Better the Devil you know?

[John Laverick]

Basically I’m a tight f**ker and I’m torn whether to spend some cash on maintaining / future proofing my current 2008 BMW E91 330d on 160k miles or just change it for a newer 330D.

I’ve had the car 18 months and stuck 35,000 miles on it, it’s been utterly reliable needing only servicing and tyres in that time. I’ve become quite attached to it.

Option 1:

Spend £2k on it (service / wheel refurb / thermostats / gearbox service / rear shock absorbers / general tart up).

OR

Option 2:

Put roughly £12-14k in the pot to buy a 2013/14 F31 330d Touring. I do quite fancy one but £10-12k seems a lot of money for the same car just a few years younger. Plus at 60-100k miles it could be more unreliable than my current wheels?!


What would you do?

[Bumblebee7]

I'd stick with what you have, it's a known quantity and you could look at the £2k you'll spend as monthly payments you don't have to make (or equivalent if buying cash) on a replacement car.

I'm in a similar position as my otherwise trusty Civic needs a new clutch. Replacing the clutch is pretty much the same price as the value of the car. Still makes sense to do the work as it'll be a lot cheaper than upgrading car and there's no way I'd buy anything decent compared to my existing car for £2-3k.

[Salmonofdoubt]

Stick with what you have it's a known quantity. I've just spent £400 on refreshing suspension and servicing my shed because it's all I need and returns 50mpg on my commute. There's no way for the value of my car + £400 would I be able to buy something better.

[Pistonheader101]

The f31 model is a huge step up from the e91 model

[Bumblebee7]

Also, not sure where you're based so worth considering the mentioned models are unlikely to be ULEZ compliant, so waiting is a good decision either way. Either the non-ULEZ cars will drop a fair bit in value over the next few years, or cars that are compliant will come in to your price bracket in a year or two.

I don't drive into the ULEZ (have a motorbike for that) so I'm hoping big premium diesels that aren't ULEZ will take a hit over the coming years and I hope to buy either a 6 series GC or CLS when the prices drop, which I believe they will.

[John Laverick]

Pistonheader101 said:

The f31 model is a huge step up from the e91 model

Interested in this opinion. Where are the improvements?

Assuming gearbox and sat-nav .... other than that? Are they better to drive? I haven't tried one yet.

[John Laverick]

Bumblebee7 said:

Also, not sure where you're based so worth considering the mentioned models are unlikely to be ULEZ compliant, so waiting is a good decision either way. Either the non-ULEZ cars will drop a fair bit in value over the next few years, or cars that are compliant will come in to your price bracket in a year or two.

I don't drive into the ULEZ (have a motorbike for that) so I'm hoping big premium diesels that aren't ULEZ will take a hit over the coming years and I hope to buy either a 6 series GC or CLS when the prices drop, which I believe they will.

I'm based in Leeds but work for a London based business and travel all over the place for work ..... I tend to get the train into London so Ulez shouldn't be an issue. I see your point about prices tumbling in the next couple of years though ....

It's not that I can't afford something more expensive .... i'm just too tight to do so .... I actually get a £625 pcm car allowance but I can't bring myself to spend it!!

[syl]

I'd just do the absolute minimum required on a >10 year old >150k mile car. Cheap service, just do an oil change. Gearbox service - is it absolutely required? Forget the wheel refurb. Only replace broken parts.

[davek_964]

I'd stick with what you have.

I'm in a similar position - an ancient 16 year old 100k+ mile Cayenne, which isn't worth very much - but still does everything very well, and only has a couple of minor faults (e.g. switching the rear window heater on has started killing radio reception!).
I'd love a newer one - but apart from being newer and shinier - they seem to offer absolutely nothing over the one I have. Even the fuel consumption is equally rubbish, and they look like they have less internal space (albeit that they're slightly less ugly).

[strath44]

I personally think that you have had you're value from it and its time to move it on!

IMO at 160k there is still some good value in the car, you don't seem worried by higher mileage cars (nor do I) keep that in mind if you are buying a newer car that's done a lot of motorway work and you could get a bit of a bargain or at least a good deal!

