BMW X3 PCP vs current Citroen C5

rugbyleague

Have been offered a new BMW 2.0d msport X3 on a PCP for 18 months at 10000miles per annum by brother in law as a friends and family deal at £240 per month. No deposit after 18 months give it back.

I currently own a Citroen C5 touring exclusive which I like and I own with no finance.

The BMW deals appears very good though (my last PCP was for £200 for a Citroen Picasso).

I don't need a new car but it does sound quite nice!

What would you do?

Ultrasonic

Well if you don't need a new car, and were perfectly happy before the 'offer' came along, the obvious money saving thing to do is to stick with what you've got. That is a VERY cheap deal for a BMW X3 though.

Also consider what you'd do at the end of the 18 months. Sticking with your current car you could presumably just keep driving that. If you get the BMW and you hand it back you then need to buy a new car (with potentially unknown problems, unlike your current car), or take out new PCP type deal...

The only reason to go for the BMW is if you really want to drive one. Which I'm inclined to suggest you probably aren't that bothered about, and you're only considering it because this 'offer' has appeared...

Other things to consider:

1) Is 10,000 miles per year definitely enough?
2) How much more will insurance on the BMW be (assuming it's not included).

What I would do is stick with the current car, but that's because I have precisely zero interest in driving around in a BMW X3!

colino

Well done in having such an unusual and interesting car. I bet you don't have any problems finding it in a car park. However the X3, especially the 2.0 Diesel will disappoint you in every comparison with the Citroen. Your car says, I've got an interesting car that does a lot of jobs really well without having an identity crisis, whereas the X3 is a rubbish substitute for an X5. The diesel couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding (and wait for it and the turbo to self-destruct) and watch Fiestas zoom past you on grassy fields while the mighty X3 slithers about.
Keep the classy Citroen, and the money in the bank.

rugbyleague

Thank you!

Love my Citroen C5 170bhp and no one else has one. Had it 3 years though and eventually I will change it. The BMW does look a good deal, however I am not quite ready to change my car yet (or am I?). Do I want a BMW? yes it would be nice! Whatcar gives it 5stars as does Honestjohn.

Mileage not sure 10000 is enough.

Ultrasonic

rugbyleague wrote: »

Thank you!

Love my Citroen C5 170bhp and no one else has one. Had it 3 years though and eventually I will change it. The BMW does look a good deal, however I am not quite ready to change my car yet (or am I?). Do I want a BMW? yes it would be nice! Whatcar gives it 5stars as does Honestjohn.

Mileage not sure 10000 is enough.

But do you want that BMW? There's no point going for it purely for the badge.

Re. the mileage, check what the excess mileage charges will be and factor these in if you do consider going for the X3.

gilbert_and_sullivan

If that offer includes VED and maintenance, it proably won't need servicing anyway in that time span, then i'd be inclined to take it for the hell of it, will cost you £2880 per year (plus insurance?) for a brand new decent quality car and not a bill for anything in sight bar fuel, then hand it back without a care in the world.

Check insurance first though as there could be implications if you had a write off accident in that time, and check what penalty cost might be incurred if you go over the mileage.

Its cheap decent motoring, wish i had the same offer going.

NeverEnough

colino wrote: »

Well done in having such an unusual and interesting car. I bet you don't have any problems finding it in a car park. However the X3, especially the 2.0 Diesel will disappoint you in every comparison with the Citroen. Your car says, I've got an interesting car that does a lot of jobs really well without having an identity crisis, whereas the X3 is a rubbish substitute for an X5. The diesel couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding (and wait for it and the turbo to self-destruct) and watch Fiestas zoom past you on grassy fields while the mighty X3 slithers about.
Keep the classy Citroen, and the money in the bank.

Thats no longer applicable to the new incarnation of X3......they are no longer the Clarkson-derided vehicle they used to be and have had a total makeover - altogether a much better built, performing vehicle than the old shape and type. Having said that, it is quite different to a luxury sedan and OP would want to decide if the crossover type vehicle appealed to him and would serve his needs as well as the C5 does at present. BTW, the X3 is not a "rubbish substitute for an X5" it is a different vehicle altogether aimed at a different market. I like both, although I do prefer my X5.

FlameCloud

Do the n sport versions still have no kit on them?

colino

As my wife has only had beemers for the past 15 years or so, we borrowed a new X3 for three days (She is what I term vertically challenged and the X5 is too big) to see if something different but the same would fit the bill. Perhaps the one we had would have been better on different tyres, but it could not cope with a mildly wet grass car-park at a country show at the start of the summer. Equally the performance of the 2l is laughable, it is a real shame to bolt this thing into anything in the range. Finally, while beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, it looks plain weird when you look at the detail. A bit like a mechanical OOFF (out of focus fox), the closer you get, the familiarity that you thought you recognised is just the uglier little sister trying out the X5s frock.
She is back in a 5 series.

NeverEnough

I guess its lucky for all retailers and manufacturers that we all like different things....... with these crossover type vehicles, a great deal of the "offroad" capability lies in the tyres and silly low profile tyres will not help handling one bit in challenging conditions.

I'm female and only just a tad over 5ft and an X5 isn't too big for me though, I have the "beast" of the e53 X5's, the Alpina-derived 4.8is and I love driving it under all conditions as I fit winter wheels from around November to April. I do enjoy 5 series as well. Used to love driving an M5 until I really did need a 4x4. Had a Range Rover prior to the X5, for several years, and while I loved it when I owned it, it was no comparison at all to the X5 in build quality, comfort and ride quality. Even the old X3 was better!!!