Unfortunately, We have to change...

Spipov

Hi everyone, wondering about what your thoughts are on replacements:

Due to changes in circumstances, my wife is now going to be working a fair distance from home (all over the country actually), and at the moment is doing about 200-500km per week. (Can vary).

I do about 100km per week.


We currently have 2 cars

1. hers - Rav4 2003 1.8 Petrol (120k miles at the minute) - 7.5l/100km
2. mine - Bmw 2004 520i (e60) 2.2 petrol (115k KM at the minute) - 9.5l/100km (as per obc, but i didnt reset the average in a while though, as we are doing both short and long distances in it).

Last week alone, we've put in 80 euros in petrol, and she did about 500km week (i use the car as well). (rough estimates).


the reason she is using the bmw is because
1. its a nice place to be in when you are doing lots of miles
2. its mpg is horrible in short distances, but slightly better long distances
3. the Rav4's mpg drops rapidly once you are doing over 100km/h (+ its not nice to drive it on motorways).

We don't really have much money to spend, but are aware the tax is nearly up on both (268 per 1/4 for the bmw, 179 per 1/4 for the rav4).


What i am wondering is, is there any reason to change the bmw to something else?

Ideally, something less than 2.2, hence tax decreases, mpg increases, and should we be aiming for diesel? she would love to have a hatchback european car with good mpg, but we'd have to trade for something similar price wise, unless we manage to trade both in, get a good-ish diesel, and a bangernomic (i have had an e39 520i bangernomic before, so im not against a bangernomic).


I would welcome suggestions what could replace the bmw, in terms of being in a nice place for a little while. ive had some left leg nerve issues, and the bmw was perfect due to the automatic, but ill live with manuals if thats where we have to be.


i thought skoda's would be ideal, but i am open to suggestions. we'd like something not a thousand years old, and also not having a million kilometres on the clock.

i am not against keeping the cars either, but the long drives are starting to add up in terms of costs.

thanks for the insights.

T-Maxx

I wouldn't consider 200-500km/week a lot, not to mention your own 100km/week. You might even consider cycling for that matter! I'd probably let the missus drive the BMW, and get myself a small little petrol car.

Dord

T-Maxx wrote: »

I wouldn't consider 200-500km/week a lot, not to mention your own 100km/week. You might even consider cycling for that matter! I'd probably let the missus drive the BMW, and get myself a small little petrol car.

Probably a good idea. Less hassle than changing two cars.

This doesn't look like a bad option, although maybe you could get them down on price a bit. It's an auto, smaller engine although not too small, hatch, some good room inside, good seating position, Tax til November and NCT til May 2015!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-meriva-2005-1-6-auto/5343233

EDIT: he's looking for a bigger car, so perhaps a swap for the Rav4? :pac:

s14driftking

could u sell both cars get yourself a motorbike if feasible and u have the licence and get something like a 530diesel e60 high on tax but yet econical and a much nicer place to be then any skoda

Idbatterim

is she likely to be permanent with her job? Id probably keep the bm if I were you and get her a 1.5 or 1.6 etc hdi... The E60 is going to be heavy enough on fuel, the fact its auto doesnt help, but if its more comfortable for you, surely its worth it. Im not sure what you paid for it, but if you choose to sell now, Im assuming you will get about 4k for it... If you have to borrow money, factor the interest into the equation...

Matthewjohn

How about a Mondeo?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo-2004-diesel-automatic/5435936

Spipov

hey thanks guys, good suggestions. what would the rav4 likely fetch? im thinking the e60 might have to stay as its only 4k probably now, although was about 6k 6 months ago!!

any suggestions 1.5/1.6hdi? i thought the frenchies werent reliable. my wife would love a french car. although i believe its a good engine, is the car using it any good?

Idbatterim

how about something like the below?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-407-st-comfort-1-6-hdi/5644397

homingbird

What about the bad winters we have good to have 4 wheel drive for that or stay at home.

Spipov

homingbird wrote: »

What about the bad winters we have good to have 4 wheel drive for that or stay at home.

the rav4 is 2 wheel drive, and i dont think we are at the point of going 4 wheel drive for 3-4 days per year.

Spipov

Idbatterim wrote: »

how about something like the below?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/peugeot-407-st-comfort-1-6-hdi/5644397

are 407s reliable?

Idbatterim

to be honest, I have no idea about the 407's think the 1.6hdi are meant to be misers on juice though...