I have a German itch...

[GI Jnr]

Bit of an absurd dilemma/car choices but I thought I’d throw it to the masses anyway.

Am thinking of buying a second car to use when the weather’s not nice enough to bring out the “exotica”, and have narrowed it down to three: M5, 4.4 X5 or a 330d…

The situation is this, I have a 406 Pug diesel everyday and want something that I can use on the odd drive to work and on weekends. The other car’s aren’t really practical to use for anything other than fun. Never owned a BMW before and so, I wanted to give it a go…

Reasons for the shortlist (albeit, some of them are rather daft)

M5:
For: They’re getting cheaper. Performance car bargain!
Against: Do I need another performance car?

X5:
For: Lots of car for your buck. I don’t really need an 4x4, so I think it’d be a laugh to have something so big.
Against: Size…?

330d:
For: Chipping it and having an obscene amount of torque. I’d have a Touring, cos again, I don’t really need an estate, but I think it’d be funny. Economy.
Against: It’s an estate…

One question I do have, the mileage on the M5/X5 would be 50k – 70k, any big worries I need to think about? Or would the Bavarian engineering shine through?

Thanks for any comments, or even other suggestions for £20 - £25k.

Tuan

[silverback mike]

Buy my E39 540 for 5k and spend the rest on a caterham.

[agent006]

M5. No question. The size of the X5 would be entertaining for all of about half an hour, much the same way as driving a hired van.

[christmc]

Is your profile accurate?

Do you own a Lambo an Ferrari and a Duccati?
oh an lets not forget the 406 diesel

The reason i ask is because if you own over £250,000 worth of cars why would you not just buy a new X5 or V10 Toureg, ML55 AMG or Cayenne Turbo if its a 4x4 you want ,

And why would you own 406 diesel?

[GI Jnr]

christmc said:

Is your profile accurate? Do you own a Lambo an Ferrari and a Duccati? oh an lets not forget the 406 diesel The reason i ask is because if you own over £250,000 worth of cars why would you not just buy a new X5 or V10 Toureg, ML55 AMG or Cayenne Turbo if its a 4x4 you want , And why would you own 406 diesel?

Chris, my fellow PHer, the reason why I can't buy any of the the cars you mentioned is because I have what's listed on my profile...

Unfortunately, I tend to run out of money before I run out of cars I want to buy...

PS: I've the 406 cos sticking £75 worth of super in an getting 190 miles from the Murci stings somewhat. I also don't like putting unnecessary mileage on the Lambo or Fezza unless it's for fun, hence considering this BMW.

Tuan

Tuan

[dcb]

GI Jnr said:

narrowed it down to three: M5, 4.4 X5 or a 330d…

330d - half or a third of the costs of the M5, and nearly as much fun.

X5 I wouldn't even consider.

Buy an M5 if you like spending a lot of time at the petrol station.

GI Jnr said:

One question I do have, the mileage on the M5/X5 would be 50k – 70k, any big worries I need to think about? Or would the Bavarian engineering shine through?

Bavarian engineering wouldn't break sweat at 50 to 70K.

Should be no worries.

[dazren]

Tuan, if you are still considering this quandary, this time next month, let me know. I should have got my grubby mitts on an E39 M5 by then, you'd be welcome to a passenger run.

A 330d would be the sensible play, but since when were PHers sensible?

DAZ
(A few minutes up the motorway)

>> Edited by dazren on Monday 25th April 16:57

[christmc]

Fair enough , im just supprised you even care about fuel costs having spent £285,000 on 2 cars.

[vixpy1]

I'd have a 330d for everyday....












Nah, sod it, E39 M5.

[z3stu]

I have a 330d as a everyday car and it is one of the best cars I have owned. Great spec nav tv dvd etc and had it chipped what a diesel rocket ship you see 151mph on the speedo and 369pounds of tourque. Owl and the computer shows 40.3 to the gallon.

Well worth the money. X5 is nice but weights a extra ton so felt a lot slower on a test drive.

Stu

[dcb]

z3stu said:

you see 151mph on the speedo and 369pounds of tourque. Owl and the computer shows 40.3 to the gallon.

Brilliant.

The day when I buy a diesel car draws
ever closer.

0-60 any good ?

Got to crack 7 seconds and be capable of 150 mph to appear on the dcb want list.

[z3stu]

Not sure on the 0-60mph but it does go very well especially if you turn the trction off as this does make a fair bit of difference. My mate has a focus rs and he can not get away from me in any gear because of the huge amount of torque it has. He can not believe it. I just laugh and tell him I am only getting a poxy 40 odd to the gallon driving like that which adds insult to injury

Stu

[mondeoman]

chipped 330ds are well worth a look at.

If (when) the bring out the 335d, thats gotta be one helluva car - diesel M3 anyone?

[targarama]

christmc said:

Fair enough , im just supprised you even care about fuel costs having spent £285,000 on 2 cars.

When I was a paperboy I used to hope for good tips at Christmas. What I observed was that the houses on the council estate gave me nice tips, but the posh houses rarely gave anything. Since then, I see it in daily life - choose to waste your money on cigarettes and beer down the local every night and have 20 kids on the dole or work hard, save hard and spend the money wisely.

Ok, probably not a great example, but I'm sure you get the idea. Having money doesn't mean you throw it around.

[GI Jnr]

christmc said:

Fair enough , im just suprised you even care about fuel costs having spent £285,000 on 2 cars.

One day, I hope to not have to worry about the pennies, but until then... Sadly, I don't have bottomless pockets.

targarama said:

When I was a paperboy I used to hope for good tips at Christmas. What I observed was that the houses on the council estate gave me nice tips, but the posh houses rarely gave anything. Since then, I see it in daily life - choose to waste your money on cigarettes and beer down the local every night and have 20 kids on the dole or work hard, save hard and spend the money wisely. Ok, probably not a great example, but I'm sure you get the idea. Having money doesn't mean you throw it around.

You calling me cheap?!!?!?!!

I know what you mean, I just watch my pennies, so I can splash out on things I enjoy.

There's a surprisingly good amount of praise for the 330d. I always knew it'd be fun, but "for a few £k more, you could have an M5 fun"...?

I'm just having issues with a £20k diesel, when you could have an M5 there instead.

Tuan

[rico]

christmc said:

Fair enough , im just supprised you even care about fuel costs having spent £285,000 on 2 cars.

Often the wealthiest people are those who keep careful watch over their money.