[Porscha!]

A while ago I posted on here about a 320d, as I had got a job for which we were allowed a car allowance, well in the end I didn't bother taking the job because it wasn't something I really wanted to do, just something to get me out of the motor trade.

Now I am self employed and will be doing a part time degree in September instead.

Right now onto the important bit, I'm still looking into cars reason being it would be more sensible as well as cheaper (believe it or not) due to running costs, insurance costs, repair costs and project costs, for me to buy a new car on contract hire with a warranty and the tax for three years in than to sort my E30 out, run two old cars and look after two older cars.

I was really impressed with the 320d when I drove one!!

Seems a no brainer to most new 1 Coupe / Convertible, 320d/325i or even a Z4 (would have to be the 2.0i though probably) OR two older cars.

The only problem is I've tried the new thing before it lasted not long before I was craving for an old car which you have to drive hard, repair, watch for rust etc. It is only economical if I go down the route of one new car is cheaper than two old cars.

I do about 20,000miles per year, if not a little more so I doubt that diesel would be the cheaper option as I don't do massive mileage. Not sure on that though!

Would have to be a BMW as if I went down the Porsche route I'd be worse off.

So should I go with my head or my heart?

[chrisbin]

Well first bit is I reckon at 20k mls you will probably be just on the right side with diesel....plus the added convenience of not having to fill up so often will count...

As far as the rest goes, I think you're asking us to answer the impossible...you have done the sums and you know what works for your head....but you also realise that its probably not right for your heart....so it has to be a personal decision...

So, head on, do the sensible thing.
Heart says stick to what you know!!

[Big Windy]

It sounds to me like your head and your heart are telling you the same thing...

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

Well first bit is I reckon at 20k mls you will probably be just on the right side with diesel....plus the added convenience of not having to fill up so often will count...

As far as the rest goes, I think you're asking us to answer the impossible...you have done the sums and you know what works for your head....but you also realise that its probably not right for your heart....so it has to be a personal decision...

So, head on, do the sensible thing.
Heart says stick to what you know!!

Thats the problem, I know that I should be down the BMW dealer now ordering a new car, everyone think me insane that I'd rather have these older motors!

Don't even talk to me about petrol filling up, my MX5 has a really small tank (holds about 35L) and I am FOREVER filling it up, all the time, I get about 20/25mpg out of it.

I just don't want to be forever worrying about money due to buying parts or starting projects or just the cost of two insurance policies, two lots of tax etc.

My other choice is a pre-72 car but I've ran a pre-72 car before and while you pay no tax and insurance is very cheap, fuel consumption and reliability isn't so good, coupled with the fact now I need a reliable car - I'm just left very confused!

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

It sounds to me like your head and your heart are telling you the same thing...

?? Stick with two old cars? OR go new?

[chrisbin]

Sounds like you are looking for excuses NOT to go the new car route, when you know that really thats what you should be doing......why not do it on a 2 year lease/finance or something...that way you know that you will be able to get out at the same time as you reach your boredom threshold....

Anyway, its has to be new. OK?

SEOT!!

[booforty]

Get a nearly new 320d - you will have years of cost effective care-free motoring...

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by booforty

Get a nearly new 320d - you will have years of cost effective care-free motoring...

I was looking to Contract Hire it though, as I don't want to get into high rate motor finance so nearly new is out of the question, unless you know something I don't?

Can also claim back 50% of the VAT on a contract hire deal.

What I really should do is go the 320d route, hang onto it then when things pick up buy an old car purely for fun My only problem is I'm impatient and I don't know when I will be earning enough to do just that!

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by Porscha!

I was looking to Contract Hire it though, as I don't want to get into high rate motor finance so nearly new is out of the question, unless you know something I don't?

Can also claim back 50% of the VAT on a contract hire deal.

What I really should do is go the 320d route, hang onto it then when things pick up buy an old car purely for fun My only problem is I'm impatient and I don't know when I will be earning enough to do just that!

Even with the VAT bit, you may well find that the c/h payments are not that much different to a PCP deal.....

[booforty]

Don't know anything about contract hire so can't comment really - all I was saying is yes the 320d will be a great car and cost effective for you

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by booforty

Don't know anything about contract hire so can't comment really - all I was saying is yes the 320d will be a great car and cost effective for you

I've just rang up about - http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...VG92070A157504

They are going to get back to me about the price and said it may be cheaper than adding in all my options and CHing it!

Will look at some Coupes depending on the price...

Also seen - http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...WD12080PK41567

[chrisbin]

You might want to have a look on here too:

http://www.sytner.co.uk/bmwdemonstrators/

[NFS]

I don't understand why you would compare the cost of 2 old cars with one new one.

If you concentrate on running one fun older car, then surely it's going to be cheaper than a new 320d? Depreciation is the biggest cost of motoring and it will not be an issue.

If you buy an 07 320d for £26K, even with a £2.3K deduction for VAT it WILL lose several hundred pounds per month in value, which would buy a lot of bits for an e30.

