Well, I've been a member for a while. Been looking at RRS's for months. Been going to do it, not do it, do it, not do it.

Being a real petrol head and having had my fair share of great cars over the years (I'm 41 and I've had 3, e46 M3's amongst other things), i'm the 'not so proud' owner of a spec'd 2009 320d MSport Saloon, I'm really getting close to taking the plunge and getting an 08/09 3.6 TDV8 HSE with a budget of £27-£29k.

Here's my biggest problem...

Even though the household gross income is near £80k per annum and my monthly 'car' budget (as my car is the main car) is about £500, I get the feeling that I'm borderline when it comes to affording an RRS, even a four year old one!!!????

Am I being over pessimistic or too cautious?

This is indeed a great forum and one of the best I've been on, and when I look around at the members that have some stunning examples, anything from 2005 TDv6's to brand new AB's I can't help thinking how much I'd need to earn to feel that I can really afford a RRS.

I know I'm delving into very tricky territory and I know that it's all relative to outgoings, but why do i feel that i can't afford a RRS when the household earns £80k per year? I thought that wasn't a too shabby income.

Any thoughts on this difficult subject would be very welcome.

Many thanks for such a great forum!!

Yours, Michael.

dobbo9 wrote:

I know I'm delving into very tricky territory and I know that it's all relative to outgoings, but why do i feel that i can't afford a RRS when the household earns £80k per year? I thought that wasn't a too shabby income?

Yours, Michael.

Better ask BKHK, apparently he's the resident money bags (see other top thread at the mo)

On a serious note,

Just do it, I've only just got mine and I LOVE IT

Not including the original purchase price, I think I spend about £4,000 running my RRS TDV6 - that is insurance (East London... about the double the price I used to pay in Kent ), servicing (up to £600 per annum), £600 per annum tyre / additional maintenance budget, fuel (7,000 miles a year) and road fund license (the £470 per annum rate). Obviously, I have manufacturers warranty so that limits cost of repairs.

This suggests to me you could run a TDV8 on £500 a month as long as you are not including the purchase price in that equation and subject to driving average miles and not accidentally buying an unreliable lemon. But you'd probably be better off with a 3.0 TDV6 regards running costs? The TDV8 is not all that in comparison, no matter what the TDV8 massive tell you - now it's run in (from 8,000 miles onwards) my TDV6 flies off the line, pulls like a bloody freight train when it matters and stonks along at 126 mph on the autobahn. They're less nose heavy, use a bit less fuel, are cheaper to service and are kinder to the environment .

All I mean is: don't assume you want TDV8, try it back to back with a 3.0 TDV6 first like I did, and then pick your fave.

Good luck!

p.s. please don't pimp it unnecessarily, less is more!  L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso
RRS TDV6 HSE Lux (MY2011)... Nara Bronze / Arabica - now gone!

Hi and welcome to another yorkshire member you might have a gross income of 80k but if your outgoings are 79k then you aint going to be able to afford a RRS but i'm sure your outgoings are nowhere near that if you have been running M3's. With your budget you should be able to get a decent TDV8 but i would be looking to get one from a dealer with at least a 12 month warranty which is a must with these motors Bite the bullet and got for it they really are a great motor, i'm on my second RRS. Good luck with your search and if you need any help with Q's & A's then fire away one or more of us will have an answer. It might be a sarcastic one but hey we will try and help.

dobbo9 wrote:

Even though the household gross income is near £80k per annum and my monthly 'car' budget (as my car is the main car) is about £500, I get the feeling that I'm borderline when it comes to affording an RRS, even a four year old one!!!????

Am I being over pessimistic or too cautious?

Yes!! We manage on much less, mine you I do all the maintenance & fixing myself...... Just annoys me the road tax is more than the insurance

There is no point in being the richest man in the grave yard, so enjoy the money you work hard for and buy one

Don't forget to post some pics when you do And Welcome....

If you buy one of that age, you can benefit from the full LR Approved warranty. This will help massively with the costs if things go wrong.

Other than that, VED, insurance and fuel costs are what you might expect for the type of vehicle.

How many miles will you be driving each year? That'll be your biggest single cost, especially in a TDV8. You should look at the 3.0 TDV6 too. The performance isn't too different and you'll get better fuel mileage. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

As someone else said, it depends on your outgoings! Mine is a company car, I pay myself the same way as most company directors do, and can afford it no problem on a regular monthly income much less than yours without dipping into dividends (I pay about £450/month in tax on the car)
My mortgage is only £65k and only have a couple of years left on it, so is very cheap, apart from the kids and nice holidays I don't splurge my cash (I do have other motorised toys, but the knees are out on my jeans!)
It's all about prioritising , and as someone else said, you can't take it with you!!
Cheers
Dave MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

ilard wrote:

Not including the original purchase price, I think I spend about £4,000 running my RRS TDV6 - that is insurance (East London... about the double the price I used to pay in Kent ), servicing (up to £600 per annum), £600 per annum tyre / additional maintenance budget, fuel (7,000 miles a year) and road fund license (the £470 per annum rate). Obviously, I have manufacturers warranty so that limits cost of repairs.

