[Vaheed1]

Does anyone here use the BMW as a 'bit-part' car - and have a 2nd car to keep the miles off the BM?

I realised that I've covered 15k miles in 10 months and if I keep going (car has 70k on clock) - it will be worthless in a few years. So I need something frugal but definitely fun. I've decided on a Pug 106 GTi. There's plenty out there - just need to find a none-abused one

[hmi1750]

I bought my car for the high miles I would do. So now it is on 71K I just use it when I need and sometimes use my mum's car as that barely gets out on longer trips. On longer runs the 330d is by far the more refined and fun. Paid enough for it so might as well enjoy it.

Wouldn't have another car to use more - probably get more expensive.

[V88TAC]

totally agree! put it this way, say ur cars 06 with 2k miles, do u think you would get more money than an 08 with 40k miles? answers gonna be no! a lot of dealer will look at the age of the car before looking at ur miles.

[NYFelix87]

My secondary car is a leased Nissan Rogue, no worries, no maintenance besides oil change to do and let those miles roll up BMW is a weekend car

[dxb335d]

Bowlacks to driving an unsafe shitter when you have a nice
BM sat in the garage!

[Dr G13]

I have a golf tdi which i put most of my miles on and the 335i for fun/weekends. I appriciate it much more this way.

[DavS1]

I've got a corsa SXI for work, an rs turbo for summer/toy to mess about with and a BM for everything in between, keeps miles low, keeps it mint and everytime In it it's just as good to drive as the day I bought it.

[chris330D]

You only live once, so why drive around in the lesser car for most of the time. Its why I got the E91, covers me for everything I need in my life. Work car, fun car and pratical car. To the OP, a 106 GTI will feel cheap, nasty and noisy compared to your car.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by chris330D

You only live once, so why drive around in the lesser car for most of the time. Its why I got the E91, covers me for everything I need in my life. Work car, fun car and pratical car. To the OP, a 106 GTI will feel cheap, nasty and noisy compared to your car.

+ 1

[DavS1]

Yea I get the "you only live once" thing, but I found driving my previous car the 20 mile comute to work every day in all weather conditions took it's toll bigtime on it's overall condition, I want to keep my bm mint, I do sometimes take it to work still, just not every day and for all it costs to drive my run about I think it's well worth it, I'm a mechanic so my car would be pretty fucked inside if I used it for work anyway.

[Vaheed1]

The "shitter" as some of you would like to call it, will do all the 'shitty' little miles that I do. I run 3 businesses and most of my journey's are anywhere between 5-10 - 10-15 miles long. I hate using the BM for little runs all the time and DavS1 is right, even BMW's start showing their wear after a while. My last BMW did 104k miles and was only 3 years old - and it started creaking and rattling - and I don't want this to happen to the current one.

Agree on the age thing - my car is an 06 - an 06 will always be an 06 - but keeping the miles off it will increase it's chances of being sold in future and decrease the chances of having knob heads offer me offensive money.

dxb - the 'shitter' that you're referring to is an outstanding little car. OK -so it will feel cheap - but then most vehicles in the World would, compared to a BMW.

[TMP]

10k difference in Mileage really doesn't impact residuals much at all - add that up, say across 50k and it is still cheaper to enjoy the BMW then running two cars (plus no worries as DBX says about a less safe, no fun heap)

Plus you have a 330d....one of the best all round cars there is (performance/running costs)...if you had a M5 maybe a different conv.

[dxb335d]

Some of you are talking as if your BM is an RS200 or a Atom. Ie something special and not everyday.

The RS is an appreciating classic. The Atom a fine weather track day tool. The BM ain't either. Use and abuse it. (not literally) it's to be used in all weathers to escort you comfortably and safely. It can do the commute and also do laps of the ring. It's what it's built for.

[DavS1]

Not really.....but I see where your coming from.


nothing at all wrong with wanting to keep my car in good condition, I worked hard to get it so therefore I feel it's worth looking after, makes perfect sense to me if I can run a shitter to and from work, get manky and generally abuse and keep the bm nice rather than a stone chipped, high mile tired looking car....Each to there own...I'm not telling everyone to do the same

[toxicnerve]

Meh.

It's a car, it's meant to be used. We only have the one car, all my miles are in the 3er. The thing is, I'm not overly worried about residuals as I intend to keep the car for a while to come, by which time it will be worth pennies.

I don't worry about the miles except for the short journies which I try to minimise (i.e. where the car would not get up to temp). However, sometimes these cannot be avoided (for example weekly shop or nipping into the parent's place). I've thought about getting a "snotter" but to cost of buying, taxing and insuring one just puts me off. I have a car, a nice car and I intend to use it.

I've nearly tripled the mileage on mine in the year I've had it and I have no regrets. It's not some piece of high end exotica that lives it's life under a cover only to be brought out for special occassions.

[pjs]

Last thing you want after a shit day at work is to get into a shit car.

[NightVisitant]

I'm in agreement with DXB -

I wouldn't bother personally, the expense of buying and running a second car (and not a car comparable to your BMW), is not something I'd consider. I'd keep the money, take the depreciation on the chin, and just enjoy the investment you've already got.

Another thing worth noting, we are creatures of habit, get too familiar with driving care-free in an older car, and you soon forget to take care when driving your BMW, old habits die hard.

[Vaheed1]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Some of you are talking as if your BM is an RS200 or a Atom. Ie something special and not everyday.

The RS is an appreciating classic. The Atom a fine weather track day tool. The BM ain't either. Use and abuse it. (not literally) it's to be used in all weathers to escort you comfortably and safely. It can do the commute and also do laps of the ring. It's what it's built for.

No. I know what I drive. I also know how anal people can be when selling the car in future. My problem is, I don't tend to keep my cars for very long - so I need to plan more for the near future. If a run around can take the bulk of the (mainly town) miles off my car, crashing in to pot holes, being hit by trolly's and car doors in car parks, getting curbed (lol) and stone chipped, then I'm happy to know that it wasn't the BMW that's taken the inevitable abuse from our British roads and moronic motorists.

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by Vaheed1

No. I know what I drive. I also know how anal people can be when selling the car in future. My problem is, I don't tend to keep my cars for very long - so I need to plan more for the near future. If a run around can take the bulk of the (mainly town) miles off my car, crashing in to pot holes, being hit by trolly's and car doors in car parks, getting curbed (lol) and stone chipped, then I'm happy to know that it wasn't the BMW that's taken the inevitable abuse from our British roads and moronic motorists.

If that is the case then I understand your situation.

You need something cheap and cheerful for the daily grind and the BMW would be your "special" car, for weekends etc or when you fancy something a bit nicer to drive. If you're not keeping the cars for long and you're buying them new when you do get them then trying to limit the miles makes sense.

The question is, how long is "not long"??

[225_AB]

You paid for it, enjoy it. Inevitable scrapes and bumps can be sorted for a lot less than the cost of running 2 cars.

[EZ_TUR90]

I'm trying to keep miles off the s550.

[NYFelix87]

Originally Posted by EZ_TUR90

I'm trying to keep miles off the s550.

S550 and a Bimmer very nice that's 2 good cars to own. My best friend has an s550 great car.