[dakhu1]

Hi folks

I am in the market for a daily as am technically car-less

Was going to get either an f20 120D or 125D (just bought a 120D M Sport for the wife and love it) BUT having driven a measly 1.4T Golf TSi for 300 miles on a run am toying with the idea of getting a petrol turbo again (had a Mk4 Golf 1.8T years ago)

Right, I do about 35 miles each way to work and back - mostly motorway with some A roads - am I nuts to be thinking an M135i may be ok on fuel with a 70 mile daily drive?

Also, what else would be the main additional costs vs. the derv burner?

Thanks for any help - my wife says I am mad - she's probably right

[windymissile]

I do that exact mileage and road selection on my commute. I have a 335i so will be similar economy.
luckily I have a company van 75% of the time as the 3.0 twin turbo is not the ideal engine for a commuter. You will be getting about 28-30 mpg depending on yr driving style. Could be a lot less if you are easily excited.
On this occasion, I'm afraid she's correct. ;-)

[SO8]

I think you will notice the cost of a petrol like the M135i vs a diesel for that journey. I agree with 28mpg based on what my Z4 35iS does on that sort of 'easy' journey. i get about 25-26 but my 35iS is worse for fuel than an M135i so nearer 30mpg would be realistic ?

I would expect a diesel 120d or 125d to be at the 45mpg mark easily.... so half as much again !

[gangzoom]

I've been doing 15-20K per year for the last few years, hence my wife has been driving the 335i most days, and I've been using her diesel Civic.

The Civic manages 50mpg, over 20K, thats about £2K on fuel. The 335 manages about 27mpg with a light foot, over same distance £3.5K on fuel. So not a massive difference, but don't forget about servicing/tyres etc.

At the end of the day it was 3hr commute with half of it been stuck in traffic, so having a 335 would have made the trip no more fun.

[AWSAWS]

The modern-ish N54, N55 twin turbo is a dream engine. Great economy for the power. Did you see top gear where the I8 was only managing a real world 30mpg on Top Gear's test last night? Give me the x35i! It's really good at motorway speeds. Devours the miles. I wonder how much cheaper the diesel really is when you add the extra cost of purchase (of the vehicle) and price at the pump.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

The modern-ish N54, N55 twin turbo is a dream engine. Great economy for the power. Did you see top gear where the I8 was only managing a real world 30mpg on Top Gear's test last night? Give me the x35i! It's really good at motorway speeds. Devours the miles. I wonder how much cheaper the diesel really is when you add the extra cost of purchase (of the vehicle) and price at the pump.

Over 90K, and 7 years of ownership our Diesel Civic ALL IN (including depreciation/insurance/servicing/tax - everything) has come out at £230/month - that's based 45K of company fuel allowance.

The last time I worked out running costs of my 335i it was around the £550-600/month mark, ok that includes modding costs, but half the millage of the Civic.

Overall though I agree the running costs of something like a 335/M135i is no where near as high as it could be, especially given the performance on offer. But if you have access to another (cheaper to run) car, than it makes sense to use the cheaper car.

[djgandy]

I do 25 each way. I average 28-30 mpg. I can get that up to 33 in the summer. If I was doing a little more mileage, and perhaps buying again I'd probably get a Mondeo + a weekend car.

In a 335i with 63l tank, 70 miles miles a day means you are going to be filling up once a week, probably a 55l fill up, so around £60 per week at the moment. That's not too bad these days as petrol has dropped a bit. If that price goes back to £80 you're looking at £320 per month.

A diesel will use nearly half the amount of fuel and it's cheaper, because you aren't going to be putting normal unleaded in your M135i. There is also maintenance costs and tax. You'll chew through tyres, and expensive ones at that, every part of the car costs twice as much, and road tax is more too.

If you can afford it, buy what you like. If I had the money I'd drive to work in a V12 every day. I don't though.

