Too good to scrap?
Author
Discussion

gf15

Original Poster:

1,038 posts

295 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
Hi All,
Time to change the 1999 740i with 185k miles. Plan is to get another BM: 650 smile

Not sure what the 740 is worth, but it is still a good car (never used any oil, super smooth gearbox- new tyres and well maintained by a BM specialist and me) in very good condition, everything still works -AC - Sat Nav - TV -Xenons . Down side is a rusty bit on the bonnet over the headlight and the passenger side electrochromatic mirror is goosed. I insured it TPF&T for £180 including full business use this year. It still drives lovely, no rattles or squeeks.
I reckon I would struggle to get £1500 and trade in value would be £500. I am rather fond of it. Would you keep it for the dog run to the beach and airport trips where it sits at the mercy of ding creators?
Flog it or keep it?


Edited by gf15 on Friday 27th May 22:57

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

227 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
Stick it on ebay

Fleckers

2,880 posts

230 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
wrap it up and store it for a while, then when you out the 650 you have a wafter

Stu R

21,638 posts

244 months

Friday 27th May 2011
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Keep it! You know the car, and presumably still love it - and speaking from experience E38s are damn near impossible to replace with something better. I gave mine to my sister and still wish I had it for wafting duties. Even E39 M5s have failed to win my heart over the E38 7 series. They're just too good. 1500 quid doesn't buy much these days.

gf15

Original Poster:

1,038 posts

295 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
I should have stated, it is not an ad.
I have sold 2 of my wife's cars through the PH classified section, so would have advertised there.
It just seems too good to sell for buttons.
However, the bills could be large, so it would be a case of running it until something big goes wrong.
Fuel wise, it is a little thirsty.
Also it currently smells of wet dogs after our trip to the beach.

What would you do?

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

227 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
gf15 said:
What would you do?
Comes down to two things space and cash.

If you have the space and you are not fussed about pzying to tax & insure it and don't care about having to start a new policy for a new car then keep it.

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

242 months

Friday 27th May 2011
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Don't scrap it, its a lovely car. It's worth a grand tops with the mileage.

pacificf1

93 posts

208 months

Friday 27th May 2011
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take an angle grinder to it and have a nice one off convertible for the summer

SD1992

7,278 posts

187 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
I would keep it if I were you - no good in scrapping a good car, especially if it is hardly costing you anything.

I would have bought it off you if the insurance man like the 7 series a bit more frown

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

242 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
SD1992 said:
I would keep it if I were you - no good in scrapping a good car, especially if it is hardly costing you anything.

I would have bought it off you if the insurance man like the 7 series a bit more frown
The insurance man prefers it over a 2.8 5 Series of the same vintage!

SD1992

7,278 posts

187 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
sparks_E39 said:
The insurance man prefers it over a 2.8 5 Series of the same vintage!
In my case, a 528i is £1000 a year, a 540i is £2000 a year, a 728i is £2850 a year, and a 740i is uninsurable frown

The joys of being a young male driver!

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

242 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
SD1992 said:
In my case, a 528i is £1000 a year, a 540i is £2000 a year, a 728i is £2850 a year, and a 740i is uninsurable frown

The joys of being a young male driver!
Had my 528 since 21, never paid more than £800 to insure it fully comp.

SD1992

7,278 posts

187 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
sparks_E39 said:
Had my 528 since 21, never paid more than £800 to insure it fully comp.
Sounds about right, I am 18 just now and these quotes are for when I am 19.

DWS

657 posts

247 months

Friday 27th May 2011
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Oooooohhhhhh! almost tempted to offer £800 but SWMBO wouldn't be. Bugger. Keep it,It sounds a great car. Drive it into the ground until it cost you more to fix than it is worth. Then sell the parts.

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

242 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
SD1992 said:
sparks_E39 said:
Had my 528 since 21, never paid more than £800 to insure it fully comp.
Sounds about right, I am 18 just now and these quotes are for when I am 19.
What you have to consider is they cost £90 to fill up every 300-350 miles on average now. I actually managed 18mpg on one tank when I was doing all town driving. Worth it though!

McSam

6,753 posts

204 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
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The insurance thing is quite so. I can't insure it now (I'd have it if I could!) but when I'm 21, it's actually very cheap. Ridiculous system, but there you go.

As for the question - how could you possibly consider scrapping a perfectly good car?! Come on, you should be better than that, a man with a 740i buying a 650i and all! I would keep it, it's a known quantity and isn't exactly gonna depreciate.

If not, stick it on the classifieds for £1250 or £1500 if you can be bothered to clean it up good and proper and take some great photos. Or on eBay starting at a large one if you really can't be bothered!

But I would most certainly keep the old girl smile

SD1992

7,278 posts

187 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
sparks_E39 said:
What you have to consider is they cost £90 to fill up every 300-350 miles on average now. I actually managed 18mpg on one tank when I was doing all town driving. Worth it though!
Well my justification is, I won't be doing many miles as of June this year, so I can justify a thirsty car!

Guess I will have to wait til I am 21 for one of these though frown

The Lukas

2,773 posts

223 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
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What a great car for Euro wafting duties scratchchin

McSam

6,753 posts

204 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
£90 for 350 miles doesn't strike me as steep, it strikes me as no change whatsoever hehe

sparks_E39

12,738 posts

242 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
McSam said:
£90 for 350 miles doesn't strike me as steep, it strikes me as no change whatsoever hehe
If I take it easy smile

I average 20-23 mpg a tank normally.