purchase advice
Discussion
Newbie here, have been lurking around and reading various posts and finally got a chance to write something.
Need some advice on the following
Looking to buy a g30 540i touring in the UK. Currently, have a f30 320i and looking to upgrade
any current owners who can help with service and maintenance costs? I intend to keep the car for long term, 5–7 years. The car has 20-inch wheels, with m sport suspension, its a 19 plate with m sport suspension and usual features found on 540i.
I am unclear about road tax surcharge - is that for 5 years once we start paying road tax or it's 5 years from date of manufacture.
Still torn about it, my heart wants to purchase it but thinking about overall cost of ownership (tyres, service etc.) makes me want to pause.
Spending extra money on this car vs buying say Škoda Superb touring or Mazda 6 touring, I understand it's not a like for like comparison but looking at costs and the vehicle is not going to do a lot of miles, it's so complicated
Worst case is that I can have the car for 1 or 2 years and then sell it off.
thank you in advance for any replies
Need some advice on the following
Looking to buy a g30 540i touring in the UK. Currently, have a f30 320i and looking to upgrade
any current owners who can help with service and maintenance costs? I intend to keep the car for long term, 5–7 years. The car has 20-inch wheels, with m sport suspension, its a 19 plate with m sport suspension and usual features found on 540i.
I am unclear about road tax surcharge - is that for 5 years once we start paying road tax or it's 5 years from date of manufacture.
Still torn about it, my heart wants to purchase it but thinking about overall cost of ownership (tyres, service etc.) makes me want to pause.
Spending extra money on this car vs buying say Škoda Superb touring or Mazda 6 touring, I understand it's not a like for like comparison but looking at costs and the vehicle is not going to do a lot of miles, it's so complicated
Worst case is that I can have the car for 1 or 2 years and then sell it off.
thank you in advance for any replies
The higher VED applies for the first five years. After that it drops to the lower level.
Servicing costs shouldn’t been too bad; my M140i oil service at a dealer was the same price as my wife’s MINi Cooper despite it being literally twice the engine.
Tyres will be expensive, there’s no two ways about it. The 19 inch rears for my 335i were punchy.
Servicing costs shouldn’t been too bad; my M140i oil service at a dealer was the same price as my wife’s MINi Cooper despite it being literally twice the engine.
Tyres will be expensive, there’s no two ways about it. The 19 inch rears for my 335i were punchy.
Thank you for the replies,
I am contemplating the annual outgoings compared to my current car,
For 2024- I would pay road tax plus ved surcharge and then after that it would drop down to £200ish
Mileage, I understand it’s based on how hard I drive, but still expect something around 25/28 in city and maybe 40 in motorways
And service costs are reasonable except for tyres not sure if the m sport brake pads etc are a bomb
Overall it’s going to be a case where I have to allocate more money than what I currently spend but that’s tough to decide.
Anyone have an idea - 19 reg car black colour with 12,000 miles approx. Two past owners (bmw corporate and a private owner) has m sport suspension etc. all packs, they car is priced at 40,700£ at a dealer. Is this overpriced? I am unable to make that judgement.
Any views, thanks again for your responses.
I am contemplating the annual outgoings compared to my current car,
For 2024- I would pay road tax plus ved surcharge and then after that it would drop down to £200ish
Mileage, I understand it’s based on how hard I drive, but still expect something around 25/28 in city and maybe 40 in motorways
And service costs are reasonable except for tyres
not sure if the m sport brake pads etc are a bomb Overall it’s going to be a case where I have to allocate more money than what I currently spend but that’s tough to decide.
Anyone have an idea - 19 reg car black colour with 12,000 miles approx. Two past owners (bmw corporate and a private owner) has m sport suspension etc. all packs, they car is priced at 40,700£ at a dealer. Is this overpriced? I am unable to make that judgement.
Any views, thanks again for your responses.
I’d agree with GKC’s comment. They’re very good cars but I think over 40 grand is too much. Depreciation on those is going to be steep. I also think the high spec cars, with multiple packs, have stuff on them that you just don’t need. That was definitely the case with mine. May as well save yourself some money. Also, you need to be careful of any ‘optimistic’ maths when it comes to running costs. I had my 540 (2017) for two years. Just sold it. I’ve never had a car go wrong so often. It was a very expensive two years. I accept some of this might be just bad luck, but still, you have to be prepared.
