[Gibbo]

First day of 2012 so who is going to buy a car this year new or used and if so what do you have your eye on? As it's a 3 series forum anyone going for the new model?

I hope to go the full year without buying a car but that is unlikely so if anything the mini will go for something more practical.

Looking forward to Peter G and Palmnuts response.....

[ALPANDY]

With any look I will be buying 335d either saloon or touring but it will be a used one though

[Bungle009]

I may look to change my 330d to either a 335d or N55 335i DCT if one comes up at a sensible price.

[Ryan87]

May trade in for an E61 525D M sport towards the end of the year as once we've got our house we're looking at getting a German Shepherd puppy so neither our E90 or Astra Cabriolet will be practical.

[m@rk]

The plan was to wait for the new F31 with a view to replace my E91 335D somewhere between 4 years and 5 but certainly before I hit 100,000 miles.

But in August we got the message that it wasn't going to make it to that mileage without some serious money being spent on it (even though it was supposedly covered by the BMW warranty). Then it became clear that the F31 would not be seen until 2013 so my hand was forced and I ended up changing early (and not for a BMW either)

Having now seen the new F30 in the flesh I do not regret not waiting. It's nice but not leaps and bounds ahead of the E90. I am so glad I didn't spend the £2500 required to fix my E91 only to then see the E31 and buy something else anyway.

[colin.smith]

Originally Posted by Bungle009

I may look to change my 330d to either a 335d or N55 335i DCT if one comes up at a sensible price.

just being looking at m3 saloon 61 plate 1000 miles.havent got a trade in price for my car yet but will put it up for sale in a few months time. and it will be a good price.

[greggS]

Hoping to change my everyday E46 coupe for an E46 convertible whilst keeping the E92 for weekend use. Crazy but life,s for living, right?

[kaishang]

I'd like to change to a 535d, 640d 4-door or Audi A7. But I think I should so another winter in the current car, so maybe this is for 2013.

[TMP]

The 5er is a keeper, and all being well my 4yo son will learn to drive in it

As for the 330, despite my best attempts I cant seem to find a compelling enough deal to replace it...but you never know.

Originally Posted by m@rk

The plan was to wait for the new F31 with a view to replace my E91 335D somewhere between 4 years and 5 but certainly before I hit 100,000 miles.

But in August we got the message that it wasn't going to make it to that mileage without some serious money being spent on it (even though it was supposedly covered by the BMW warranty). Then it became clear that the F31 would not be seen until 2013 so my hand was forced and I ended up changing early (and not for a BMW either)

Having now seen the new F30 in the flesh I do not regret not waiting. It's nice but not leaps and bounds ahead of the E90. I am so glad I didn't spend the £2500 required to fix my E91 only to then see the E31 and buy something else anyway.

What was up with the E91 mate...thats a lot of cash for a car that is is meant to be in warranty!

[peterg1965]

Someone has to keep the economy moving! I like to do my bit. I only had two cars in 2011, Pork C4S and 120d!

Mini might go too as well as the 1er in 2012, I may look into a Voluntary Termination on it when I have paid half the total figure, its value is so far astern of the finance settlement figure it is unreal and already close to the guaranteed value with 22 months to run. I will only VT if it does not have a negative credit effect, It will be replaced by another Cooper Auto when it runs out of warranty in November, cos he Mrs says so!

I will decide on the A5/TT tomorrow.

[RagingKileak]

My current plan is to purchase a 2009 ish DCT M3 in October, when I benefit from another years no claims. Will I make it that far and if I do, will things work out? I don't know.

Matt

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by TMP

What was up with the E91 mate...thats a lot of cash for a car that is is meant to be in warranty!

The flexi hose on the front of the DPF had started to break down. As it is an integral part of the DPF you had to change the whole lot (including the DPF itself).

Hoses are not covered by warranty and BMW UK wouldn't entertain goodwill

I did speak to a couple of garages about welding but they claimed that type of hose would never hold if welded.

I was therefore left with remove the DPF (at which point my warranty was out the window anyway) or get rid before it failed.

I was able to walk into the MB dealer, get the car I wanted, get the book price for my car back in cash and end up paying no more per month that I was doing before.

A no brainer really especially as what I now have is much nicer than what I had before.

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Someone has to keep the economy moving! I like to do my bit. I only had two cars in 2011, Pork C4S and 120d!

Mini might go too as well as the 1er in 2012, I may look into a Voluntary Termination on it when I have paid half the total figure, its value is so far astern of the finance settlement figure it is unreal and already close to the guaranteed value with 22 months to run. I will only VT if it does not have a negative credit effect, It will be replaced by another Cooper Auto when it runs out of warranty in November, cos he Mrs says so!

