To want a luxury car?

[lill72]

I recived an inheritance, which has given me freedow to do things I couldn't before. We don't own a car and are currently looking at a newish BMW.
Is it better to buy a newish car if you can and have it for a long time or an older car that is cheaper but higher mileage. Does the money you lose and maybe the need to sell/buy a new car sort of even it all out in the end?

Feeling guilty at maybe spending so much is difficult making a decision when I don't have a budget but the money could be spent in other ways - ie investment. thoughts?

We've bought BMW since 2009. We now have two

I needed a second car for me - we already had a brand new (bought new 2014). E set a small budget and looked at everything from golf to Yaris. In the end we admitted we actually just want d to spend a bit more to get a carne enjoyed driving and I now have a five year old petrol 1 series. Bloody love it too!

I say do it. Buy sensibly and you'll recoup money - we did with our first BMW which is now invested in the big one. The little one I plan on keeping for years but we bought it outright like you will so you'll always get some return.

Op, whatever you decide, test drive the exact car (not an equivalent model).

Think about your journeys, do you do lots of short ones? Then diesel is better, ISOFIX seats in the back is a must too.

I have driven vw, mercs and bmw. Hands down I would always go for merc. I would go to a showroom and check out the various models that suit your needs. I've owned 2 sports c classes and they were amazing cars but small boot and low to get kids in and out of, plus not very roomy inside I would get the new b class or the like.

Go for low mileage, going thru a main dealer means you get their warranty (anything under 3 has warranty til it's 3 anyway). Newer cars have low or no tax to pay, either.

Also, there are SO many versions of the same car, so look at their data and work out what is best for you, nippy and juicy or economical. Big boots, heated seats and phone connection are the most useful gadgets, IMHO.

Good luck and hope you get what you need.

I would get a brand new, top of the range Lexus hybrid RS if money were no object.

Also, for me, a warranty is really important but if I remember correctly, a main dealer will give 12 months warranty for cars over 3 anyway.

I have a fairly new bmw and has been in garage at least once a month since I bought it! Car is beautiful though and a great drive.

I've had my BMW 320d for a good while, it is 11 years old and drives like an absolute dream. Not boring or slow at all, I've shown many an annoying carfull of boy racers a clean pair of heels.

I've passed it on to DS1 now and am considering getting a 3 series cabriolet. Get what you want OP, life is short.

If you buy through a main dealer they should do an approved used car scheme. That should come with a warranty. Quite frankly I would be confident in an approved 3 year old 3 series.
My dad has had 2 BMWs through that scheme and they have been rock solid.

The auto box on the latest Beemers is a-mazing

Random comment and I do love loads about mine but the box wins the prize

OP

The 2.0d is an excellent engine. Its not the best as I personally think Honda make the best diesel engine around but the BMW achieves much better mpg (despite being more powerful).

I've had a long run of Hondas/Toyotas and my current cars are a 120d coupe and a 520d (fancied a change). They're both excellent cars and one thing BMW do very well is to make balanced handling cars that are well screwed together (if a bit too heavy). If you've not driven one then take it for a test drive. A 320d isn't fast but 90% of the time it'll be enough. I've only had both for a year so too early to tell but they've been reliable to date. Oh and personally I'd opt for the auto as its superb. BMW can't do gearboxes or clutches and you'd know what I mean if you've ever owned a fast Honda.

Rich is right though as the Japanese engineer their cars better. The interior plastic is superior in the BMW and they are excellent but I loved my Hondas/Toyotas more. I think perhaps a Lexus would be good bet if you want a bit more lux.

By the way. Stay away from anything from the VAG group, Audi's especially as they are more dull to drive than anything.

Good luck!

Jaguar XF end of debate

But only if you're an old fogey that puts a tartan blanket and box of tissues on the rear shelf

The minute you drive out of the showroom it is second hand, buy something about 12 months old, ideally ex demo!

Wheels are wheels, that's from somebody who has had it all!!

If I had the money I'd spend it, but not on one of those. I'd want something higher up and with a better boot space.

OP I see that you are living in a vermin ridden rented property.

Wouldn't you be better using the deposit to improve your accommodation- perhaps using it as a deposit to buy a house?

think about your journeys, do you do lots of short ones? Then diesel is better

Wrong way round! If you do mainly short journeys then modern diesels are totally unsuitable.

Despite having said bad things about German cars up-thread, a year ago when I was in a similar position to OP (unprecedented budget to buy whatever I wanted) I bought a VW Golf. There were various reasons why I preferred that to anything Mercedes, BMW or Audi offered. The car I most wanted, for the looks, was a Range Rover Evoque, however that wasn't available with the one particular bit of technology I was really looking forward to, adaptive cruise control. My medium-spec Golf SE had more technology in it than any other mass-production car I could buy, most of it (including adaptive cruise control) as standard.

Hi bignluestars - I mentioned a purchase of a car like this would only be 10% of my inheritance.Meaning the rest is for house purchase/investment/rainy day. I own property in Australia and am an Australian living in the UK. We may buy, we may not. The money is in Oz dollars and I am not sure it is wise to transfer it all across. Hence renting at mom.

I am not sure we need to improve accommodation - its a nice house with garden!
ps proofing of house with 1 year guarantee happening today so problem sorted.

Great opinions everyone. The one year old model is from a bmw dealer. the only reason perhaps for not looking at older is that the older ones (ie pre2012) dont have sat nav etc. which is fine, but if the tech has changed, maybe better to get the latest one?

What I was also getting at, is that we may go back to oz, therefore not want to buy.

The car we are looking at is 3 times the price in Oz, so if we did choose to bring to Oz with us, we would get back a good price for it when we did want to sell.

Also like the X3, but they brought out an improved model post 2012/13 I think so better to get this? Think it is above what I want to spend. and boot space not as much as3 series? Am I wrong?

I have never talked about cars so much in my life!!!