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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 12:54:59 GMT
We've been spending the last couple of months working on replacing both cars.
One of the main drivers has been a change in policy by Lindsay's employer, which has meant for the last 8 months she hasn't been able to use the Boxster for any business mileage (otherwise she would have lost her monthly car allowance), she's had to use the 535d. It has worked out OK, but has meant some compromises and will only get more difficult as she has more off site meetings now that she used to and that's increasing. I decided that we would make a fleet decision, rather than look at 2 individual cars and balance the mileage better between them. Currently the Boxster does about 10k miles a year, although that has dropped to a run rate of around 8k now Lindsay has moved offices and cycles in most days and the 535d does about 30k. The aim is to get the main car down to sub 25k miles a year and use the second car to fill the gap, which means it would need to have enough space to get my boys in, who are ever growing...my 16 year old is 6'2....
I still wanted each one to be quite different, so the main car would need to be really comfortable, have a good interior, plenty of FG, decent performance and still be decent to drive (not a big wallowy thing).
The second car would still need to be good on the motorway / longer journeys, but has to be fun to drive and have decent performance, along with the (well, my!) essential options and be fairly compact.
As you can imagine, the initial list was a long one, but we eventually got two shortlists and had some test drives.....which should have been fun/exciting, but ended up feeling less enjoyable than I'd hoped unfortunately. Anyway, we had a good look at quite a few options, but the cars we drove were.....(mix of new and lightly used)
Main Car - BMW 740d; Mercedes S350d; Mercedes E63 (used new shape); Panamera (new 4 Sport Turismo and used 4S diesel)
Second Car - BMW M140i, BMW 440i GC; Hyundai i30n; Golf R
I'll do a short write up at some point on the test drives and the order they ended up in, but to cut a long story short, the Golf was a clear winner and the 740Ld was my preferred choice, but I wasn't 100% happy with the way it went around corners (bit too soft and some body roll) so I wanted to try one with Executive Drive Pro. Basically that means both adaptive dampers and active anti roll bars, both of which are controlled using an array of sensors including the Sat Nav plus stereo cameras in the windscreen (it can see a speed bump and soften the suspension!). A fairly local dealer had a low mileage one with that option, so I booked a test drive and that option transforms the car, the way it can be the most comfortable car I've ever driven one minute and then go around a tight slip road with minimum body roll without touching the mode (it has an adaptive mode) can only be described as Voodoo!! The only problem, which I'm sure I'll be really pleased with over time even if it means buying shares in Shell, was that I absolutely loved that particular car. The spec is amazing, but it was the 4.4 V8 with M Sport Exhaust that elevated it to a whole new level!
So, I'm collecting a 10 month old (only done 1,370 miles, which is 2 weeks for me) 750i M Sport on Saturday and we have ordered a Golf R 5 door, which probably won't be with us until the beginning of September. The Golf is on finance for now, as we didn't want to miss out on the £1,500 deposit contribution, but it also gives us the option of keeping the Boxster for a bit longer.....it's going to be a huge struggle to let that go.
