bmw 640d or 997 - advice please
Discussion
advice needed please.
recently been looking at 640d - posted on here and got some good advice. located a good car, ready to proceed and then....
997 popped up near me at similar price (£25k)
always wanted a 911 and now can't decide what to do.
if it was simply a fun / weekend car then 997 every time, however, it will be used as a daily commuter (80 miles of dc) plus occasionally used to transport family. we also have a discovery 4.
the 997 is an 05 55k miles tip (wife only drives auto)
on running costs my reasoning is that extra fuel in 997 will be offset by lower depreciation.
will the impracticality and mundane use take the shine off the 911 experience and is a 12 year old Porsche up to the job as daily commuter? (I have zero mechanical ability)
thoughts appreciated
recently been looking at 640d - posted on here and got some good advice. located a good car, ready to proceed and then....
997 popped up near me at similar price (£25k)
always wanted a 911 and now can't decide what to do.
if it was simply a fun / weekend car then 997 every time, however, it will be used as a daily commuter (80 miles of dc) plus occasionally used to transport family. we also have a discovery 4.
the 997 is an 05 55k miles tip (wife only drives auto)
on running costs my reasoning is that extra fuel in 997 will be offset by lower depreciation.
will the impracticality and mundane use take the shine off the 911 experience and is a 12 year old Porsche up to the job as daily commuter? (I have zero mechanical ability)
thoughts appreciated
The running costs can be quite a bit higher - the 997.1 can develop some engine issues and a rebuild is not cheap - do. some research on that so you go in with your eyes open
A 997 will feel much more special than the BMW
Edit - by running costs I meant part and repair costs
Fuel obviously also but that is probably not material compared to being hit by a repair bill
A 997 will feel much more special than the BMW
Edit - by running costs I meant part and repair costs
Fuel obviously also but that is probably not material compared to being hit by a repair bill
If your heart is thinking 997 then start investigating and don't buy the first one you test drive.
There is a thread on what is an early 3.4 in the porsche section that is worth a read.
Lastly, don't even think a 911 is a cheap car to own, it isn't. My last service on a 997.2 came out at £1800. If that hasn't put you off then go test drive some.
There is a thread on what is an early 3.4 in the porsche section that is worth a read.
Lastly, don't even think a 911 is a cheap car to own, it isn't. My last service on a 997.2 came out at £1800. If that hasn't put you off then go test drive some.
The 640d is a lovely car (I have the same engine in a 535d/the interior is lovely and a 6 is a step on the 5er).
But a 997.1 v 640d £25k price point.
As it turns out I bought my F10 535d 3 years ago for about the same as your budget. I'd just come from a C5 RS6 - I was burning easily £360pcm on fuel alone tyres which last 4K miles repairs which were looking at engine out in all circumstances.
The RS6 I specifically intended to run for 12 months and buy one which is be able to run without servicing in my ownership. Risk was something breaks plus depreciation plus at he time £1.35pence per Ltr but then you run premium unleaded.
I loved every single start up
I loved ever single tunnel
I loved ever single time I was at the front of a traffic light (which was oddly under 10 times in a year for me - yes I kept records specifically as it was so few).
I loved the balls out pace
I loved the fact that from zero to v max on U.K. Roads which were empty you could hit the limiter which on mine was ahem a decent chunk over 180leptons.
I loved the looks
I loved the noise
I loved the Layer cake link
I loved he fact it was a race engine in AMLES
I hated gearbox slow shifting
I hated gearbox at risk of constant fail
I hated dire security
I hated every single 2ltr TDI or 3ltr TDI would be up your arse on M way trying to goad you. I did a number of times v maxing 4th gear on the m way - x owners know what speed that means. I hated crazy servicing costs
I hated brake disc life and replacement costs
I hated that due to the gearbox he C6 RS6 was genuinely so much quicker but rip out the box and they were close.
I hate the fact I've a very addictive personality derv then petrol then sambuca then Katy cider lots of then xxxx
But a 997.1 v 640d £25k price point.
As it turns out I bought my F10 535d 3 years ago for about the same as your budget. I'd just come from a C5 RS6 - I was burning easily £360pcm on fuel alone tyres which last 4K miles repairs which were looking at engine out in all circumstances.
The RS6 I specifically intended to run for 12 months and buy one which is be able to run without servicing in my ownership. Risk was something breaks plus depreciation plus at he time £1.35pence per Ltr but then you run premium unleaded.
