Another Spec me thread - £10k-£15k

[booyaka]

Right

I know these are hugely subjective threads but any input would be useful. Had the car for nearly 5 years but it's nearly 8 years old in total.

I currently have a E60 530D M Sport with 105k on the clock. Good car, done well but list of things that need doing soon are starting to add up -

Rear discs and pads in 2500 miles, 2 tyres shortly, 6 glow plus and controller, also never had a turbo changed or DPF but these things all start to become possibilties with the mileage done (DPF is about £1500 or so)

Also needing 2 new rear hub carriers as these are starting to get worn. Local Indy said that these are around £250/£300 each.

So considering punting the car and getting something else. I'm no badge snob so happy to look around.

Generally around 15-18/20k per year mainly motorway miles to see clients/office etc. Got 2 kids but mainly use wifes car for weekends etc.

Don't need something as big as a 5 series but like something that munches the miles.

Any thoughts where to start looking?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Keep the 530d. Unless you go for a much newer Ford or something there is nothing to say you won't get similar costs from the new car. It's still gonna be quite old.

 

[booyaka]

Keep the 530d. Unless you go for a much newer Ford or something there is nothing to say you won't get similar costs from the new car. It's still gonna be quite old.

Cheers Fox. I'm just concerned that I need to get probably £1500 work done (not had swirl flaps done either!) in the short term with possible (but also not possible) hefty bills for turbo/DPF etc over the next 12/18 months or so "if" those issues crop up.

Not a fan of the Vauxhalls, don't mind the Mondeo's etc. Octavia is nice but a new model due soon. Never been a Volkswagen fan personally. Happy to have a look around.

 

[rossk26]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201304166299819

 

[[TW]Fox]

Cheers Fox. I'm just concerned that I need to get probably £1500 work done (not had swirl flaps done either!) in the short term with possible (but also not possible) hefty bills for turbo/DPF etc over the next 12/18 months or so "if" those issues crop up.

These are legitimate concerns - but my point is that these concerns do not go away if you were to buy, say, a 4-5 year old 330d for £15k. The concerns are still there. Much of what you list are service items anyway - all cars need tyres from time to time!

If you are seeking a noticeable and credible reduction in running costs over your 530d then your £15k needs to go on something as new as possible and that means saying hello to Ford and friends. Otherwise keep hold of the E60 - your £15k doesnt buy you into a newer generation of BMW for example, so hang onto the E60 - paying for its maintenance when needed.

You are going to end up downgrading or going sideways for no real benefit, IMHO.

 

[booyaka]

If you are seeking a noticeable and credible reduction in running costs over your 530d then your £15k needs to go on something as new as possible and that means saying hello to Ford and friends. Otherwise keep hold of the E60 - your £15k doesnt buy you into a newer generation of BMW for example, so hang onto the E60 - paying for its maintenance when needed.

appreciate the input.

Yeah - my thoughts are 2 fold at the moment. one being the immediate fixes required on the car, plus long term potential issues.

secondly - I don't need a car as big as the 530D, lovely car that it is, I am keen to consider "downsizing/reducing costs" and would consider the ford/skoda/whatever alternatives. It's a sideways step but whilst I like a nice car due to the time I spending in it travelling - at the end of the day it's a car and I'm not one that's overly bothered by a badge/model/brand.

The costs of running the car haven't been a concern over the ownership of it so far but just considering my options.

Out of the "Ford and friends" group - where would your considerations go to start my search?