Fix or swap?

[monkey_boy]

Hi All,

Just sent the X5 into BMW to get some things looked at and it's looking like a £2.5k bill to put it right. I think the car is worth £4-£4.5k and is 12 years old. It's getting to the point where I begrudge paying these bills to keep it ticking along and wonder do I keep it and fix it or sell and have a change. Wouldn't want to put a lot to it because the car only does a couple of thousand miles a year for holidays, seeing family and basically picking up where the range of the EV is impractical.

If the verdict is to swap, what are the options. If the car's worth £4k and fixing it would be £2.5 then a budget of £7k seems reasonable.

 

[tom_e]

The usual response to this is, spend £7k on an unknown entity which may need big work in 6 months time or spend £2.5k sorting your current car saving you £4.5k and you know it's history.

 

[tnx]

I kept an old Omega MV6 on the road for some years till it needed a lot of different things mending.
New windscreen due to de lamination, engine re build and new suspension all round and a nice bit of body work too.

I though I had to stop putting my hard earned cash into on old rubish and I let it go.

I would say don't spend good money on rubish.

 

[iaind]

If the car's worth £4k and fixing it would be £2.5 then a budget of £7k seems reasonable.

Man maths!!

What's actually wrong with it?

 

[slick rick]

Whats the problem with it?

 

[monkey_boy]

Intermittently sticky brake calliper,
drivers door handle/carrier needs replacing
rear parking sensors not working
cv gaitor split
front suspension arms having excessive play
needs new front discs and pads 'soon'
new front drivers driveshaft

 

[monkey_boy]

I only sent it in for the top two! I have said that I will run the car into the ground, but just wondering where that line needs to be drawn really.

 

[On Holiday]

Take it elsewhere and get a quote.

 

[FuriousGeorge]

Why are you sending a 12 year old car to a BMW dealer is the first question.

 

[tom_e]

Why are you sending a 12 year old car to a BMW dealer is the first question.

This is a good point an indy could probably cut that bill in half.

 

[slick rick]

You could probably get that lot done for a grand.

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

Intermittently sticky brake calliper - Breaker
drivers door handle/carrier needs replacing - Breaker
rear parking sensors not working - Do you need them?
cv gaitor split - Euro car parts
front suspension arms having excessive play - eBay
needs new front discs and pads 'soon' - consumables
new front drivers driveshaft - Breaker


That is in no way 2.5k there mate.

 

[Vita]

Parking sensors put in reverse and hand brake on. Go listen to them and the ones not ticking replace.

 

[monkey_boy]

Does your suggestion of 'breaker' imply that I then do the work myself?

 

[monkey_boy]

Parking sensors put in reverse and hand brake on. Go listen to them and the ones not ticking replace.

Good tip. Am I missing something though about putting the car in reverse and the handbrake on. How do I do that without A) Stalling or B)getting run over?

 

[tom_e]

Does your suggestion of 'breaker' imply that I then do the work myself?

Yes, or take said parts to your local independent mechanic who won't be robbing you of £100ph in labour.

 

[Phemo]

Good tip. Am I missing something though about putting the car in reverse and the handbrake on. How do I do that without A) Stalling or B)getting run over?

On your own it'd be somewhat difficult but surely you can find someone to sit in the car with it in reverse who you can trust to not run you over

 

[monkey_boy]

On your own it'd be somewhat difficult but surely you can find someone to sit in the car with it in reverse who you can trust to not run you over

 

[Raymond Lin]

Just be sure they are insured to drive the car in case you do get run over

 

[iaind]

Good tip. Am I missing something though about putting the car in reverse and the handbrake on. How do I do that without A) Stalling or B)getting run over?

Dont do it with the engine running?