car choice = please help

casaubond

casaubond

casaubond

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Joined
19 Oct 2008
Posts
106
It is time to change my car, unfortunately. I currently drive a Passat CC 2.0 TSI 210bph. Excellent car until now, for me at least. It has most of the desired features – dynamic chassis control, heated leather seats front and back, automatic lights, xenons… etc. and I enjoy driving it, although it has front-wheel drive, which for some purists here is a sacrilege

It is 10 years old, and it starts to cost in maintenance – rear wheel-bearing, front spring chassis casing bilateral, injectors, ABS sensor…etc. There are small issues, but they seem to appear constant now - BTW, my wife has a 10 years old BMW 1 series, but she never had any of these issues- none whatsoever….

So as per her experience, I am considering a second-hand BMW- hybrid, though.

I would like to have all the niceties my current car has – in my opinion seems a step back to give up leather heated seats for example – to be no older than 3 years

I have a budget of 22.5k can be stretched to 25k but only if something exceptional exists. I plan to drive this car at least 7 years or so. Hence I need to choose wisely

I have seen 530e and 330e within this price, but the options are limited, especially on the former.

If one keeps a car for a long time, what is important is the joy of driving, a good quality cockpit- no rattling – and some basic DAB entertainment.

For example, the visual cockpit trend seems silly to me. I much prefer analogue dials, but not sure if they are an option anymore, similar to lane assist/ maps..etc..

So, I am appealing to the more knowledgeable people on the forum – can I find a good 330e/ 530e – in the budget or is just a fantasy?

The second question is, what packages should I look for?

Third questions – what other reliable hybrid within budget - would people recommend? BTW I do not need SUV
 
so you have had this car for 10 years. is that from new ? what is the mileage on it out of interest ?

ask @[TW]Fox , he's quite knowledgeable on all things BMW

also perhaps jump in the BMW thread :




BMW and M Power Owners

I’m jumping on the bandwagon with the manufacturer specific threads. We need a BMW thread, so lets use this to discuss BMW and M Power cars. I know theres plenty of you on these forums with BMW’s or who have owned them in the past. Everyone welcome but don’t post in this thread if you intend...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk
 
Q1 - Probably for higher miles, leading to less reliability unless you look at an older model.

Q2 - 5 series will have more as standard, but you can spec pretty much whatever you can think of so best is to just have you key set of gadgets and keep you eye out.

Q3 - I wouldn't go to BMW if you're after reliability, and I'm a BMW fanboy.

Perhaps look at the Lexus GS 300h ? Same car class as the 5 series, much cheaper, and premium Japanese reliability.
 
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Toyota/lexus do the most reliable hybrids.

The VW tsi engine is t the best for reliability but don't be fooled into thinking BMW are a great deal better based on the wife's car.

avoid diesel's at all costs.

BMW naming scheme no longer relates to engine size, the b48 engine in the 530e is supposedly very reliable when well maintained.
 
For that budget look at a Renaultsport RS 280 its got most of what you want & drives like a dream plus ultra reliable engine! £25K would get you a decent RS300 BTW!
 
ShiWarrior said:
so you have had this car for 10 years. is that from new ? what is the mileage on it out of interest ?
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86 k mile, I had it almost from new , when I bought it it was 1 year old and 10k mile

Regarding Toyota/ Lexus - I know they are supposed to be reliable but I do not like the interior

Renault sport? why , it is useless for me at least commuting to work, plus not hybrid I said I am not interested in a pure petrol/ diesel engine.

Well it seems that I need to up my budget, wait a bit more for other car to depreciate, after 10 years the depreciation usually hits a plateau more or less
Thank you everyone
 
I'm surprised your having a lot of issues with it
my 13/14 year old car, MOT does pick up things, but cheap enough to fix and i keep the car but its never let me down, engine is solid

but its a petrol chain driven engine though
 
BMW's are definitely not more reliable than a VW, they'll be very similar. Your wife has just got lucky with hers and you've been a bit unlucky with yours :)

German cars as a rule aren't very reliable in the grand scheme of things, my family seem to love them despite (to my eyes anyway) constant niggling issues which i'd never put up with. If you want reliable get a Toyota/Lexus but as you've said some people would rather pay extra for the German interior and put up with the extra costs, and that's fine, it's a choice you have to make.

I've got a 13 year old Toyota and not had a single bill outside of consumables and had another Toyota before that which i ran until 125k miles an d 15 years old again with no bills other than brakes, tyres and fuel.
 
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