I don't think you would see much going wrong with the car if it does another 35k miles however its more the depreciation and the £2k or so you are considering putting into it. So you would have a lot less left when you do change especially if there are any unforeseen circumstances - has the clutch been done yet?

[John Laverick]

syl said:

I'd just do the absolute minimum required on a >10 year old >150k mile car. Cheap service, just do an oil change. Gearbox service - is it absolutely required? Forget the wheel refurb. Only replace broken parts.

I see what you're saying .... and that's my usual approach but I am a car enthusiast and like things 'to be right' hence the list of things to do. All preventative maintenance, whilst I don't mind running a cheap / old car it has to be absolutely dependable.

[John Laverick]

[quote=davek_964 (e.g. switching the rear window heater on has started killing radio reception!).

[/quote]

Snap! Plus the bluetooth doesn't work .... other than that it's tip top.

[John Laverick]

strath44 said:

I personally think that you have had you're value from it and its time to move it on!

IMO at 160k there is still some good value in the car, you don't seem worried by higher mileage cars (nor do I) keep that in mind if you are buying a newer car that's done a lot of motorway work and you could get a bit of a bargain or at least a good deal!

I don't think you would see much going wrong with the car if it does another 35k miles however its more the depreciation and the £2k or so you are considering putting into it. So you would have a lot less left when you do change especially if there are any unforeseen circumstances - has the clutch been done yet?

My thoughts exactly ... I've had my value out of it I reckon. I bought it for £5k and I it must still be worth £4k ish?

It's an auto so no clutch to worry about .... the diff is a little whiney though.

I've been thinking about a switch to something like this (although at £15k and 86k seems a bit dear to me).

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[SWoll]

John Laverick said:

My thoughts exactly ... I've had my value out of it I reckon. I bought it for £5k and I it must still be worth £4k ish?

It's an auto so no clutch to worry about .... the diff is a little whiney though.

I've been thinking about a switch to something like this (although at £15k and 86k seems a bit dear to me).

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

£15k for a 7 year old 3 series with 90k on the clock.

Makes this look a bargain at almost 2 years younger and 1/3 of the mileage + official warranty and PX . https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201812143260673...

That's where my allowance will be going unless I find something better.

[Aiminghigh123]

Same situation for me. Depreciation is non existent in my case and just spent £1500 on clutch, fuel pump and service. About what car is worth. These parts are done so won’t need doing for a while. Could buy a car tomorrow and have same parts that need replacing.

[John Laverick]

SWoll said:

£15k for a 7 year old 3 series with 90k on the clock.

Makes this look a bargain at almost 2 years younger and 1/3 of the mileage + official warranty and PX . https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201812143260673...

That's where my allowance will be going unless I find something better.

It certainly does! I think the 330d M Sport Tourings seem to be in their own little price bubble as that example isn't far off the rest of the market. If it was £9k I'd probably be all over it.

[Raino144]

I have been looking at 330d tourings - £20k will pick up a 2016/7 model (maybe not in M Sport trim) so £15k for 4 years older feels like strong money to me!

I vote for keeping what you have until it packs in - then the newer model will drop down the depreciation curve with the new shape coming into the market...

[Martyn76]

I'm going to have the very same issue, 2006 E91 330D currenlty on 95K, had it for 5 years but have only put 40K miles on it and thinking about changing it for something else, thing is it hasn't really given me any issued (rear hatch hinge broke a couple of years back) but like yourself aside from servicing and tires no big dramas.

It's comfy, easy to drive and rapid enough when needed, why change?

The F31 does look nice though and with extra oomph!

[Pericoloso]

John Laverick said:

syl said:

I'd just do the absolute minimum required on a >10 year old >150k mile car. Cheap service, just do an oil change. Gearbox service - is it absolutely required? Forget the wheel refurb. Only replace broken parts.

I see what you're saying .... and that's my usual approach but I am a car enthusiast and like things 'to be right' hence the list of things to do. All preventative maintenance, whilst I don't mind running a cheap / old car it has to be absolutely dependable.

I'm with syl ,a wheel refurb would be very low on a priority list.

[John Laverick]

Well that was unexpected!!



I decided f**k it, spend some money and get something nice for once!