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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 13:00:12 GMT
Golf Spec - 5 door, DSG, Atlantic Blue, Vienna Leather, Memory Drivers Seat, 19" Pretoria Alloys (silver), Dynamic Chassis Control, Dynaudio Sound pack and Keyless entry/start. That's a couple of £ under £40k, so no additional tax. It will look like this, apart from it won't have tinted rear windows.   |
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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 13:12:42 GMT
BMW 750i M Sport Probably not the most sensible choice of engine for 25,000 miles a year, but with a bit of man maths and the thought that it may be my last opportunity to get a V8 (plus the way it went and sounded!) meant it was never going to be anything else having driven it. It has a couple of things that I wouldn't order on a new car e.g. sun protection glass rather than blinds and I did think that 4wd would be necessary on anything more powerful than the 535d (it's fine in the dry), but it also has a couple of options that I would love to order but really struggle to justify the cost for like the £4,675 BMW want for B&W diamond surround speakers. The total list price for this spec is £110,000.... The standard spec on the 750i is pretty long and full of lots of nice FG, if you ignore all the stuff you'd expect such as dimming mirrors, auto lights, parking sensors etc, it has as standard: 19” Alloy WheelsMetallic PaintExclusive Nappa leatherNappa leather Instrument Panel (upper & lower dash plus upper door cards)Professional NavigationDigital CockpitLoudspeaker AdvancedEnhanced Bluetooth, wireless charging, voice controlGesture ControlDisplay KeyReversing CameraSoft Close DoorsPowered Boot LidFolding, Auto Dimming MirrorsIlluminated door sillsComfort Access with smart openerComfort Seats Front (20 way adjustable) with memoryMassage Seats FrontComfort Seats Rear (12 way adjustable) with memoryHeated seats front & rearSport Auto with paddles2 Axle air suspension with variable damper controlLED headlights with auto high beamDriving Assistant (speed limit display, city collision mitigation, forward collision warning, lane change warning, lane departure warning, preventive pedestrian protection)Service Inclusive - 5 Year / 50,000 milesIn addition to that long list, it also has20” Bicolour Alloy WheelsIndividual Pure Metal SilverIndividual Piano Black trimHead up DisplayParking Package (surround view, park assist, remote control parking)Electric Glass SunroofSun Protection GlassRear Seat EntertainmentMassage Seats RearTV Function Front & RearBMW Touch Command (tablet)Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound SystemBMW LaserlightsExecutive Drive ProM Sport Braking SystemM Sport Exhaust SystemSpecial mention has to go to the paint which pictures don't do justice to at all, it's fabulous. But so it should be, as it's a £6,685 option!! It's the most expensive paint BMW offer (Individual paint costs on the 7 range from £1k to £4.8k) and when you read about it you can see why, the car gets painted in Glacier silver along with the lacquer and is then removed from the production line to be hand polished/finished and then hand painted with Pure Metal Silver followed by another coat of lacquer. Then there is the laser lights, I can't wait to try them. Technical spec - 450hp, 480 lb-ft torque, 0-60 in 4.5/0-100 in 9.9 and a kerb weight of 1820kg which is lighter than the 535d thanks to the aluminium and carbon construction. I'm really looking forward to Saturday  |
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New Fleet
May 13, 2018 15:43:00 GMT
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Post by Andy C on May 13, 2018 15:43:00 GMT
Bloody hell!
Both cars sound excellent . I must admit The 750i had passed me by but reading your message it sounds awesome . Presuming it’s a slightly detuned version that goes in the m5?
Good spec on the golf r too . The correct wheels and pleased you’ve specced DCC. It really does work and would be a must for me. Im completely convinced with 4wd in really hot hatches now.
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Post by ChrisM on May 13, 2018 18:18:35 GMT
Ah yes, illuminated door sills. However did we manage without them?
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Post by Alex on May 13, 2018 19:01:21 GMT
Wow, that’s a pretty good replacement for the 535d and one with what sounds like an awesome drivetrain, not to mention having more toys than Hamleys! Loving the Golf R too, definitely the best colour for it too.
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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 19:18:33 GMT
Bloody hell! Both cars sound excellent . I must admit The 750i had passed me by but reading your message it sounds awesome . Presuming it’s a slightly detuned version that goes in the m5? Good spec on the golf r too . The correct wheels and pleased you’ve specced DCC. It really does work and would be a must for me. Im completely convinced with 4wd in really hot hatches now. Thanks Andy. I’m sure there will be some different components, but yes, it’s a detuned version of the F10 and F90 M5 engines. If you look at the power and torque curves, you can see that they’ve capped them. DMS would give it 555hp and 555lb-ft, but I suspect that would spoil the car a bit. I think it sounds great. Thankfully there’s no electronic sound generator or fake pops and bangs, just a really nice V8 sound when it starts up and the valves are open on the M Sport exhaust. The Golf is superb with DCC, great on the motorway and loads of fun on the twisties. |
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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 19:19:16 GMT
Ah yes, illuminated door sills. However did we manage without them? Quite easily. The light carpet though....that’s a different matter! |
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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 19:40:38 GMT
Wow, that’s a pretty good replacement for the 535d and one with what sounds like an awesome drivetrain, not to mention having more toys than Hamleys! Loving the Golf R too, definitely the best colour for it too. Thanks Alex. It was between Atlantic Blue and Indium Grey, both with the Pretorias, but thankfully our local dealer had both colours in stock with silver wheels. We’re not buying it from them though, Coast2coast cars offered the best discount and were excellent, highly recommended. The car will be supplied by Listers Nuneaton, who’ve also been very good and aren’t that far away (coast2coast have a number of regional options). Dealer picture, so not great and really doesn’t do it justice, but gives you an idea. I think it looks brilliant but appreciate some won’t! Better to get one now before the facelift though, as I suspect that will have a huge grille. 
