I want to upgrade from a Ford Focus Eco drive to a BMW 440i

[redrabbit29]

Firstly, just to say this is purely fantasy at this stage. Sometimes I get a bit obsessed by an idea and it fizzles out.

I'm not historically a car nut - despite using this forum a lot, my main interaction is in the non-car areas. My priority has always been just to have a car that works and gets me around.

I currently have a 2014 Ford Focus. It is an Eco Drive model with 125BHP and it's got about 67,000 on the clock I believe. It runs well and has no major issues.

I have a good chunk of money, possibly up to £40k which I could potentially use for an upgrade.

My car of choice is
BMW 440i Gran Coupe - I think it's the G22 engine.
Mileages of around 10-15k
All within about 2 years old

About me
I'm 39, no kids with a long term partner.
I work from home and my yearly mileage is only 3000 roughly

Would this be a ridiculous purchase given my low mileage, the fact I already have a good/reliable car?
Has anyone upgraded in a similar fashion, and maybe it's just too "big" an upgrade, and I should look at cars for less money, higher mileages?

[Muzzer79]

Buy the car you want

Nobody on here can tell you whether it’s a good idea or not, there’s no rule book.

If you do 3000 miles or 30,000 miles, makes no difference as to whether it’s a good idea or not.

If you can afford it and you want it, buy it.

[MitchT]

A two year old 440i Gran Coupe will be the G26 version with the B58 engine.

Personally I prefer the previous shape F36 version. This one's lovely...

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202403087351723...

... though I prefer the two door F32 Coupé and am currently holding out for a really good one.

[MitchT]

redrabbit29 said:

Would this be a ridiculous purchase given my low mileage...

Depends how you do the mileage. Lots of short trips won't be ideal. A good run out once a week or so would be fine. My mileage is currently about 3,000 a year, though it'd probably be more with a 440i as I'll be itching to do some big trips in it.

redrabbit29 said:

Has anyone upgraded in a similar fashion, and maybe it's just too "big" an upgrade...

I'll be upgrading to a four (ish) year old 440i from a 25 year old 318! It's your money - spend it how you like!

[Ezra]

Muzzer79 said:

If you can afford it and you want it, buy it.

Can't disagree with this!

[Mr Tidy]

Ezra said:

Muzzer79 said:

If you can afford it and you want it, buy it.

Can't disagree with this!

Excellent advice.

[Court_S]

It’s your money, spend it as you like.

The B58 is generally very strong, so is a sensible buy from that point of view.

The inky thing I’d say, that for 3k per year and that kind of budget, personally I’d want something a bit more interesting and special feeling than a 3/4 series with a big engine.

[d_a_n1979]

redrabbit29 said:

Firstly, just to say this is purely fantasy at this stage. Sometimes I get a bit obsessed by an idea and it fizzles out.

I'm not historically a car nut - despite using this forum a lot, my main interaction is in the non-car areas. My priority has always been just to have a car that works and gets me around.

I currently have a 2014 Ford Focus. It is an Eco Drive model with 125BHP and it's got about 67,000 on the clock I believe. It runs well and has no major issues.

I have a good chunk of money, possibly up to £40k which I could potentially use for an upgrade.

My car of choice is
BMW 440i Gran Coupe - I think it's the G22 engine.
Mileages of around 10-15k
All within about 2 years old

About me
I'm 39, no kids with a long term partner.
I work from home and my yearly mileage is only 3000 roughly

Would this be a ridiculous purchase given my low mileage, the fact I already have a good/reliable car?
Has anyone upgraded in a similar fashion, and maybe it's just too "big" an upgrade, and I should look at cars for less money, higher mileages?

Go for it! If you can afford it and want it, then why not...

I loved the days test drive we had in a 440i GC back in Dec 2022 (albeit that was the B58 engine, which is absolutely superb imo); unfortunately it was a bit out of my comfort zone budget wise at that time; plus I really wanted a touring, which is what I settled with in the end (F31)

You're young still; so enjoy it whilst you can. It'll be hell of a car!

[rosejem]

Why not , you only live once . I think the novelty will wear off though.
Its kind of under the radar sort of car , great engine comfortable large motorway cruiser.

What about something like Lexus RCF as its just for the two of you ?

[anyoldcardave]

redrabbit29 said:

Firstly, just to say this is purely fantasy at this stage. Sometimes I get a bit obsessed by an idea and it fizzles out.

I'm not historically a car nut - despite using this forum a lot, my main interaction is in the non-car areas. My priority has always been just to have a car that works and gets me around.

I currently have a 2014 Ford Focus. It is an Eco Drive model with 125BHP and it's got about 67,000 on the clock I believe. It runs well and has no major issues.

I have a good chunk of money, possibly up to £40k which I could potentially use for an upgrade.

My car of choice is
BMW 440i Gran Coupe - I think it's the G22 engine.
Mileages of around 10-15k
All within about 2 years old

About me
I'm 39, no kids with a long term partner.
I work from home and my yearly mileage is only 3000 roughly

Would this be a ridiculous purchase given my low mileage, the fact I already have a good/reliable car?
Has anyone upgraded in a similar fashion, and maybe it's just too "big" an upgrade, and I should look at cars for less money, higher mileages?

I assume it is a 1.0 litre focus?

If it is, with 67k, sell it, or get the belts done if you are keeping it, it has done well to hit 67k, many do not, I have recovered, bought, and repaired so many, in fact I will only buy a Focus with belts gone, the last one, last week, was a mint 46k 65 plate with full Ford Service History.

They are fairly cheap to fix if youknow what you are doing, or know a fitter that does.

Yesterday I bought a 14 and a15 plate fiesta from a Ford Main agent, both low miles cars, sold them to a trader, drove the 1.25, winched the Ecoboost on to the truck, dare not start it lol, they snap at any time, at any miles, and if that does not get you, a blocked oil pick up, from belt debris will, or a faulty coolant pipe will cook it.

Ford will quote 9k plus to replace the engine, oh and they get stolen often for this reason, particularly Fiesta rather than Focus.

Edited by anyoldcardave on Saturday 16th March 20:26