Change of plan: Going used rather than new...

[Doomhunk]

Hi all

I've got an order in for a new BMW M240i. The build slot hasn't been confirmed yet but the dealer hopes it'll be end of the year. I'm expecting January with delivery in March/April. That's fine, as the current car goes back around then.

I'm currently driving an A7 55 TFSi but decided to downsize as I no longer do a lot of cross-continental trips. I wanted to keep the performance and the M240i seemed to fit the bill, having the rear seats when we occasionally need to take another couple of medium-sized adults with us anywhere.

However...

The idea was for this to be a long-termer, rather than change again in 4-5 years, but the world has changed quite considerably since I put the order in and the increase in my mortgage and energy payments has made me seriously consider if I want to be paying an additional £650 a month for a car I know I'll love, but which will essentially sit outside the house for the majority of the time.

Current plan is to put £12K down as a deposit, but now I'm seriously wondering if I shouldn't top that up to about £15K and have that as a budget for a used car.

What, oh mighty forum, would be the suggestion for that money that would get a similar profile car as the M240i, without horrendous mileage? Would probably need to be front-wheel drive, or AWD so the missus and the kids don't kill themselves.

Thanks in advance.

[Edible Roadkill]

Don’t think you’ll be alone in reviewing the outgoings and taking the opportunity to reduce the car spends.

Not sure how anyone here can advise you though, only you can foresee what seems right budget wise to address your needs etc.

I’ve reduced the budget accordingly on our daily car to reign outgoings in a bit. It was on the cards anyway due to change of use, less miles, less need for a large diesel 25mpg suv.

Edited by Edible Roadkill on Friday 28th October 10:38

[covmutley]

Well, topping it up to £17k would seem to get you into used 240i with circa 40-50k miles.

Come April time, and those winter bills are biting, you might find they are slightly cheaper even?

[hothatch1.6]

In a similar position, just cancelled a Polestar 2 order due to elongated delivery times and the salary sacrifice would not worked too well.

My approach is to hold on to what I've got, which is a hot hatch, but next car will be bigger saloon more suited to longer distance driving, like to think higher end models will drop into Q1 next year as wider economic situation bites.

[ZX10R NIN]

Doomhunk said:

Hi all

I've got an order in for a new BMW M240i. The build slot hasn't been confirmed yet but the dealer hopes it'll be end of the year. I'm expecting January with delivery in March/April. That's fine, as the current car goes back around then.

I'm currently driving an A7 55 TFSi but decided to downsize as I no longer do a lot of cross-continental trips. I wanted to keep the performance and the M240i seemed to fit the bill, having the rear seats when we occasionally need to take another couple of medium-sized adults with us anywhere.

However...

The idea was for this to be a long-termer, rather than change again in 4-5 years, but the world has changed quite considerably since I put the order in and the increase in my mortgage and energy payments has made me seriously consider if I want to be paying an additional £650 a month for a car I know I'll love, but which will essentially sit outside the house for the majority of the time.

Current plan is to put £12K down as a deposit, but now I'm seriously wondering if I shouldn't top that up to about £15K and have that as a budget for a used car.

What, oh mighty forum, would be the suggestion for that money that would get a similar profile car as the M240i, without horrendous mileage? Would probably need to be front-wheel drive, or AWD so the missus and the kids don't kill themselves.

Thanks in advance.

You'll get a nice 435i M Sport for sensible money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207318...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210231...

Or the 428i (I'm saying 4 Series because of the extra space over the 2) M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210040...

C350cgi Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

Audi S5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210251...

[Doomhunk]

ZX10R NIN said:

You'll get a nice 435i M Sport for sensible money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207318...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210231...

Or the 428i (I'm saying 4 Series because of the extra space over the 2) M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210040...

C350cgi Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

Audi S5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210251...

Love the 4 Series, but the remit is a smaller car for the wife and more inexperienced younger drivers in the family.

[ZX10R NIN]

Doomhunk said:

Love the 4 Series, but the remit is a smaller car for the wife and more inexperienced younger drivers in the family.

You were planning on letting inexperienced drivers near your 240i?

Brave

Audi TTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210070...

TT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209270...

135i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209280...

[Doomhunk]

ZX10R NIN said:

You were planning on letting inexperienced drivers near your 240i?

Brave

Audi TTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209129...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210070...

TT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209270...

135i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209280...

The wife is a good driver, so yes. The kids, not so much.

I'm a fan of the TT also, but it needs viable back seats, sadly.

[ZX10R NIN]

Doomhunk said:

The wife is a good driver, so yes. The kids, not so much.

I'm a fan of the TT also, but it needs viable back seats, sadly.

It was the kids that I was referring to

I just thought I let you know your new M240i is 4548mm in length vs 4638mm for the 435i, 9cm isn't a deal breaker even for the younger ones.

Or the 135i

[Brett748]

Used m240i would be my choice, they have lovely proportions and feel great from the drivers seat.

The interior isn't great on the F chassis 1/2/3 series but its still a lovely looking car with a great engine.

[ZX10R NIN]

M235i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

These actually have more rear passenger in the 235i than there is in the new M240i.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 28th October 20:22

[ChrisH72]

If you really want to avoid rwd then that pretty much rules out most BMW's.

How about something like a mk7 Golf Gti?

To be honest you'd have as much fun in a Fiesta ST. You could get a mk8 5 door ST3. Or a 308 Gti perhaps. But if you've had an A7 and ordered a new BMW I'm guessing you want to retain a more premium badge/image?

[Auslander]

ZX10R NIN said:

M235i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

The blue one has standard navigation. Avoid like the plague. Don't buy a BMW without Pro Nav and the wide screen.

[one_chunk]

I wouldn’t let the RWD nature of the M235/40i put you off.

It was my first foray into RWD cars and unless you’re in sports plus, which reduces the traction control, or you’re flooring it on ice cold or soaking wet round abouts, it’s not too easy to get it to break composure.

I’d probably recommend the M240i as you’ll be more likely to get CarPlay and I believe the engine is the same as the new M240i.