Assuming both are mechanically sound and in good condition, do I buy the car with a lower spec but lower miles , or the higher mileage car with the better spec?
The car in question is an X5, around 04/05 year.
I have found a car locally that has just 2 owners and 70k miles but almost no options in the correct colour.
But for the same money if you buy a car with 100-110k you get more options.
Bearing in mind they come with leather, air con, PDC... as std, the options I mean are effectively sat nav, Bluetooth, heated seats, better stereo, panoramic sunroof.
All things I want but don't need. And also won't pay the extra to get the options and low miles. So which car do you go for?
Bearing in mind it's for the wife to go to the shops and back and that's all, so she will add very little mileage to it.
And obviously the condition and history are most important but pretend they are the same for both cars.....

 

Oh and to add another 1 to the mix
There's a very nice one with lots of options (sat nav, digital tv, DVD player, head rest screens, much nicer wheels, tints) looks spotless inside and out
it's done 98k
Its a 3.0 petrol which I really don't want because it's so juicy, but it's had an lpg conversion.
I know nothing about lpg so help me out. Is it worth looking at?
Plus it's miles from home.

 

You'll struggle to sell it without sat nav IMO.

 

I think lpg cars sound very sensible, its half the price of petrol still! Think it can cause problems if not fitted correctly though, there is some mind of lpg installers database and the car should be registered on there if its been done at a reputable place. Also worth bearing in mind that the diesels arent much more economical than the petrols and maintenance costs will be much higher. Round town you'l get 25-30 out the diesel and prob low 20's from a petrol. If it was me id go for the lpg car all day long if it seemed like a good one. With the mileage thing id just buy on condition personally

 

spec wins for me as the creature comforts do count in the long run

 

I tend to buy the highest spec cars with mileage that I'm comfortable with.
A lot of premium brands with high-ish miles still drive like new and should easily last the distance without problems.


I tend to buy, do a really really big service and drive for a year or so and then re-sell for around the same money.

Recently made the mistake to go for a lower spec car because it was very very clean and low miles:


Bought a Cayenne S: leather, stereo, stanav, heated seats, electric windows and mirror, electric seats, heated steeringwheel, xenon, 19" wheels

And to be honest...It didn't feel right at all...I missed the suede headliner of my old car, the Bose surround-sound...

So I traded it in for a Cayenne turbo with pretty much every option you can think of and it feels sooo much nicer inside!


Engine wise, yes it's a lot quicker but the N/A V8 in the S sounded great and was plenty quick so the real difference is in comfort!

 

id buy the higher spec one. 100k is not massively high imo.

 

This is the lpg one that's done 94k
http://bit.ly/IIj1Cs

This is the local 70k
http://bit.ly/1byIb3K

This is 107k diesel
http://bit.ly/1g76Spf


Would the petrol one be a bit gutless compared to the diesel?

 

Before buying the Cayenne I looked at X5's, mainly the 4.8i

I did however look into others and it has been said the the 3.0 petrol is relatively economic in running costs and whilst no comparison to the big diesels or V8's a perfectly fine engine with enough poke but a different driving experience.

I dislike the modern diesels (have one of those as well) as they're overly complicated, expensive to maintain and over here with the higher roadtax and increased dieselprices not worth it anymore.

Also, a big V8 is nice to hear, fun to play with but the fuellbills WILL makes your eyes water...and in my experience they're not really worth.

To be honest, the big SUV's are nicest to drive when you're just pottering along in absolute luxury. Laid back, isolated from the cold and noise outside and you don't need massive power for that.

On the other hand: nothing beats storming the fast lane in a 2.5 tonne SUV 150 mph now and then just because you can )

 

I'd go on spec but as it's for the other half buy her a push bike with a basket and if she complains bum her.

 

Spec counts as long as the milage anit to high.

 

I was going to suggest a top spec low miles fiesta/focus for the same money But a bike and bum sex could work.

If shes like most women she only wants an x5 to "feel safer" or to keep up with the jones and has no need of it.

 

I would always go by spec and condition rather than mileage.

 

Lol
She will get bummed whatever happens so that's fine lol.

Although it's her car I will also use it and whenever we go out its in her car so it's got to be something I like too, and I fancy an x5.
And it will make life easier with the littlen.

 

I like the idea of a 4x4 for ease of getting the kids in and out of it.

 

High miles doesn't fuss me if I'm honest, my FRS is higher miles but I'd gladly park it next to a car with half the miles without feeling like a pikey... underside is far better than others I've seen with wayyyyy less miles. It is a perfect example of showing that you can be better buying on history/condition rather than miles showing.

I'd go for the LPG converted X5 in your position, providing its been done properly by a registered company.. if not, then I'd go for the high miles/high spec one over the council spec version cause a car like that is ALL about the comfort IMO.


Cheers,
Grant

 

I would never discount a car because of mileage.
I saved a fortune buying my MK4 with 100k on the clock and it's been an absolute dream to own!

LPG conversions are superb if it's correctly installed. You can even prolong engine life as the LPG burns much cleaner which keeps the oil in better condition.

 

I too have been looking at X5's but currently favouring the better spec Volvo XC90. I think it depends what you want it for. Ours is for pulling the shed, plus you have the 7 seats in the XC90 which is handy.

With regards to Miles, Im starting to dismiss miles and just go on spec and condition of the money is right. I bought a lovely Audi a4 2.0 tdi s-line, new shape 08 2 years ago. Low 35k miles for 19k. Sold it recently at 11k, losing 8k!!!! You can buy a Very nice top spec X5 or XC90, with over 100k on the clock for around 8k, and its not going to be worth zero in 2 years even if you do 30k, its gonna be still worth 3 or 4k! So in my terms I cant lose!

 

Gotta go with spec unless you intend to absolutely run it into the ground as you'll struggle to sell on without decent spec on a BMW I'd suggest - as above sat nav essential

 

Spec, condition and service history over mileage any day! Modern engines will just keep going if looked after

 

well im going to look at this on sunday

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-3-0...item19e424aa04

 

going to ring this one tomorrow and see if i can look at that on sunday too.

http://www.bspbedford.co.uk/used-car...01310179338588

 

This this this.

 

This ones gone