Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Markie on 17 January 2008, 16:34:47

Title: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Markie on 17 January 2008, 16:34:47
Opinions and recommendations required - based on you having been in one or driven one.

The criteria.....

Got to be BMW 3 series or larger in physical size.

Really want it to be a "Top Marque" Fords, Fiats etc need not apply.

Want at least the MV6 performance & will considor something like a BMW 530d - in fact diesel may be preference.

Will considor lpg.

Budget ideally £8000 - £10000 although will spend more/ less if need be. Mileage and year to fit with this must be under 80k and 2000plated on.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 16:38:34
330d goes well, handles OK.  Depends if you can put up with the rest of the driving community thinking your a knob ;)

If the 3.0d is based on the 2.5tds m51 engine, perhaps not a good idea  :-X
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 16:40:14
on subject of 3 series, chap I sit next to has an M3.  Now thats a proper beemer :y
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Markie on 17 January 2008, 16:44:28
Quote
on subject of 3 series, chap I sit next to has an M3.  Now thats a proper beemer :y


Now that is a car... :y   ...part of the reason for the change...

1. Im sick of looking at the door rust on the mv6
2. Im just about to use the car for daily commute...so 10000miles a year

if it wasnt the mileage( and subsequent petrol cost) id be having the m3 or m5.

Guess the alternative is to buy an m5 and a 1.7d corsa for commute  ;D
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 16:54:22
Quote
Quote
on subject of 3 series, chap I sit next to has an M3.  Now thats a proper beemer :y


Now that is a car... :y   ...part of the reason for the change...

1. Im sick of looking at the door rust on the mv6
2. Im just about to use the car for daily commute...so 10000miles a year

if it wasnt the mileage( and subsequent petrol cost) id be having the m3 or m5.

Guess the alternative is to buy an m5 and a 1.7d corsa for commute  ;D
I think someone near you is selling an LPG'd MV6 ;)
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Kevin Wood on 17 January 2008, 16:59:02
Hmm. I reckon a late Omega is your best bet (then again, I would, because it's a decision I fairly recently made myself). You could get one of the last tidy ones for well inside that budget, whereas it'll only get you a fairly rough beemer at the top end of the budget. Why pay double what you have to AND suffer the shame of having "that badge" on the bonnet? ;D

Whilst the latest large diesels are much improved, their prices are holding up strongly, those that give decent performance also have a fair thirst, IME, and with the price of diesel being higher in the first place they don't do that much more than to make up the difference IMO.

If it's going to be a small, gutless runabout a diesel is a no-brainer. If it's going to be more of a barge, get a dual fuel.

Kevin
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Danny on 17 January 2008, 16:59:16
hmmmmmm am i a step closer to getting those MV6 alloys off you??! ;D
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Markie on 17 January 2008, 16:59:31
Quote
Quote
Quote
on subject of 3 series, chap I sit next to has an M3.  Now thats a proper beemer :y


Now that is a car... :y   ...part of the reason for the change...

1. Im sick of looking at the door rust on the mv6
2. Im just about to use the car for daily commute...so 10000miles a year

if it wasnt the mileage( and subsequent petrol cost) id be having the m3 or m5.

Guess the alternative is to buy an m5 and a 1.7d corsa for commute  ;D
I think someone near you is selling an LPG'd MV6 ;)


Aye but mine is newer and less than half the mileage i`d be as well lpg`ing mine....

time for a change. 3 Years with the same (main) car is a record to me and testimony to the MV6 !
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Jay w on 17 January 2008, 17:03:33
Quote
Opinions and recommendations required - based on you having been in one or driven one.

The criteria.....

Got to be BMW 3 series or larger in physical size.

Really want it to be a "Top Marque" Fords, Fiats etc need not apply.

Want at least the MV6 performance & will considor something like a BMW 530d - in fact diesel may be preference.

Will considor lpg.

Budget ideally £8000 - £10000 although will spend more/ less if need be. Mileage and year to fit with this must be under 80k and 2000plated on.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Yes.....but......

