Noob car upgrade advice please

Brok

Brok

Brok

Associate
Joined
9 Mar 2004
Posts
1,650
Hi folks,

I'm sure you are all bored to tears with 'Spec me a xxxxx' threads, but I'm hoping there is room for one more :)

A little background. I am 31 years old, I have 2 years driving experience and 0 claims. I currently drive a 2001 1.6 Focus and do roughly 9000 miles a year. This is the only car I have ever owned (also drive my wife's 1 litre Corsa)

I have just got a new job which means I will be doing a lot more travelling, fully expect to be doing more than 20k miles per year, majority on motorways. This job comes with a car allowance, a fuel card (which covers both business and personal miles) and also pays for my insurance. I have been told to get something 'I would give a client a lift in', so no old wrecks.

Based on this, I have up to £12,000 to spend on a car. I will be financing this, but can easily cover the monthly repayments (small mortgage, decent salary, dont want to cane my savings on a motor). I am responsible for servicing and tax costs. I dont necessarily have to spend £12k but this is really the maximum I feel comfortable financing.


Bear in mind, fuel and insurance are not really a factor, I am looking for the following

* Comfort for those motorway miles
* Reliable
* Decent engine for some 'fun factor', my Focus feels pretty slow. I am not a lunatic driver but would like to have something with a bit of life under the bonnet.
* At least 4 doors, I have a baby daughter (unless someone can persuade my wife getting a baby in and out of a coupe is doable ;))
* Decent sized boot for hauling baby stuff around
* Ideally petrol/manual but would consider the right diesel/auto car
* Ideally something with at least a bit of residual value after 3 years.
* Dont want a convertible
* No 4x4 or Estate cars

I am flexible on age and mileage on the car - I'd rather have a reliable 5 year old car than an unreliable 2 year old one.

I have read through these forums for a fair while, and it seems the BMW E46 330i Sport comes out highly recommended. They also seem to be pretty rare in 4 door configuration. I've never driven a RWD car and am not sure if a car this powerful is a good idea going from a 1.6 Focus. I'm also not sure how suitable these are for small children, ie boot space, ease of fitting child seats etc.

What would people recommend at this price point that meets my requirements?

Thanks in advance.
 
Brok said:
I'm also not sure how suitable these are for small children, ie boot space, ease of fitting child seats etc.
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They do an estate version too.

Edit: just read - no estate. What about 530i Sport?
 
I would be happy driving idiot clients about in a 530i Sport! Has a better image than a 3 series I would think. Or rather, a different image perhaps? Either way.

Of course I dare say there are many other cars suitable, but i'm looking into the 3 and 5 series 3.0 engined machines at the moment! I however am torn between luxury 5 or drop-top/coupe 3.

Good luck with the search anyway!
 
does sound like a beemer would suit, as said above the 5 is more of an executive car, clients will likely be much more impressed by one than a 3. Don't worry about it being RWD, BMW's do not have edgy handling, and besides there is always the computerised nanny keeping things in check.
 
OK I hadnt considered the 5 series (always looked huge compared to my focus!) but I'll have a scout around and see whats available.

I absolutely love the new Mondeo but they are still out of my price range for a decent spec/trim and I expect there to be considerable depreciation in the next couple of years.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
£12k is a bit of an annoying budget for a 5 Series in that it isn't really enough to pick up a properly nice E60 (Current shape) but it seems a bit much to spend on an E39 (Previous shape). If you do buy one ignore the cheapy ones - spend proper money and get a nice one owner car in excellent condition, this is better than saving a few grand by picking one up on the cheap.
 
[TW]Fox;12275831 said:
£12k is a bit of an annoying budget for a 5 Series in that it isn't really enough to pick up a properly nice E60 (Current shape) but it seems a bit much to spend on an E39 (Previous shape). If you do buy one ignore the cheapy ones - spend proper money and get a nice one owner car in excellent condition, this is better than saving a few grand by picking one up on the cheap.
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aaaah I feel comforted by Fox's, yet again, uncanny knowledge on all things Bimmerness :)
 
If I was buying now I'd buy a 2003 530i Sport Champagne II edition. These are the runout models with Navigation, TV, extended leather, in black with the right 18 inch wheels. They are unfortunately all Auto, though.

Probably a bit too old now to find a one owner from new ubermileage example and I wouldnt want a 3-4 owner high miler becuase each new owner will have treated it with a little less car than the one before.

So, with that in mind, something like this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/560932.htm

It is rather expensive becuase of the low mileage, however. There are 60-70k milers for a few grand less.

Or this:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...&make=BMW&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

£10k, low mileage, immaculate, even got 4 decent tyres on it.
 
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Clarkey said:
Don't worry about it being RWD, BMW's do not have edgy handling, and besides there is always the computerised nanny keeping things in check.
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This depends solely on the way the original Focus is driven. If it's thrown about and there's a reliance on the understeer and a sticky back end then translating that to a pokey RWD isn't a good idea and will get him in trouble.
 
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