Cheapest BMW to insure?

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:00

I would love to grab a BMW when i upgrade early next year. The problem is the insurance.

Whats the cheapest, decent, used BMW for insurance, and what is the insurance group?

Thanks

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:13

I'm 24, currently insure a group 10 car for roughly £600

Budget is £2000(ish) for the car.

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:21

3 series, age above, budget above, mixed motorway & city, dont need a super car but good acceleration is nice. Good cruiser @ 80 for the motorway but not vital, only do 50 mile trips most of the time. Usually only myself driving, occasionaly a passenger. Running costs not vital, my current car eats fuel like there is no tomorrow. Obviously good mpg & cheap servicing costs are a bonus, but not the end of the world.

Insurance is key. 5 years, 2 years NCB. Pay £600 now, wouldn't want to go much higher.

£2000 is just for the car! Insurance costs are seperate.

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:28

Gaygle said:
This is an example of what £800 will get you:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/757587.htm

And you better have a couple of grand tucked away ready for MOT time.

Why would i buy a car for £800 when i have around £2000 to spend??

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:29

Morba said:
So you have £2600?

can get 328i sports or 318iS for under £2k, you will have to do some quotes to see what insurance is like

I have £2000(ish) for the car & £600(ish) for insurance.

Thanks for the suggestion, i'll check it out.

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:45

wez130 said:
Can you actually afford the running cost sof an old BMW? I.E Servicing and repair costs that in a car as old as a 2k BMW is likely to be?

I suggest you do some homework first, then go and buy something like a Ford mondeo and save up for a BMW

Maybe thats why i'm posting on here trying to find out information? Possibly?

So rather than patronising me, how about you be kind gentleman and inform me of how much these servicing & repair costs might be?

Thanks,

Gil

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:54

mr tommo said:
How daft.

Why dont you wait until you can afford to buy and insure a BMW that you actually want instead of having one just for the badge.

If your going to buy a car simply for the sake of having a prestige badge then get a basic merc becasue an old 3 series wont impress anybody if that's your aim.

Who on earth are you?

Is there a problem with me trying to find a nice car for my money? I'm not trying to impress anybody. I want a car that i'm happy with that would fill my needs. I am inquiring as to whether there would be a suitable BMW, do you have a problem with that?

Have i once stated that i am 100% going to buy a BMW, NO. I came on here looking for friendly advice about whether it would be possible or a good idea.

I didn't come on here for people like you to wave your keyboard around and act like a big man internet warrior.

So participate nicely and help me out, or **** off!

Thanks,

Gil.

Gilbretto · 12 Dec 2008 at 23:55

NickXX said:
An oil change will cost you £40 if you do it yourself and use Mobil 1's finest oils from Costco. It will cost you about £100 from your local BMW specialist.

Thanks.

Are these cars known to fail in any specific area? Are there known problems to look out for/worry about?

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:10

mr tommo said:
So will we have a "cheapest Audi to insure?" thread next? Just seems like an awfully strange way to go about finding your next car.

Your OP sounds like a case of, I want a BMW, any will do aslong as its cheap to insure.

Sadly, I can't offer you any advice about old BMW's, but again Id say wait till you can afford to buy, insure and run a BMW that you really want/like and not just because it has a BMW badge.

I'm actually weighing up my options my good friend. Have you broken your keyboard yet btw?

I was simply asking which BMW's would be within my insurance price range. Is that such a heinous crime?

I need a car soon, as my car at the moment is in need of a lot of work. Do you expect me to walk the 50 miles up the motorway 2/3 times a week while i save up for a 2007 M3?

I have a budget for now! And i want to get the best i can possibly get for that money. I DONT HAVE TIME TO SAVE MORE! get it?

If you have no clue about old BMW's then why on earth are you wasting my time and posting garbage on here? Do you have nothing better to do with your pathetic life?

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:20

Morba said:
mondeo:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2002&vehicleRegLetter=02

Thanks for the suggestion mate.

Sadly i have no desire to ever drive a mondeo. imo, its just so boring, otherwise it would be the perfect choice.

I wan't something a bit sporty and fun. An ST24 would be great, i can deal with those looks but the engine size would push my insurance sky high.

I would happily pay a bit extra in servicing/repair costs in order to have a slightly more exciting car. Which is why i thought of BMW, amongst others.

I have my eye on the Alfa 156 also. Sexy car and very cheap.

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:25

Yeah, i would happily cope with that. The problem is the group 18 insurance. I wouldn't be willing to pay what would be £1000+ on insurance.

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:29

mr tommo said:
Because at first you sounded like an 18 year old who wanted a BMW for it badge/image. And a bit of common sense was needed to tell you to wait till you had a better budget before you bought any old BMW (like a few people on here had already told you)

Now you just sound like a ****.

Actually, most people are trying to help me out, which i very much appreciate.

I only seem to be having a problem with you. I wonder why...?

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:38

Just got a quote on the Mondeo ST200 and its coming in £900 at the cheapest. Which is over my limit i'm afraid.

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:44

mr tommo said:
How old are you? For insurance purposes only Im not being creepy!

24

Insurance on a 318 is coming in at around £650 which is reasonable. And the alfa comes in at under £500.

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 00:50

It depends where you live. Where i live must be one of the most expensive places to insure a car, unfortunately.

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 01:19

gareth.e said:
HAHA you live in stoke!

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 01:29

Just been looking at this alfa 156 some more.

Could pick up a 1.8 Twin Spark 70,000 miles (2001) for a couple of grand. Insurance is reasonable.

Anyone have any experience/knowledge about this car?

I've read varying reviews, all say it has great performance & handling but some mention reliability issues. Some say reliability is fine?

Its just so damn sexy!

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 01:39

Peerzy said:
...less chance of an insurance payout for lost leg etc.

Gilbretto · 13 Dec 2008 at 01:49

Gilbretto said:
Just been looking at this alfa 156 some more.

Could pick up a 1.8 Twin Spark 70,000 miles (2001) for a couple of grand. Insurance is reasonable.

Anyone have any experience/knowledge about this car?

I've read varying reviews, all say it has great performance & handling but some mention reliability issues. Some say reliability is fine?

Its just so damn sexy!

cheeky bump

Gilbretto · 14 Dec 2008 at 00:47

Avalon said:
If you have to ask about the reliability of an Alfa then you shouldn't even consider buying one.

I did some more reading on the 156 last night. And although the build quality has improved over their previous cars, it's still not reliable enough for me.

Got my eyes on a 406 Coupe now, Any comments/suggestions?