Robbery Risk (House / Car)

[verinaamber]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 25 February 2025 at 18:24

[J4CKO]

Would say if you arent sure, defer it.

I know its a dream but even being on here, need to realise it is just a car, be better (sounding like your dad I expect) to look longer term more into property than skinning yourself to run a BMW M3 in London.

Plus, have you ever driven a quick RWD car ? These can be a bit spiky, probably not one to go from a first car to, though my sons friend did, he did have to sell it as he got done for no insurance, not on the M3, on a company Smart car he was sure he was insured on, he wasnt unfortunately.

I told my car enthusiast eldest (29 now) to "not force it" with cars, I helped where I could but didnt let him get ahead of himself and though technically you can run something, does it leave you utterly skint ? Wait a little while until its comfortable, difficult when you are younger as you want it all, right now.

[anonymous-user]

Much as I love great cars, there is nothing worse than worrying about where it is parked / what will happen to it / your house etc.
I would wait.

[verinaamber]

J4CKO said:

Would say if you arent sure, defer it.

I know its a dream but even being on here, need to realise it is just a car, be better (sounding like your dad I expect) to look longer term more into property than skinning yourself to run a BMW M3 in London.

Plus, have you ever driven a quick RWD car ? These can be a bit spiky, probably not one to go from a first car to, though my sons friend did, he did have to sell it as he got done for no insurance, not on the M3, on a company Smart car he was sure he was insured on, he wasnt unfortunately.

I told my car enthusiast eldest (29 now) to "not force it" with cars, I helped where I could but didnt let him get ahead of himself and though technically you can run something, does it leave you utterly skint ? Wait a little while until its comfortable, difficult when you are younger as you want it all, right now.

Honestly just as I was writing it, I realised I need even more money then I thought for a car like this. I can afford the car easily and so on, but If I want the car, its as simple as I think I got no option but to move out to an apartment, and rent underground 24/7 secured parking. That is just how the country is, and also how it is in london.

One thing about the cars and dream, I am talking about a G80 M3, so they are xDrive, so not as bad for sure to handle. I would not be ripping it down every road as I do understand that there is a bigger responsibility when driving these cars, but it would be super good to have, especially at a young age, is all.

Anyway I will work my ass off, move out, and get the car. Maybe in a few months, who knows, but maybe this was just something I needed to type out first to understand myself

EDIT:
I am thinking of maybe getting a G22 M440i for now, they are definetely cheaper and less obvious, there is definetely a much smaller risk with a M440i then an M3, opinions on getting an M440i for a few months until I move out?

[Paul_77]

verinaamber said:

Hey,

So to sum it up, I am a young person (younger then most driving these types of cars), have done well enough for myself to get my dream attainable car, which is a G80 M3 Competition. This is a really big dream of mine to own one, and now that I can turn it into reality, reality has also hit me like a truck.

I live in london with my parents, and I am a student at university. I can afford to pay the car (whether cash, or financing it (likely financing)), there are more hurdles then just getting the car. I already found insurance, but now there is one more big issue.

Safety. Is it safe for me to own a car like this and park it on my driveway? I am aware that this is not some crazy insane car, however the truth is it will stand out massively on my road and neighbouring roads too, and all that attention (which I hate already), can bring bad attention too.

I do not want to risk my house getting robbed and risking the safety of my parents too. Is there any steps or things I can do to secure myself? The car is just a car, but the safety of myself and parents is the most important aspect. I don't want the house getting robbed for example, and other stuff like that.

There is like a "rich" apartment complex a 10 minute walk away, I could ask to rent private underground parking there, but that may be extremely tedious and get annoying VERY quickly, considering it is up / down a steep hill.

Any advice is greatly appreciated on what to do!

(PS not sure if this is in the right section or not, if it is not it can be moved)

Edit:
Probably answered the question myself, I would need to move out to a place with undergroud parking, or just get like an escooter or something and go there and back every day

Edited by verinaamber on Tuesday 11th February 16:42

Have you looked at insurance costs? If you live in a dodgy part of London then you might be in for shock.

Personally I think you're mad to consider throwing so much cash at a likely depreciating asset when you still live with your parents.

Interesting to see that students can get finance on £50K cars though!

[Pica-Pica]

J4CKO said:

Would say if you arent sure, defer it.

I know its a dream but even being on here, need to realise it is just a car, be better (sounding like your dad I expect) to look longer term more into property than skinning yourself to run a BMW M3 in London.

