buying a 320D in leeds

thepits wrote: Andrew Rolland wrote: If economy is a must then tell him to buy a diesel Mondeo. Ahum - wasn't it YOU who wanted to know if people who recommended "those cars" could be banned?

Nope just DIEsel BMWs.

Diesels are for economy.  Economy and BMW are another pair of words that should not be used IMO in the same sentence.  Hence if you are wanting to save pennies then a cheaper make of car i.e. a Ford Mondeo is the way to go.

Andrew Rolland wrote: Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this.

Before I accept that great big hug (  ), let me be clear, my objection isn't really a conscientious one.  When I can buy one without the fears of financial ruin, etc. common sense will force me to accept that its the way to go.  Its hard to argue (with the rational mind at least) against a diesel engine in the latest 320d that has more BHP than my 523i, enough torque to pull tress straight out of the ground and at the same offers anywhere from 50-100% better fuel economy.

I do, however, have a personal preference for engines with a value for cylinders > 4.  I don't expect that to change when I inevitably have to go diesel. 

(on Autotrader UK today, out of nearly 1000 BMW 5's that are less than 3 years old, only 60 are petrol - that's why most of us that don't buy new will eventually be forced to buy diesel)

Andrew Rolland wrote: I wonder if that will make the odd F10 535i and 550i a rare, rare beast and command a high second hand price as the few drivers who are petrolheads will all be fighting over them.

I suspect the opposite will be the case - , as orphan dinosaurs resulting from tax policy, environmental pressures and peer pressure they'll probably take root on forecourts and be among the first cars to be broken because the bits are more valuable than the car.  It'll become a vicious circle, because the depreciate like they do fewer people will buy them, even fewer will want them secondhand and so their values will fall further.  Already, a 2004 545i has a residual value not much more than half that of a 320d.  Environmental issues are definitely changing peoples perception of what a car needs to be/do.

One man's environmental catastrophy is another man's opportunity!  Guys like you and me will become social outcasts and pariah's in time....... if we aren't already!  I don't have any kids though, so as long as we can stretch the remaining oil out 40-50 years I'll be fine.....

Dergside wrote: Environmental issues are definitely changing peoples perception of what a car needs to be/do.

Not to mention the rising cost of Petrol. How many people are big enough petrolheads to want to spend £1.40 a lire in a car that does less than 30 mpg?

I only do 600-800 miles a month and my 330i with it's 25 mpg economy  was really starting to hurt at the pumps. When that hurt gets more than the pleasure you get from the power then something is going to give. The current high price of other things will only add to this pressure. Also in many parts of the uk the roads are too crowded and too policed to actually be any fun. 

I do miss the 330i but for 95% of my driving i never needed or couod use the exta power it gave and I  don't miss £80 to fill it up every 300 miles.

IMHO the age of the big engine petrol car is numbered. Even BMW are loweing the capacity and going forced induction for the next M5.