Then there is the diesel thing. Will you really be happy with a four pot diesel (even if it is the best in it's class) as you ONLY car? Especially when it has a roof that doesn't come off?

If you really want a new car for longer journeys etc, there are dozens of cheaper options that would let you keep an older model for fun - e.g renault clio 197 cup - you can pick a brand new car up from drive the deal for £12,500 right now!

If the 320d is the car you want, then go for it, but I suspect this might not turn out to be the case.

Personally, I would suggest something between old and new. For instance .. how does a 4 year old e46 330i cabriolet sound for £12,300

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk..._mileage=60000

[chrisbin]

^^ he talks a lot of sense!

[booforty]

Top advice NFS

[gIzzE]

Or even one of the first 320d's, at least if you cahnge your mind you can sell it on again.
Buy new and you will loose £4-5k straight away, so you have to be prepared to stick that in to get out.

At least buy one 6-12 months old, maybe a facelift 320d for £24k?? 50mpg and a decent resale. If not get one of the pre Efficient Dynamics ones as they have already taken a tumble.

[Porscha!]

I've suddenly realised I've been an absolute numpty about this.

Really didn't realise the value of Classic Insurance up until now and how much new cars cost to insure!

2X old cars cost me £800 per year, which I'm very happy with
1X new or newish car costs me £900 per year for a 320d, would you believe it?!

Now I've started to look into it I have relaised I'm actually better off with 2 old cars Glad I have looked into it though!

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Porscha!

I've suddenly realised I've been an absolute numpty about this.

Really didn't realise the value of Classic Insurance up until now and how much new cars cost to insure!

2X old cars cost me £800 per year, which I'm very happy with
1X new or newish car costs me £900 per year for a 320d, would you believe it?!

Now I've started to look into it I have relaised I'm actually better off with 2 old cars Glad I have looked into it though!

And that's just the insurance. The depreciation will kill you. A new 330i will lose £500 a month + in value over the first 2 years.

That would buy the 04 330i cab on autotrader outright.

[Porscha!]

NFS - I can't see that 330Ci link doesn't work! Sounds nice though

Again issue is going to be with insurance as I can't Classic it!

This is what I ended up working out:

Insurance = £800 V £900 = Lose £100
Fuel = £4600 V £2600 = Gain £2000
Tax = £370 V £120 = Gain £250
CH Costs = £0 V £4200 = Lose £4200 - which can count as depreciation?? I won't lose any on my cars
MOT Costs = £300 (circa) V £0 = Gain £300
Repair costs = £300 (circa) V £0 = Gain £600
Getting E30 back on road = £700 (and time) V £0 = Gain £700
Service Costs = £75 (do it myself) V £250 = Lose £175

All of it is very approximate but all in all it will cost me = £7145 to run my old cars for the year including everything and one off of getting the E30 back on road, so normally £6445 OR £8070 per year for a brand new E90 320d!

[DaveC]

I'm wondering why do you need two old cars If you'd be happy with one fairly dull new car? As an alternative how about being just as happy with an older more interesting car (one of them).

I'd be a little suspicious about your fuel cost savings. In the real world if you get crap MPG out of your old cars you'll still get crap MPG out of a new one, just not as crap. Assuming almost half the fuel costs for the new car looks a little ... optimistic.

Would you end up thoroughly bored with something like a 320d? Something smaller, lighter and more direct might have a longer appeal?

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by DaveC

I'm wondering why do you need two old cars If you'd be happy with one fairly dull new car? As an alternative how about being just as happy with an older more interesting car (one of them).

I'd be a little suspicious about your fuel cost savings. In the real world if you get crap MPG out of your old cars you'll still get crap MPG out of a new one, just not as crap. Assuming almost half the fuel costs for the new car looks a little ... optimistic.

Would you end up thoroughly bored with something like a 320d? Something smaller, lighter and more direct might have a longer appeal?

Good post, thing is I wouldn't be happy but at the same time I would like to save a bit of money due to going to uni part time in September!

I always get crap MPG, I had the worse 330Ci BMW had ever seen for MPG lol! I drive my cars hard, though never ever from cold I based the MPG for a 320d at 40, which is way under what BMW quote, perhaps I was being optimistic at that? I'm not sure!

Really I would absolutely love a brand new Caterham, I'd buy it, spec it have it built, love it, drive it and keep it forever It wouldn't bother me using it everyday, I'd spec weather gear Thing is it's never going to return good MPG, nor will I beable to CH / Finance a Caterham!!

[Steve A]

Originally Posted by NFS

And that's just the insurance. The depreciation will kill you. A new 330i will lose £500 a month + in value over the first 2 years.

That would buy the 04 330i cab on autotrader outright.

A new 330i m sport saloon is 33k add sat nav and bt and its a 36k car you can pick up a 2006 example from a dealer for 18k before the hggling starts trade in about 14k TOPS, maybe 16-17k private so a 330i will do 20-22k in two years or abour 900quid a month.

Buying new is expensive.