HDi fun
TC ModFather
For those of you that don't know, I was involved in a serious RTA on 24th June and my car is now what the insurers call a 'total loss'. The colloquial term is 'write off'.
There's no immediate panic as I'm currently not able to drive just yet as a result of the injuries thus sustained. None are serious but there's enough of 'em to put me off for a while, including some emotional issues which mean I want a week or two to contemplate driving again.
I'm planning to buy a second user car (brand new is too pricey and depreciation is horrific).
I'm want to return to two pedal driving as it suits my general style and I'm also going back to petrol for reasons that I no longer cover a huge mileage and the servicing and general maintenance of a petrol engine is far lower than that of a diesel one. Dial in the cost of diesel per litre and I think I'll break even. I don't want spineless a spineless car so forget four cylinder models I think.
I'm thinking of a 5 series saloon, E39 model, as late as I can get, automatic. I've driven one or two over the years - I seem to recall the 520i being very ploddy with its 2.2 litre straight six.
There's a lot of engine designations - am I right in saying that the 523i is a 2.5 litre? And is the 525i an earlier designation? Same engine or no?
I think the 530i is a straight six of three litres and the 535i is a V8 of 3.5 litres IS the V8 tragically bad on fuel economy against the 3.0 six?
Gone are the BMW days when the last two digits disclosed all.
I've driven an E34 535i which was definitely an inline 6 and was very pleasant.
Other car I'm considering (and it's only considering at this point, I'm not ready to test drive and buy anything yet) is Lexus GS300. The 430 is just too silly with road tax etc.
Advice would be welcome.
There's no immediate panic as I'm currently not able to drive just yet as a result of the injuries thus sustained. None are serious but there's enough of 'em to put me off for a while, including some emotional issues which mean I want a week or two to contemplate driving again.
I'm planning to buy a second user car (brand new is too pricey and depreciation is horrific).
I'm want to return to two pedal driving as it suits my general style and I'm also going back to petrol for reasons that I no longer cover a huge mileage and the servicing and general maintenance of a petrol engine is far lower than that of a diesel one. Dial in the cost of diesel per litre and I think I'll break even. I don't want spineless a spineless car so forget four cylinder models I think.
I'm thinking of a 5 series saloon, E39 model, as late as I can get, automatic. I've driven one or two over the years - I seem to recall the 520i being very ploddy with its 2.2 litre straight six.
There's a lot of engine designations - am I right in saying that the 523i is a 2.5 litre? And is the 525i an earlier designation? Same engine or no?
I think the 530i is a straight six of three litres and the 535i is a V8 of 3.5 litres IS the V8 tragically bad on fuel economy against the 3.0 six?
Gone are the BMW days when the last two digits disclosed all.
I've driven an E34 535i which was definitely an inline 6 and was very pleasant.
Other car I'm considering (and it's only considering at this point, I'm not ready to test drive and buy anything yet) is Lexus GS300. The 430 is just too silly with road tax etc.
Advice would be welcome.