's now as near dammit 530d figures and makes progress effortlessly.

Photo just before i bought it:

[andy-xr]

TBH, I'd keep what you've got, but....




http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3666838.htm

Edited by andy-xr on Wednesday 29th February 22:32

[Golaboots]

Good luck getting that much for it!

I just sold my '55 2.2tdci titanium x with fewer miles on it for £4k.

[FellowPazzini]

Golaboots said:

Good luck getting that much for it!

I just sold my '55 2.2tdci titanium x with fewer miles on it for £4k.

Oooh that sucks, I wish WeBuyAnyCar.com gave out decent money to save us from having to go through the painful selling plava.
Here's a couple of examples to justify my valuation (all be it these are trade)...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3658700.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3578143.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3689996.htm
Mine is 56 plate 07 registered with 67.5k on the clock. Possibly not as well maintained as it should have been either (mates doing the jobs)

@andy-xr My neighbour has one which automatically rules me out of a 3 series

@Davie_GLA That is bloody lovely I was under the impression from a few threads on here that BMW's can easily go 200k without many problems, obviously now I'll be looking out for one's that have already had that kind of thing done. Shall defo keep an eye out for a decent M Sport, thanks.

[GravelBen]

30mpg average everywhere or 30mpg open road/motorway cruising? Subaru options will do the second of those easily enough.

[soad]

What about remapping the current motor? Shouldn't cost too much to free some extra grunt.

[hornetrider]

FellowPazzini said:

Mine is 56 plate 07 registered with 67.5k on the clock. Possibly not as well maintained as it should have been either (mates doing the jobs)

Oh. Dear. Kiss goddbye to resale mate, you can't eat both ends of the cake.

[Synchromesh]

FellowPazzini said:

Less than 7 secs 0-60 & more than 30 mpg would be great

I've just bought a Volvo S60 T5.

0-60 in 6.6

Bristol to London including the bits in town at each end, otherwise at a GPS 70mph = 37mpg.

And you loose the the persistent diesel rattle for a silent when stationary, but sonorous when revved, straight-5 growl.

[Matt UK]

Davie_GLA said:

Think carefully about 530's at that mileage. An extra turbo and more bits to go wrong will ruin you on your first big failure.

No turbo on the 530i, n/a straight-six.

530i running costs on par with the 525i - or as close as makes no difference.

[FellowPazzini]

Synchromesh said:

I've just bought a Volvo S60 T5.

0-60 in 6.6

Bristol to London including the bits in town at each end, otherwise at a GPS 70mph = 37mpg.

And you loose the the persistent diesel rattle for a silent when stationary, but sonorous when revved, straight-5 growl.

Not even looked at them tbh. They are nice & they're probably what I'm asking for stats wise but they don't really appeal to me... will keep an eye open though, thanks.

soad said:

What about remapping the current motor? Shouldn't cost too much to free some extra grunt.

Didn't think of that, not sure on costs and what it would actually do either. Any idea?

@GravelBen Would love a Scooby with their little purr but like I said, almost double fuel costs really put me off. I was even looking at Evo's until a mate said they need servicing every 4k miles... fk that lol.

[KieronGSi]

FellowPazzini said:

Didn't think of that, not sure on costs and what it would actually do either. Any idea?

@GravelBen Would love a Scooby with their little purr but like I said, almost double fuel costs really put me off. I was even looking at Evo's until a mate said they need servicing every 4k miles... fk that lol.

A Dtuk box will do this for about £350 pazz.

http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/vehicle-ford_m...

[Davie_GLA]

Matt UK said:

No turbo on the 530i, n/a straight-six.

530i running costs on par with the 525i - or as close as makes no difference.

Sorry, was referring to Diesel option. but now i think of it it may just be the 535d that has two turbos.