[HighlandPete]

Many users change new cars very often, even at low mileage.

How do we feel about this, from the perspective of getting the best from the engine, etc. Clearly we can easily waste money, but how about from the best performance and even best fuel economy?

I have found over the years that many engines get getter with mileage, fuel economy can often keep improving as the miles gets added. Sometimes well over 20k miles before we even get near to peak efficiency.

I recall an article written by a motoring journalist/car enthusiast/engineer who commented that many new buyers trade a car, well before they personally ever get to the best performance from the engine. He even suggested that many bigger engine cars continue to improve beyond 35k miles. So many trade a car barely 'run in' and leave the next owner to get the best from it.

Having had a BMW 540i where it had a new engine at 65k miles, even 20k later on the new engine, it was still freeing up, not yet as good for performance (or economy, at least 10% down but improving) compared to the original engine at 65k miles.

What brought this subject to mind, I note my engine feels better as the mileage increases and is definitely more economical this summer (18k miles), than last summer, (10k miles).

We had one VW 2.5 TDI which took almost 80k miles to really free up and return best mpg. Just got better and better with mileage.

What are your observations or experiences?

HighlandPete

[Tengocity]

I agree- I just can't believe so many people change cars every 2 or 3 years... Then complain about depreciation!

However, whilst you're right that engines loosen up, unfortunately the condition of our roads means that by the time this has happened so has your suspension!

Most cars I've had have needed lower arms, bushes, and in my 157k mile E46 I completely overhauled the entire suspension.

It costs a lot less than depreciation on a new car, but it is a lot of hassle!

[Benf]

My previous car had 90k on when I sold it, just over 3 years old. I didn't want to keep it out of warrantee due to potentially horrendous bills, it was an E92 330d.

On Saturday I traded my F30 330d after 1 year of ownership due to the constant problems I had with it ruining the whole ownership proposition.

It took a hit with depreciation but am living my F10 535d at the moment! I intend to keep this until 100k miles which should be in just over 3 years time.

I personally think you buy a nice car new and swallow the depreciation or an older one and accept you may have to spend on reliability and higher running costs. The E92 averaged 38mpg, F30 42mpg, F10 similar at the moment. Technology moves so quickly.

[davethefish]

this time last year my 320i at 8k was getting about 31mpg, (i do DRIVE cars)
when i first bought the car it was showing 29mpg overall.

this year at 19k driving exactly the same routes a last year i'm getting 35mpg,
and the car feels a bit quicker too especially at higher rpm.
so i definitely think performance/economy improves over 15-20k.

trouble is i have the stone chips to prove it,
and that is probably one good reason to trade in...

[....,,,,..,,..]

Yes we do, especially considering car body work lasts longer than it did in the 70's / 80's or appears to.

That and in some respects cars are far more reliable.

So some of the historic reasons for changing cars, have been reduced.

We also seem more prepared to spend a huge amount on cars.

When I eventually trade my Mondeo, someone will get a 34k very good condition car, fully service, spotless inside for a mere 4/5 k.

I know it would easily last me another 5 years or even more.

However don't need 2 big cars.

We had our Carlton for around 175k miles, only issue was oil leak and discs.

[JustChris]

...but that new one is so shiny and new and has extra toys!

Yes we change far too soon, I changed my X1 before it needed tyres. I think the whole PCP scheme and salesman mindset is now geared towards it though. Absolutely the value is to buy a slightly better car than could PCP and run to to 100k / 6 years for the model cycle.

[Nick the Greek]

My late father was the most frequent car changer I know.
Maximum was six months, always bought new, but could haggle very hard. Always decent motors BMW, Merc, Audi. He bought one of the last Ur Quattro's imported by Audi in 1991, was about 35 grand back then, lasted four months......

[M4dski11z]

Yep I think we do. Take my Qashqai for instance, it's only done 18k but the MPG has improved from new by 10MPG doing the exact same driving. Sadly it goes back in August, just when it's coming into its own. Then we're back to square one nursing in a new engine.

Saying that, there's 15% off 435is on DTD

[pmgreenwood]

Now I am away from a company car when I was forced to swop every three than 4 years, I have kept one 11 years and one 4 1/2 years. The eleven was a E39 528i auto and I every time I drove something else, I just realised what a fine car E39's were. The 4.5 year was an E91 320D. I replaced because teh F31 is definately a better car with some whorle gains. As honest John puts it every issue of the E90 series sorted.

On balance I think about 5 years is a good time to consider whether anything substantial better is available but I will only change if so or if major issues likely on current car. I have a rule I avoid buying any model in its first 18 months or so of life. After which any minor faults are usually ironed out and discounts start to appear.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I agree- I just can't believe so many people change cars every 2 or 3 years... Then complain about depreciation!

However, whilst you're right that engines loosen up, unfortunately the condition of our roads means that by the time this has happened so has your suspension!

Most cars I've had have needed lower arms, bushes, and in my 157k mile E46 I completely overhauled the entire suspension.

It costs a lot less than depreciation on a new car, but it is a lot of hassle!

Fully agree with you.

