Think I need to go diesel...

skiba · 6 May 2008 at 19:13

Been doing a bit of a thinking, this is probably a bit daft given it's twice my original budget and not a diesel but am liking the 350Z. My driving mainly consists of a little round London, not that much so I don't really care about urban economy, it's more that I don't like to take the Impreza on long journeys, the 350Z has a 6th gear which I assume would make it much more economical? Is that logical?

Shimmy · 6 May 2008 at 19:26

Could probably just about get a decent E39 530D for that budget.

Definately could get a nice 528i E39.

Dogbreath · 6 May 2008 at 19:35

skiba said:
the 350Z has a 6th gear which I assume would make it much more economical? Is that logical?

Not even remotely logical. The 350Z has a 75% greater engine displacement (though no turbo) and weighs a fair bit more than the Impreza. I doubt fuel economy will be significantly better. However, it's a great car so if you aren't fussed about economy, then get one (and then get this pointless thread deleted!)

6thElement · 6 May 2008 at 19:56

That 6th gear will help when doing 15mph in traffic jams though surely?

Shimmy · 6 May 2008 at 20:08

Ohh my

[TW]Fox · 6 May 2008 at 20:39

Shimmy said:
Could probably just about get a decent E39 530D for that budget.

No.

Definately could get a nice 528i E39.

Yes.

skiba · 6 May 2008 at 22:19

It must get a fair amount more mpg in 6th gear than a WRX though surely...there must be some way I can justify it! I don't need the room of a 5 series despite liking them very much, it will be a waste. I also love the old Z3M Coupe but I would imagine that's about as uneconomical as my WRX, 330d is probably the sensible option I suppose.

Shimmy · 6 May 2008 at 22:23

[TW]Fox;11637289 said:
No.

Yes.

Our opinions of decent may be different, I've had a look before I said that statement and I still stand by it

In any case I'd rather have the 528i, and I may be looking for one come renewal.

PMKeates · 6 May 2008 at 22:24

Scuzi said:
Something is wrong with it because if I don't rag it all the way, I can manage an average of 30mpg with my 3.0 straight six.

You have clearly overlooked the fact that one engine is made by BMW, renown for building smooth, sweet sounding, high tech, economical yet powerful engines for use in expensive cars, and the other by Ford, renown for building rather rough, hoarse, rehashes of uneconomical engines low on power for use in cheap cars*.

It's what you'd expect when your BM engine cost significantly more to develop, costs significantly more to buy and costs a fair bit more to maintain, too!

*It's fact!

Dogbreath · 7 May 2008 at 00:20

skiba said:
It must get a fair amount more mpg in 6th gear than a WRX though surely...there must be some way I can justify it!

Well, mpg isn't the way to justify it. Parkers says 24mpg, and I suspect that's not far out. Even if you could squeeze a couple more mpg out of it than your Impreza it would take many years to recoup the costs in buying it.

6 speed boxes on road cars are largely fashion accessories, you only need lots of gears if the engine has a very narrow power band. If making a significant improvement to economy was as simple as adding another gear there would be a lot more 6 speed boxes around by now...

[TW]Fox · 7 May 2008 at 00:24

Shimmy said:
Our opinions of decent may be different, I've had a look before I said that statement and I still stand by it

With respect a small 200x200 picture and an Autotrader description isn't much of a guarantee that the car is a minter. You can't buy a 530d thats worth owning and won't cost you more in repairs than the saving in running costs over buying a petrol model for £5k. It's that simple.

richolmes72 · 7 May 2008 at 00:41

Dogbreath said:
6 speed boxes on road cars are largely fashion accessories, you only need lots of gears if the engine has a very narrow power band. If making a significant improvement to economy was as simple as adding another gear there would be a lot more 6 speed boxes around by now...

I have an issue with unnecessary 6 speed boxes too! On some cars it makes sense but on others its pointless...

For example, what is the point in a 6 speed on a 1.6 petrol people carrier :confused:

My autobox in the jag is only a 4 speed - and it never engages 1st unless I force it to. But no need when I have so much torque

mjt · 7 May 2008 at 00:52

lexus 8 speed auto f t w

Shimmy · 7 May 2008 at 01:05

[TW]Fox;11638965 said:
With respect a small 200x200 picture and an Autotrader description isn't much of a guarantee that the car is a minter. You can't buy a 530d thats worth owning and won't cost you more in repairs than the saving in running costs over buying a petrol model for £5k. It's that simple.

With respect, please do not misinterpret what I have said.

I said 'just about get a decent one' which does not in my language at least mean, 'minter'.

I wasn't telling him to get the diesel over the petrol version, in fact later on I even said that my preference would be the petrol. I gave the suggestion because he originally wanted to buy a bmw diesel, and a e39 530d would be more realistic than an e46 330d.

Also, I haven't said that I have looked in autotrader so you are assuming again. Here are a couple examples from PH:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/435737.htm

http://pistonheads.com/sales/495398.htm

Yes I know despite the fsh and seemingly clean interior, there can be many (expensive) faults which may exist or develop. But that like any other car, is part and parcel of searching for a used example is it not?