99 BMW or 03 Fiat Stilo?

sso

We saw two cars today and are trying to decide between them. There are just the two of us (so we don't need a huge car) and we are looking for a second car. Our car is a 99 Mazda 626 with 136,000 miles and going pretty well still.

The two that worked for us (6ft 7" so leg room is always a HUGE problem) are a BMW 5 series and a Fiat Stilo.

BMW: 1999 BMW 5 series 2L petrol automatic with 128,000 miles.

Fiat: 2003 Fiat Stilo 1.2 petrol manual with 30,000 miles.

Both are priced: €4,500.

We also saw a mitsubishi spacestar 01 with 55,000 miles for €3,000

I know these are totally different cars and very hard to compare. We are looking for a car that will last safely for another 4-5 years. The cost of the car tax and insurance pushes us towards the Stilo (about half the cost of the BMW), but on the otherhand we want it to last.

What do you think? Any alternatives (remember that leg room is a nightmare - can't fit in a passat for example).

SSO.

Saruman

Legroom as a driver or passenger?
Personally the stilo would not be the one I go for. I also would not go for a 2L petrol, a 2L diesel yes, but not a petrol.

sso

driver legroom. We need to be able to both drive both cars

bobbly

You say you want something to last you 4-5 years? Well in my opinion I wouldnt touch either. Ive had similar car's makes wise but different models. I do about twenty times the average mileage and the primera has really done a great job, would you not consider it? Plenty of leg room...

sso

not enough leg room sadly! It really is a huge problem. And before anyone suggests the chain saw to the legs or removing front seats, or a tandem bicycle - we've considered them all and decided against them

L1011

Fiat hadn't figured out how to make cars not fall apart in time for the 03 Stilo (only the 05 series 2 Stilo's are decent) and the 1.2 8v engine in a car that large is pathetic - even as a Fiat fan I'd go for the BMW.

That said, if it hasn't fallen apart yet its not likely to; there were some reliable ones amongst the wobbly ones towards the start - I know someone with an 02 diesel thats got 120,000 miles on it!

Saruman

Well I drive a scenic and there is plenty of leg room in that so I would imagine any of the mini MPV's would be similar. Renaults are not great but as a result they are pretty cheap to buy.

Alanstrainor

I think you really need to decide what you actually want. The two cars are completely different, complete opposite ends of the spectrum. And neither would be cars i'd expect to last without a hitch for 5 years.
You said it yourself, you dont need a huge car, and it will be a second car, to me that automatically strikes out the Bmw 5 series. You should compare like with like and don't just jump at the first cars you see.
I'm going to assume your budget is the sub 5000 mark. My choices would be:
Ford Focus something like this perhaps: Focus 1.6
Seat leon: Seta Leon 1.4

su_dios

Had an 05 Stilo before. Great cars but completely different to the BMW. If you say the Stilo is half the cost of the BMW I would advise going for an 05 Stilo. This seems to be the most common year for Stilos and they were built well too. Never had a single problem on mine.

Graham_B18C

How about something like this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/961265.htm

or if you can stretch a lil bit maybe this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/961265.htm

Or if ya don't want to travel for one maybe this might do?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1371723

*EDIT only noticed that the car doesn't need to be big, I think the the last A6 I suggested could be a great car

kazul

FWIW I once spent more than an hour helping a tall bloke "try on" various cars.
Ford Mondeo came up trumps. In 5 door format they're a great faily car (you get proper use of the boot).
I wouldn't go near a Stilo, but each to their own.

su_dios

Grahamo999 wrote: »

How about something like this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/961265.htm

or if you can stretch a lil bit maybe this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/961265.htm

Or if ya don't want to travel for one maybe this might do?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1371723

*EDIT only noticed that the car doesn't need to be big, I think the the last A6 I suggested could be a great car

I'd go for the A6 out of all of those. Nice car there and bang on the money!

EPM

bobbly wrote: »

You say you want something to last you 4-5 years? Well in my opinion I wouldnt touch either. Ive had similar car's makes wise but different models. I do about twenty times the average mileage and the primera has really done a great job, would you not consider it? Plenty of leg room...

You do 240k miles a year? For some reason i dont believe you unless you drive daf 95's. e39 5-series would be my choice. Bear in mind there are loads available, and you can take your pick. How much do you want to spend, how long do you want to keep it, how much do you expect to spend on running costs a year. How big an engine do you want? Seriously, these saturday experts in here drive me mad. The advice against the stilo is good! FIAT do build good cars-as good as anything else available-but people are too many people stuck in their ways to see it!

PS-my fathers had new primeras-between immobilizeer and gearbox problems they are more trouble than they are worth

Fishtits

6'7''... your local rugby club would love to meet you

The choice you presented is two cars in completely different segments, makes it hard to be objective.

Residual value in both will be close to nil in four years time, the running costs of the BMW will probably be twice those of the Fiat - assuming similar reliability.

Given that running costs don't seem to be your priority I would suggest you go with the BMW, however, ideally you should continue your search a while longer as there are surely middle ground cars/mpv's that would fit your requirement.

galwaytt

...I've an easier question: if the Mazda has served you well, why change it at all ?

sso

Mazda is going great but we are looking for a second car.

I know the two car are totally different. The problem is leg room. It is hard to describe how hard it is to get one that fits unless you see it. Toyota Corolla Verso fits brilliantly but they are too new for our price range. Renault scenic and Opel Zafira don't have the leg room (hard to believe I know). Seat altea works but again - can't find one for under €5,000 and have also heard some poor reliability reports about them.

Maybe we should just buy a lottery ticket and not have to worry :-)

galwaytt

you've just answered your own question: buy a 2nd Mazda - at least you know they fit !

Buy a newer one than yours, and keep yours as a the #2, or vice versa.....

PaulKK

sso wrote: »

Any alternatives (remember that leg room is a nightmare - can't fit in a passat for example).

Was going to suggest a Passat until I read that. You sure you can't fit in one?
Im only 6' 2" but I can shove the seat back a lot futher still.

You can lower the seat very low to the floor too, loads of headroom for me anyway

As regards your original question - I don't think Id go for either,
loads of good value options around at the moment,
I suggest you look around and see what suits you best.