So I took my car in for a service last week, the most expensive service ever...

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I took my BMW in for a service last Wednesday, it was a fairly straight forward service (inspection) and I was due to be there for about 90 minutes.

60 minutes in and I am bored with reading so I decided to have a look around the showroom. Oops, that lead to me having a chat with a salesman and I decided to ask how much to upgrade my current car (BMW 650i on a 2008 plate). I admit that at the time I had no real plan to upgrade, infact I had already told my wife that I was planning on upgrading next year.

I had a look at the BMW X6 that they had for sale (it was the Dealer Principles old car, 9000 miles on the clock at 6 months old) and as I had loved the look of the car for a while (and it was on my list of potential upgrades next year) I decided to get details on the finance. This was a 6 month old X6 xDrive40d in Black (interior and exterior). It was a lovely looking car.

Just before the salesman came back with the price however the service manager came out, turns out I needed new tyres on my car (at least the two rears, probably the fronts in about 6 weeks time) and at £375 a tyre it was a small shock to the system.

Out of the blue I looked at the upgrade figures and decided to take the X6 instead... tip here for all you married or partnered up guys\girls here, DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR CAR BEFORE GETTING CLEARANCE FROM SAID WIFE OR PARTNER!!!

I get home that night and deliver two boxes of chocolates to my lovely wife (no she isn't looking over my shoulder), I should hasten to add that I delivered them on my knees ...tip.. if you do buy a car without asking for clearance by said wife or partner, make sure you get her something nice as a present for her being so understanding.

The following day I pick up a nice shiny BMW X6 (this is the Thursday), drive it around for a couple of days and then on Monday decide that I don't like it, I mean it's a nice car but it just wasn't in the same league as my old 650i, it wasn't as fully loaded and well, I just didn't like it.

I called the salesman on Monday morning, explained that I didn't like the car and wanted to change it, did I have something in mind sir?? Why yes, I liked the look of your 640d Gran Coupe please, more money, slightly older with 12000 miles on it but FULLY Loaded, HUD (what a cool toy), ConnectedDrive, VDC, Comfort Access, Soft close door, you name it and it pretty much had it in (apart from the expensive speakers, not really an issue for me).

***TIP*** Incase you missed my earlier piece of advice, TALK TO YOUR PARTNER BEFORE DOING THIS.
I spoke to my wife just after speaking to the dealership, I explained to her that I was giving the X6 back as I really didn't like it and was getting a newer 6 series car, obviously questions were asked... is it family friendly (yes, it's a 4 door car), is it economical (yes it's a 3l diesel twin turbo with an average of 49mpg), do I like this one and will I want to get rid of it later this week (no, it's lovely) and the final question.. how much (too much, I managed to kind of not answer that one, needless to say that the mpg comparison between my 650 and the 640d should ensure that I am not out of pocket too badly).

So my initial service which should have cost me £125 excluding the tyres has now cost me considerably more then that.. thank god I have such an understanding wife because friends, family and work colleagues can't believe I managed to get away with this not once but twice.

Now I think I need to get my TV serviced ;)

 

Jeez, Simon think I would have been under the patio by now if I had done that. That being said I have been sliding subtle hints around that a new car might be on the horizon for me. I've got a 08 Saab 93 turbo, lovely car and very quick but I have been dribbling a bit over the new Merc E classes and Jag XF's, and seeing as I drive a lot its important to have something comfortable and pleasant to drive (at least thats what I say to Mrs Dales). Also my Saabs a bit thirsty and I've noticed that larger engines on newer cars seem to be more economical.

Its the slowly slow approach I have to take, just throw a comment around once in a while then get a bit more serious as the weeks go on (which gives me plenty of time to think of good reasons to say why I need to buy X or Y).

 

My old car got 25mpg, the new one nearly doubles that at 49mpg, add to that the cost of the road tax (£465 for the old one, £145 for the new one) I have just managed to get the WAF (wife acceptance factor).

Only trouble is I really don't know where to go after this (in a few years time).

 

HAHA, I love how you 'softened' the blow with chocolates!

I've found this only works a few times before they start to suspect something everytime you bring them a gift!

The car on the other hand! The 6 series is one of the nicest motors I've seen around (less civilised the 5Ltr v8 you had?). I think the x6 is ugly, did you have the hard or rag top?

Makes my 118d look like a bicycle!

 

About all I can add is 'nicely played'

 

I had the X6 xDrive40d, I traded a hardtop 650i for the X6 (and yes it was a 4.8l v8 that sounded the mutt's) and just took delivery of the 640d Gran Coupe today.

At about 3pm I sent a text to my wife saying "I don't like it" (in my head it was said like Andy from Little Britain), I kid you not... 20 seconds later my wife is phoning up with a few choice words... I had to tell her... "I f**king love it".

I have to hand it to BMW they were out of this world as far as service goes, they even delivered it to my office (60 miles from the dealership) just so I didn't leave work early today.

My trip home tonight (sedately I should add) came in at 46mpg

Cat that got the cream tonight