I have been reading more about 540i and more I read, I think the overall lifetime ownership cost is going to be much higher, as a side note, would it be OK to look at 530d instead, I would not be doing a lot of mileage, (maybe 10k per year) and like to keep the car for 5-7 years and in the current situation wondering if a new diesel would become challenging to own after a few years with low emission zones. For context, I am based in Edinburgh
You can't compare a Mazda 6 or a Skoda Superb with a 540i G31 as touring they are not the same beast. I had a Mazda 6 and an F11 520 these were comparible and I much preferred the F11. Tax is annoying , you'd pay even more for a 530D as they are the highest bracket, I've got a 525d G31 on a 68 plate so drops the premium next year. I certainly wouldn't pay £40K for a four year old one! Going diesel may save you a bit on fuel costs but as you are not doing many miles why? Both 19 plate cars will be compliant for the current low emmisions zones which target Nitogen oxide rather than CO2. Generally Euro 4 onwards for petrol and Euro 6 onwards for diesel. If you can't aford the bigger engine try a 520d before setlling on another manufacturer.
It’s the price is what I am unsure of, but my heart is set on a 540i and will feel sad if I end up buying something else at the same time want to be sensible
Did not know that the diesel has higher tax rate than petrol.
I have driven the 520d before, sometimes I think that for a touring that is mostly enough power but you have that lingering wish in the back of your mind - wish there was more power available to use. Again very subjective opinion.
Thank you for your inputs, I will negotiate with the dealer and let’s see where this ends up.
at the same time want to be sensible Did not know that the diesel has higher tax rate than petrol.
I have driven the 520d before, sometimes I think that for a touring that is mostly enough power but you have that lingering wish in the back of your mind - wish there was more power available to use. Again very subjective opinion.
Thank you for your inputs, I will negotiate with the dealer and let’s see where this ends up.
I ran a 540i saloon xDrive for a few years and I liked the fact that servicing and fuel were no worse than my previous 1 series. I got 26mpg most of the time around the doors and high 30's on a run. The biggest expense was new tyres for the 20" wheels as I went with the Michelin PS4S. The brakes were more expensive too from memory. Tax and insurance were fine.
I like the fact that you get a lot of the performance of the full fat M cars without the associated costs. I'd stay clear of the diesel models as over a longer ownership period, I suspect DPF and EGR issues will be more likely and that can be costly.
I like the fact that you get a lot of the performance of the full fat M cars without the associated costs. I'd stay clear of the diesel models as over a longer ownership period, I suspect DPF and EGR issues will be more likely and that can be costly.
The car has been on sale for maybe 1 or 2 weeks max. yes, sept quarter end sales is the reason the dealer is pushing and asking me to make an offer. The insurance valuation / resale value for retail is around £32K (from car checks/HPI etc.) I am going to negotiate and ask to bring the price down, ask for 10% reduction from the price that they are quoting.
I am in no rush, but think that these cars will become more expensive next year. Perhaps a bonus would be if the 540i is able to hold its value after a few years, but I doubt that
I am in no rush, but think that these cars will become more expensive next year. Perhaps a bonus would be if the 540i is able to hold its value after a few years, but I doubt that
vmv1 said:
The car has been on sale for maybe 1 or 2 weeks max. yes, sept quarter end sales is the reason the dealer is pushing and asking me to make an offer. The insurance valuation / resale value for retail is around £32K (from car checks/HPI etc.) I am going to negotiate and ask to bring the price down, ask for 10% reduction from the price that they are quoting.
I am in no rush, but think that these cars will become more expensive next year. Perhaps a bonus would be if the 540i is able to hold its value after a few years, but I doubt that
That is very wishful thinking, my friend. These cars will get cheaper next year. If you want to save yourself some money, just sit and wait. If it helps with your calculations, I traded-in my top-spec 540 saloon (late 2017 car on 55,000 miles) for £21,000 last month. That’s where all these cars are heading. I am in no rush, but think that these cars will become more expensive next year. Perhaps a bonus would be if the 540i is able to hold its value after a few years, but I doubt that
£40k for a 4 year old car seems toppy, even with only 12k miles.
