10k (sterling) to spend on London import

Calculon1982

Hi Folks,

I have been living in London for the last two yearsand plan on moving home to Ireland this Christmas. I want to buy a motor here before heading home and think I am correct in saying that if I get it in June I should be exempt from VRT by the time I'm bringing it home.

Anyway I would like something that will be under €300 a year tax if I can help it at home and reasonably fuel effcient. I would prefer a 5 door with a decent spec.

I was looking for something around along the lines of this - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312110466410/sort/default/usedcars/radius/1500/model/5_series/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/12000/postcode/se11pz/make/bmw/page/1?logcode=p

But I certainly don't have my heart set on it and would like any suggestions you guys may have. I originally wanted a Alfa Romeo Brera but I just can't justify the tax in Ireland.

Any thoughts?

yop

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I have been living in London for the last two yearsand plan on moving home to Ireland this Christmas. I want to buy a motor here before heading home and think I am correct in saying that if I get it in June I should be exempt from VRT by the time I'm bringing it home.

Anyway I would like something that will be under €300 a year tax if I can help it at home and reasonably fuel effcient. I would prefer a 5 door with a decent spec.

I was looking for something around along the lines of this - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312110466410/sort/default/usedcars/radius/1500/model/5_series/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/12000/postcode/se11pz/make/bmw/page/1?logcode=p

But I certainly don't have my heart set on it and would like any suggestions you guys may have. I originally wanted a Alfa Romeo Brera but I just can't justify the tax in Ireland.

Any thoughts?

Fine car that. I'm guessing for the price and the fact its not stated it has v high mileage.

Skoda Superb with a high spec is always getting good reviews
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312180605057/sort/pricedesc/make/SKODA/model/SUPERB/postcode/bt73bt/radius/1500/keywords/leather/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/8500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/10000/advert-type/featured-listing/dealer/1000/usedcars?logcode=flp

Or the estate version
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402071618241/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/make/skoda/keywords/leather/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/bt73bt/model/superb/price-to/10000/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/8500/page/1?logcode=p

Calculon1982

Cheers for the response.

I'm not gonna go for an estate but the Skoda is a good suggestion. I'll definately have a look at it.

I'd say you are right about the milage on the BMW but I think any one around the 10k mark is gonna be that price because it has such high milage so I may not be able to avoid it.

yop

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Cheers for the response.

I'm not gonna go for an estate but the Skoda is a good suggestion. I'll definately have a look at it.

I'd say you are right about the milage on the BMW but I think any one around the 10k mark is gonna be that price because it has such high milage so I may not be able to avoid it.

Thats true, though when the BMW goes wrong it will cost you a fair few quid to get right, I see my brother in law 520 and luckily he had the extended 3 year warranty when he bought it 2nd hand, other wise I think the fixes would have been in or about 8k!

bazz26

You might want to google "BMW N47 timing chain issue" before considering a 520d.

What about a Volvo S60 D3?

Calculon1982

Right that's interesting then.

I was thinking the BMW because I thought it would be a good investment and be particularly reliable. Hoping I wouldn't have to put much cash into over the next 5 years or so. It looks like I may be wrong with that assumption.

yop

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Right that's interesting then.

I was thinking the BMW because I thought it would be a good investment and be particularly reliable. Hoping I wouldn't have to put much cash into over the next 5 years or so. It looks like I may be wrong with that assumption.

You can apply that to any car in fairness, though your BMW parts and service MAYBE cheaper than the likes of your Skoda and Ford.

Let others suggest other makes, the Volvo is a good option also.

Idbatterim

could you save up more, bring in a 2011 520d? You would need about £13-14k to bring in a decent one come June. Im saying a 2011 because I believe the timing chain issue had been rectified by then...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402061607429/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/transmission/automatic/page/1/model/5_series/make/bmw/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/radius/1500/postcode/bt39jp?logcode=p

discombobulate

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Hi Folks,
I originally wanted a Alfa Romeo Brera but I just can't justify the tax in Ireland.

Any thoughts?

Their rare but the tax on a 2.0 Diesel Brera would be quite cheap to tax if you find one. There's one on autotrader here

yop

Idbatterim wrote: »

could you save up more, bring in a 520d? also how long do you have to wait before selling here guys?

From here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/moving_to_ireland/coming_to_live_in_ireland/importing_car_into_ireland.html

If you are moving to Ireland and are among those exempt from paying VRT you cannot sell your vehicle for more than 12 months after the vehicle is registered.

Idbatterim

If you are moving to Ireland and are among those exempt from paying VRT you cannot sell your vehicle for more than 12 months after the vehicle is registered.

good man for that, ok so the depreciation alone would wipe out the VRt saving on a car this value. Initially I thought the Op wanted to do this to turn a quick buck, if its actually to keep the car, this doesnt apply...

Calculon1982

I would love the brera but I really don't know if it would hold its value at all. And I would be concerned regarding maintaince/running costs also.

That's for the suggestions guys - I'll definately check those motors out and please keep them coming. Any thoughts on an Audi?

I could probobly stretch to 11.5k but that would be it cash wise.

Calculon1982

I should have said sorry. I'm hoping to keep the car for at least 5 years.

discombobulate

Calculon1982 wrote: »

I would love the brera but I really don't know if it would hold its value at all. And I would be concerned regarding maintaince/running costs also.

