Keep my existing car and get a runaround vs swap?

DiscoDave

DiscoDave

DiscoDave

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Hi Chaps,

For the past couple of years I've had a job that's allowed me to work from home, consequently I decided to get a suitably fun, uneconomical car (57 plate 3.0L BMW Z4) as I do very few miles a week, mainly weekend driving. I'm looking to change jobs (partly due to job security concerns), as a result my mileage will increase - I'm looking at maybe 25 miles each way potentially for a new job. Obviously my current car will not be suitable for that commute.

This leaves me with one of two options

  • Sell the Z4, use the money to buy a nice, comfortable commuting car - something like a 320D or a Mazda 6.
  • Keep the Z4 as a weekend car, spend ~ £1k on something cheap, like a mondeo as a workhorse.

I'm sure several of you have been in this situation in the past, therefore will be interesting to hear your opinion.

Thanks,

David
 
DiscoDave said:
Economy and comfort mainly. I love the Z4, but it's more of a weekend blaster/casual driver than something to do quite a big commute in.
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It really depends on traffic, but I think you'd struggle to make up the costs of owning another car with potential fuel savings. I'd expect you to get around 30-35 mpg driven sensibly. The comfort issue is down to you really, but I've done fairly long commutes in my Z4M before and never had issues with comfort.

I'd personally stick with what you have and see how it goes, if you have any issues then make a change :)
 
I've commuted in a Z4 for over a year, and now I do the daily trip to the station in my Z4 without an issue, plus you can have a "long way home" drive when you feel like it which is nice.

For me economy hasn't been great (have a 3.0Si), I've generally achieved about 24 mpg, but then my journey has an average speed of about 20 mph. That's now improving as I'm driving to the station at a quieter time of day on slightly quicker roads, but I'm not driving particularly sensibly either. In the winter I was much closer to 28 mpg, and I was still, erm, enjoying the drive in.

Either way, I'd not worry about this until you get your job and know the distances involved. The Z4 is actually quite comfortable in its seating position etc, it's just let down by stiff springing and damping which can be improved. Smaller diameter wheels help here too.
 
Why is a Z4 not suitable for 25 miles a day? Economy wise it is one of the most efficient 3 litre petrol BMW's ever produced and I used to do 30 miles in a 530i with the same engine without any issues. Comfort wise - come on, it's 25 miles a day not 250.

This seems like a very daft idea, a 25 mile each way drive and a Z4 does not mean you need a 'daily car' instead.

Keep it.
 
My commute will shortly be going down to 25 miles each way so i'm already thinking of that fun car i can now buy. Just do it in the nice car you already have.
 
I wanted to do this but the costs are just ridiculous for me, if you can afford it get a runaround and enjoy the Z4.

14 MPG is NOT fun lol. my weekely commute of 210 miles
 
Commuted (albeit half your distance) in a 3.0 Z3 Coupe for 3 years.

If anything, I regret not using the car more when I owned it. Stupidly 'scared' of putting miles on it. I bought it for myself, not the next owner..

Anyway I don't think your commute would be that bad in a Z4 but I guess it's the soft top?

Alternatively, get something good with the proceeds from the sale and save for a second car.
 
You'd be surprised how much the running costs of a second car add up - tax, insurance, servicing, breakdowns etc... When you compare that to the fuel saving I think you'll be surprised how much more expensive it'll be compared to just using the Z4. They're perfectly comfortable IMO - just use that.
 
I drive about that much on my commute, it isn't that far at all, in fact I don't even touch a dual carriageway on my way in.

I am actually looking at buying a car which does sub 30MPG to replace my current car which does 40MPG :p
 
Acme said:
I am actually looking at buying a car which does sub 30MPG to replace my current car which does 40MPG :p
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Yawn, not this again. Your car buying fantasy is of little help to the OP and I doubt there is anyone left who isn't bored of you being about to buy a new car for literally the last 6 years.
 
[TW]Fox;28392833 said:
Yawn, not this again. Your car buying fantasy is of little help to the OP and I doubt there is anyone left who isn't bored of you being about to buy a new car for literally the last 6 years.
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I was actually supporting your point by saying that, there's no need for you to react like that.

I'm sure people are more tired of your opinionated and unhelpful whining...
 
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25miles is sod all.
And the overheads of running a second car, insurance, mot, tax and maintenance, would probably work out more than any savings in petrol. Although someone would need to do the calculation.
 
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