I have a not even 2 year old 530e (m sport pro touring) similar list price when new to a 540i, and have been offered a chunk less than that (trade purchase).
Goes in for 1st service this week, £427
I have a not even 2 year old 530e (m sport pro touring) similar list price when new to a 540i, and have been offered a chunk less than that (trade purchase).
Goes in for 1st service this week, £427
vmv1 said:
Thank you for the replies,
I am contemplating the annual outgoings compared to my current car,
For 2024- I would pay road tax plus ved surcharge and then after that it would drop down to £200ish
Mileage, I understand it’s based on how hard I drive, but still expect something around 25/28 in city and maybe 40 in motorways
And service costs are reasonable except for tyres not sure if the m sport brake pads etc are a bomb
Overall it’s going to be a case where I have to allocate more money than what I currently spend but that’s tough to decide.
Anyone have an idea - 19 reg car black colour with 12,000 miles approx. Two past owners (bmw corporate and a private owner) has m sport suspension etc. all packs, they car is priced at 40,700£ at a dealer. Is this overpriced? I am unable to make that judgement.
Any views, thanks again for your responses.
I am contemplating the annual outgoings compared to my current car,
For 2024- I would pay road tax plus ved surcharge and then after that it would drop down to £200ish
Mileage, I understand it’s based on how hard I drive, but still expect something around 25/28 in city and maybe 40 in motorways
And service costs are reasonable except for tyres
not sure if the m sport brake pads etc are a bomb Overall it’s going to be a case where I have to allocate more money than what I currently spend but that’s tough to decide.
Anyone have an idea - 19 reg car black colour with 12,000 miles approx. Two past owners (bmw corporate and a private owner) has m sport suspension etc. all packs, they car is priced at 40,700£ at a dealer. Is this overpriced? I am unable to make that judgement.
Any views, thanks again for your responses.
After contemplating for a while, had a look at 540i SE with adaptive suspension and 540i with msport suspension.
There is about £6000 difference in price where SE is cheaper,
SE version has 18inch wheel, no privacy glass and adaptive suspension and base audio and comfort seats
Whereas MSport has more packages (tech pack etc), 20 inch wheel
Really contemplating if MSport is worth the extra 6k
Both are 69reg with XDrive and MSport is 12k mileage whereas SE has 24k mileage.
The SE looks anonymous and would not get a second glance whereas MSport has an aggressive look to it.
Most are cosmetic, just thinking if it warrants the extra money.
There is about £6000 difference in price where SE is cheaper,
SE version has 18inch wheel, no privacy glass and adaptive suspension and base audio and comfort seats
Whereas MSport has more packages (tech pack etc), 20 inch wheel
Really contemplating if MSport is worth the extra 6k
Both are 69reg with XDrive and MSport is 12k mileage whereas SE has 24k mileage.
The SE looks anonymous and would not get a second glance whereas MSport has an aggressive look to it.
Most are cosmetic, just thinking if it warrants the extra money.
vmv1 said:
After contemplating for a while, had a look at 540i SE with adaptive suspension and 540i with msport suspension.
There is about £6000 difference in price where SE is cheaper,
SE version has 18inch wheel, no privacy glass and adaptive suspension and base audio and comfort seats
Whereas MSport has more packages (tech pack etc), 20 inch wheel
Really contemplating if MSport is worth the extra 6k
Both are 69reg with XDrive and MSport is 12k mileage whereas SE has 24k mileage.
The SE looks anonymous and would not get a second glance whereas MSport has an aggressive look to it.
Most are cosmetic, just thinking if it warrants the extra money.
I would take the SE with adaptive suspension and 18” wheels.There is about £6000 difference in price where SE is cheaper,
SE version has 18inch wheel, no privacy glass and adaptive suspension and base audio and comfort seats
Whereas MSport has more packages (tech pack etc), 20 inch wheel
Really contemplating if MSport is worth the extra 6k
Both are 69reg with XDrive and MSport is 12k mileage whereas SE has 24k mileage.
The SE looks anonymous and would not get a second glance whereas MSport has an aggressive look to it.
Most are cosmetic, just thinking if it warrants the extra money.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff