Craig855S Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) In Sept ill be getting a few grand as a "7.5 year bonus" in my job. Along with my debts getting wrapped up near that time ill be able to get a new (to me) car. And looking on the forums for these cars they seem to be in my price range. Which would you go for... First up is the E34 BMW 5 series. Made in the late eighties to mid nineties. I can afford pretty much any one I want, inlcuding the 4.0 V8s and the Hartge H5, but not the M5. (Problem with these is a lot of the V8s have cylinder liner problems and a lot of the 6 pots have very problematic cooling systems)http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1457/1457331-5.jpgNext us is the E39 BMW 5 series, made from 1996 to early noughties, i'd be looking at a pre 2000 model but can still afford even the V8http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1407/1407018-2.jpg Next is a Volvo 850...Only the R will do, 240BHP but easily upped and some are 4WDhttp://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1504/1504437-1.jpg Next is a V70, Most Rs seem to be out of my budget but the T5 will do the job almost as well, and again can be tuned to a level i'd be more than happy with..Actually, there are some Rs that are within my budget...Phase 1 T5http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1446/1446388-1.jpgPhase 1 R, under 2 grand..http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1473/1473935-3.jpgPhase 2 T5http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1481/1481226-3.jpg What would you choose? Dont have to spend the entire budget so I could get one of the older cars and save money aside for something else... Would you be sensible and get what is essentially the same car with a different face and keep the change or blow the entire budget to get a more modern looking car.. Edited February 15, 2010 by Craig855S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwwd Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 BMW mate, every time. What's your budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidrick Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I love the E34 when in mint condition. Being sensible, I'd probably go for the E39 though, depsite the fact I don't like them at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saunders Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I don't like Volvos personally, and all the E34's i've seen lately arent in the best of condition. But, some E39's are sweet when done nicely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicksy Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Id go for the 850 T5 R if it was my money the AWD version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caled Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 out of those, E39 everytime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig855S Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 What's your budget? 3.5k ABSOLUTE MAX, Unsure how much the taxman will take, IIRC its a 5k "bonus" that gets taxed And I have to say, If the money were in my pocket now I'd be looking at that Hartge! If I were to get an E39 I'd find myself doing all sorts to it (like changing the lights for the face lift ones and getting some decent wheels on it) With a volvo R i'd change absolutely nothing, other than getting it stage 1 tuned at some point and with en E34 i'd be looking at getting one with good wheels etc to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidrick Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 A4/A6 Avant V6 petrol or diesel? E46 Touring 3.0 diesel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig855S Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) No to the audi, I'd be tempted by the E46 but arent the diesels well outta my price range? In fact, Im pretty sure that whatever E46 is within my price range, there will be an equivalent, and therefore better, E39 for less money. IMO 3 series' are massively overpriced (due to desirability of them,despite the fact its less car for your money than the 5s) Edited February 15, 2010 by Craig855S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eetaylog Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) Save up a little bit more and go for a 3 series E46? This one is £3700ish, but tbh theyre generally around the £4500-5k mark for a decent one with lower mileage... http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/22993.jpg http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1474002.htm EDIT: just seen your above post. worth a shout though. Edited February 15, 2010 by eetaylog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massivewangers Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Out of all the Volvo's, don't get a T-5R, get the slightly later model 850R, in manual flavour. They're 250bhp, 250lbs/ft of torque. They have a slightly bigger turbo than the T-5R, the wheels you see pictured on the grey car you posted, and have nicer seats than the earlier T-5R. They also have a limited slip diff as standard, which really helps traction. That little lot will see you hitting 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and 155mph, which is enough to match the BMWs for outright pace. Obviously the RWD BMWs might handle slightly better, but the old ovlov can handle itself just fine, and with a few tweaks, 300bhp is possible, and a noise to send shivers down your spine. You also get electric seats, climate control, leather and alcantara and all the usual toys. My mildly tweaked T-5 would keep up with cars you'd never believe it should keep up with and they last forever if looked after. I like the E39 540i, but I'm really not sure I'd take one over an 850R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andaba Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Go retro!!! E28 Sharknose FTW!!!http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3204575697_09e393fdcf.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig855S Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) Save up a little bit more and go for a 3 series E46? This one is £3700ish, but tbh theyre generally around the £4500-5k mark for a decent one with lower mileage... http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/22993.jpg http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1474002.htm EDIT: just seen your above post. worth a shout though. Nearly 4 grand for cloth seats and a tiny petrol engine on a 10 year old car....PfffttAs i said, for 4k on a V reg 5 series leather is a dead cert, as is a bigger engine Edited February 15, 2010 by Craig855S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McRic Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Out of those a e39. I've had both e46 and e39 and the 39 was far better imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 what do you actually want from the car? the T5 is a good work horse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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