Replacing BMW coupe

[TW]Fox · 26 Dec 2014 at 19:34

sswats said:
I'm looking to get rid of the coupe. Its repair costs are too much and too frequent, and not something I'm used to after owning 3 Hondas in a row.

xs2man said:
Yes, well obviously it is not a E92, sure.

But he is wanting something bigger, due to an expanding family.

He wants something cheaper to run and more reliable than an N52 engined E92.

That is not a V8 Discovery, however you try and spin in it.

zegna · 26 Dec 2014 at 20:07

xs2man said:
Yes, well obviously it is not a E92, sure.

But he is wanting something bigger, due to an expanding family. Doesn't necessarily want something sporty, but the V8 Disco would have plenty power. He's only doing 7-8 k per year so the petrol costs wont be too crippling. They are nice to drive and comfortable, so the only issue there really is reliability. But any decent car at that budget could have issues.

So it's not as HUGE a leap as you guys are making it out to be.

As for the S600 comment, that is absurd. Should have specced him an MX5, equally absurd. He didn't ask for some weapon spec saloon, or a two seater "sports" car.

A Discovery makes for a reasonably sensible family motor with plenty of toys, and a HUGE boot. Sure, going for a V8 one may be the lunatic point there, but the diesel one would be fast enough, and probably not all that much more on fuel than the 325i. Reliability may be an issue, but I had a grand total of 1 problem with my V8 P38 during my ownership, and that was a window regulator that cost £40. Hardly in keeping with its reputation.

Shouldn't have wasted your time writing this essay.. it was stupid suggestion

Not saying a countryman was a great one, but I didn't realise you can't get them for £9-10k.. Great cars though, very popular in London.

xs2man · 26 Dec 2014 at 21:04

Didn't realise you were the OP.

Anyway, I was only making a suggestion from a family car perspective. I had never thought of 4x4's until it was suggested to me in a similar post. Then got my P38 and loved it.

Whilst it may be a suggestion that doesn't fulfil one of the OP's requirements, same as most other suggestions to be fair.

Otherwise why not just get a 2.0T A4 Avant and be done with it?

[TW]Fox · 26 Dec 2014 at 21:17

He's obviously after something very inexpensive to repair - his 325i is hardly the most unreliable or expensive to fix car in the world and yet it generates a level of bill he is unhappy with.

Therefore yet more premium stuff clearly isn't the answer, is it?

mrk · 26 Dec 2014 at 23:31

Lexus repair bills can be quite high too can they not? Though they will no doubt be a lot more reliable so bills won't be frequent. I really like the IS250 style, seems to tick your boxes too.

Go for a test drive and browse a few owners forum threads to see what is what?

Jester* · 27 Dec 2014 at 08:23

Don't discount Mazda 6's. Well built, reliable and comfortable.

rodenal · 27 Dec 2014 at 09:26

Jester* said:
Don't discount Mazda 6's. Well built, reliable and comfortable.

Whilst I actually like the mazda, some of this doesn't ring true with me.

The first iteration had terrible rust problems, the second iteration has some of the most horrible trim inside I've ever seen and it seems to fall apart (though most of these have been taxi's) and even the latest one, whilst lovely looking has some seriously questionable panel gaps and interior design/ material use that I can guarantee will start creaking and rattling with age plus it actually doesn't ride brilliantly on bigger wheels, though that's clearly out of budget anyway.

They're a very good all rounder and alternative to the mondeo - but can't hold a candle to the likes of Lexus for build quality and particularly interior

Jester* · 27 Dec 2014 at 10:58

^^ Hence why they are good value.

I picked up an 06 Mazda 6 for about £1500 ran it for a year. Didn't disintegrate and sold it for what I paid for it. Didn't have a spot of rust either!

rodenal · 27 Dec 2014 at 12:34

They're great at that price point but for £8k I don't personally think i'd want one

A Mondeo is a similar size but a touch better inside, the likes of an exeo is a bit smaller but a class apart inside.

The fact the OP has suggested something like an is250 says to me that the Mazda isn't going to work for him

Jester* · 27 Dec 2014 at 14:26

The hard thing is quantifying a very nice car to drive. Be that comfort/handling/power.

Having never driven an IS I cannot make a comment, but I do know that Lexus build quality is epic.

Other alternatives: Seat Leon FR, Mazda 3 MPS (Dad owns one and personally I think its brilliant but may not be what the OP is going for), Toyota Avensis (Questionable styling, but probably go forever) VW Passat, Volvo C30 (Had a massive soft spot for these, probably survive WW3 as well)