To buy or not to buy?? 🤷‍♂️

Britannia1863

I was after some advice really. I currently own a 2010 1 series which I've had for 4 years, and someone I know is going to be selling their 335d X drive GT in a few months. I know I will be offered the car at a couple of grand less that it will be worth so will get a very good deal if I do decide to go for it. I was wondering is there going to be any massive bills I'm likely going to encounter in the next few years (it's a 2016 with 70k on and maybe have another 5k on by the time it's going to be sold). Things like LED headlights which I know are expensive? Will it be a money pit waiting for me? There is nothing wrong with the 1 series but the opportunity to own a 335d for a v good price is too good not to consider!!

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks 👍

AdrianC

It's a 4yo 75k mile car, with a lot of very complex high-spec toys. Yes, there's a lot that can go wrong.

Grumpy_chap

How many miles has the 1 series done?

Why is the 335 GT being sold?
Why are you being offered a discount?

Would you swap cars now other than because this one is coming along?

Britannia1863

I probably wouldn't swop cars but to own such a performance car for a fraction of the cost of new is very tempting. The owner is buying a new BMW so I would be getting it at part ex price. The 1 series has done 120k.

Grumpy_chap

Your heart goes with the GT, obviously.

MSE approach is to run the 1 series until it goes to the scrapyard in the sky.

Has the GT been fully serviced to BMW standards?  Cambelt?

Do you have cash to make the purchase, or borrowing money?

Were_Doomed

Does the 335 have the uprated X Drive or the version made with cheese?

Britannia1863

GT has full BMW service history but would be due an MOT and service not long after purchase. Would have the cash to purchase outright but then majority of savings gone so wouldn't want any huge bills soon after purchase hence my slight reluctance to purchase. But keep thinking you only live once lol.

Grumpy_chap

This doesn't sound like a decision from the head but from the heart.  Life is too short for regrets about missed opportunities.  

Can you save, say, £300 a month to rebuild your emergency fund?  If so, go for it, but in the full knowledge of

AdrianC said:

It's a 4yo 75k mile car, with a lot of very complex high-spec toys. Yes, there's a lot that can go wrong

Britannia1863

Were_Doomed said:

Does the 335 have the uprated X Drive or the version made with cheese?

It's an X drive model with M sport plus pack and 19" alloys also.

Britannia1863

Grumpy_chap said:

This doesn't sound like a decision from the head but from the heart.  Life is too short for regrets about missed opportunities.  

Can you save, say, £300 a month to rebuild your emergency fund?  If so, go for it, but in the full knowledge of

AdrianC said:

It's a 4yo 75k mile car, with a lot of very complex high-spec toys. Yes, there's a lot that can go wrong

I can probably save 3/400 a month, but also have other things that can need that fund. I.e house, wife and 2 kids! 😂

Grumpy_chap

Britannia1863 said:

I can probably save 3/400 a month, but also have other things that can need that fund. I.e house, wife and 2 kids! 😂

Even more reason to get that emergency fund recovered as soon as practical.
Sounds to me like the GT is the sensible family decision as the 1 series will seemingly shrink against growing kids plus you need room for the bike in the boot etc.  Beyond this, I do not feel that any forum can assist further.  This is not your decision but your wife's decision unless you buy the car and it turns into a money pit in which case it will be, retrospectively, entirely your decision.
Good luck!