What percentage of your wage do put towards motoring?

Crimefighter said:
Im about to put an offer in on a 335i, and am trying to work out running costs on it.

Not sure how much its actually going to hurt, but including Insurance/Tax/Parking/Servicing/MoT/Mech. Warranty I'd estimate approximately 9% of my net salary, 12% if I include depreciation.

It will be a weekend only car so Im not sure what the fuel bill will be - depends on how pedal happy I am I guess :).
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A weekend only 335i? I wouldn't bother unless perhaps it's a cab - the coupe is a very competent car but it's strength is its all round ability. It isn't special enough for a weekend car. You can do better if you want a weekend toy.
 
12% of your wage on a weekend car doesn't make too much sense unless you're a millionaire buying a 458 Italia.

As this is a 335i I'm assuming it isn't the case! :)
 
[TW]Fox;24526314 said:
A weekend only 335i? I wouldn't bother unless perhaps it's a cab - the coupe is a very competent car but it's strength is its all round ability. It isn't special enough for a weekend car. You can do better if you want a weekend toy.
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What would you recommend for similar money? E46 M3? Im not into convertibles, although the 335i I am looking at does have a sunroof.

To provide some background....I want something I can take care of and look after, a hobby or a "pride and joy". I have always wanted to own a BMW since I was a kid watching the E30 M3 tear up the Australian Touring Cars when they participated.

It will be used for weekends away with the Mrs, both across the UK and occasionally to Europe. Also for a mixture of weekend motoring in the local area.

As such Id like something sporty but fairly pliant so the Mrs can ride in comfort over a range of distances. The 335i ticks all those boxes in my price range. I also think the Coupe looks cool. It may not be "special" enough for you...but for me, it is.

Im not planning to do any track days.
 
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For a special weekender for that kind of uses get an SL55 AMG Mercedes or something truly decent.

A 3-series is designed as an allrounder, great as an every day commuting car.
 
I've been doing some number crunching and worked out that since I bought it in November 2011 the Mondeo has taken 25.57% of my net salary. :eek:

That's everything I've ever had to spend on it: tax, insurance, fuel, servicing, other repairs etc.

If you include the purchase price it goes up to 33.96%
 
So finance, fuel, VED, servicing, tyres and insurance are bringing me back to 30% of my take home salary now.

Can't believe I was spending 50% of my salary back then on a car... especially considering how much I didn't earn.

Necro bump, how has yours changed folks?
 
About 18% for 2 cars including fuel, maintenance, tax insurance etc.

Cars are pretty crap tho. :(
 
7% of my take home. That's for a 13 year old E46 so not too bad at all especially given its age.

Adding in depreciation. Only lost about 5k on it in 8 years thanks to getting it for an absolute bargain.
 
10.9% including fuel, insurance, VED, servicing, maintenance, MOT, consumables (as far as air fresheners).

All above based on average monthly spend over last 4.5 years, based on take home pay, after deduction of pension and student loans.
 
So how do I work this out when I only bought my new car about 6 months ago

24k over 6 months = 4k per month (Not including fuel,insurance etc)
About 125% of my wages then ....:p
 
Just worked mine out, 13% of gross pay, of which 9% of that goes on diesel - ~25k miles a year.

I'm also very fortunate that my brother is a technician, so i don't pay hefty labour rates, and also get his trade discount on parts. So that's probably saved me about 75-80% on maintenance costs.
 
25 - 30% on tax, insurance, fuel, tyres & servicing etc.
But that is on two cars, I have high insurance, and a low wage. :o

At present it is substantially more than that though because I'm in the process of patching up both of them, and still have a third car which is for sale and I am paying insurance on.
 
Currently about 30% of take home which is more than I spend on living costs (rent,bills etc - excluding HTB ISA savings) :p But I have factored in the loan payments as a sort of depreciating savings method as the more "equity" I get the car the more I have towards a house deposit while getting to enjoy having a decent car while I can.
 
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