Maintenance and running costs wouldn't be any more than the any of the other cars you've mentioned. All cars depreciate. Brera's are rare in Ireland though especially in the low bracket tax so that should help hold it's value also so I wouldn't take any of them reasons as a reason not to get one.

I wouldn't be mad on the spec of the one I linked though admittedly with it's small wheels and red leather

Moneymaker

I'll always champion the Volvo S60, my mother had two. Great car. If you plan to do a lot of motorway miles there isn't much more comfortable for the price. Owned both for 4 years and both did 200k+ miles, never any bother at all. She has an Accord now simply because she wanted something different.

A Passat CC is a stunning looking car and ticks all your boxes.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311200029309/sort/default/usedcars/radius/1500/page/6/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/passat_cc/make/volkswagen/quantity-of-doors/4/postcode/ls98al?logcode=p

Calculon1982

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I certainly look at the skoda, volvo, passet and alfa as alternatives.

Just to turn it on it's head if you guys where in the same position what would you go for yourselves? Any kind of motor at all.

discombobulate

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I certainly look at the skoda, volvo, passet and alfa as alternatives.

Just to turn it on it's head if you guys where in the same position what would you go for yourselves? Any kind of motor at all.

Consider the 2.0 JTDM Alfa 159 Ti as well. Low tax etc. also. Almost the same front as the Brera with more practicality

bazz26

I'd through the Honda Accord on the list also. A lot of them come with pretty decent spec though the diesel would not be the most frugal in it's class.

yop

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd through the Honda Accord on the list also. A lot of them come with pretty decent spec though the diesel would not be the most frugal in it's class.

Agree with that, not a personal choice of mine though

There seems to be LOADS of Audi A4/A6 over here so if you wanted something different the Passatt CC is lovely and a head turner.

I would go for that or the Superb with the highest spec I could find.

Moneymaker

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I certainly look at the skoda, volvo, passet and alfa as alternatives.

Just to turn it on it's head if you guys where in the same position what would you go for yourselves? Any kind of motor at all.

Really depends on what you'd use it for but I have a soft spot for Alfa's so i'd probably get a Brera or 159. Seen a 159 today in black with red leather and it was a thing of beauty.

Bigus

Calculon1982 wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I certainly look at the skoda, volvo, passet and alfa as alternatives.

Just to turn it on it's head if you guys where in the same position what would you go for yourselves? Any kind of motor at all.

If you do a search on autotrader and just put in the following parameters it throws up some very interesting cars weekly,

search every model but under 3 years old and OVER 100,000 miles,

some great value cars that ran up motorways miles very quickly. That sort of miles,put up, that quick with service history means nothing if you're going to keep for a while.

Years ago all this stuff would've been clocked to a fraction of whats showing on the odometer but now you get the chance to buy them cheap if you're brave.

sunnysoutheast

Calculon1982 wrote: »

I should have said sorry. I'm hoping to keep the car for at least 5 years.

As others have said you have to have owned the car for 6 months and cannot dispose of it for 12 without paying the VRT so that will be fine.

Bear in mind the the exemption is granted on a genuine transfer of residence, there is a vrt-tor form available online which details the documentary proof which you need to provide.

Remember to send off your UK tax for a refund before the end of the month, post it from the port when you're leaving!

dharn

bazz26 wrote: »

You might want to google "BMW N47 timing chain issue" before considering a 520d.

What about a Volvo S60 D3?

Your n47 obscession is becoming tiresome, if you read enough of the published articles you will see it is 2% of production, not brilliant but not disastrous

Jeju

The 09 CC has a tax of about 380 unlike the 2011 version of 280.
Also you would want to check if its Bluemotion as this will give alot more MPG if its 2009 I doubt it.
There were issues with the 2.0ltr engines earlier types, fuel pump and injector problems but from what I can gather the pump issue was down to a new design ( since changed ) and the injectors now have warrenty.

bazz26

dharn wrote: »

Your n47 obscession is becoming tiresome, if you read enough of the published articles you will see it is 2% of production, not brilliant but not disastrous

Here are a number of threads over on bmwdriver.net around the issue:
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39216
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45623

Just going by this pole of BMW-Driver.net users the hit rate is more like 30%:
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=47070

A good example on from this forum:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056686927

Here is a BBC watchdog article on the same "small" issue as you put it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/bmw-chains-snap-n47-engine-2007-2009

What's really tiresome is some people who stick their heads in the sand in order to defend the faith by discounting it in the name of small percentages. At what percentage does it have to become unacceptable?

The OP can make up his/her own mind after that.

dharn

Forums will always attract negative experiences, if 30 % of those engines were failing would it not be on every news bulletin around the clock, bmw would be out of business by now

bazz26

I agree that there can be scaremongering of problems on the web but 30% of owners on one forum is pretty high all the same, no? The problem is more common than BMW like to admit.

dharn

Ya have been reading some of your links and in truth its pretty bad, but then people get killed crossing the road every day but we all still do it, people will buy bmws and hope for the best ,im on my 4th beemer and never had any bother, ..touching much wood

Calculon1982

I really appreciate all the responses folks.

Looking at what's been said perhaps I should say a little harder over the next few months and try to stretch to the 12k and maybe I could get soon dealer to come down a bit and pick up a 2011 BMW should I decide to go for that.

The 159 would be great also. The crazy thing is alot of these are very sensible and if I could afford it the car I want the most is a GT86 which is completely different from what I'm talking about here but I guess we can dream.