Paul_M

Thinking of one of these as my daily driver, I'm currently using a 2.0 Audi and it's dog-slow and produces a horrible drone at 75-85 MPH due to the gearing being too low (induction noise I think).

It has high mileage, but I believe it's timing chain driven so shouldn't be an issue other than usual oil, coolant, etc changes? It's a V8, what they like to work on?

I've already checked out insurance and it's strangely affordable considering I'm in that horrid under-25 category and it's group 19. But are servicing and repair costs likely to turn this seemingly cheap bargain into an expensive nightmare?

Oh it's 6-speed manual too, none of this slushbox bollocks

Tiggs

ran an E39 540......had lots done under warranty......££££££££ worth, wouldnt touch one without cover.

T

ps- auto box on the E39 was perfect, only a fool would have the manual (not sure if its the same on the older ones)

willy

Timing chains on some bmw are servicable items and need doing every 100k.
Cost is £1200 upwards.. be careful.

*****

Paul_M

Hmm maybe not looking like such a good idea, considering it's a car to keep my costs down! Had the Audi a year, done 30K and apart from routine stuff it's been faultless and cheap.

PS Call me a fool if you like but I wouldn't touch an auto, driven a 325i tiptronic and it was horrid, I didn't feel like I was really driving the car and the tiptronic mode has a very noticable change delay. Less performance, less driver involvement, worse fuel economy and (unless the manual box is particularly poorly engineered) far more likely to go wrong. I'm not lazy and don't care that I have to use my left arm and left leg while driving even if I do spend time crawling in traffic. Slushies? No thanks