Opinions please

[plod]

I usually only ever keep a car for 3 years, and then sell on
I've been that pleased with my car, that it's coming up to 5 years now!

The car is uber reliable, the mot tester has commented on nearly all the mot's that it still looks like new underneath
I've spent quite a fair chunk of money last year updating it
D9 air vents
D9 handbrake button
Chrome dash rings
Silver painted dash
Silver painted door handles
Electric Leather seats
Coupe Leather steering wheel
Rear spoiler
Colour coding the bump strips on bumpers and doors
De-cat'd with a V6 powerflow zorst
Ashwood door trims, dash trims, and ashtray
Strut Brace
Clear side repeaters

plus spent money on other stuff
New Bottom Pulley
New Indicator stalk
New Wiper stalk - with trip computer functionality
New radio stalk
New rear hubs
Front droplinks
Front springs

and probably a whole lot more

BUT

In the back of my mind, the fact i've had it 5 years and not just 3 still bothers me slightly

My son, is trying to dissuade me from selling, as he says it's the best car i've had, but then compared to the T reg Vectra estate I had previous, it wouldn't be hard

SO, I keep thinking of updating

Personal choice within a reasonable budget range, is another 406, but this time a 2003 SE HDi Estate

I seen one on ebay damaged up at Nottingham - It's a 2003 2.0l HDi 110 SE Estate with 111K advertised for £995
I'm going up to Nottingham in a bit to meet Omega to purchase some rear calipers so I can get them refurb'd to go on mine
I planned to go look at it whilst there - it's a Cat C, seller was extremely vague on phone, but it wants bumpers front and rear, a rear light, needs panel repairing around rear light, a tyre, and a front wishbone - which I thought I could live with, but he also says the engine isn't running
This could simply be the inertia switch because it's had a bump, but surely a salvage yard would now that wouldn't they? and surely trip it back out?

My mechanic friend reckons I should still go have alook at it

Then whilst looking last night, up pops a 2003 2.2l HDI 136 SE Estate with 166k and this was on auction but with a buy it now of £1695


Question is

Do I :
A. not worry about the fact i've had the car that long, and just keep it and do a few more upgrades, as it's uber reliable, and looks nice

B. Go look at the damaged estate, and if good enough, purchase, and fix up

C. Not look at that as if you can get the same spec, albeit with a few more miles for £1695, or less if was to win the auction
and it's a 2.2 136, so could be re-mapped to 180bhp with the de-fap, so makes the other estate seem unviable

p.s. Omega and Gary406, i'll still be purchasing the bits off you regardless if you read this as i'm a man of my word when it comes to buying stuff

p.p.s. I haven't got the cash at mo, but got a few quid coming, but taking it's time, but my mate said he'd lend me the money till mine comes through

[Gary406]

keep the 406 dave. you will regret selling it if you do.

thats why i wont upgrade cars because i know for a fact i will regret it big time selling the xud.

PS- if you dont require the ecu mate its fine by me.
i'm in no rush for cash at the moment so can advertise it again if needs be mate.

[Doggy]

I'd probably lean towards the devil you know, but I'm only 40 miles or so from Nottingham, if you'd like to try a 2.2

[Gary406]

i would advice against trying his 2.2 dave

that power will make you buy a new car.

KEEP THE 406

[steve_earwig]

I don't bleedin' know Fixing up damage repariables depends a lot on what sort of damage and your available skills for repairing it. Plus space of course.

Thing is, your current car is a known quantity, something you buy off of ebay might be a dog with many more problems than you know about. Then there's much to be said for getting shot of your motor for decent money before it starts not being so perfect.

I've found the 110 - it could have been over a high kerb/traffic island and done a lot of serious damage that you can't see in the pics, you do need to look at it. The 2.2 looks good though.

[plod]

Ok, think i'm swaying towards staying with the known quantity
Especially with the money i've spent updating it

You're right steve, that 110 could have all manner of damage underneath, and cost a lot to put right
Especially when compared to the likes of that 136 for the difference in money

Gary, i'll see you next week - don't have a booking yet so won't be monday or tuesday, but will let you know when I do

Thanks Guys

[plod]

These were the cars in question if anyone was interested

110 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

136 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

[Gary406]

no probs dave

[Gary406]

the 136 is bloody nice

[rwb]

If you've got a good un then stick hold of it, cos you can easily get lumbered with a complete lemon -- there's enough of them about.

(I've had my current 406 for over 5 years now. I keep thinking about getting a V6 coupe or a 328i for just for couple of months for some fun, but I couldn't aprt with my 406.)

[plod]

yeah, i think i'd struggle to part with mine anyway

[FarmerPug]

a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.
Your reliable 406 is worth more than 2 unreliable cars, especially the damaged one.

[sirwiggum]

I had a similar dilema a couple months ago.

I knew what was wrong with mine so I would try and get it fixed up.

The engine mount wasn't right. Took it to a garage and they suggested it was one of the top mounts was the worst, the others didn't look too bad. Got that changed but it made little difference. Got a huge quote for replacing the others (including the lower one which I suspected was the offending item).

Needed 2 front tyres, but took it to the tyre place and on closer inspection the inside track of the rears were bald too, so would need 4.

The rust on the passenger doors was getting worse, tried to get a rear passenger door in the same colour, as this was the worst / most noticable one, however it got damaged by the courier. The front passenger door rust treatment was also flaking off and revealing a horrible rusty lower end going right up to the middle of the door

I started to get disheartened and got shot of it. I wanted an automatic. Avoided gumtree as there are too many dodgy buyers and sellers.
Found the accord autobox.

What I do miss is the fuel economy. 170 miles out of £20 diesel vs 80 miles out of £25 petrol

[Welly]

That damaged estate could be a right can of worms

The 136 looks nice, have you seen the worst open-me-too-wide door hinge damage of evAr

[plod]

Don't know what it is but that damaged estate keeps calling my name