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OK, so changing household composition (son moved out) and changing role for Mrs A means we need a car that will do several short (5-10miles) journeys each day.
Historically we've had a 'runabout' for short runs, son to use plus we've owned for 15+ years a BMW E39 2002 530D touring for longer trips. A while back we got rid of the runabout as son moved out and we didn't seem to need it. But life's moved on and we now need to do several short journeys each day.
The BMW has been literally faultless in our 120K miles and 15 years. It's done a total of 150K miles and just keeps going, v comfortably and impressively.
But we're conscious (think?) that it's not a good choice for 5mile journeys and I wonder if we'll knacker it and hit big bills.
In addition, we need a decent boot/estate as we have dogs! And it has to be automatic.
I assume the BMW is worth around £1k, but in 'driveability' it's worth so much more!
Do we:
- just keep it and run it into the ground (are short journeys that bad for it?)?
- trade it whilst it's working v well and buy a more appropriate estate e.g. Golf 1.4 TSI? (assuming a max budget of up to £7k, but ideally and preferably closer to £2.5K)
- would the mpg trade-off make a smaller engine (and petrol) be financially attractive (we do 7-8000 miles per year)? The BMW gets 45mpg on a long run, but high 20's-low 30's on our new regime
Cheers
A 15-year old diesel with 150k on the clock that's spent most of its life doing 5-10 mile trips? At the very least I'd be giving it some beans on your nearest motorway for at least an hour, before it gets expensive.
Keep the BMW, why on earth would you spend £7000 on a car that wouldn’t be any better than what you have. £7000 doesn’t buy much these days, new car could still go wrong.
Small petrol cars aren’t always that more economical- you’re not going to spend/save £7000 in fuel !
Personally I’d go for a petrol estate such as a Fabia 1.2 Tsi with the 105 or 110 hip engine for low running costs with good space and reasonable torque - being used to a big diesel- but finding one at that price point at the moment might be tricky.
The reason you might soon want to change from a 2002 pre DPF diesel is that you may be restricted in the places you can take it.
keep the Bimmer running as long as possible. I have a 17year old 200k mile Volvo for cross continental jaunts and local doggo duties.
I've just done a £3k rebuild of it - I want to get a million miles out of it then be buried in it when I die.
A 15-year old diesel with 150k on the clock that’s spent most of its life doing 5-10 mile trips? At the very least I’d be giving it some beans on your nearest motorway for at least an hour, before it gets expensive.
The OP didn't say that though. The BMW has been used for longer trips.
Try and keen it running - you've already said (and I totally agree) its worth so much more than the £1k or so you'd get for it. That age should mean its pre-DPF - those came in around 2004 on BMWs I think? - so shorter journeys won't utterly kill it.
An e39's still a really nice place to be when driving around.
Definitely don't sell it....buy a little runaround for the short trips.
The OP didn’t say that though. The BMW has been used for longer trips.
Ah, apologies. I got confused.
It sounds like it might be in the future though?
just keep it and run it into the ground (are short journeys that bad for it?)?
Not the ideal use case for a big diesel but if you can put up with the poor mpg then use it until it dies. It won't have a DPF so that's the main problem with short run diesels avoided. Do try to treat it to a proper warm-up weekly if you can though, 10 miles won't do it!
Egr will clog at that use rate. A few points
Its worth £2K In today's market place
That daily mileage is bob on for ev pcp, if that floats ypur boat.
A newer hybrid would be perfect for you, even one with a comedic 30 mile range. Bluetec merc wagon? 5008?
Short runs will not be good for your BMW.
Your budget for a small car would get you a used small electric car, like a Zoe, which would be good for short runs.
Just keep it and run it until it dies. Cheapest way and you know the history of the car.
Why the car for lots of short journeys? Big things to carry maybe?
If not this actually sounds like a good use for ebike most of the time and just use the BMW when it's pissing down.
Thanks all, would be (emotionally) keen to keep the car as it's been great, so comfy, and a nice engine for the longer runs.
And interested re the DPF or absence on my BMW.
We (or Mrs A) needs a big-ish estate if we did change it (lugging stuff & old people), so can't go for a small-small car unfortunately. Plus, we put our dogs in the car regularly so need the room for them too. And, we I do a trip to my Dad's which is 350 mile round trip every so often so need a bit of travel capacity.
Another vote for keep it
The only real problem with short runs on a diesel turbo is it won’t really get hot enough to prevent soot/carbon buildup, but the occasional, once/twice a week longer run at slightly higher speeds to get everything up to an optimum operating temperature should help its longevity.
I’ve just done a £3k rebuild of it – I want to get a million miles out of it then be buried in it when I die.
Loved that. You'd need a seriously big grave though 🙂
PS, keep the Beamer
I've just finished running a 2004 Golf TDI since March whilst I rebuilt my Volvo coffin. It would start clogging the turbo actuator vanes if I bimbled around in it for awhile. A good 3rd gear full boost full engine load pull once a week kept it clear.
You can also DIY squirt MrMuscle up the hot side of the turbo via the EGR port if it clogs badly.
“ A 15-year old diesel with 150k on the clock that’s spent most of its life doing 5-10 mile trips? At the very least I’d be giving it some beans on your nearest motorway for at least an hour, before it gets expensive.”
You could at least try to read the OP.