Quote
Now that is a car...    ...part of the reason for the change...

1. Im sick of looking at the door rust on the mv6
2. Im just about to use the car for daily commute...so 10000miles a year

if it wasnt the mileage( and subsequent petrol cost) id be having the m3 or m5.

Guess the alternative is to buy an m5 and a 1.7d corsa for commute  

This may sound like a really backward suggestion but...........

Why not have the rust on the door done properly, LPG the MV6 and save yourself 6000-8000k?

I do 25,000 in my elite, it is totally reliable, the only issues that areise are through normal wear and tear, it has 150,000 miles on it and in the corperate car park still holds its own.

Plus the depreciation on anything large will be an issue.


Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 17:05:42
Quote
Hmm. I reckon a late Omega is your best bet (then again, I would, because it's a decision I fairly recently made myself). You could get one of the last tidy ones for well inside that budget, whereas it'll only get you a fairly rough beemer at the top end of the budget. Why pay double what you have to AND suffer the shame of having "that badge" on the bonnet? ;D

Whilst the latest large diesels are much improved, their prices are holding up strongly, those that give decent performance also have a fair thirst, IME, and with the price of diesel being higher in the first place they don't do that much more than to make up the difference IMO.

If it's going to be a small, gutless runabout a diesel is a no-brainer. If it's going to be more of a barge, get a dual fuel.

Kevin
As well as more expensive fuel, you have more expensive servicing
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Paul M on 17 January 2008, 17:15:02
The M5 is a fantastic car, I've driven one of the old shape ones and it's a car that does it all -- performance, handling, fun to drive, yet it still seats 5 in comfort and has plenty of boot space. Not sure I'd want to use one for commuting though, it's perfectly comfortable and will do the job well, but such a waste and based on the fact it's a similar engine to mine (with extra 0.5L capacity and M treatment like 8 individual throttle bodies) as well as the same gearbox, you're looking at around 18 MPG average.

Personally I'd rather have a shed for the commute, as it's no fun in any car and you don't get the opportunity to use the car properly anyway as it's generally too busy.

PS Any update on that courier mate? Cheers.
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Kevin Wood on 17 January 2008, 17:15:23
Quote
As well as more expensive fuel, you have more expensive servicing

.. and on a car at 10K plus value, that you may be moving on in 3 years or less, I'd be inclined to keep the service history up to date, which means no more popping out for some Semi synth with the TC card.

An Omega is depreciating fast enough that you don't lose out by servicing it yourself.

Kevin
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: tunnie on 17 January 2008, 17:16:45
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=

 :y
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Markie on 17 January 2008, 17:16:50
okay some good stuff coming out here  ;D

New car doesnt have to be a BMW .....can be anything that meets the opening criteria.


Kevin - ive spent about 9 months looking for that ideal newer 3.2 omega to no avail....i wont spend Roger Budden prices on it..my preference would be a 52 onwards 3.2  :y

Jay W Paint and LPG, thats also an option i have considorered....but spend months looking for ideal replacement doors or 4 brand new doors to no avail, seems to be that rust on the doors will come back pretty soon unless the doors are replaced. And its an eyesore on all 4 doors ( at the top) I dont want to spend some £1000 - £1200 on a respray for the rust to re appear ( and lets face it if im getting all 4 doors done i may as well get whole car done.

Now if anyone knows where that late model omega is or where there are 4 new doors then were in a different conversation  :y :y
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Paul M on 17 January 2008, 17:19:26
The depreciation is the thing that gets me. If I spend decent money on a car I prefer to buy something a bit more exciting and exclusive, and if you buy wisely it'll hold its value. But hammering on loads of miles by commuting soon scuppers that idea. Hence why a low value car is preferable for such boring journeys as it costs far less in the big picture. Fuel costs are the thing everyone thinks about first, but it's one piece of the overall ownership cost :)
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Markie on 17 January 2008, 17:19:47
Quote
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=


Aye very good mate - i agree.....but at 800 commute miles a month  :'(
 :y
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 17:24:39
Quote
Quote
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=


Aye very good mate - i agree.....but at 800 commute miles a month  :'(
 :y
That will be an average of 2 breakdowns a month then ;D
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Kevin Wood on 17 January 2008, 17:25:33
Quote
hammering on loads of miles by commuting soon scuppers that idea

Very true. After all, let's say your commute costs you 2K a year in petrol in the Omega. Another couple of hundred on tyres, etc. etc. (which would be true in any car).

