Get rid of which car? (pics added)

[OVerLoRDI]

I have two older cars and it is foolish for me to keep both. I can't make up my mind about which to sell.

1. 1999 Jaguar XJ vanden plas 100k miles (pics in later post)
In great cosmetic and mechanical condition. Drives wonderfully. It needs a tiny bit if work on the interior to fix a loose door panel, but other than that nothing. Car has been flawless for me the last 5 years. I have been surprised at how low maintenance it has been. I could probably get 7000-8000 for it.

2. 1995 e34 bmw 540i 150k miles.
Paint is pretty old now, no peeling yet. Mechanical condition is good, but not great. Only real problem is oil leaks. Needs some interior work. Drives amazingly, and the 6 spd manual makes it a blast to drive and gives it decent mileage (better than the jag by about 3-5mpg) Stereo is busted. Could get about 4500-5000 for it (maybe) Driving it about 400 miles tomorrow, we shall see how it fairs.

I won't have much money for a newer car until a year or so after I graduate and start working. Need time to save up and such. So I think I should keep one for now.

I'm leaning towards selling the jag because I love the bmw so much more and the higher selling price of the jag would be nice now.

Atot car people what do you think?

 

[manimal]

The Jag. The 540 is more of a drivers car. Doesnt sound like posh is more important right>?

 

[thedarkwolf]

A good detailing job would fix up the BMW's paint. Replacing a stereo is no big deal.

 

[amdhunter]

Keep the Bimmer.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

A good detailing job would fix up the BMW's paint. Replacing a stereo is no big deal.

I've looked into detailing places around where I live and found a really good place. I think I'm going to get the jag cleaned up, sell it, then fix up the BMW a bit and see how it does over this next year.

Only problem now is finding a good place to get the loose door panel fixed on the Jag. :hmm:

 

[Ronstang]

You couldn't give me a BMW with high mileage. I don't like them much to begin with. The M cars are fun to drive but I'm not into cars with expensive maintenance costs. Parts are too expensive so even doing it yourself isn't cheap.

 

[manimal]

You couldn't give me a BMW with high mileage. I don't like them much to begin with. The M cars are fun to drive but I'm not into cars with expensive maintenance costs. Parts are too expensive so even doing it yourself isn't cheap.

I see em all the time. High mileage BMWs if taken care of are no different than any other import. Parts if you look around have gotten cheaper too.

 

[Greenman]

If the oil leaks on the BMW are from the main seals, dump it.

 

[manimal]

If the oil leaks on the BMW are from the main seals, dump it.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/BE34/POR_BE34_ENGman_pg7.htm


Those parts are pretty cheap. Getting to it is 5+ hours but its that for most cars. E34s are a dream to work on. Seriously well made cars like the merc w124s it competed with.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Keep the Jaguar. It is just a more exclusive and special car!

 

[satyajitmenon]

Sell the Jag, keep the BMW.

What kinda oil leaks you talking about? Head gaskets?

 

[RavenSEAL]

Depends if you feel luxurious or sporty

My wild side says keep the BMW, but I honestly love Jags because of how smooth they are.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Sell the Jag, keep the BMW.

What kinda oil leaks you talking about? Head gaskets?

Head gasket was redone a few years ago. So I don't think it is that. The m60 engine has some really strange metal oil "lines" with many o-rings and bends on them. Wouldn't be surprised if it was little things like that. Also the oil pan is leaking, pretty sure I need a new o-ring for that. So I don't think it's anything too major. Car also doesn't seem to burn too much oil for its age.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Keep the Jaguar. It is just a more exclusive and special car!

I disagree, which is why I'm ultimately keeping the bmw. Jag is a beautiful car and relaxing to drive, but it just isn't special to me.

BMW is way more fun to drive and is worth way more to me than the blue book says it is. Especially after driving it this last week, I adore it. BMW stays jag is going up for sale. Ill post pictures of both cars once they are washed and pretty

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Sorry for multiple posts, editing posts on phone is a nightmare.

BMW drives fantastically besides a semi rough idle when engine is cold. Once it warms up it is smooth. Hopefully it is just a temperature sensor of some kind, ill know more soon.

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[Insomniator]

Keep them both. If they are both in good condition and not drowning your wallet in repairs, what's the problem?

Because he can get up to 8 grand in his pocket instead of having a second car taking up space and insurance that is never getting used?

btw keep the jag! much cooler car

 

[SpatiallyAware]

You could also sell both and buy something else..

 

[JulesMaximus]

Get rid of both of them. You own two money pits there.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Got the Jag all detailed and ready for sale. I had to put about 550 dollars worth of maintenance into it. It needed a new serpentine belt and two new tires. Besides that it is in fantastic mechanical condition.. thank god. I found an incredible shop here in San Luis Obispo, British Sports Cars. Great hourly rate and the guys do quick and great work. Can't recommend them enough.

Here are some pictures. You can see my currently dirty BMW in the background of one of them.

Full album:
http://imgur.com/mnbxu,wzbaz,I5VZC,...F,TnaZr,FTEnp,MRg5c,NpwZU,gLGqv,TwxMl,uM7Rd#0

 

[Drako]

Looks nice :thumbsup:

What kind of mileage does the Jag get?

 

[satyajitmenon]

Wow. 12+ years old and 100k miles and it looks that good?

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Looks nice :thumbsup:

What kind of mileage does the Jag get?

Oh lets see... 5200lb empty, 4.0 litre v8. What do you think?

It manages 23-24mpg on the highway. Something terrible around town.

Wow. 12+ years old and 100k miles and it looks that good?

I tried my best to take good care of it. Also it has only seen 30000 miles in the last 5 years. Its recent easy living seems to suit the big Jag well.

 

[IntoxicatedPuma]

That's a tough choice, lets see what Tiff Needell and Jeremy Clarkson have to say on the matter:

http://youtu.be/EkM7PhvxMkY

Watching a Jag that big driving that well is amazing. I think they lesson of that story is to launch your "vulgar" BMW down a hill with a trebuchet.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

That's a tough choice, lets see what Tiff Needell and Jeremy Clarkson have to say on the matter:

http://youtu.be/EkM7PhvxMkY

Watching a Jag that big driving that well is amazing. I think they lesson of that story is to launch your "vulgar" BMW down a hill with a trebuchet.

The suspension setup on the Vanden Plas trim of that car is definitely not setup for any such driving. It really drives like a refined American land yacht. Also the Jag is probably 1000 pounds heavier than the BMW.