[dakhu1]

Thank you all for your prompt and helpful comments - it all makes sense and I fully agree

In all honesty I could afford to buy, fuel and maintain a M135i easily (or most other car's excl. hypercars) but also have a keen eye for investment opportunities especially since my 2 boys were born (their future and all that) and don't want to spend too much money on maintenace, fuel etc

Me and my wife work hard and whilst we have a relatively nice lifestyle (nothing too extravagant) we don't like to waste money etc. I def need to have a 911 turbo in my life within the next 5 yrs so plan to stick to something that won't eat too much money till then so that I can save

Guess it was my heart trying to tell my head that M135i wouldent be a million miles adrift from the 120D/125D but needed you guys to set me straight. Would much rather own the 911 at some point rather then enjoy more "normal" cars for ever and never live the dream

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by dakhu1

Thank you all for your prompt and helpful comments - it all makes sense and I fully agree

In all honesty I could afford to buy, fuel and maintain a M135i easily (or most other car's excl. hypercars) but also have a keen eye for investment opportunities especially since my 2 boys were born (their future and all that) and don't want to spend too much money on maintenace, fuel etc

Me and my wife work hard and whilst we have a relatively nice lifestyle (nothing too extravagant) we don't like to waste money etc. I def need to have a 911 turbo in my life within the next 5 yrs so plan to stick to something that won't eat too much money till then so that I can save

Guess it was my heart trying to tell my head that M135i wouldent be a million miles adrift from the 120D/125D but needed you guys to set me straight. Would much rather own the 911 at some point rather then enjoy more "normal" cars for ever and never live the dream

Buy a second hand commuter and pocket the money saved into your 911 fund ;-)

[Wibbles]

The M135i will do 40mpg on the motorway if driven very gently but what is the point in that. Get the diseasal, the 120d is a great car, I love mine & save on fuel & tax.

The Manual 120d is £120 on tax & the auto is £30 btw.

[dakhu1]

Originally Posted by wibbles

The M135i will do 40mpg on the motorway if driven very gently but what is the point in that. Get the diseasal, the 120d is a great car, I love mine & save on fuel & tax.

The Manual 120d is £120 on tax & the auto is £30 btw.

Cheers mate

I am after an auto as we bought a manual 13 plate for the misses - road tax on that is £30 not £120 though...

[DanTheManc]

I own an auto M135i and my daily commute is 47 miles with half bring motorway.

Its not an economical car but it's economical for a performance car. On a motorway run doing 70mph-80mph you get 40mpg. With mixed driving I average 28mph which I think is really impressive.

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by djgandy

Buy a second hand commuter and pocket the money saved into your 911 fund ;-)

Nearly,
Nissan GTR fund...

Almost the same as the x35. Twin turbo charged engine that can be modded also to crazy levels, with 4 wheel drive and great cornering.

[dakhu1]

Originally Posted by DanTheManc

I own an auto M135i and my daily commute is 47 miles with half bring motorway.

Its not an economical car but it's economical for a performance car. On a motorway run doing 70mph-80mph you get 40mpg. With mixed driving I average 28mph which I think is really impressive.

STOP - I am getting ideas again!!!!

[dakhu1]

Originally Posted by djgandy

Buy a second hand commuter and pocket the money saved into your 911 fund ;-)

I get a car allowance at work so have to have a car under 4 years old - have got away with it until now but the "fleet police" are on my case

It will be a 120D or 125D me thinks

[E92NeilH]

I bought a new M135i in November in EB and total agree with DanTheManc. I tend to forget about the fuel cost and it's not that bad but it's the big smile factor it puts on your face when you bury your foot into the carpet. Awesome little car with a fantastic engine and auto gearbox it just feels so right. Don't listen to the missus about being sensible because she would love it too once she's driven it

[Not a Diesel!!!]

Sounds like you needs to be thinking about depreciation. Those miles will kill the value used. Never mind the fuel.

Something much lower value to start with might be the way forward.

Previous gen 130i will do mid-30's be reliable & still fast. Pick up one for under 10k, Try & get something on the low miles side to negate your high miles.

Job Done.

[Not a Diesel!!!]

Originally Posted by dakhu1

I get a car allowance at work so have to have a car under 4 years old - have got away with it until now but the "fleet police" are on my case

It will be a 120D or 125D me thinks

Oops just read this bit.