Plus, have you ever driven a quick RWD car ? These can be a bit spiky, probably not one to go from a first car to, though my sons friend did, he did have to sell it as he got done for no insurance, not on the M3, on a company Smart car he was sure he was insured on, he wasnt unfortunately.

I told my car enthusiast eldest (29 now) to "not force it" with cars, I helped where I could but didnt let him get ahead of himself and though technically you can run something, does it leave you utterly skint ? Wait a little while until its comfortable, difficult when you are younger as you want it all, right now.

Deferred gratification doesn’t work with most youngsters nowadays.

[verinaamber]

Paul_77 said:

Have you looked at insurance costs? If you live in a dodgy part of London then you might be in for shock.

Personally I think you're mad to consider throwing so much cash at a likely depreciating asset when you still live with your parents.

Interesting to see that students can get finance on £50K cars though!

No issue with insurance, getting good quotes compared to all the information like age, car, etc, so I am not worried about that.

Only reason I still live with parents is it can be a bit of a waste of money moving out, as I would end moving an uber away

[LooneyTunes]

verinaamber said:

Safety. Is it safe for me to own a car like this and park it on my driveway? I am aware that this is not some crazy insane car, however the truth is it will stand out massively on my road and neighbouring roads too, and all that attention (which I hate already), can bring bad attention too.

I do not want to risk my house getting robbed and risking the safety of my parents too. Is there any steps or things I can do to secure myself? The car is just a car, but the safety of myself and parents is the most important aspect. I don't want the house getting robbed for example, and other stuff like that.

Don’t underestimate envy. I’d suggest that a young person driving a nice car is much more likely to see it vandalised than stolen.

I had the hood slashed on one of my early cars, no attempt at entry/theft. Brother in law had his keyed whilst parked in a public car park and a mate had his keyed driving through a relatively nice city - reckoned someone at a pedestrian crossing probably did it.

[verinaamber]

LooneyTunes said:

Don’t underestimate envy. I’d suggest that a young person driving a nice car is much more likely to see it vandalised than stolen.

I had the hood slashed on one of my early cars, no attempt at entry/theft. Brother in law had his keyed whilst parked in a public car park and a mate had his keyed driving through a relatively nice city - reckoned someone at a pedestrian crossing probably did it.

Yea that is the main reason why I just need to move out and have it privately, everyone around us and neighbouring streets will know that "the young guy in that house has an M3". I guess seeing the replies, I got no choice but to move out in a few months if I really want it.

[smallpaul]

I remember my days at university. After first year owning a nice car wasn't a priority. (or even a car at all)

What you really need for University is a old 1.4 polo... It fits in any parking space. It can be left in town or at a train station on a saturday night. You can abandon it in the evening on campus (once parking wardens gone home) and walk straight out to it when you're evicted from the library / study area at 2am.

Use the money you've saved to get nicer (or closer) accommodation, work less hours and focus on studies.

Edited by smallpaul on Tuesday 11th February 17:54

[Unreal]

verinaamber said:

LooneyTunes said:

Don’t underestimate envy. I’d suggest that a young person driving a nice car is much more likely to see it vandalised than stolen.

I had the hood slashed on one of my early cars, no attempt at entry/theft. Brother in law had his keyed whilst parked in a public car park and a mate had his keyed driving through a relatively nice city - reckoned someone at a pedestrian crossing probably did it.

Yea that is the main reason why I just need to move out and have it privately, everyone around us and neighbouring streets will know that "the young guy in that house has an M3". I guess seeing the replies, I got no choice but to move out in a few months if I really want it.

Do you live in a particularly crappy part of London? Cars more expensive than the ones you're contemplating are left on the street all the time.

If it's that bad, and you're going to fret even more than you are now, before you've even got the car, it might be better to put the idea on ice, or move somewhere less scummy.

[MattsCar]

Why are you calling yourself a student when you seem to have an enormous disposable income and are considering a c£100k car along with rented underground parking in London and can finance it?

I appreciate you may be one, but you must surely have a career in something else which would override the "student" title.

[verinaamber]

Unreal said:

Do you live in a particularly crappy part of London? Cars more expensive than the ones you're contemplating are left on the street all the time.

If it's that bad, and you're going to fret even more than you are now, before you've even got the car, it might be better to put the idea on ice, or move somewhere less scummy.

Around where I live there is just nothing close enough to an M3. The one thing about the M3 is mainly just how much it stands out, the car just looks very aggressive it will just catch your eye when walking past, even if not actually looking (compared to all others cars around the area).