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New Fleet
May 13, 2018 20:09:01 GMT
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Post by bryan on May 13, 2018 20:09:01 GMT
Both great choices! How much convincing will it take to keep the Boxter as a fun weekend car?!?
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Post by Martin on May 13, 2018 20:11:50 GMT
Both great choices! How much convincing will it take to keep the Boxter as a fun weekend car?!? Thank you. Well, I’ve set the finance up on the Golf as it would need to be and hopefully we’ve got some nice weather to look forward to....so not impossible! Really not sure what we’ll do at this stage. |
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Post by racingteatray on May 13, 2018 20:54:41 GMT
25k pa in a 750i is exquisite weapons-grade man-maths! Good stuff. £7k for silver paint? Wow.
Dare I be vulgar and ask what it cost s/hand?
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Post by Roadsterstu on May 13, 2018 21:46:16 GMT
Blimey, Martin. You've totally out-Martinned yourself there!
What, dare I ask, are Laser Lights?
Oh, and if you can, keep the Boxster. SORN and garage it over the winter.
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New Fleet
May 13, 2018 21:56:32 GMT
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Post by cbeaks1 on May 13, 2018 21:56:32 GMT
A few quid less than half list?
Both look and sound excellent. Tremendous application of man maths.
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Post by Roadrunner on May 14, 2018 0:11:53 GMT
Wow! Two excellent choices there and maximum points earned for choosing a V8 daily driver.
Do your insurers know about the silver paint?
Edit: For the avoidance of doubt, you are coming to Prescott.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2018 2:10:41 GMT
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New Fleet
May 14, 2018 6:00:11 GMT
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Post by bryan on May 14, 2018 6:00:11 GMT
Wonder how much the touch up stick is?! Or do they give you a free one with individual paint!
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Post by PG on May 14, 2018 7:18:59 GMT
Wow, quite a change. As racing said, epic man maths!! Full marks for going V8 as a daily driver. Fuel is probably a secondary cost to depreciation on a 7 series and it seems that the dealer has dealt with that one for you in large measure. So it's a win-win.
Based on the spec of that 750, is "scamper spec" now to be superseded by "martin-spec"? ;-)
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Post by LandieMark on May 14, 2018 7:23:58 GMT
Wow! The 7 sounds impressive, but I wouldn’t want your fuel bills. How big is the tank/range, as I know you hate filling up?
I would be garaging the Golf or getting a tracker fitted.
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Post by Martin on May 14, 2018 7:39:08 GMT
Racing - About half list is right, which is great, but I’m under no illusions about future depreciation. I based my budget on a monthly cost including depreciation (and fuel!) on either 3 or 4 years depending on the car. That meant the max budget was about £85k, I’ve based the 750 calcs keepig in for 3 years and no PCP this time so it will be fully paid off.
Stu - As it says on the tin....laser headlights! You have dipped beam, voodoo main beam and when no cars are in range, laser main beam which lights up double the distance of normal headlights (800m vs 400m). The light generated is 10x brighter, so is diffused to reduce its intensity.
James - I haven’t spoken to the insurance company yet... it has been bothering me, more than the thought of shovelling £450 of super unleaded ina month actually, but as it’s a factory option, then I don’t need to declare it...but appreciate I might be creating an issue further down the line? Plan is to swap cars in my current policy, then in 5 months when it’s up I will talk to a broker (and BMW insurance). I can’t make Prescott as things stand...
Bryan - I asked that question, apparently the touch up stick is special order from Germany....I didn’t ask for the cost, but will order one when I pick it up.
