How I chose my new car
I've had a lot of cars. Most of them I've kept for 1-2 years, but my latest car I've had for almost five years. A record. So why change car now?
My last car was a 2006 BMW E61 525 x-drive M sport. I bought it in 2011 when it was just outside the 5-year warranty in Norway. That cost me dearly: driving it back from Oslo I noticed a low oil level. Back in Trondheim I had this confirmed; the car used one liter oil for approximately 1500 km. So the engine needed an overhaul with new pistons. In order to avoid future disasters, I decided to have the transmission flushed as well. Cost: 62,000 NOK.
Over the five years, the car lost about 40,000 of its value annually. In addition, I'
ve estimated the maintenance cost of about 30,000 NOK each year. The car had never failed me on the road, but it was not a car I would take for a family vacation in Europe. Some corrosion issues the last couple of years, although covered by the 12-year BMW warranty without questions asked, I had long ago decided that the car had to be sold before the corrosion warranty had expired.
What I loved about the E61 was the driving experience. Although underpowered, although some would argue that 218 PS and 250 Nm is sufficient, the handling of this car was exceptional. Especially in winter I could enjoy evening drives around Jonsvatnet on icy roads enjoying the x-drive and the adaptive xenon headlights. The sound of the naturally aspired inline six is fantastic although the fuel consumption could be excessive. The BMW comfort seats were really great and often comment on by people riding in the car with me.
So with the 70,000 NOK/ y cost I figured I could buy a newer and more reliable car. But finding a car that I would like to buy was to likely to be difficult. First of all, we are not discussing oil burners in this blog. A fair share of the pre-owned vehicles in Norway are oil burners and thus not of interest to me. Secondly, I work with fuel cells and renewable energy. So I feel some kind of responsibility when it comes to CO2, NOx and particulate emissions.
While Tesla Insane mode was fun, I don't like heavy cars simply because they don't go around corners well (and I think fuel cells and hydrogen scale better with distance than batteries). My encounters with hybrid drivetrains have been exclusively negative. Whereas I found the Mitsubishi Outlander to be pathetic, VW Passat GTE to be horrible, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 330e was simply disappointing. It's oilburning cousin 220 CDI handled much better (and it had all-wheel drive). Generally, adding 250 kg weight is not a good idea.
The first decent car I tested was a Mercedes-Benz C200 4Motion. Although underpowered, it actually handled well. And MB had a petrol version for test driving! Straight after the ride I visited BMW for a test drive in a 5-series. They could only offer an oil burner with x-drive. For some reason, I did not like the handling of the F10 (needless to say, I did not like the engine either). So for the time being, I gave up the idea of buying a new car.
After a friend had bought a BMW 328i M sport in Estoril blue and with manual transmission, I decided to try the 3-series again. No petrol test cars were available so I decided to focus on handling. I had driven a 320i GT before so I was willing to give this nice looking and spaceous car a second chance. Comparing with a 3-series touring I was might disappointed with its handling. In order to test the adaptive M sport suspension, I had to ride a 420d Grand Coupé. This was a fantastic, and very enjoyable ride (with loud music, ignoring engine sounds). The Grand Coupé was enjoyable but unfortunately not an option for a family of four.
So the 4-series had me convinced that the handling of a 3-series with adaptive M sport suspension would be a winner for me. But what about room? In volume, there is only 5 liters separating the E61 from the F31. the F11 is of course even bigger at 550 liters, but the E61 always worked out well for me, at least when we did not own a German Shepherd Dog.
So, the model was chosen. Now to configure it. As a lover of the inline six engines, I found it hard to accept that going from a 330i to a 340i x-drive would cost me 200,000 NOK alone. Add to that, a considerable higher fuel consumption. With the naturally aspired alternatives gone, I figured I had to settle for a four pot turbocharged engine. At 252 PS and 350 Nm I will be hesitant to call it underpowered. As for the engine sound, I am going to use the same strategy as for my BMW F800 GS motorcycle: aftermarket exhaust. With the M Performance muffler installed, the 330i can sound pretty aggressive.
The adaptive LED headlights was a must along with the light package and comfort access. As for the rest of the numerous configuration options available, I chose everything except for the concierge service and the leather dashboard. While tempted by the manual transmission, this was vetoed by my girldfriend. I tested the 19" rims on the 4-series so I decided to to with the 225/35 and 255/30 tyres. I will probably go for 442 18" rims in the winter season.
As for the interior, I contemplated saddle brown dakota lether for a long time. When I was told that 2017 would offer black leather with king blue seams, I went for that. It should look great with the Estoril blue exterior and the blue M sport brake caliphers.