I loved every single start up
I loved ever single tunnel
I loved ever single time I was at the front of a traffic light (which was oddly under 10 times in a year for me - yes I kept records specifically as it was so few).
I loved the balls out pace
I loved the fact that from zero to v max on U.K. Roads which were empty you could hit the limiter which on mine was ahem a decent chunk over 180leptons.
I loved the looks
I loved the noise
I loved the Layer cake link
I loved he fact it was a race engine in AMLES
I hated gearbox slow shifting
I hated gearbox at risk of constant fail
I hated dire security
I hated every single 2ltr TDI or 3ltr TDI would be up your arse on M way trying to goad you. I did a number of times v maxing 4th gear on the m way - x owners know what speed that means. I hated crazy servicing costs
I hated brake disc life and replacement costs
I hated that due to the gearbox he C6 RS6 was genuinely so much quicker but rip out the box and they were close.
I hate the fact I've a very addictive personality derv then petrol then sambuca then Katy cider lots of then xxxx
Not sure how an RS6 review turned up...
As mentioned before, a cheap 997.1 could be heading for a big bill. There are so many about, it's not hard to see market price so a cheap one is going to be cheap for a reason. A 640D will feel more modern in terms of finish and tech but if you're prepared to swallow a big bill if one occurs (and the bmw could sting you too) the 911 will be more rewarding ownership proposition. For both cars, purchase price and depreciation is just one cost, they're both premium cars for everything else. As an example brakes (pads and discs) on my old 640D GC from BMW were something like £700, I tried aftermarket and they warped.
As mentioned before, a cheap 997.1 could be heading for a big bill. There are so many about, it's not hard to see market price so a cheap one is going to be cheap for a reason. A 640D will feel more modern in terms of finish and tech but if you're prepared to swallow a big bill if one occurs (and the bmw could sting you too) the 911 will be more rewarding ownership proposition. For both cars, purchase price and depreciation is just one cost, they're both premium cars for everything else. As an example brakes (pads and discs) on my old 640D GC from BMW were something like £700, I tried aftermarket and they warped.
Get the 640d. If you're commuting, you'll find the BMW a nicer place to spend time. The 997.1 has rubbish in-car tech, and the Tip gearbox will take the special-ness of the 911 experience away. Add in the risk of hefty bills for engine issues, plus the general eye-watering 911 ownership costs, and I think you'd enjoy the 640d more.
I'm yet to receive a bill from Porsche with fewer than four digits before the decimal point.
I'm yet to receive a bill from Porsche with fewer than four digits before the decimal point.
With an 80 mile daily commute, I wouldn't be considering doing that in a 12 year old car. Especially a 12 year old performance car with a reputation for being fragile.
If it has to be one or the other, the 640d will be much more suited as whilst the Porsche is a great sports car it's wasted ploughing up and down a busy duel carriageway.
Alternatively, for £25k, get a 320d coupe and a Boxster for the weekend
If it has to be one or the other, the 640d will be much more suited as whilst the Porsche is a great sports car it's wasted ploughing up and down a busy duel carriageway.
Alternatively, for £25k, get a 320d coupe and a Boxster for the weekend
Chris Stott said:
Tip's are OK on the turbos with their massive torque, but they just don't work with the NA 996/997's.
They aren't that bad. You can add flappy padles (instead of the buttons) or go the full monty and buy a 997.2 Sports Design PDK steering wheel (for 997.1 that is). Change the gearbox oil and reset the learning software. This already vastly improves the whole experience of tiptronic cars.Also some specialist can alter the mapping of the gearbox altogether to improve driveability.
I'm happy with my manual 997 C2, but if for some reason I'd have to have an automatic, I wouldn't rule out a tiptronic 911 altogether.
Thanks, yes been finding excuses to go out in it all weekend. Off to buy a toilet seat now! First impressions , absolutely love it. Manual would be better but I only got the green light on the basis it was an auto.
It's got a sports exhaust (not the factory switchable one) and sounds great without being too intrusive.
Best thing about it for me is the NA engine. Been driving FI for so long had almost forgotten the joy of a really good NA unit.
The silliness of the Esprit was fun but not in same league as the 911 for real world driver engagement
Will have a go at more detailed write up in due course...
It's got a sports exhaust (not the factory switchable one) and sounds great without being too intrusive.
Best thing about it for me is the NA engine. Been driving FI for so long had almost forgotten the joy of a really good NA unit.
The silliness of the Esprit was fun but not in same league as the 911 for real world driver engagement
Will have a go at more detailed write up in due course...
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