I have had my BMW 545 for five years. It has been reliable however I have had to spend - I have not added things up but I reckon I have spent over £2k on repairs - the valve stems seals account for just over a grand.
Tax is £395 per year and car does 22mpg around the doors. For a car approaching it's twentieth year it is in superb condition.
I have just relisted it on ebay - not had a sniff. I decided it was time to go because better to sell while everything was good. It's N62 engine is a complicated beast - you will be lucky to find anybody willing to work on it. Also, I don't do many miles but seem to be regularly putting fuel in it ( maybe I should just fill it up!).
The thought of borrowing for a car - finance - terrifies me. I fancied a mustang or jaguar xfr but with the cost of things generally that will never happen now. So if somebody does buy my car I will more than likely replace it with something diesel.