Had a c class before which by 50k needed loads of suspension bits changing. Thing is I never used to be that brutal with it and was very careful with bumps, potholes, manholes, kerbs etc.

The Bain of my life with the 3d is driving in a "suspension friendly manner" when a lot of the time I want to stick it in sport plus and have fun round bends.

[Chris Peacock]

Have to hold my hands up to being a serial car changer, my wife would take the internet away from me if she could

We have just traded her 9mth old 120d M-Sport for a brand new Fiesta ST-2.

Actually started twitching at 6mths as the car just isn't fun to drive as I made a mistake with a diesel (4.5k miles), shouldn't have bottled the M135i purchase I actually wanted - permanent head vs heart battle with car purchases and ultimately make poor choices.

With the change to the Fiesta though I have been lucky, we were on a 3yr PCP on BMW which with the change to the ST I have got a 2 yr deal, with lower monthlies and a better APR at 4.2%. On top of this they have bought me out of the negative equity on the BMW PCP.

All in all I am very pleased and know I will be in serious trouble if i do this again within the next 24mths

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Chris Peacock

Have to hold my hands up to being a serial car changer, my wife would take the internet away from me if she could

We have just traded her 9mth old 120d M-Sport for a brand new Fiesta ST-2.

Actually started twitching at 6mths as the car just isn't fun to drive as I made a mistake with a diesel (4.5k miles), shouldn't have bottled the M135i purchase I actually wanted - permanent head vs heart battle with car purchases and ultimately make poor choices.

With the change to the Fiesta though I have been lucky, we were on a 3yr PCP on BMW which with the change to the ST I have got a 2 yr deal, with lower monthlies and a better APR at 4.2%. On top of this they have bought me out of the negative equity on the BMW PCP.

All in all I am very pleased and know I will be in serious trouble if i do this again within the next 24mths

Who was the fiesta with?

It's on my wife's short list.

TC Harrison's have some reasonable deals on at moment.

[batty]

I blame the marketing. And car forums..!

No sooner do you settle in with a new car, then you want to try new options, colours, etc. Not to mention the LCI coming in a year or so. I'm already speccing out my next new F31.

But in real terms, cars have never been so cheap, so enjoy it while it lasts.....

[JD6]

Originally Posted by batty

But in real terms, cars have never been so cheap, so enjoy it while it lasts.....

I agree with this, and it is often overlooked.

In 1999 I ordered a new E39 540i - list price £49k, although I paid £39k by ordering from a dealer in Germany.

In 2014 I bought a new 335d with a very similar list and discounted price, although from a UK dealer this time.

The 335d is larger, much faster, and vastly better equipped and yet in real terms it cost just over 60% of the £39k I paid for the 540i. On a similar spec basis, I would have paid about half as much in real terms.

I could buy a brand new F10 M5 for the real terms value of that £39k.

People complain about BMWs being less well put together and more common than the E39 generation, but ignore just how cheap cars are these days. Long may it continue...

[Chris Peacock]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Who was the fiesta with?

It's on my wife's short list.

TC Harrison's have some reasonable deals on at moment.

Evans Halshaw in Milton Keynes, managed to catch them at the end of the 2nd quarter with our car registered on Monday.

Thoroughly enjoyed the test drive, and got a great deal which has saved us money on the BMW on a shorter PCP term and £3k less to keep car at end of term which is plan.....

Hopefully get it next week, then it's how long I wait until I Mountune it

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Chris Peacock

Evans Halshaw in Milton Keynes, managed to catch them at the end of the 2nd quarter with our car registered on Monday.

Thoroughly enjoyed the test drive, and got a great deal which has saved us money on the BMW on a shorter PCP term and £3k less to keep car at end of term which is plan.....

Hopefully get it next week, then it's how long I wait until I Mountune it

Just get it monotone soon as you can.

You know you need to

Might try halshaw beside us. See what they are offering.

[Pablo68]

Ashtray was full on the Merc, and the washer fluid ran out on E92.

Why buy a new pair of shoes or suit if the old one still have wear in them?

Life's too short to only have one car and I can't take the folding with me (and the kids already know I intend to spend the lot)

[sunscreemer]

I also have my own theory which requires some will power but you can buy a new BMW, run it for the first year ONLY in Eco Pro mode, second year ONLY in Comfort mode and then third year ONLY in Sport mode. Like a new and better car every year lol ;-)

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by sunscreemer

I also have my own theory which requires some will power but you can buy a new BMW, run it for the first year ONLY in Eco Pro mode, second year ONLY in Comfort mode and then third year ONLY in Sport mode. Like a new and better car every year lol ;-)

One fatal floor in your plan there, you would either cut your wrists in the first year of Eco warrior mode.

Or in the 3rd year when you realise how much you just wasted 2 years of driving lol.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by sunscreemer

I also have my own theory which requires some will power but you can buy a new BMW, run it for the first year ONLY in Eco Pro mode, second year ONLY in Comfort mode and then third year ONLY in Sport mode. Like a new and better car every year lol ;-)

You would have to come from a Vauxhall for ECO PRO to seem better than what you had before!