I will receive my new car in the middle of August, when I return from a two-week road trip on the East Coast with my family. I am looking forward to it!
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| BMW E61 525 XI M sport |
My last car was a 2006 BMW E61 525 x-drive M sport. I bought it in 2011 when it was just outside the 5-year warranty in Norway. That cost me dearly: driving it back from Oslo I noticed a low oil level. Back in Trondheim I had this confirmed; the car used one liter oil for approximately 1500 km. So the engine needed an overhaul with new pistons. In order to avoid future disasters, I decided to have the transmission flushed as well. Cost: 62,000 NOK.
Over the five years, the car lost about 40,000 of its value annually. In addition, I'
ve estimated the maintenance cost of about 30,000 NOK each year. The car had never failed me on the road, but it was not a car I would take for a family vacation in Europe. Some corrosion issues the last couple of years, although covered by the 12-year BMW warranty without questions asked, I had long ago decided that the car had to be sold before the corrosion warranty had expired.
What I loved about the E61 was the driving experience. Although underpowered, although some would argue that 218 PS and 250 Nm is sufficient, the handling of this car was exceptional. Especially in winter I could enjoy evening drives around Jonsvatnet on icy roads enjoying the x-drive and the adaptive xenon headlights. The sound of the naturally aspired inline six is fantastic although the fuel consumption could be excessive. The BMW comfort seats were really great and often comment on by people riding in the car with me.
So with the 70,000 NOK/ y cost I figured I could buy a newer and more reliable car. But finding a car that I would like to buy was to likely to be difficult. First of all, we are not discussing oil burners in this blog. A fair share of the pre-owned vehicles in Norway are oil burners and thus not of interest to me. Secondly, I work with fuel cells and renewable energy. So I feel some kind of responsibility when it comes to CO2, NOx and particulate emissions.
While Tesla Insane mode was fun, I don't like heavy cars simply because they don't go around corners well (and I think fuel cells and hydrogen scale better with distance than batteries). My encounters with hybrid drivetrains have been exclusively negative. Whereas I found the Mitsubishi Outlander to be pathetic, VW Passat GTE to be horrible, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 330e was simply disappointing. It's oilburning cousin 220 CDI handled much better (and it had all-wheel drive). Generally, adding 250 kg weight is not a good idea.
The first decent car I tested was a Mercedes-Benz C200 4Motion. Although underpowered, it actually handled well. And MB had a petrol version for test driving! Straight after the ride I visited BMW for a test drive in a 5-series. They could only offer an oil burner with x-drive. For some reason, I did not like the handling of the F10 (needless to say, I did not like the engine either). So for the time being, I gave up the idea of buying a new car.
After a friend had bought a BMW 328i M sport in Estoril blue and with manual transmission, I decided to try the 3-series again. No petrol test cars were available so I decided to focus on handling. I had driven a 320i GT before so I was willing to give this nice looking and spaceous car a second chance. Comparing with a 3-series touring I was might disappointed with its handling. In order to test the adaptive M sport suspension, I had to ride a 420d Grand Coupé. This was a fantastic, and very enjoyable ride (with loud music, ignoring engine sounds). The Grand Coupé was enjoyable but unfortunately not an option for a family of four.
 |
| BMW 420d Grand Coupé |
So the 4-series had me convinced that the handling of a 3-series with adaptive M sport suspension would be a winner for me. But what about room? In volume, there is only 5 liters separating the E61 from the F31. the F11 is of course even bigger at 550 liters, but the E61 always worked out well for me, at least when we did not own a German Shepherd Dog.
So, the model was chosen. Now to configure it. As a lover of the inline six engines, I found it hard to accept that going from a 330i to a 340i x-drive would cost me 200,000 NOK alone. Add to that, a considerable higher fuel consumption. With the naturally aspired alternatives gone, I figured I had to settle for a four pot turbocharged engine. At 252 PS and 350 Nm I will be hesitant to call it underpowered. As for the engine sound, I am going to use the same strategy as for my BMW F800 GS motorcycle: aftermarket exhaust. With the M Performance muffler installed, the 330i can sound pretty aggressive.
The adaptive LED headlights was a must along with the light package and comfort access. As for the rest of the numerous configuration options available, I chose everything except for the concierge service and the leather dashboard. While tempted by the manual transmission, this was vetoed by my girldfriend. I tested the 19" rims on the 4-series so I decided to to with the 225/35 and 255/30 tyres. I will probably go for 442 18" rims in the winter season.
As for the interior, I contemplated saddle brown dakota lether for a long time. When I was told that 2017 would offer black leather with king blue seams, I went for that. It should look great with the Estoril blue exterior and the blue M sport brake caliphers.
 |
| BMW 330i x-drive M sport |
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