PG - Scamper spec means an excess of ‘lifestyle’ options such as boot liners, roof bars etc!
You’re right about fuel cost vs depreciation, it almost pales into insignificance alongside it. I think it will cost me an extra £150 a month, which is based on a pessimistic 25mpg (didn’t use man math on that figure), but I’ll get 22p rather than 13p a business mile, so the net cost to me is circa £100 a month.
TreVor - The Golf will be in the garage if/when the Boxster goes. It’s got a decent size tank, 78 litres, so it will have a range of somewhere around 400-450 miles, about 100 less than the 535d. Not great, but could be worse.
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Post by johnc on May 14, 2018 7:48:09 GMT
That's a great fleet Martin.
I have a client with a GT4, Macan S and a Golf R. Most days he drives the Golf and he never stops raving about how good a real world car it is. The 750i is just immense with a spec that will make changing it in 3 or 4 years time, a bit difficult. Enjoy. |
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Post by LandieMark on May 14, 2018 7:50:43 GMT
That’s a good range for a big engine.
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Post by Martin on May 14, 2018 7:52:47 GMT
That's a great fleet Martin.
I have a client with a GT4, Macan S and a Golf R. Most days he drives the Golf and he never stops raving about how good a real world car it is. The 750i is just immense with a spec that will make changing it in 3 or 4 years time, a bit difficult. Enjoy. It will make it very difficult without going totally silly.... I had fairly high expectations for the Golf and it surpassed them, really looking forward to doing some miles in it. |
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Post by Martin on May 14, 2018 7:54:52 GMT
That’s a good range for a big engine. It is, anything over 400 miles is OK and I am prepared for £100 fill ups. |
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New Fleet
May 14, 2018 9:19:34 GMT
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Post by franki68 on May 14, 2018 9:19:34 GMT
Both Lovely, I almost got the golf r estate when I got the 335,but the estate version is fairly ugly which put me off.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on May 14, 2018 9:44:30 GMT
Martin - have you ever considered a job with The Treasury? In an age of challenged budgets I reckon you could be a real asset!
Great car choices even if the thought of running a 750i causes arterial defibrillation in my wallet. I've often thought that if I had to buy my own car again I'd look seriously at the Golf.
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Post by Tim on May 14, 2018 10:37:35 GMT
Fantastic choices there Martin and awesome man-maths too! I suspect you'll be the UK's youngest owner of a 7 series though |
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Post by Big Blue on May 14, 2018 12:24:16 GMT
Ha ha: 400 miles on a tank.....I've done it once only. You can have 25mg average showing after 300 miles, kickdown once and the average is suddenly 23, but the kickdown is worth it just to see the ludicrous numbers coming up so quickly. However used Petrol means it has already saved you hundreds of tanks of petrol  Great choice: petrol V8. As you say, it could be the last chance saloon. I was in Cooper TD today and there was a 430i there: 2.0 four pot turbo. I have a 420D loan car and I'll write about it elsewhere later. Gold Rs are the ultimate practical sports hatch, as per the original and Mk2 Golf GTis. You'd struggle to justify anything bigger if you just had one of those. |
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Post by Martin on May 14, 2018 13:01:54 GMT
If anyone ever needs help with man maths, you know who to ask!
BB - I’d have to average less than 25mpg to not hit 400 miles, which is unlikely (but not impossible!) based on the mix of driving I do, so it shouldn’t happen too often... The 750 has an 8 litre large tank than the B5, weighs less and has a bit more efficiency tech.....i’ll let you know how it goes.
Just had an email from my dad, he’s got a 420i loan car for the day. Engine doesn’t sound bad for a 4 pot, but it’s noisy and uncomfortable is his summary, be interesting to hear what you think.
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Post by PetrolEd on May 14, 2018 14:12:50 GMT
Great stuff Martin,
I fear a 750i would be wasted on me as I can barely get round the tech in the 3 series. Who was the original owner, a spec like that must have been for BMW uk?
A Golf R would make an ideal second car for me but don't think I could justify the cost so something a lot cheaper beckons. Did you have a go in the Golf Clubsport which I think I could be tempted over the R?
Looking forward to further updates
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