Nearly new or better specced?

[Martymcfly]

About to buy my first boxer.
Got the chance of a 21 plate with 4K on it (32m warranty remaining) with decent spec OR
A March 20 plate, 12k, 15 months remaining , high spec plus Nav and panniers for £1700 less.
Do I stretch out for the newer bike with longer warranty or opt for the cheaper older better spec? My average mileage will be 2-3k over next 2 years I think.
Thanks in advance

 

[stickywicket]

Suppose it depends on how much extra cash you have. You are going to want luggage at some time so thats going to be about £1k depending on what you want. Difficult to make a decision without knowing the difference in specs. For instance the 21 may have heated seats etc. On the info given I would go for 21plate as always loads of second hand farkles for the bikes available

 

[Neil W]

If you buy a slightly older higher spec one from a BMW dealer it will come with the Approved Used 24 month Warranty which gives the same cover as the new warranty

 

[yofi]

I've usually taken the view that if making a significant investment like this, better to pay more to get what you want and more peace of mind. It's unlikely that you'll look back and think I regret spend the additional (or if, so then perhaps one shouldn't' be making such a purchase), whereas you may well look back and regret what you could have had, especially oem specs rather than add-ons wise.

If you add on a nav and panniers, plus an additional 12mth extended warranty to make up the difference on the other bike, you are a good way towards the price difference anyway. Also, if you are only doing 2-3k a year then several years down the line you'll have a bike with average mileage - the other example is quite high for the year. Get the 21 plate!

As Neil has said, if buying as a BMW approved, you'd get 24 mth warranty (3 years on new bikes). It would depend if the specs you are looking for are available on a older model. Tbh I'd probably prefer a 19 plate with fewer miles than 12k, if the 21 plate is out of reach.

 

[Slipperyeel]

I don't know much about the LC bikes, but for me the 20 model sounds better. To have done those miles means it's had a proper shake down and has been used rather than parked up. Machines need to be used... And when I read the above comment that you can get it with a 24 month warranty as well, I wouldn't (personally) go for the nearly brand new 21 model... Especially if the 20 has those OEM extras.

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[littleade]

This might sound strange (maybe it is) but it might be worth thinking about how long you're intending on keeping the bike and how many miles it'll have when you next decide to change and whether the higher milage bike will loose more or less than the newer one and be as easy to part ex if you intend going down that path as dealers tend to prefer low milage bikes. Plus of course will you actually use the panniers and satnav or not. If yes and you do fancy the newer one you can usually pick up a used pair of panniers and/or a used satnav at a reasonable cost, plus of course it will have the simpler navigation available via the app and your smart phone as an alternative to a nav6 etc.

 

[pcarnut]

Had a similar decision to make a few months back, a highly optioned '19 or a new '21. The '21 was couple thousand more but I feel it was the better decision, at least for me. I got a full warranty, I got the latest updates, I've since added the basic farkles I wanted and love the bike. Since buying I've read a few threads on odd noises that the '19 and '20s are making with regards to the left cylinder, so this had added to the feeling I made a good choice. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[Scotsrick]

I was torn between the choice as well.

When I was looking there were 3 1250’s in the shop varying between 18-20 plates all low mileage.

What do you call decent spec? If it’s got all the SE equipment then that’s enough for most.

I’d go for the newest model and keep your eyes open for s/h panniers and sat nav ( that’s if you are ever going to use them)

 

[Martymcfly]

If you buy a slightly older higher spec one from a BMW dealer it will come with the Approved Used 24 month Warranty which gives the same cover as the new warranty

No, unfortunately the older bike is a private sale, transferable warranty til March ‘23, so need to budget for a renewal then (about £390) to bring it in line with the newer warranty

 

[Martymcfly]

So I’ve gone for the newer one, as it’s also a facelift with new paintwork, adaptive lights, extra mode etc. . Dealer also agreed to fit a set of crash bars (which I’ll pay for), for free. Can’t wait. Thanks for the advice guys

 

[yofi]

Obs we all bring our own views to these sorts of things, but mine is that you've made the right choice. I'm guessing that it might not have the heated seats?

 

[pcarnut]

^ Well done, it's a great machine.

 

[HGS]

People get hung up on mileage....care and condition are more important to me
Only the buyer will know the best deal for them

Mine is a 20 (May20) that I have put on 13700 miles. It is showroom condition as I like to look after the thing, part of the ownership for me. So negates all those who say (and this was a BMW salesman) 'I'd rather ride it than clean it'....you can do both

Got the right spec, the right colour for me
Runs like a dream

Gets me that sales people will suck their teeth at mileage against age, yet all my other bikes were over mileage, mint and sold on fast. BMW are selling you a bike to travel yet only want you to do minimum mileage

PS - I would have gone for the newer one too but not because of the mileage

 

[yofi]

People get hung up on mileage....care and condition are more important to me
Only the buyer will know the best deal for them

Totally agree that condition and (general) age matter more. But as you say, people and dealers suck teeth over mileage, which is why its best to find a low mileage one to protect resale value.

 

[Martymcfly]

Obs we all bring our own views to these sorts of things, but mine is that you've made the right choice. I'm guessing that it might not have the heated seats?

Almost certainly not unfortunately. Not seen in the flash, nor has the salesman. It’s currently out on loan, I can’t get it for about 10 days

 

[Martymcfly]

Thanks pcarnut

 

[HGS]

Luggage is sold nearly all the time either on here or ebay, as are Nav's
Might be worth trying the dealer for either at a good price
Got the varios in the deal from dealer at £550 including locks coded
I needed the luggage then as was going to Scotland 4 weeks later
Got a good deal from Cotswold Motarrad on the 'older' Nav 6 in June this year. Works fine over the updated one and I like it better than the Nav 5 I had

 

[Flamair]

Interesting thread chaps.

I have a 2019 gsa full spec... Due a swap next year.

Still cant decide whether to keep it or get the latest model. Depends on the offer I suppose. It only has 8k on atm thanks to Covid.

Currently I'm swaying towards keeping it as I dont really like the new colour and I'm not paying extra for triple black. Plus of course, the spec between my bike and the latest model does not warrant a large cash injection in my view. We shall see what BMW are prepared to offer deal wise!!

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[transalper44]

2 or 3 K in the next two years !!? You don't need a motorbike, you need pushbike. What do you do, sit in the garage looking at it, I do 7k and that's only during summer months. On the other hand, buy the 21 bike,
give me call in 2 years if it's only done 3k. I may buys it from you.

 

[Martymcfly]

2 or 3 K in the next two years !!? You don't need a motorbike, you need pushbike. What do you do, sit in the garage looking at it, I do 7k and that's only during summer months. On the other hand, buy the 21 bike,
give me call in 2 years if it's only done 3k. I may buys it from you.

As it happens, I do have a few pushbikes! Spend most of spare time cycling rather than with a motor Bike will be used for commuting in the summer and a couple of touring trips a year hopefully.