Decision time: keep or sell? Advice, please.

[matsmith749]

I'm guessing it's an early e89 - maybe 2010?
13 years old, 100k miles. Every bearing, bush, rubber part will be close to (or have exceeded) it's lifespan.

How do you know that?

Do a search on lifespan for automotive rubber parts - manufacturer 'estimates' are 10-15 years.

Do I 'know for sure' this is the case? Not really, but my experience of cars over 10 years old is that once you replace the brakes you need to do the tyres then the battery goes then the wipers are flaky then you do that & the suspension is knocking so you fix that then there is a bit of welding to pass the MOT so you do that, then something else is knocking so you fix that, then the injectors are problematic so you fix that, then the thermostat goes so you do that ....... neverending maintenance.

'Know for sure' - no.

'Manufacturer states itis the case' - yes. 'Matches up with my experience' - yes.

[Pondrew]

I reckon an MX5 is the way to go. You won't need an extended warranty...they are Japanese!

Keep the remainder of your £35k in the bank at 5% and go on a cruise next year on the interest!

Right...that's that topic sorted.....NEXT!

[Busterboo]

[Busterboo]

'Know for sure' - no.

Thank you for your cogent reply.

I've only just seen - duh! - that you've had two 35iS. In terms of reliability & longevity, what were they like?

[matsmith749]

Both have been spot on - no issues at all.

Well, I had the leaky inducator issue & mild random roof bongs in the 2010 one - but nothing serious. Kept it about 18 months before selling (about 4 years old when I sold it).

2016 car has been faultless so far (12 months)

[Silverstar]

I'm guessing it's an early e89 - maybe 2010?
13 years old, 100k miles. Every bearing, bush, rubber part will be close to (or have exceeded) it's lifespan.

How do you know that?

Do a search on lifespan for automotive rubber parts - manufacturer 'estimates' are 10-15 years.

Do I 'know for sure' this is the case? Not really, but my experience of cars over 10 years old is that once you replace the brakes you need to do the tyres then the battery goes then the wipers are flaky then you do that & the suspension is knocking so you fix that then there is a bit of welding to pass the MOT so you do that, then something else is knocking so you fix that, then the injectors are problematic so you fix that, then the thermostat goes so you do that ....... neverending maintenance.

'Know for sure' - no.

'Manufacturer states itis the case' - yes. 'Matches up with my experience' - yes.

My 30i is now 14 years old and I've had it 4 years use it daily and have had zero issues, just regular servicing. Recently changed the front suspension components not because they had failed but becuase I wanted to upgrade them to the M3 bits. Having done that yes of course the car feels like new at the front thanks to those new components and I suspect the same goes if I changed the shocks and springs and rear bushes etc too, yet you wouldn't know any different if you just stayed with the old components.

[matsmith749]

That's exactly my point - you noticed the big difference once you changed them BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN.

10 year old rubber bushes with 100k on them are not in perfect shape.

Just saying.

Ive test driven loads of older cars, and absolutely could tell that they were tired & would need work.

It doesn't stop them driving down the road.

Are we disagreeing on this super basic point? You think 10 year old 100k rubber parts / bushes / bearings are not close to our exceeding their stated srrvice life?

[Busterboo]

Yes, you're right, matsmith749, parts wear.

[matsmith749]

I'm at a loss as to why this most basic of facts was in dispute in the first place.

Bored much?

[Silverstar]

That's exactly my point - you noticed the big difference once you changed them BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN.

10 year old rubber bushes with 100k on them are not in perfect shape.

Just saying.

Ive test driven loads of older cars, and absolutely could tell that they were tired & would need work.

It doesn't stop them driving down the road.

Are we disagreeing on this super basic point? You think 10 year old 100k rubber parts / bushes / bearings are not close to our exceeding their stated srrvice life?

What I am saying is that yes they do wear BUT whilst you can tell that they are worn MOST people cannot unless they are that badly worn to the point of failure where you have knocking noises, MOT failures or other handling issues. Most of the time they are worn but not out so to speak and most people would be quite happy driving along not knowing the difference.

[Silverstar]

For the OP I would say if you are happy with your car and not bored of it and it has been fairly reliable or had all the major issues sorted then keep it. If you are worried about parts being worn out due to age and mileage or can tell the difference in how the car drives / handles e.g. suspension bits then simply renew them, it will a lot cheaper than buying a new car.

As for the warrantly well if it has been reliable or had the major bits sorted than you would be better off putting the 1000 a year into your bank and keep it aside for when things pop up.

Change your car if it is not reliable and giving you constant problems or you are simply bored of it but if you are bored of it then why look at another E89? then it would have to be something else but you've ruled out most of the obvious choices unless you look at a totally different category of car e.g. fast estate

[Busterboo]

A helpful post, Silverstar, thank you ... except the middle paragraph, which underestimates the price of some E89 repairs.

[Pondrew]

This thread is now becoming a bit of an argument, purely for differing opinions on what is required on a 100k car TBH.

Ultimately the reasons 'Buster' has for wanting, or not, to change his car are up to him. Keep it or change it, simples!

[matsmith749]

Yep, sorry all - feel like I made the mistake of 'feeding the trolls' here, will try not to do it next time

Back to post #1, the answer is of course - 'do whatever you like & let us know'.

[jenniferlouise]

Have we reached a decision? Asking for a friend…