Changing the car? When?!
Discussion
dozydavenport said:
Hi guys,
Been driving since November the 5th with my trusty little saxo 1.1 .
I can't stop looking at 5 series BMW's of the e39 shape, how long do you knowledgeable folk think it will be before I can at least insure even a 520 for a reasonable amount?
Cheers!
1 - What are your quotes?Been driving since November the 5th with my trusty little saxo 1.1 .
I can't stop looking at 5 series BMW's of the e39 shape, how long do you knowledgeable folk think it will be before I can at least insure even a 520 for a reasonable amount?
Cheers!
2 - What is your definition of reasonable?
When the answer to question 1 is less than the answer to question 2 buy an e39 520.
dozydavenport said:
Hi guys,
Been driving since November the 5th with my trusty little saxo 1.1 .
I can't stop looking at 5 series BMW's of the e39 shape, how long do you knowledgeable folk think it will be before I can at least insure even a 520 for a reasonable amount?
Cheers!
Christ you get bored quick! My advice to you would be to save up money (and sit tight on time), until you can get a 530i, which has the same economy of the 520i in the real world, but with more power. I regret jumping the gun too quick with my car change and only being able to afford to insure a 1.9 litre diesel. Been driving since November the 5th with my trusty little saxo 1.1 .
I can't stop looking at 5 series BMW's of the e39 shape, how long do you knowledgeable folk think it will be before I can at least insure even a 520 for a reasonable amount?
Cheers!
Forgot to ask, how old are you?
Edited by Triumph Man on Wednesday 19th December 16:45
From the expensive barges thread in regards to me insuring an E39 525i Sport (manual as well!):
Loplop said:
It's looking like it's gonna be £2500. This was a 'guesstimation' quote, so I adjusted my age and period I'd held my license for accordingly to the present date. I've had my licence since November 2011, I'll be 19 and I've put no NCB as I'm currently only a named driver.
I could be massively wrong but I believe the 'cheapness' of the insure in comparison to say a Corsa is due to the fact they're a lot less commonly associated with people as young as me and prospective owners are considered Enthusiasts? I dunno, I'm made up to say the least!
P.S To put things into perspective, changing only the car on the same quote to my current Honda Civic 1.5 Auto upped the insurance to £3400!
I could be massively wrong but I believe the 'cheapness' of the insure in comparison to say a Corsa is due to the fact they're a lot less commonly associated with people as young as me and prospective owners are considered Enthusiasts? I dunno, I'm made up to say the least!
P.S To put things into perspective, changing only the car on the same quote to my current Honda Civic 1.5 Auto upped the insurance to £3400!
Was 19 ten days ago, I don't think it's so much being bored its just before I passed I drove more interesting metal, e39 M5 on private land, rover 220 tomcat thingy, now I'm used to the saxo I find myself picking holes, currently paying 1600 a year for the saxo, I just love the E39 don't care about the engine as long as its less underpowered than my saxo, just wanted a ballpark figure, I will try a quote just wanted some rough idea before I have a heart attack, ohh and reasonable price? 2200 most really
dozydavenport said:
Was 19 ten days ago, I don't think it's so much being bored its just before I passed I drove more interesting metal, e39 M5 on private land, rover 220 tomcat thingy, now I'm used to the saxo I find myself picking holes, currently paying 1600 a year for the saxo, I just love the E39 don't care about the engine as long as its less underpowered than my saxo, just wanted a ballpark figure, I will try a quote just wanted some rough idea before I have a heart attack, ohh and reasonable price? 2200 most really
I know the feeling, sick of driving slow stuff as well and have been eyeing e39's myself. It'll cost you an arm and a leg to change the policy to an e39 so maybe wait a year and see then? It's fun driving the s
te out of slow hatchbacks 
, just not great for everyday driving.Also think that when changing cars (going upwards) insurance is only part of the cost.
Half the MPG = Double the fuel bill
Over 1.5 means double the Tax bill
These things mount up....
The fuel caught me out with my 335i, got it at 21 coming from a 1.7 diesel astra sporthatch. Even though I was only doing 12k a year it was a bit of a shock on the wallet going from 55 to 25 even though insurance only increased by £270 to £820.....
Half the MPG = Double the fuel bill
Over 1.5 means double the Tax bill
These things mount up....
The fuel caught me out with my 335i, got it at 21 coming from a 1.7 diesel astra sporthatch. Even though I was only doing 12k a year it was a bit of a shock on the wallet going from 55 to 25 even though insurance only increased by £270 to £820.....
sharpeharper said:
The MPG and insurance on an E39 is the least of your worries if you want one to be fresh and drive like it should be prepared for biiiggg maintenance bills.
Quite, I love the way it seems in this and the other thread where the 525i idea popped up that the only costs involved with such a car is insurance...Believe me I wouldn't go in eyes shut!
I know that It would be costly, my stepdad has had 4 over the years, a 525, a 528, a 535 and finally an M5, to me all of these cars were top notch, maybe not in everyone else's mind, I don't want total speed, the 5 is perfect and of course I would love a v8 but that wouldn't be doable at my age, guess I will wait and see! Wouldn't mind a 3 series either but then surely I would only be limited to 316/8 engine?
I know that It would be costly, my stepdad has had 4 over the years, a 525, a 528, a 535 and finally an M5, to me all of these cars were top notch, maybe not in everyone else's mind, I don't want total speed, the 5 is perfect and of course I would love a v8 but that wouldn't be doable at my age, guess I will wait and see! Wouldn't mind a 3 series either but then surely I would only be limited to 316/8 engine?
dozydavenport said:
^ Precisely my point!
Might have to wait! Don't get me wrong it's fun if you glue your foot too the top of the pedal and then to the floor!
You really need to develop a better driving technique than this to get the most from your carMight have to wait! Don't get me wrong it's fun if you glue your foot too the top of the pedal and then to the floor!
.
For 8 years I drove a Berlingo van on a daily basis. The 0-60 time of which is 3 seconds slower than that of your Saxo. It was woefully slow, and when loaded up with gear it was positively glacial. The only was to make progress in it was to maintain momentum.
To do that and indeed to be a better driver generally,you need to think much further ahead Rather than race up the red traffic light, slow down before you get there and try and anticipate the light sequence so that when the lights change you are still moving and can get back up to speed much more quickly than ragging your asthmatic engine from a standing start.
Similarly if there is a parked car on your side of the carriageway, try and time your arrival there with a gap in oncoming traffic, so you don't have to stop completely. Smoothness and forward observation are the keys. These are just a couple of tips, but if you drive smarter and concentrate on what's going on in front of you,you can plan better and will be surprised at how much time you can knock off your journeys, without much effort or drama.
At this stage in your driving career you'll gain far more by improving your technique than you will from a few more horses under the bonnet.
sharpeharper said:
The MPG and insurance on an E39 is the least of your worries if you want one to be fresh and drive like it should be prepared for biiiggg maintenance bills.
I've had mine for nearly a year now, most expensive thing that has needed to be replaced is the battery (£120). Oil change myself for £20. Heard lots about 'big bills', yet not seen them yet.
Passed its MOT without a problem. Maybe I just got lucky?
MPG is a killer though, from 45mpg without trying, to 18mpg trying really hard.
Best thing I ever did though.
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