Excuse the late reply Hertsman, I’ve been away visiting the folks.
I was having a good ol’ think about this today whilst removing from my bonnet dozens of gnats who obviously didn’t have the benefit we did at larval stage of watching Darth Vader’s Bristolian alter ego explaining the perils of crossing busy roads.
Personally I’d try and persevere with the TCR purchase. You know every detail of your car’s history, every mark on it and every mile it’s been driven. Plus it’s a pretty special car with a great spec.
Having had the misfortune to happen upon a large group of very excited railway enthusiasts yesterday who were waiting a double engined train (standing right in the way of where I wanted to eat my chips in peace and quiet) it reminded me of how geeky car enthusiasts get too, so I’ll skip all the anoraky details here as it’s not my scene. Suffice to say both Ed40 and TCR have a significant amount of unique parts which have quite a bearing on the ownership experience to give the cars a slightly different feel as well as look.
An immaculate Ed40 would be a great plan B if you were going to keep it a low mileage semi-occasional use car. They’re a few years old now so personally I’d want one as cosseted and low mileage as possible to ensure things like the original dampers, springs and brakes still feel fairly fresh and tight for the authentic Clubsport feel. From new they feel pretty light on their feet (wheels?) and any sag or wear will detract from this.
There will be some concours condition examples around which will unfortunately attract very high asking prices, but to my eyes originality is everything with cars like these. Others will disagree and will have enjoyed and modified theirs which is fine but… well, I know what I’d prefer as a buyer!
Haha, love that, the legend that was David Prowse, great memories
The response provided is why sought your opinion as knew it would be informed and candid and so thought provoking to aspects not really considered, like the elements of uniqueness of the TCT, not just in aesthetics but in parts also (IE: brakes)
The element that have considered is being the only driver of the car, so every second of its ownership is accounted for and factors such as always using premium fuel (even if there is debate to actual benefit) even though a lease, shows to myself that cared for it even when know there is possibility it goes back in 3 years. However, maybe had not given linear ownership enough weight of consideration until read your insight into the Plan B option of maybe going for a ClubSport, as all seem very viable considerations and purchasing a ClubSport would have to be a forensic task to find the right one.
Between this post, even toyed with looking at a really clean R 65/66 plate, or a Mini John Cooper Works, 17/18 plate, just to trim the ££ down a little, but as the 128Ti will definitely be my last company car, think come to firm conclusion that by going little cheaper now, all be doing is pushing the problem 3 years down the line, when would just have to pay more for the company car replacement and would i be able to get something like as much?
So, think wife and I have finally agreed, that we pay whatever have to eventually pay to keep the TCR, it likely has a bit of a nurtured and gentler life than normal for next 3 years as the 128Ti does the main work, and the TCR picks up the mantel 3 years from now, with the company car being replaced with something more fitting of a second car then (maybe then, the aforementioned R or JCW MY16-18) or even keeping the 128Ti if car prices have truly come back to some normality. (Have no real idea how will feel about that car long term, my first BMW, and with optioned heated steering wheel, thats entirely your fault
)
But that decision is a long way ahead, so we can park that completely,
You cannot say keeping the TCR is an investment as prices are inflated and so there will be a natural drop at some point, but with a good story of one driver, low mileage, FSH (as will keep to its full service regime) and the car being what it is, you hope if there was any real need to sale, the price would hold reasonably well above anything else could secure and that offsets the feeling of stretching beyond the normal have now.
Its been a really difficult decision, options have usually been clear, change company car every 3 years and run a second car thats ours of lower value to fill the gap when we go separate ways, but as this last company car and when looking at where cars are going as well as prices, letting go the TCR always seemed not best thing to do.
Only time will tell if the eye on future planning has worked out, and will let you know in 3 years how feel about it? Hopefully feel very good that still have a then 6 year old TCR to enjoy
Thanks again Exonian, valuable comments to assist me closing out the decision.
