So I think I need a V8 (man maths ahoy)

[Yaayuh!]

S6: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...1500/onesearchad/used,nearlynew,new?logcode=p

2003
80K -- (Actually 80085.... )
Tiptronic.

When pretty much anything goes bang though, it'll cost an arm. But buy it and do this:

There's also a 1998 Jag XK8 on AT under £5K.. lol.

 

[Rainmaker]

These look promising from a quick browse (no that's not my postcode):

2001 540i Sport, FSH, auto box, 138k miles, all the toys. £2,950

2002 530i Sport Touring, 1 owner, FSH, manual gearbox, 128k miles, full leather etc etc. £2,950

2001 530i Sport, 2 owners, FSH, manual gearbox, 93k miles, full leather etc etc. £3,000

 

[Rainmaker]

S6: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...1500/onesearchad/used,nearlynew,new?logcode=p

2003
80K -- (Actually 80085.... )
Tiptronic.

When pretty much anything goes bang though, it'll cost an arm.

There's also a 1998 Jag XK8 on AT under £5K.. lol.

Already looked at that when I went off on a tangent from A8 4.2 V8 > S6 > 2.7T. Nice looking motor but my heart's still saying BMW.

 

[dacads]

I think you've covered all the options matey, now to pick one!!

 

[Yaayuh!]

Already looked at that when I went off on a tangent from A8 4.2 V8 > S6 > 2.7T. Nice looking motor but my heart's still saying BMW.

Bleugh

 

[Rainmaker]

Bleugh

OK I have to admit I just got chance to watch the video. DAT NOISE! The pops and bangs on overrun made me go ... I like it, but I think the E39 would be cheaper to maintain and less complicated without the quattro and an autobox. Definitely one to look into though, as I said I'm open to suggestions and ideas!

 

[Rainmaker]

Complete left fielder and you'll all laugh now, but this made me grin for the price of it.

1995 Lexus LS400 4.0 V8 with 140k, FSH, full leather and toys, auto box, owned by a posh looking owner since 2001 but he's now retired and not driving it. Looks immaculate and drives superbly apparently, and it has four new premium tyres.

£600

By the looks of the house behind it they're not short of money or the skimping type. Intrigued at shed money and the insurance is laughably cheap.

 

[Ryan-3]

Toyota Soarer

With the 1JZ-GTE. Solid engine and rather nice noise.

 

[HangTime]

We're considering buying just after the baby gets here towards the summer,

Mmmmmmm. Just you wait son

My guess is in the aftermath of the baby arriving you will discover you have less disposable income, and indeed less free time to out cruising at weekends.

If you're still keen in the summer then by all means go for it.

 

[bainbridge]

"Throwaway money", "baby on the way".

Ahh

 

[Mirage]

The M62 quite commonly has the timing chain guides go around 150K. Parking sensors commonly fail on the E39 and the transmission can be snatchy. A lot of car for the money but has the potential of costing a lot of money, BMW prices don't get much better with age.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Parking sensors are a total non issue, they are 15 quid each.

 

[Mirage]

It's common for the issue to be bad connection assembly wire side, too.

 

[Rainmaker]

"Throwaway money", "baby on the way".

Ahh

I appreciate the irony but it's not 'our' first child (my first though if you understand - my wife had a young child when we met). We're fully aware of the costs and are already fully kitted out. Not an issue. Out of £850-900 weekly income we 'need' £300 for housing/bills/food and the rest currently gets splurged on random pleasures of life with a chunk put aside variably for savings. I shan't worry about running a second car.

Another random one, but this Jaguar S Type 4.0 V8 just caught my eye on the Trader while browsing V8s. It's one lady owner, FJSH, 80k miles, serviced and maintained to date, comes with 6 month warranty (trader sale), 12 months MOT, and the leather and upholstery are beautifully unblemished. Even the dash, buttons and cubby holes are unworn. Looks really nice and tidy for £1,900 and owners' reviews put it between 25 and 30mpg with very reasonable servicing and parts costs.

As I said in the OP my joy is lack of rushing, we have a daily and this is all pleasure for me. I'll just try a few cars out for size, keep researching and pull the trigger when I see the one that I can't stop smiling about after a test drive or two.

 

[danza]

Do it.

I nearly bought a very clean C36 AMG Merc for a very good price 2 years ago (hardly any rust at all and these things like to rust for fun). Instead I bought an E39 530i sport (and crashed it).

I still wonder what might have been with the C36, and regret not buying it more than I regret writing off my E39.

My man maths would even have worked out okay, but my head won and the Merc remains just a dream (albeit a 1996 car-based probably very costly one).

 

[Rainmaker]

Do it.

I nearly bought a very clean C36 AMG Merc for a very good price 2 years ago (hardly any rust at all and these things like to rust for fun). Instead I bought an E39 530i sport (and crashed it).

I still wonder what might have been with the C36, and regret not buying it more than I regret writing off my E39.

My man maths would even have worked out okay, but my head won and the Merc remains just a dream (albeit a 1996 car-based probably very costly one).

I know exactly what you mean mate. Funny you should say that about the 530i, they must be jinxed! Didn't Fox's end up in a ditch not long after he got it? haha

 

[[TW]Fox]

That was about a year before you even registered

 

[danza]

I believe it did have a slight off, much 'slighter' than mine was though.

I often fantasize about buying Fox's E39 (does he even still have it?) and re-living my E39 saloon days.

P.S. if you do buy an E39, it must be a sport and it must have style 37s.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Of course I do

 

[danza]

It will follow you to the grave I bet!

Meanwhile, this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...id/bfbc2bdf0df6969739635ea6a2b98c1e?logcode=p

Want.