I will decide on the A5/TT tomorrow.

With the way car values have dropped in the last year, I wonder how many cars are going to get handed back to the finance companies as it's the cheapest option.

I've always been told it has no effect on your credit rating as it's perfectly legal to hand it back and they can't hold it against you. I can't see the finance company being too happy losing so much money though.

[webwysard]

Hopefully not changing the car this year but that's what I said last year and year before.

[jimmylimmy]

VXR8 or M5 next month.

However, have seen a cracking deal on a leased E350 CDI Coupe Sport 125 Edition that is very tempting......

[mjh93sa]

Well, I'm sort of halfway through changing cars already!

The 135i is gone and I'm running a loaner until the JCW Clubman arrives.

[Palmnuts]

Well, I have no intention of changing my XKR this year but then you all knew that. I also agree that it's a very difficult comment to believe given my 'previous' so lets just wait and see :roll eyes:

However, this doesn't mean that I won't be buying a car

We still have the Mini JCW and in 1-months time, we'll have owned that for A WHOLE YEAR

We've been on and off looking for a potential replacement which isn't that easy given the big performance, low running costs, decent enough drive and HUGE spec of the one we've got (xenons, brilliant stereo and nav....all expensive to spec in potential replacements).

We'll probably start looking more seriously in the spring and so far we're favouring these options:

Realistic option 1 - Audi A1 TFSI (the 185bhp - about £20k currently for a well spec'd used one)

Realistic option 2 - VW Polo GTI (same as above but about £3k cheaper)

Realistic option 3 - VW Scirocco TSI or TDI 170 (about £18-19k for a year-old example)

Luxury option - Range Rover Evoque (currently between £30-£40k depending on spec but so far, great residuals)


The least likely is the Polo as it's the only one Vicki doesn't really like, the most likely is a toss-up between the Scirocco and the A1.

However, I'm watching the prices of the RR's and will see where the land lies around April. If they're still in super-high demand then it may remain out of budget but then it's likely to hold it's money better than any of the above so it could still be in the running.

I'm a huge fan of them - I like the styling and the interior is a pretty special place to be. I've not driven one so it could end up being shit to drive but thats unlikely given the strong reviews it's had and I dare say it'll rattle a lot less than our Mini!

If they were £5-7k cheaper (so, mid £20k's) we'd be getting one without question but at the current prices, we'll wait for a few months to see what happens when they get close to a year old.

[Oli]

Peter -VTing your car has no detrimental effect on your credit rating, as it's in the terms and conditions when you buy the car, however the finance company you are with are unlikely to offer you more finance!

And new cars for us in 2012?? I've nearly owned the Porsche for a year now and loved every minute, it booked in for a full service and warranty renewal soon, and I think I'll have a go at selling it then. I've also got my wife's Edition 30 up for sale now, and that would leave us with a GT140 Sport Golf, which is also up for sale...........I would say a new car or cars is definitely on the cards! I still really like the look and drive of the 1M

[M3-FAST]

There will be at least one new car in the household next year, maybe two....or possibly even three

The M3 is due to go back early May so will be collecting my Audi A7 - I am going to get a settlement figure on the M3 though next week so if I can buy it, I may advertise it and try to settle the finance and get into my A7 early as it is landing at the dealers in a few weeks.

The missus Passat CC GT is due back around October time, however, if VW Finance will let us keep it for another year we are are going to hang on to it a little longer. It is a great well spec'd car and the missus loves it. Can't see what else we are going to get for the same monthly lease payments that is anywhere near as good as the CC. If there is something we like the look of though over the summer months, that is on a good monthly lease deal we may decide to hand it back and jump into something new. I have also had the expense of having a towbar fitted to it to tow my track car around......

Although that is also up for sale!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3208213056...84.m1555.l2649

Once that is gone I quite fancy a cheapish 996 911 for a bit of summer fun. Will help provide some weekend driving fun when the M3 has gone and will still be ideal for the odd trackday now and again.

[rogerxp]

I've made no secret of wanting to change the X3 and the updated Qashqai+2 with the new 1.6dci engine is the top of the wish list. New orders available from February/March time so will be looking out for an ex-demo probably - two available now but both white which is a no go for the wife. We'll see. We'll see if anything crops up on it's MOT on Tuesday. I put 12 months road tax on it yesterday (ouch) so at least that's one thing sorted.

As for the Zed, no particular desire to change it, but if finances (or mileage at work) dictate I'll happily change to something like a 330d coupe or something.

[willhollin]

Nope.

[peterg1965]

Is there a pill or something you can take to help you stop looking at cars and buying them with frequent regularity? If so, can I have two please.