For now I put the idea on ice, will maybe get an M340i or a M440i for now, and see how life goes in a few months

[shirt]

Assuming it’s not half term.

If you can afford to buy and run an m3, plus rent an apartment with secure parking, plus living costs, in London, all whilst studying….

And if it’s genuinely self earned…

….wtf are you doing at university?

[Jungleland]

Did you put this in Reddit UK car talk about a month ago? I read the exact same post there.

[vaud]

Defer and treat yourself to lots of track days at Palmer...

[Unreal]

verinaamber said:

Unreal said:

Do you live in a particularly crappy part of London? Cars more expensive than the ones you're contemplating are left on the street all the time.

If it's that bad, and you're going to fret even more than you are now, before you've even got the car, it might be better to put the idea on ice, or move somewhere less scummy.

Around where I live there is just nothing close enough to an M3. The one thing about the M3 is mainly just how much it stands out, the car just looks very aggressive it will just catch your eye when walking past, even if not actually looking (compared to all others cars around the area).

For now I put the idea on ice, will maybe get an M340i or a M440i for now, and see how life goes in a few months

M3s are all over London. Even in the roughest parts. So which part of London are you in?

[philrs03]

I would say firstly, awesome job for being able to afford one young. Secondly (as someone that did buy something nice at the time younger- a P1), in also less than ideal circumstances, I would 100% wait. Wait until you can move out of London and somewhere where crime is basically unchecked. You might be fine, but you want your first dream car purchase to be memorable for the right reasons and enjoyable, not worrying about it constantly. It’ll take the edge of what should be a joyous thing. Even now, with my Defender I feel the same parking it anywhere other than my house or locally. I’ve had that for 3 years, and the feeling of dread having to leave it parked somewhere I’m not comfortable with.

Unfortunately we live in a world (especially in London) where the police have pretty much no grip on crime, especially violent crime. They see it as an insurance problem, not a crime/demographic problem.

Bottom line is do what feels right for you, but the whole point of having a car like that and treating yourself for your hard work is to enjoy it. Not worry about it.

[CG2020UK]

I think you’re doing the right thing verinaamber.

I’ve had some decent cars and great experiences in my 20s from my GTI Mk7 to my M2 without going nuts.

I didn’t go mad because I had to fund a wedding, a house and family all by ourselves while only starting Uni at 21. At 29 we have set ourselves up for life moving into our forever home, massive pensions already, I’ve a great secure career and my wife works minuscule hours to keep her license. Money isn’t a worry and we can just raise a family and chase other goals.

A car really takes away your options and at your age can really set you back. You’ve mentioned already you’re smart enough to know running a car is vastly different to just having a car on the drive. Get something nice but don’t give up your financial flexibility a car just isn’t worth it!

Happy hunting!

[Missy Charm]

shirt said:

Assuming it’s not half term.

If you can afford to buy and run an m3, plus rent an apartment with secure parking, plus living costs, in London, all whilst studying….

And if it’s genuinely self earned…

….wtf are you doing at university?

Creative writing?*

If this is serious, then the only advice I can give is that there is far more to life than cars, and one's precious youth shouldn't be wasted worrying about depreciating assets and secure parking. Being young is the golden ticket to all sorts of things: fun, adventure, freedom and the ability to neck a half-bottle of vodka in a bus shelter and then hit the clubs for cocktails and shots Aftershock (all our yesterdays...).

You want to be out making friends, having new experiences and maybe, just maybe, doing some reading now and again. It's not a time to be saddling yourself with repayments for a car that, in central London, is only going to be as fast as the traffic jam in front of it.

If you must have a car, buy an old Focus or Golf or something and don't be too precious about it. Having a social life and a set of wheels at that age means putting up with other people slamming the doors, sprawling all over the seats in clothes of dubious cleanliness and chucking dirty handbags, smelly rucksacks and leak-prone lunchboxes in the boot. If you can put up with that sort of thing, you'll have taken a step towards being cool and popular, and a quantum leap away from 'anally-retentive weirdo with unhealthy attachment to drug-dealer car'. Image matters at your age - not self-image, but what others think of you. Lots will look at a BMW M3 and think nothing more nuanced than, 'what a nob'. You don't want that.

Separately, and a more general question: do the general public really concern themselves with the minutiae of different BMW models? Living in Essex, pumped-up BMWs are ten a penny; nobody I know seems to worry about whether one is better than another.

• don't actually study that if you want to acquire money, status or, indeed, anything.