Running Costs Question

flibbage0 · 1 May 2011 at 17:52

Joshy said:
Hmm... I think I'm going to go against the grain of the forum and suggest that perhaps it isn't quite as bad an idea and you'd first think.

The 316i/318i unit is fairly reliable and economical, the E36 design has been around for donkeys years so there probably not a single arches mechanic out there who hasn't touched one, parts are plentiful and pretty cheap, etc.

It's all good to 'play it safe' but at this sort of budget it doesn't really matter. You've got to keep your eyes wide open with absolutely anything you buy. And Remember that stuff like a Focus does carry a premium, so you may very well end up paying more money for less car.

Judging by her friends lack of car knowledge I wouldn't even bother spending £1000 on a 13 year old BMW, it is prone to so many problems and within a month could have a large bill.

Its like Maserati's, you can get them for the price of a new Mondeo but they have ferrari running costs which people forget about.

Scania · 1 May 2011 at 18:58

Joshy said:
The 316i/318i unit is fairly reliable and economical, the E36 design has been around for donkeys years so there probably not a single arches mechanic out there who hasn't touched one

And whilst he was under the car, noticed how crumbly the e36's wheel arches are?

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 20:11

flibbage0 said:
Judging by her friends lack of car knowledge I wouldn't even bother spending £1000 on a 13 year old BMW, it is prone to so many problems and within a month could have a large bill.

Its like Maserati's, you can get them for the price of a new Mondeo but they have ferrari running costs which people forget about.

Yes, I see what you mean. I was however thinking of the stereotypical ford fiesta/ford focus/honda civic driver vs the typical bmw driver - I would guess that a BMW would have likely been better cared for throughout it's life than most other cars.

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
And whilst he was under the car, noticed how crumbly the e36's wheel arches are?

I may not be a mechanic, but even I would spot that

[TW]Fox · 1 May 2011 at 20:14

Just buy an old Toyota Corolla or something.

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 20:38

[TW]Fox;19031710 said:
Just buy an old Toyota Corolla or something.

Something like this perhaps?

[TW]Fox · 1 May 2011 at 20:38

Yea, but not an automatic.

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 20:42

[TW]Fox;19031899 said:
Yea, but not an automatic.

Okay. Any particular reason to avoid the autos?

Podmonkey · 1 May 2011 at 20:46

Obligatory vote for a car I own but....

A Puma? Theres still loads of good examples knocking about. If you get one with minimal rust (footwell and arches) and the cambelt done then theres not much else major to worry about. Its basically a lightly tuned fiesta at its core so part are very cheap and easy to find on the whole. The inside is nothing amazing (again fiest style) but it will be better than a 97 corsa interior. Its got a bit more pep in it and the fuel economy isnt bad. I personally love the looks and its something a bit different.