340i is going. Need a (cheap)reliable car for 6 months. Spec me!

[NooBish AbbZ]

Will you have enough to cover the loan if you sell the car now?

Yeah, value of the car is £4-5k more than I have left to pay, so not an issue

From the sounds of it it has though?

I’d speak to your insurance company and explain why the old policy was cancelled, if they assume the insurance was cancelled through some issue with you, you’ll be penalised heavily.

Surely the previous policy was cheaper or did you just go all “man maths” and then realise your car was bankrupting you?

Anyway, mondeo for the commute.

Spoke to them and a few others quite a few times and put in a formal complaint against previous insurer. Explained over the phone each time that it has been cancelled because of the company going bankrupt, they've understood/explained to underwriters

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

Honda Accord

 

[Armageus]

Spoke to them and a few others quite a few times and put in a formal complaint against previous insurer. Explained over the phone each time that it has been cancelled because of the company going bankrupt, they've understood/explained to underwriters

Have you tried a quote without even mentioning it? I'd argue that it wasn't strictly cancelled in the normal sense e.g. due to non-payment, non-disclosure or fraud.

 

[Funky-Melon]

As mentioned, Mondeo or a curve ball - Volvo D5 in some guise. Probably one of the most reliable big diesel engines around.

Pretty quick too.

Any of the smaller cars you've listed will become tiresome on repetitive long motorway journeys.

 

[NooBish AbbZ]

As mentioned, Mondeo or a curve ball - Volvo D5 in some guise. Probably one of the most reliable big diesel engines around.

Pretty quick too.

Any of the smaller cars you've listed will become tiresome on repetitive long motorway journeys.

Bloody volvo's, love me a Volvo! Always had a soft spot, although I guess the D5 would be quite high on insurance. Are the D models reliable in general? I get your point reference motorway journeys and I am a little concerned, however they're a return trip every 2-3 weeks so not like, a daily thing

 

[Psycho Sonny]

what are you actually going to save? £1200 on insurance you will need insurance on new car so maybe £900 (saving) there?

you will also lose money buying and selling this new car so take that £900 saving down to £400 (£500 loss of buying and selling banger)?

so save £400 over 6 months to drive a banger or spend £400 to drive a 340i for another 6 months?

 

[The_Abyss]

What's the spec of the 340?

 

[Funky-Melon]

Bloody volvo's, love me a Volvo! Always had a soft spot, although I guess the D5 would be quite high on insurance. Are the D models reliable in general? I get your point reference motorway journeys and I am a little concerned, however they're a return trip every 2-3 weeks so not like, a daily thing

No, the 1.6D and 2.0D are PSA engines, so essentially Peugeot blocks - They're crap and have lots of issues on the forums.

If you get a Volvo, only get one with a Volvo lump D3, D4 (both detuned D5's) or a D5. Petrol wise, the only one worth bothering with is a T5 (same block as Focus ST/RS) IMO, though I'm biased as I have one

All of the Volvo blocks usually keep going to mega-miles with no issues.

 

[Armageus]

Did you actually get a "notice of intended cancellation" or was it just a generic letter stating that the "underwriter has gone bankrupt and we can no longer provide cover, consequently your policy has been cancelled"?

If it's the latter then I wouldn't be declaring it. If it's the former (which reading around is generally what you receive e.g. for non-payment, or non-disclosure) then yes you would need to declare it.


Changing the car for anything else isn't really going to save money once you've factored in cost to change, and potential risk of an unknown car.

 

[keylion]

Although I'd agree with the comments about just keeping what you have for another six months, if you do decide to change a Focus MK1 would get my vote. Super reliable, fairly simple by today's standards and pretty cheap to fix should anything go wrong.

 

[NooBish AbbZ]

What's the spec of the 340?

Shamelessly copied from my thread on another forum

Solid Alpine White
Automatic

Optional Extras
M Sport Plus pack (Harmon kardon sound system, Professional Nav with larger screen, heated front seats, 18" alloys, sun protection glass on rears)
Extended storage pack
Heated Steering wheel
Sunroof
High Beam Assist
Electric memory seats
BMW Service Pack(Which will cover next big service in 8000 miles)

M Sport trim includes
M sport brakes,
M sport suspension
M Sport branding throughout

Standard (I think) stuff
Auto lights
Auto wipers
Dual zone climate control
LED lights all around
Puddle lights
Auto dimming mirrors

As you can see, the wing mirrors, roof, front grills (OEM) have been wrapped in gloss black. Rear lights also have a 'light' tint, applied through a film. All can be removed and returned to stock.
OEM M Sport front splitter applied, cannot be removed due to bonding agent.

Full BMW Service history (Ie, First service)

Negatives.
I'll cry when I see it leave.


Bought around 18 months ago from Blue Bell Crewe; the car is nothing short of absolutely wonderful. I mainly do motorway miles in it, driving from home(Manchester) to work (Southampton) and it's gloriously comfortable. Honestly, it's not too bad on fuel either, regularly got 45mpg + on that run. (THANKS M6 50 mph Smart Motorway upgrades! :mad0260Furthermore, obviously, you've got all the power you need for this country.

Had lots of compliments over the time i've had it, sounds incredible, goes like stink, looks gorgeous (in my opinion) and will ruin me when it goes.

Taking into account similar models/options and milages on Autotrader, asking price is starting at £23,000.

 

[tamzzy]

Shamelessly copied from my thread on another forum
/snip

although its pretty obvious you've got the 40/20/40 split seats and through loading, i'd probably mention that as well in your blurb.
IIRC it's not part of the extended storage pack and it's not very common that 3ers have that specced. at least not when i was last looking for a car...

 

[The_Abyss]

Good spec. If it had the adaptive suspension I’d be interested in that.

 

[NooBish AbbZ]

although its pretty obvious you've got the 40/20/40 split seats and through loading, i'd probably mention that as well in your blurb.
IIRC it's not part of the extended storage pack and it's not very common that 3ers have that specced. at least not when i was last looking for a car...

Great shout, thank you!


No worries @The_Abyss, she is glorious

 

[233]

mk3 mondeo or if you want to spend a bit more mk4 2.0 TDCI in titanium spec, get an auto if you must their not the best boxes but will eat miles all day long,

or dare i say ir as a cheap and i mean cheap option look at a vectra 1.9CDTI 150