So, the Z4C may have to go :(

[Wildfire]

Due to a change in my work conditions (where the office has moved to Bristol, and now Aztec West Industrial Estate) I may be faced with having to drive to work every other week.

Coupled with impending house purchase, I don't think that my Z4C is going to be the best compromise.

So:

How much should I consider letting the car go for? (Brief Spec is: Z4C, MV2's, all the usual bits (auto lights, mirror etc.), M Sport Pack, electric memory seats, ali interior, will probably have 58k on the clock after my Scotland trip. New lolipops, discs, pads, new AC, new starter, and the all important stubby).

What should I consider in replacement? Will have to be diesel Do I attempt a straight replacement or PCP a new 1 series?

Should I actually sell or shall I try and hack it on the train for a while?

Very sad it has come to this as I love my Z4C and the forum is great. Only had the car 9 months!

 

[StevenH72]

I'd have thought somewhere between £11-11.5k would be a reasonable asking price.

What is the train journey like? I'd be tempted to give it a go (how do the costs compare also?) for a while.

 

[domsz4]

are you worried about costs or comfort?

i get the same if not a bit better mpg on my commute in the z as i did out of the focus it replaced. its a proper mixture of town 40mph dual carriage ways with lots of lights so crawls along when busy and a bit of 60/70 bits. If your going to be on a motorway for the majority of the journey then you may get decent mpg.

current averages are roughly 32mpg each month. just moved from shell normal to costco premium (which they recon is optimax as shell supply them) and it was 36 but is now 34mpg... early days yet as its the first tank.

id do what bing suggests and give it a go and see what you think.

 

[mmm-five]

Will you be commuting daily or weekly?

I use my ZM4C for my weekly commute between London (Brentford) & Liverpool (450 mile round trip).

I take about the same time door-to-door in the car as the train does, but costs me less than £100 in petrol. It also means I don't have to lug around my computer & luggage through the peak time tube scrum.

Of course there are other costs to consider as you may find servicing & tyres are required more frequently, but that should only add £10-£20 to the weekly cost. The train cost is £380 return due to having to get one of the peak time (i.e. before 10am) trains out of Liverpool.

As it's out of my own pocket, I decided to take the sensible choice. It also means that I have the opportunity every week to divert off the motorway and through mid/north Wales instead.

I'd suggest giving the train a go, then giving the car a go. Will give you a better idea of what's the best option for you - although it will be putting a 250 mile round trip onto your car every time.