I want a V12 but have about 3k

[joebongo]

Just sold my V8 4.4 E38 beamer for sod all and I'm already wanting a V12 petrol to replace it.

For some daft reason the V12 has been my goal engine wise for a long time. Now this is pretty daft given the price of fuel but I don't use my car much as my wife's Primera estate does most of the family work.

But I will only have about 3k. This could get me a whole heap of trouble with an E38 750iL or I could get lucky with one.

So what do you reckon about both the desire to drive a V12 in todays climate and my chances of getting a decent one which will need <1k per year of maintenance. Doesn't have to be an E38 (I've had two now) but of course must be petrol and RWD (AWD at a push). Any body style is possible be it coupe, estate, small truck etc.

[iva cosworth]

XJS

[Ozzie Osmond]

joebongo said:

But I will only have about 3k.

That should just about cover the first service.

[bakerstreet]

Why do you care about our opinion on your desire's to run a V12. Being a petrol head means you often choose some cars that aren't practical or economical

Surely you could get a V12 Jag for £3k. Same for a leggy S-Clas Merc. I'd prefer the Jag myself

[dougc]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3516699.htm

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag

[inman999]

Might be able to get in a BMW 850 V12 for that money, the only real alternative I can think off to the XJS.

[joebongo]

bakerstreet said:

Why do you care about our opinion on your desire's to run a V12. Being a petrol head means you often choose some cars that aren't practical or economical

Surely you could get a V12 Jag for £3k. Same for a leggy S-Clas Merc. I'd prefer the Jag myself

I care because it's interesting to find out other people's opinions, just in case I was completely mental for wanting to get a V12 in today's world and have missed something. Which incidentally I think I have, as the V8 was taking well over a grand per year to update stuff as it was an old car, so perhaps the idea of a lower maintenance cost on a more complex car isn't realistic.

Anyway, off to bed now, I'll read in the morning what anyone else who posts has to think on the subject.

In the meantime, here's a nice one, a bit out of my reach though:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARMORED-BMW-750iL-/16072...

[macp]

Much loveliness there

[Heathwood]

850i, yours for £2,695 on AT

[TomN94]

£750 quid and its yours

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/jaguar-v12-engine-coffee...

[0a]

Yum Yum http://pistonheads.com/sales/2730819.htm

[varsas]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-JAGUAR-XJ-S-V12-AUT...

Also consider an 'X300' XJ V12, fairly rare but you get a 6 litre V12 (XJ-S is 5.3) and a 4 speed auto (instead of 3) so it's a much better drive train. This is the same engine/gearbox as you get in the earlier, boxier 'XJ40' XJ saloons (like the one someone above has posted).

£3k should get you a good example of either.

I'd be wary of an 850 for that price, seems too cheap?

750's look well within budget too (expect you have seen these):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-BMW-750-IL-750il-LW...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-P-BMW-750-5-4-auto-...

Surely with only 40k miles on the clock there's not too much that will go wrong?

Did they do a non-LWB 750?

When I wanted to scratch the V12 itch I went for a pre-facelift XJ-S and did not regret it. I went in with the mindset that if something breaks then it breaks and that was that. I didn't spend money I couldn't afford to lose if something did go bang (not that it did, as it turns out rust killed my XJ-S)

Edited by varsas on Saturday 28th January 23:26

[falkster]

0a said:

Yum Yum http://pistonheads.com/sales/2730819.htm

Please!!!!! That would be my choice!!

[0a]

falkster said:

Please!!!!! That would be my choice!!

Lovely colour, I have not seen one like that before. You could sit in the back and pretend to be PM.

[cat220]

dougc said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3516699.htm

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag

I love that!

[bmthnick1981]

varsas said:

750's look well within budget too (expect you have seen these):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-BMW-750-IL-750il-LW...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-P-BMW-750-5-4-auto-...

Surely with only 40k miles on the clock there's not too much that will go wrong?

I'll eat my hat if that E38 has only done 40k. I think the £1.5k E32 looks like a good buy.

varsas said:

Did they do a non-LWB 750?

Yep

[Chrisw666]

Heathwood said:

850i, yours for £2,695 on AT

If you look at the picture for more than an hour something will break. After 2 hours something expensive will break.

[bmthnick1981]

Been offered a 1992 J reg 850i by my local BMW specialist, 100k, white with blue leather (not a good combo!) for £2k'ish.... he has just put 4 x new Bilstein B6 dampers on it. Not sure if I'm tempted or not really. Dont think it would make sense as a daily driver.