I had a few close calls the first couple of years after passing my test and it was purely by driving like a fanny, not because of the car. My close ones were in old diesel vans – yes you can spin them on a singletrack road if you drive ‘enthusiastically’ enough. 🙂

My main reason for not buying it would be, as others have said, real world fuel economy. My neighbour had one the same age as you are looking at but drove everywhere in his work van as the beemer was so hideously heavy on juice.
Another vote for a boring diesel estate here- although I got an Octy VRS Tdi which isn’t boring at all on the odd occasion I get to drive it by myself.

My 330 went through rears in 7-9k, fronts 12k-ish but cheaper brand ones are around £110 a corner so not too bad unless you do high mileage. I agree though servicing/parts costs weren’t that mental (mine was all done main dealer as well). I still think at 100k some spendy stuff is probably due + the niggles would have mounted up (although saying that part of my problem is I never got the niggles fixed as they occurred so they’d mounted up after 10 years).

Did you read the rest of his post? He mentions tyres.

Of course I shouldn’t care, if you are happy in your econimical little shopping car, thats cool

Yes, he didn’t tell us how much they cost though, did he? As I say, BMW 5 series are not cheap cars to run, and anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional. I speak as someone who has owned “premium” brand cars in the past.

I’m perfectly happy with my car, thanks, though I usually cycle to the shops, and I’m not at all sure how it pertains to the Christian church.

My 330 went through rears in 7-9k, fronts 12k-ish but cheaper brand ones are around £110 a corner so not too bad unless you do high mileage.

So at 10k/ year average mileage, that’s nearly £500/ year on tyres. By contrast, a standard family hatch might get 30k from a set and they cost £70 each…which is less than £100/ year.

So in 3 years of BMW ownership, you’ve never paid for a tax disc, service, tyre or a tank of fuel? One of us is indeed talking rubbish…

By way of comparison, in the last 2 years of Ford ownership.

2 annual services ~£200
1 new tyre ~£70
2 tax discs £180
2 insurance premiums £800
15,000 miles of fuel at ~55mpg = ~£1700

How about you?

You don’t mention what Ford you have or it’s age for comparison…comparing a new Fiesta or such to a 3.0 3series or 5 series that is 8 to 10 years old isn’t a fair comparison.

I’ve paid for 1 Inspection 2 service (£200) and 1 oil service (£50) over the 3yrs ownership of both cars. Services are every 15k miles depending on driving style.

I’ve never replaced tyres on either of them, never needed to. The rear tyres on the car have lasted well over 10k miles since I bought it (and weren’t new when I got it)…still around 4.5mm left on them. See prices as stated by Fuzzy.

Tax…well you have a point there…it’s £260 a year but again you dont state age/model of your Ford (i’m suspecting newer so better emissions banding)

My point is that they aren’t that expensive to run compared to other marques and certainly 100k+ miles shouldn’t scare one off one if it’s been looked after…espcially when the OP has 50% off dealer prices.

The OP also never asked to be preached at with regards to annual service costs, fuel costs, tax costs, tyre costs etc….just whether we (the STW people) would buy a high mileage BMW.

My answer still stands that at the 1 family owned, FSH 5 series with 100k could be a reasonable buy from the advert (price to be negotiated obviously)

You don’t mention what Ford you have or it’s age for comparison…comparing a new Fiesta or such to a 3.0 3series or 5 series that is 8 to 10 years old isn’t a fair comparison.

It’s a perfectly fair comparison – the OP mentioned a Golf so it’s not like he’s only considering executive saloons. I bought a four-year old C-max for around the same price he’s considering for a a much older Beemer.

I’ve paid for 1 Inspection 2 service (£200) and 1 oil service (£50) over the 3yrs ownership of both cars. Services are every 15k miles depending on driving style.
I’ve never replaced tyres on either of them, never needed to. The rear tyres on the car have lasted well over 10k miles since I bought it (and weren’t new when I got it)…still around 4.5mm left on them. See prices as stated by Fuzzy.

Fuzzy also stated that his tyres are likely to need replacing every year. As I worked out, this is around 5 times the cost of the tyres on my car.

Tax…well you have a point there…it’s £260 a year but again you dont state age/model of your Ford (i’m suspecting newer so better emissions banding)

Newer yes, but it cost the same to buy as the BMW.

My point is that they aren’t that expensive to run compared to other marques and certainly 100k+ miles shouldn’t scare one off one if it’s been looked after…espcially when the OP has 50% off dealer prices.

I’ve never said that the OP should be scared off. But if the OP thinks that a 530i can be run for Focus money, he’s in for a shock.

The OP also never asked to be preached at with regards to annual service costs, fuel costs, tax costs, tyre costs etc….just whether we (the STW people) would buy a high mileage BMW.

Who said anything about preaching? You do seem very defensive. It’s a fact that more run of the mill cars cost far less to run, which needs to be taken into account when deciding what to buy.

My answer still stands that at the 1 family owned, FSH 5 series with 100k could be a reasonable buy from the advert (price to be negotiated obviously)

I haven’t said otherwise.

I hadn’t read the OP’s subsequent posts.

Sounds like he needs to focus his attention a bit more on what he wants before going shopping.

Tyres don’t need to be replaced every year as I stated. Must be having a lot of fun to get through a set of rears in 9k miles.

I still don’t think a blanket statement of costs “far less” can be made. Yes, some things may be cheaper e.g. tyres & tax but you also need to take into account where the owner decides to take it for services etc. Home servicing/using an independant to service a BMW could well be similar to main dealer for a Ford.

Off home for weekend now…but I think you’ll agree the OP needs to decide what he wants from a car before purchasing one.