Go and spend 10K on a car and put that mileage on it and it'll cost you another 2K in depreciation.

Kevin
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: tunnie on 17 January 2008, 17:32:56
Quote
Quote
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=


Aye very good mate - i agree.....but at 800 commute miles a month  :'(
 :y

I guess i should have read the post properly!

In that case i would suggest a BMW 530D.... trouble is with the 3 Series is everyone who drives one is a w*nker!

5 Series have less of an image problem, and in 3.0D form, i think are very nice!

Would fit the bill as they hold their value very well....

or get the Jag, and use a Motorbike to commute  ;)
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Paul M on 17 January 2008, 17:34:19
Quote
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=

 :y

An E39 M5 would be loads more fun to drive, more reliable, more spacious, probably more economical being a manual, and looks just as stealthy. Admittedly a bit more expensive to buy a decent one, but it'll lose less in depreciation.

Best of all, you don't need a blue rinse perm to drive one :D

Neither of them are particularly suited to commuting though.
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 17:36:36
Quote
Quote
Quote
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=


Aye very good mate - i agree.....but at 800 commute miles a month  :'(
 :y

I guess i should have read the post properly!

In that case i would suggest a BMW 530D.... trouble is with the 3 Series is everyone who drives one is a w*nker!

5 Series have less of an image problem, and in 3.0D form, i think are very nice!

Would fit the bill as they hold their value very well....

or get the Jag, and use a Motorbike to commute  ;)
Tunnie - any BMW badge (M series aside) has the 'idiot' image - the series just defines how important a rep you are ;)
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: TheBoy on 17 January 2008, 17:37:01
Quote
Quote
Jaguar XJR -  4.0 Supercharged V8

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/JAGUAR+XJ/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-23-85-4294963311-4294967071/advert.action?R=200801301134873&distance=53&postcode=nn13+6er&channel=CARS&make=JAGUAR&model=XJ&min_pr=6000&max_pr=9000&max_mileage=

 :y

An E39 M5 would be loads more fun to drive, more reliable, more spacious, probably more economical being a manual, and looks just as stealthy. Admittedly a bit more expensive to buy a decent one, but it'll lose less in depreciation.

Best of all, you don't need a blue rinse perm to drive one :D

Neither of them are particularly suited to commuting though.
just a labotomy,,,
Title: Re: Im looking for a new car.....
Post by: Paul M on 17 January 2008, 17:41:45
Quote
In that case i would suggest a BMW 530D.... trouble is with the 3 Series is everyone who drives one is a w*nker!

5 Series have less of an image problem, and in 3.0D form, i think are very nice!

Would fit the bill as they hold their value very well....

or get the Jag, and use a Motorbike to commute  ;)

530d is nice, but I can't get over the whole diesel thing, I think unless you're doing mega miles they're not really worth it (especially with diesel being more expensive to buy now, which cuts into the savings). Personally I'd be more inclined towards the 530i, you'll get a much nicer example for the same money, probably lower miles too as the diesels tend to be high mileage for obvious reasons. It handles better than the diesel, and the inline-6 engine is a peach, sounds very nice for a 6-pot IMO, much nicer than the GM V6. Rack and pinion steering on these too so the steering feedback is good.

IIRC the later E39 530i are around 235 BHP so they're reasonably quick, particularly if you get the manual version, which aren't too hard to find as a lot of the enthusiastic drivers go for the 530i sport. Not sure why but there seem to be more 530i in sport trim than 540i, maybe because the latter has a recirc ball steering box, or it might just be down to price.