Newer Supermini vs. Older BMW/Audi
Discussion
Hi everyone, I've got to buy my wife a new car for her commute to work to replace the lease car she's currently got.
I want to get rid of the monthly payments she's currently shelling out and buy something around the £5-6k mark outright.
At the moment though I'm torn between getting something cheap like a Focus/Megane on a 59 plate with 40,000 miles (ish) OR get something like a 55/56 plate BMW 320d/520d with nearer 100,000 miles?
The key thing here is that she drives 21,000 miles a year commuting from Liverpool to Oldham every day plus other miles. There are those who say that a Beemer or Audi will be better built and can easily take high miles without issues. But will the maintenance costs be higher in the short term? Should we get something a little more 'sensible' like a 1.5dci Megane and just run it for a couple of years?
It's all about balancing running costs, maintenance and fuel economy etc. I've run through all the arguments in my own head and don't seem to get any further with which is the right decision! If she was just doing 7/8k a year like me these days I'd get a 325d but it's the mileage that I'm not sure about.
Any advice?
I want to get rid of the monthly payments she's currently shelling out and buy something around the £5-6k mark outright.
At the moment though I'm torn between getting something cheap like a Focus/Megane on a 59 plate with 40,000 miles (ish) OR get something like a 55/56 plate BMW 320d/520d with nearer 100,000 miles?
The key thing here is that she drives 21,000 miles a year commuting from Liverpool to Oldham every day plus other miles. There are those who say that a Beemer or Audi will be better built and can easily take high miles without issues. But will the maintenance costs be higher in the short term? Should we get something a little more 'sensible' like a 1.5dci Megane and just run it for a couple of years?
It's all about balancing running costs, maintenance and fuel economy etc. I've run through all the arguments in my own head and don't seem to get any further with which is the right decision! If she was just doing 7/8k a year like me these days I'd get a 325d but it's the mileage that I'm not sure about.
Any advice?
Yeah, that was my original instinct but then I remembered a 525d (two generations ago) I had which went from 40k to 230k with no issues. OK a new turbo, exhaust and tyres but hardly anything for the sky high mileage. It just got me thinking.
PLUS I remembered that the BMW diesels are all chain driven (I think?) which obviously eliminates the pesky (and expensive) cambelt job that comes only too soon with a 40/50k mile car. My old A8 3.0tdi cost less in maintenance than any other car I've ever had.
Get your point about Renaults though... Her being on the motorway for 3 hours a day I like the 5* NCAP rating that comes with most/all Renaults and the fuel economy of the 1.5dci engine seems great. Plus they're very cheap second hand - probably for good reason though! :-)
Have you ever heard of issues with Civics and their suspension? I do like the Civic 2.2 diesel but a mate of mine had real issues with the suspension on his. Constantly in the dealer getting fixed. After the warranty expired he was left high and dry.
PLUS I remembered that the BMW diesels are all chain driven (I think?) which obviously eliminates the pesky (and expensive) cambelt job that comes only too soon with a 40/50k mile car. My old A8 3.0tdi cost less in maintenance than any other car I've ever had.
Get your point about Renaults though... Her being on the motorway for 3 hours a day I like the 5* NCAP rating that comes with most/all Renaults and the fuel economy of the 1.5dci engine seems great. Plus they're very cheap second hand - probably for good reason though! :-)
Have you ever heard of issues with Civics and their suspension? I do like the Civic 2.2 diesel but a mate of mine had real issues with the suspension on his. Constantly in the dealer getting fixed. After the warranty expired he was left high and dry.
Yeah... that's what I'm thinking. Possibly go a little larger and look at a Honda Accord (07/57) or a Lexus IS220d? Legendary reliability from those. But pricey to repair when they do go wrong. In the end I'll end up with a list of suitable cars and she'll decide she wants a Megane Convertible or something equally terrible ;-)
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