Cheers for all the comments, apologies for biting yesterday, I’ve just had nothing but “its harder to learn when you’re a bit older, you should buy a 1 litre polo, you’ll die the first time you turn a corner in a BMW etc etc”, it was just wearing thin.

The advice, all of it, is genuinely appreciated. Im not knowledgable about cars, but I’m no idiot either, so I have been listening, even if my posts would suggest otherwise 😉

Anyway, I test drove LOADS of cars today, and practicality triumphed.

I ended up buying a Mercedes C180 Avantegarde Estate with just under 70k on the clock for £4k.

It’s got a years MOT, Full main dealer service history, and is in cracking condition, full leather and all the usual gizmos. I bought it from a friend of a friend (bikers incidentally).

The selling over all the others…it was quick, but not too quick, but it was the boot that sealed the deal – 2 bikes plus all our climbing, camping and other stuff with loads of room to spare!

🙂 hope you enjoy it!

3litre, rwd petrol car in snow – no ta.

Ever thought about learning to drive? 😉 Never had problems in my old MkII Escort.

I ended up buying a Mercedes C180 Avantegarde Estate with just under 70k on the clock for £4k.

Is that the one that has a history of electrical problems?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Only joking, it’s all Mercedes, innit?
Enjoy.

Nice one ! Nice cars one of the few cars that looks better as an estate – the latest accord being another

Parents had a c220 coupe – nice place to spend time and drive.

They replaced it with an e350 v6 – it can shift like nothing on this earth.

Handles winter fine with winter tires on – even gets out the drive long after the transits said no!

Ps – stay away from the dealers for servicing !

Parents went once fr the first oil change and were robbed 200 quid for an oil change ( not a service just the oil change) and then they said it needed new front brakes pads and disks at a cost of nearly 800 quid – local specialist did it for 200 quid

Don, mkII escort vs 530 in a bit of snow / ice mud is a no contest. One is brilliant fun, the others a complete death trap as I’m sure you’re aware.

I’d still buy it mind.

Aye mk2 scrote will have had some mean as narrow crossplys cutting through no doubt

Bmw has the equivalent of a surly larry on each side compared to the escorts 1.5mud tire

Don, mkII escort vs 530 in a bit of snow / ice mud is a no contest. One is brilliant fun, the others a complete death trap as I’m sure you’re aware.

Sorry, hadn’t realised it was obligatory to use all the available power. 😛

2 observations here… First of all, if you kick off with a nice, fast, good handling car, that’s what you’ll get used to. Start out with something more basic and modest and when you get something better, it will feel great- whereas if you’re coming to it from nothing, you tend to take it for granted.

Second- some people are getting caught up in the winter tyres = snow nonsense. Mine only saw snow twice last winter but they’re better at all times when it’s cold and wet than an equivalent normal tyre, it’s not just snow (they’re also good at mud- which can come in very handy on a biking car)

Yes your right northwind

How ever in most conditions you can drive slower

In full on snow te winter tires can make the difference between going and not going

I rate winter tyres and the slight increase in cost is negligible or even negated, no lost working days, see?

trail_rat – Member

In full on snow te winter tires can make the difference between going and not going

Or better- stopping or not stopping 😉 But point I was getting at is that loads of people write them off as being basically a snow novelty but they’re worth it even if we have a rubbish winter with no snow.

Oh yeah for sure i agree , Garage did seem slightly miffed at my request for m+s tires for the mrs golf last week but it does transform it from a car that should by alrights be shit in snow ( low clearance of sump and wide tires ) into an acceptable more of transport.

Oooh, Merc estate. Swcheeeet. 8)
Will I see you heading past the door to Glencoe tomorrow ?

I’ve just pitched up at invercoe right now matt, climbing at Arnamurchan Peninsula for the next two days 🙂

Trying to get MWIS and thought I’d check into STW to see how much abuse the 530 suggestion had taken (Erm, lots!) 🙂

Where at Ardnamurchan? There on Sunday afternoon to drop a minibus back:

I’m just back from Ardnamurchan! Currently trying to write up a blog entry.

P1040436 by druidh_dubh, on Flickr

Think we’re camping at Kilchoan. Not sure about climbing routes yet.

If you’re in the vicinity let me know 🙂

Druidh, is that supposed to look like you have a massive willy sprouting out of your head?

BMW eh … wait until I get my driving license it will be …

OOpps … double post.

peterfile – Member
Druidh, is that supposed to look like you have a massive willy sprouting out of your head?

Something like that. I thought that was a pretty good effort at trying to line it up 🙂

Kilchoan was on my list of potential campsites, but I was ahead of schedule so popped over to Tobermory instead. I’ve heard it’s very good though.

If you’re in the vicinity let me know

Meh, I arrive in minibus, leap out, have a pee and steal a flap-jack from kitchen and get put back on the next avialable ferry to get bus home…..

My first car was a vw beetle bought for 1500 quid spent about 3000 on it over five years, lowered big engine roof chop, respray. Spun that plenty of times in the rain rear wheel drive 1.6 and 1.8 litre engine, even managed it up hill. now have a very middle aged ford c-max which costs me over 1200 to insure but then I keep crashing cars so what should I expect. Latest is flood damage puddle was a lot deeper than i thought. Buy the car you can regret it either way, not buying it , or buying it and it breaks you and the bank.

Trevor at kilchoan campsite is top
Banana – great guy

Tobermory was pish and oer rated imo .

Ended up with a wild camp waaaayyy out instead. Huge walk in to crags.

Weather was peachy yesterday, but brutal now, so just sat waiting for ferry back across to mainland.

Almost got a lift to the crags in a helicopter by the craziest pilot I’ve ever seen (flying a few meters off the deck all day, spraying bracken), surreal experience, got some good pics.