BMW 530?

Conanius · 13 Jun 2007 at 09:56

to be honest, if your anything like I was, you find a way to make a 1.1i fiesta fast by throwing it around, doing the same in a 530i will bite you in the arse.

Making a sweeping statement, I doubt you'd have the experience to be able to correct things before they went so wrong you'd be halfway down the creek without a paddle.

panthro · 13 Jun 2007 at 10:24

[TW]Fox said:
How old are you?

Spend 4 grand on a Focus 1.6. Keep it for a year or two. Then in 2 years time, buy a nice 530.

If he has 8.5k to 11.5k why would he want to spend 4k on a less than luxurious Focus?

You could maybe consider something like an Audi A4 or A6 TDI? Reasonably luxurious without the powerful 3.0 engine.

penski · 13 Jun 2007 at 10:42

I see sarcasm has been banished from the motors forum

*n

[TW]Fox · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:28

panthro said:
If he has 8.5k to 11.5k why would he want to spend 4k on a less than luxurious Focus?

Because it's his first car. There is no need to spend a bundle on your first car. I suspect he's under 21, thus there is even less need to spend a pile on your first car.

Buy something mundane, stick the rest in an ISA, get some experience, take the cash out the ISA and blow it on something flash.

panthro · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:39

[TW]Fox said:
Because it's his first car. There is no need to spend a bundle on your first car. I suspect he's under 21, thus there is even less need to spend a pile on your first car.

Buy something mundane, stick the rest in an ISA, get some experience, take the cash out the ISA and blow it on something flash.

What if he is older than 21? I dont see the problem in spending the money on a nice car if you have the money to spend. i.e. you have a stable job, sufficent funds etc. Obviously not something ridiculously powerful.

[TW]Fox · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:42

panthro said:
What if he is older than 21? I dont see the problem in spending the money on a nice car if you have the money to spend. i.e. you have a stable job, sufficent funds etc. Obviously not something ridiculously powerful.

Just dont see the point when you'll either scrape, bash or get bored of your first care inside of a year anyway. Why not learn the ropes of driving in something mundane then splash out on something brilliant once youve got the hang of it and insurance is more sensible?

panthro · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:46

[TW]Fox said:
Just dont see the point when you'll either scrape, bash or get bored of your first care inside of a year anyway. Why not learn the ropes of driving in something mundane then splash out on something brilliant once youve got the hang of it and insurance is more sensible?

I see your point and in most cases its applicable.

I think however if I had just passed my test now and was looking for a car (Im 25) I would like to get something reasonably nice, well, nicer than a Focus. Good cars, but not the most comfortable.

[TW]Fox · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:49

panthro said:
I think however if I had just passed my test now and was looking for a car (Im 25) I would like to get something reasonably nice, well, nicer than a Focus. Good cars, but not the most comfortable.

Thats becuase you've been driving for a while and this affects your judgement. You've had nice cars, you know what they are like.

90% of new drivers think, at the time, their first car is amazing. They've got nothing to compare it to, its their first set of wheels, its brilliant. Even a Fiesta feels like a supercar. Why not take advantage of this, get something mundane, THEN move to something special?

aftershxck · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:59

[TW]Fox said:
Just dont see the point when you'll either scrape, bash or get bored of your first care inside of a year anyway. Why not learn the ropes of driving in something mundane then splash out on something brilliant once youve got the hang of it and insurance is more sensible?

I have to agree, I'm 21 and only passed last year but I had dreams of getting insured on my mum's A4, or trying on a TT if she got one (although I got quotes back of 5K so that would never have worked anyway). However I was convinced I'd be alright with a more powerful car etc. but in hindsight I can see I was wrong and I'm forever thankful to my mum as always

Alex UK · 13 Jun 2007 at 15:59

For 8.5k to 11.5k you could get a top end late 90's Audi S4. TWIN TURBOCHARGED 2.7 V6! :eek:

With all the safety of Quattro four wheel drive!

Have a look here.

panthro · 13 Jun 2007 at 16:34

[TW]Fox said:
Thats becuase you've been driving for a while and this affects your judgement. You've had nice cars, you know what they are like.

90% of new drivers think, at the time, their first car is amazing. They've got nothing to compare it to, its their first set of wheels, its brilliant. Even a Fiesta feels like a supercar. Why not take advantage of this, get something mundane, THEN move to something special?

