So I think I need a V8 (man maths ahoy)
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Soldato
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£3k on a V8 over 125k miles is asking for trouble.
You are going to be swimming in mechanic and part fees. If my 350z is anything to go buy engines arent really the big problem in cars like these , its the transmission and suspension that gets out of whack easily - and it costs a lot to fix.
You are going to be swimming in mechanic and part fees. If my 350z is anything to go buy engines arent really the big problem in cars like these , its the transmission and suspension that gets out of whack easily - and it costs a lot to fix.
As above we have mechanics in the family so the fee is parts only. It doesn't have to be that mileage there's plenty of lower (~80k) ones about. I'm also looking at the swathe of 530i Sports with low miles, FBMWSH and LPG conversions and thinking about looking closer. Six cylinders is still better than 4 and the examples seem better and newer.
Also in the running are the A8 4.2 litre, Mondeo ST220 and so on. In case anyone missed it this is a weekend project / toy car so oh noes it's a bit broken isn't really an issue... I just want something with a decent engine, more than 4 pots and enough power to put a smile on my face.
Soldato
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Even for a weekend car its very easy for a parts bill to be expensive. Normally if one bit is broken you actually end up having to buy the entire part piece- especially anything around the wheels/suspension. So what you think would be a £50 part ends up being £300.
As you said you were on a limited budget and have a kid, its something you really have to consider. I would definitely recommend you research via specific car forums as they normally can give you an idea of common faults and costs.
As you said you were on a limited budget and have a kid, its something you really have to consider. I would definitely recommend you research via specific car forums as they normally can give you an idea of common faults and costs.
As has been mentioned perhaps it's worth waiting until after the baby comes, I have a one and two year old and they leech money out of you. Personally I would go for something like a Toyota Soarer or a GS400 rather than a BMW or Audi.
E39 just do it. If you dont do it now while still child-less when else will you get the opertunity to scratch the itch? Worse comes to worse you get rid in 6 months time or SORN it until funds allow, it's hardly going to bankrupt you.
Caporegime
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Not sure as well, does it have to be a luxo barge?
I've got one. I love it. I bought a one-owner e39 540i sport 2 years ago and I'm planning to run it til it dies. Its the loveliest car I've ever had. Its just effortless to enjoy.
But its not my daily drive. I dont use it often, and if I do, it's A roads, motorways and trips abroad. I am expecting big bills to be thrown up randomly. I took that into account when I bought it. A tank of petrol at £80 returning on average 250 miles isn't something to be ignored either.
But its not my daily drive. I dont use it often, and if I do, it's A roads, motorways and trips abroad. I am expecting big bills to be thrown up randomly. I took that into account when I bought it. A tank of petrol at £80 returning on average 250 miles isn't something to be ignored either.
Thanks for the useful input guys. Apologies for the delays, as I said my wife was in hospital for tests this morning so I've been tied up. My financial situation is fine and we already have a child in the house. My wife has been a professional nursery nurse for 11 years also, so I'm pretty sure we know what to expect. 
Luckily she gets free nursery placements because of her employment status so can we please concentrate on the cars now and let me worry about my personal arrangements and bank balance now that we're quite sure I can afford it?
I have been reading Fox's response to the 530i sport thread and tbh it may be a decent compromise. I'm aware of a couple of manuals for sale with low miles and FSH around the 3.5k mark and that could be something to look into. As I said budget is flexible and the £3k mark just happens to be where most E39s seem to fall nowadays. Those 540is tho'....
There's no rush and I'm still checking out alternatives. I've listed a few in the thread already but it seems I'll be better off just doing my own research and buying what my heart wants. I'm still all ears for further input if anyone has any more experiences however.
Luckily she gets free nursery placements because of her employment status so can we please concentrate on the cars now and let me worry about my personal arrangements and bank balance now that we're quite sure I can afford it? I have been reading Fox's response to the 530i sport thread and tbh it may be a decent compromise. I'm aware of a couple of manuals for sale with low miles and FSH around the 3.5k mark and that could be something to look into. As I said budget is flexible and the £3k mark just happens to be where most E39s seem to fall nowadays. Those 540is tho'....
There's no rush and I'm still checking out alternatives. I've listed a few in the thread already but it seems I'll be better off just doing my own research and buying what my heart wants. I'm still all ears for further input if anyone has any more experiences however.
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Thanks for the useful input guys. Apologies for the delays, as I said my wife was in hospital for tests this morning so I've been tied up. My financial situation is fine and we already have a child in the house. My wife has been a professional nursery nurse for 11 years also, so I'm pretty sure we know what to expect.
I'd appreciate your feedback, input, ideas, encouragement or scorn in equal measure.
you said it!
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Associate
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You only live once, chances are you will get many happy free miles of motoring with big smiles, if worst comes to worst and something expensive happens, flog it on and pick up a cheap shed like a 1.0 corsa, cheap to run and insure if you get desperate chances are you won't have to come even close to that.
Yeah mate, because I've seen Motors threads year in year out and know where most end up lol.
I clearly can afford the car and just wanted advice about the car itself. It took hours of financial interrogation before we got anywhere useful once it transpired I could actually easily afford to run one. Even then people tried to tell me I'd probably run out of money... Responses in other threads about lower models like the E39 530i are enthusiastic and detailed, but the minute I post asking about a better spec and engine people throw the wall up. You can see how that looks a little ironic.
On the one hand I appreciate the knowledgeable posters making sure my eyes are open, but on the other it seems slightly amusing to glorify lower spec E39s but then scorn someone who can afford to run a better one from the same era. Luckily there turned out to be some handy advice in the thread which I've taken on board, especially coupled with Fox's detailed reply in the 530i thread.
As I said the 530i is actually a contender but if I can get a 540i in suitable condition I wouldn't hesitate. Some people are clearly skipping the thread to reply, and I would again point out we already have a brand new 64 plate Mazda 6 tourer 2.0 petrol daily so if the Beamer was off the road getting fixed up or whatever it wouldn't be an issue.
I honestly wish I'd been less up front with the details and just honestly said "Guys I have £3k to £5k to throw at a car with 6+ cylinders and 0-60 under 8s for the weekends, and servicing/running costs/insurance aren't an issue so come at me with your suggestions". I probably would have had more interesting and useful replies, with less accountancy, overall.
I also fully realise and hold up my hands that I'm posting primarily from my phone in between doctors' visits in the hospital so my replies aren't perhaps as pointed and useful as they could be. I just want some pointers on what cars might suit, how they fare and what they're like to own. Why so difficult? Because Motors.
Don't you want 8?
Of course! But as I've said all along I'd considered the straight 6 but with the ironically higher insurance costs the overall cost of ownership balances out so why not V8.
I just needed some pointers and suggestions. As I said I've looked at everything from the Mondeo ST220 V6 through to the Jaguar S Type V8, Lexus LS400 V8, Audi 2.7T you name it. I just want something fun with many cylinders to barge about in and have some smiles on the weekend before I'm old and dead.I've woken up from 9 years of diesel drudgery and realised what I'm missing! Just want some pointers from those who know better is all.
Screw all the people going on about being sensible, if you need to you can always sell the car later.
Mate of mine bought a Ferrari when he found out his missus was expecting their daughter, in his words, because I can afford it now, and if I dont have it now I'll never have one...
Mate of mine bought a Ferrari when he found out his missus was expecting their daughter, in his words, because I can afford it now, and if I dont have it now I'll never have one...
Haha my thoughts exactly. We can afford it, they're still available (but certainly not forever) and I want one. I'd only have spent the cash on fags and random crap so why not?
