3 grand Audi/BMW diesels

adam cool dude · 12 Dec 2016 at 16:40

Phemo said:
Either way, I'm sure they ended up getting it back over there somehow, though how much of a market there is for RHD 4.6 V8 X5s in eastern Europe, I'm not sure.

They don't. They take them over to break. You have merc sprinter vans running back and forth 24/7 bringing people in and out with a trailer on the back. Also cars hold their value more over there.

Scania · 12 Dec 2016 at 22:04

adam cool dude said:
They don't. They take them over to break. You have merc sprinter vans running back and forth 24/7 bringing people in and out with a trailer on the back. Also cars hold their value more over there.

Indeed they do, when my e39 died (gearbox failed, stuck in 3rd with a horrible shunting clunk going by into reverse along with a blown engine head gasket) a guy drove down from Scunthorpe to Stoke, bought it, drove it back to Scunthorpe (stuck in 3rd with no speedometer) and exported it, he made no secret of his intentions and didn't care a jot about the engine or box, he was more interested in the condition of the body panels, doors, wheels and interior.

It now shows up on the DVLA website with an export marker and is now undoubtedly in bits.

Orionaut · 13 Dec 2016 at 09:03

Scania said:
Indeed they do, when my e39 died (gearbox failed, stuck in 3rd with a horrible shunting clunk going by into reverse along with a blown engine head gasket) a guy drove down from Scunthorpe to Stoke, bought it, drove it back to Scunthorpe (stuck in 3rd with no speedometer) and exported it, he made no secret of his intentions and didn't care a jot about the engine or box, he was more interested in the condition of the body panels, doors, wheels and interior.

It now shows up on the DVLA website with an export marker and is now undoubtedly in bits.

I remember some years ago carrying out a repair on and old ford belonging to a recent arrival from South Africa.

The customer was astonished at the concept of "Vehicle depreciation". Apparently it simply doesn't exist in Africa. vehicles do not lose value simply by virtue of being old. It is only condition that matters.

In a similar vein, I read recently (Not confirmed) that across much of southern Africa, a Toyota LC80 will get you $30,000US almost regardless of condition.

I have always felt that Depreciation is actually a massive calculated con.

The purpose of which is to persuade owners that older vehicles are of no value and are therefore not worth maintaining properly and that you should all be good little consumers and spend your money on something new.

Places like eastern Europe and Africa (Or Even Oz, where LC80's also have near god like status) have a rather better appreciation of the true value of things.

Joe T · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:03

Orionaut said:
I have always felt that Depreciation is actually a massive calculated con.

I think it's actually the vanity of the British car-buying public.

Jez · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:08

Orionaut said:
I have always felt that Depreciation is actually a massive calculated con.

Or maybe its just how a free market works where supply of new models is abundant. An old model of something is clearly less desirable than a new model of something.

Orionaut · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:17

I have always considered the circular logic of car buying guides such as Glasses.

Glasses purportedly reports the tyical prices that used cars sell for.

And yet dealers use Glasses to decide what sticker price to put on them.

Basically the authors of Glasses control the price that used cars sell for. (and therefore the depreciation rate)

Who controls the authors of Glasses Guide?? <foilhat.JPG>

paradigm · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:20

Essentially what "controls" the authors of "Glasses" is algorithms.

Historical data shows us how products depreciate, it can quite easily be extrapolated into a simple formula. Muchlike I use a similar calculation to calculate the depreciation of our IT assets.

I'm never usually that far out.

Begbie · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:22

Ricochet J said:
It's a shame you're not interested in other stuff.
I bought a 2007 Saab 9-5 Vector SportWagon 1.9 L TiD Estate for £1600 in June.

My budget was up to £3k but the Saab ticked all of the boxes so I went for it:
- Full Saab Dealer Service History, and all repairs through Saab dealerships
- Leather upholstery
- Heated seats
- Autodimming rear and side mirrors
- Heated side mirrors
- Xenon headlamps
- Cruise control
- Dual zone climate control
- Parking sensors
- Electric folding mirrors
- Electric wipers
- Integrated sat nav

All other diesel estates at this price were absolute dogs.

These are bargains, will be looking at one for when I return to the UK for a runabout while I sort myself out.

Orionaut · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:28

paradigm said:
Historical data shows us how products depreciate,

.

Yes, basically past publications of glasses guide.

This is what I take issue with.

Firestar_3x · 13 Dec 2016 at 10:32

I take it Glasses also shows the appreciating value of some vehicles?

Or is this a con too?

DRZ · 13 Dec 2016 at 12:53

Orionaut said:
I have always considered the circular logic of car buying guides such as Glasses.

Glasses purportedly reports the tyical prices that used cars sell for.

And yet dealers use Glasses to decide what sticker price to put on them.

Basically the authors of Glasses control the price that used cars sell for. (and therefore the depreciation rate)

Who controls the authors of Glasses Guide?? <foilhat.JPG>

A member of these very forums.

Scania · 13 Dec 2016 at 17:37

I was greeted on arrival at work this afternoon with a Lithuanian? (LT) plated LHD e38 740d, manual box (which I've never seen on an e38 before) it was a bit scruffy and had non standard wheels, didn't see the driver but judging by the wear on the gearstick and steering wheel I'd guess it's done moon mileage, probably an agency driver so I may not see him again to find out more...

TheVoice · 13 Dec 2016 at 17:41

Orionaut said:
I remember some years ago carrying out a repair on and old ford belonging to a recent arrival from South Africa.

The customer was astonished at the concept of "Vehicle depreciation". Apparently it simply doesn't exist in Africa. vehicles do not lose value simply by virtue of being old. It is only condition that matters.

Pretty accurate. My folks bought a cheap Toyota Conquest for my mum as a run-around when we moved to SA in 2001. They sold it about 5 years later for the same amount.

Nasher · 13 Dec 2016 at 17:56

Armageus said:
Disagree - I bought my A3 as an approved used Audi, serviced it with Audi, and generally did everything that I could to look after it. Even so during the 5 years I had it, it had the following issues:
- Air con pressure switch failed
- Glove box hinge broke
- Passenger Electric Window regulator failed
- Passenger exterior door handle wouldn't unlock - needed new lock mechanism
- Rear wiper motor corroded internally and failed
- The larger of the 2 fitted Radiator fans failed
- Rough idleing due to faulty PCV
- Excessive oil usage (largely cured when PCV was replaced and software updated)
- Having to replace the drivers side brake light bulb probably every 3-4 months for no explainable reason
- Exhaust heat shield rattling / needed to be refitted
- Rear Suspension Stone guards - rattling/broken - replaced both once during my ownership, and then removed both when they broke a second time.

edit:
- Replacement Rear suspension top mounts due to wear/play

My A3's list wasn't that long, but the turbo went bang before it hit 80k miles! Which seems to be a common thing on VAG cars. But now I'm on to my second Ford ST and I've had zero problems with ether.