This suggests to me you could run a TDV8 on £500 a month as long as you are not including the purchase price in that equation and subject to driving average miles and not accidentally buying an unreliable lemon. But you'd probably be better off with a 3.0 TDV6 regards running costs? The TDV8 is not all that in comparison, no matter what the TDV8 massive tell you - now it's run in (from 8,000 miles onwards) my TDV6 flies off the line, pulls like a bloody freight train when it matters and stonks along at 126 mph on the autobahn. They're less nose heavy, use a bit less fuel, are cheaper to service and are kinder to the environment .

All I mean is: don't assume you want TDV8, try it back to back with a 3.0 TDV6 first like I did, and then pick your fave.

Good luck!

p.s. please don't pimp it unnecessarily, less is more!

codfather wrote:

As someone else said, it depends on your outgoings! Mine is a company car, I pay myself the same way as most company directors do, and can afford it no problem on a regular monthly income much less than yours without dipping into dividends (I pay about £450/month in tax on the car)
My mortgage is only £65k and only have a couple of years left on it, so is very cheap, apart from the kids and nice holidays I don't splurge my cash (I do have other motorised toys, but the knees are out on my jeans!)
It's all about prioritising , and as someone else said, you can't take it with you!!
Cheers
Dave

dobbo9 wrote:

Currently I'm paying £400 for the BM in finance payments, £35 PCM in warranty, £40 PCM equiv for annual servicing, £70 PCM insurance, about £100 PCM in fuel (i do about 750 miles per month) and the equiv of £8 PCM in annual RFL (annual is only £95!!!!!). So that little lot adds up to over £650 per month to run the BMW (trouble free).

The finance quoted so far on the RRS i've got my eye on is over £500 PCM.

The RRS is going to hurt isn't it?

Time for the man maths?

£6K a year would 'run' a Sport but you didn't say what it had to include. If you're including depreciation and/or repayments on a loan its going to be touch and go.

£500 a month will run car, fuel (12kpa), insurance, tax, tyres, one Service a year and a annual extended 'warranty' premium etc.

If you take the plunge try and go for a 2010 model year or later. Buy from a dealer with a warranty. Don't rely on their words - make them let you check the car on a ramp for damage and any visible fluid leaks and go through the paperwork before you buy - if its not complete in every way walk away.

Since most 2010MY cars will not have had an MOT be very careful over the mileage and Service history - most dealers wil advertise their cars as 'Full' service history but check the Service book that it has had a Service at least every 12 months or every 15,000 if its done more than 45K. RR Sports are ripe candidates for getting "haircuts" by 'Mileage correction' companies because of the differece in value between a genuine car and a dodgy one. The Driver's seat outer squab should be good, unless its high mileage - so its a good indicator as is the foot rest and pedal rubberss!! Unless its had replacementset of wheels a 3 year old car with less than 30,000 should alos still be on its original tyres.

I think 6k per year will just do it, even with a little finance but if anything serious goes wrong, you maybe upside down unless you are happy to spend the money on an extended warranty. Remember, warranty does not cover wear and tear and companies are very good at classifying items as fair wear and tear. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

drdelrrs wrote:

- so its a good indicator as is the foot rest and pedal rubberss!! Unless its had replacementset of wheels a 3 year old car with less than 30,000 should alos still be on its original tyres.

You are having a laugh! 30000 miles in a 2.7 tonne car on one set of Tyres. If your car was fitted with conti's that will read 5-8, if on Pirrelli its about 20000. The fronts will wear quicker than the rears but I budget a set of Tyres a year at 15000 a year. Add set of pads and discs all round to tally as the life of these is about same front and back. 2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

My Conti's have just passed 10k and apart from the 'feature' of wearing on the shoulders, they are fine  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Rough running costs for me.....

Own outright so no finance costs.
Insurance £290(43 years old etc)
VED £475 (highway robbery)
Diesel £35 ish per week, more in summer months.
Tyres, £170 each, only bought two in two years.
Servicing at specialist ~£250 per year.
Warranty £105 per month for LR extended.
Replaced brake pads this year, under £200 quid.
MOT £42

For me running costs are reasonable other than VED which is a bit of a pi** take.

Nik 2015 Golf R DSG
Gone 2013 Mercedes C220 CDi AMG Sport Plus
Gone 2008 2.7 RRS HSE