Fair point, however, I think that if said person had the money to spend on the car and had expectations of what he wanted his car to do, but went hugely under budget, he wouldnt be satisfied with his purchase, and would end up chopping it in for something else within a few months.

I was definitely in the 10% minority because my Volvo 360 GLS was not amazing! But once I got my Punto 85sx it was the best car ever

benlanky · 13 Jun 2007 at 16:37

Back to your first question, I believe the 530 is a superb car, has the same engine as my 330, which is a peach.

Autocar keep raving about the e39 as the best used car around and with all the driver aids on them (as long as you don't switch them off

) they're pretty safe too.

I'm sure if I could have afforded a 530 when I was 18 (or whatever you are) I'd have jumped at the chance. Also, after the Canadian GP, I think BMW's are pretty strong in a crash......

[TW]Fox · 13 Jun 2007 at 16:39

panthro said:
Fair point, however, I think that if said person had the money to spend on the car and had expectations of what he wanted his car to do, but went hugely under budget, he wouldnt be satisfied with his purchase, and would end up chopping it in for something else within a few months.

I was definitely in the 10% minority because my Volvo 360 GLS was not amazing! But once I got my Punto 85sx it was the best car ever

Exactly. You loved your Punto even though its crap.

You and me now need to spend loads of cash when we buy a car otherwise we'll be dissapointed and it wont live up to our expectations. But this guy has never had a car. He has no expectations - take advantage of this, start at the bottom and work your way up becuase when you do that 530 will seem so much more special.

jigger · 13 Jun 2007 at 17:11

Matt7613 said:
True, I have 8.5k -11.5K for a first car. Sooo if you disagree with a 530, you could recommend me something else you think would be more suitable?

If you've got your heart set on one and can afford it, get its a great car. just be ready for some big bills. If you live with your perents and have a good job i cant see why you can't cover this car it's not that outragous for a youg man like yourself to own.
But you may want to think about somthing a little more cost effctive if your the kind of guy that likes to live a little.You seem to want the car more for the luxury than performance so a well looked after 525 td se for about 7 grand would serve you just aswell and keep a few grand in your pocket after you've insured it to.
Just make sure you get a good one (proper inspection) and if your still not sure just walk away the maket is swamped BMW'S.

Brave choice my freind.
Regards
jigger.

Westyfield2 · 13 Jun 2007 at 17:18

3litre 5Series would be too big as a first car, and too big an engine for reasonable insurance!

IF you're 'BMW AS FIRST CAR = WINNORZ!!!!111' get a smaller engined 3series - smaller physically and smaller engine will be a lot cheaper to insure, but is still RWD (eg a 318ti Sport Compact) - and you can use the leftover money to save for when you can handle a bigger/more powerful car.

But Fox's suggestion of a Focus seems pretty sensible (as RWD=INSTANT DEATH111!!1) and would have better insurance than a 3Series.

Lopéz · 13 Jun 2007 at 17:32

thepharcyde said:
I agree, the 330 is just not tail happy either.

Try turning off all your Gaylord Switches.

quadboi · 13 Jun 2007 at 19:42

What about a Lexus IS200 ? Or a no go zone....

jigger · 13 Jun 2007 at 20:17

Whats all this rwd=death talk, maybe if it was 1979 3.0 capri but a 2002 BMW is no more dangerous than a fwd car that under steer's if your pushing to hard, if anything it's safer as you can steer into a slide but you can't arse out of one. It's just a diffent style of driving that some people have trouble with addapting to when they have mostly driven front wheel drive cars, if you master a rwd though you should have no problem with a fwd.

Smeg4Brains · 13 Jun 2007 at 20:18

i learnt to drive in a v6 2.5litre mx6 @ 17, 21 now and driving a toyota celica twin turbo 2.5litre, not had any accidents, and learning to drive in a sort of speedy/sporty car gave me experience enough to go out and buy a good car as my first, and i've never had an accident (i drive responsible, and speed when neccessary

).

It all depends on you, if i was you, yes id get a luxurious car as my first, but i cant stand anything thats under 2l with no power

Stonedofmoo · 13 Jun 2007 at 20:43

toyota celica twin turbo 2.5litre

I didn't know they made one, or is that an engine transplant from another car?