Which (refined) GT/Coupe please?

[wadsy]

With reference to my previous post "refined cars" ....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Where our car plan was to replace the wife's Golf and my Alpina with one 'do-it-all' car.

Further to that plan, I may be persuading her to the possibility of 2 instead of the one, where she would keep her Golf; ideal for her commute and convenient for shops etc and I replace my Alpina with a comfy, refined 'GT/coupe' for longer journeys.

So, my question now is!...which GT/coupe?

The main priority (as per previous thread) is refinement, so comfy seats, low cabin noise and excellent ride quality, oh and reasonable luggage space for trips.

My initial thoughts are...

Jag XK 4.2 (2006 on)
Merc CLK 55 AMG
Audi S5

I'd very much welcome guidance as to the pros/cons of the above and other suggestions please.

Many thanks

Cheers

ps. budget max = 15k, but ideally 10-12 or less!

[MrwReckless]

Is the previous gen. BMW 6 series in your budget?

Regards

[Crush]

We looked at similar cars (BMW 3&4series, Audi A4,5&6, Lexus 300h) and settled on an Infiniti Q50. You get a lot of car for the money and it is very spacious inside.

[_rubinho_]

wadsy said:

... my Alpina...

What Alpina do you have?

[wadsy]

MrwReckless said:

Is the previous gen. BMW 6 series in your budget?

Regards

Spotted a 640i on the Trader for about 6k, so yes, well in budge potentially...are they a good option?

Cheers

[wadsy]

Crush said:

We looked at similar cars (BMW 3&4series, Audi A4,5&6, Lexus 300h) and settled on an Infiniti Q50. You get a lot of car for the money and it is very spacious inside.

Is that a coupe/GT?

Cheers

[wadsy]

_rubinho_ said:

wadsy said:

... my Alpina...

What Alpina do you have?

2008 B3 Bi-turbo saloon

[swisstoni]

I find my SL55 relaxing to drive and quiet unless you provoke it.

[ZX10R NIN]

Spend 15k & get a W216 Mercedes CL500 they're full on GT cars whilst the CLK500/55 are comfortable they're not true GT cars when compared to the CL's my dad & uncle have a 63/500 respectively, as nice as my CLK is when you get into anyone of those you two you know you've stepped up a class.

In terms of reliability neither has had any issues my dad is on his second which he's had for just over a year my uncle has had his 5 years & is now looking for a newer one which says it all really these were much improved on the previous generation CL.
Both take them to an independent as they've found they get better service from them compared to the main dealer, the 5.5 is pretty much bullet proof make sure the transmission fluid has been changed & enjoy the luxury.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[alpha channel]

I'm leaning towards the XK as a replacement for my Alfa personally. Classy looks, a good knowledge base to call upon should the need arise and, at least in my neck of the woods, not all that common plus it would appear to be fairly reliable if tinternet chatter is to be believed (and if I do get one and get along with it I'll LPG it, by all accounts the 4.2 is pretty much plug and play). However above all these - it's not a diesel.

[swlove]

Have you considered a Jaguar XK8 or a XKR?

Looks great, fast, comfortable, can be had for relatively little money and not bad in running costs and reliability.

[anonymous-user]

I would second what was said above regarding the Mercedes CL. Admitally, it's at the top of your budget but it's the best big GT car Mercedes makes - it's really comfortable too. Not far off a modern day S-Class coupe for a fraction of the price.

You could go down the 'modern classic' route and up the budget a bit to get into an Aston DB7? Ok, it will cost a bit to run and be a bit dated in most ways, however you won't lose any in depreciation so it will actually work out cheaper than anything modern - CL/XK/Maser etc..

[wadsy]

ZX10R NIN said:

Spend 15k & get a W216 Mercedes CL500 they're full on GT cars whilst the CLK500/55 are comfortable they're not true GT cars when compared to the CL's my dad & uncle have a 63/500 respectively, as nice as my CLK is when you get into anyone of those you two you know you've stepped up a class.

In terms of reliability neither has had any issues my dad is on his second which he's had for just over a year my uncle has had his 5 years & is now looking for a newer one which says it all really these were much improved on the previous generation CL.
Both take them to an independent as they've found they get better service from them compared to the main dealer, the 5.5 is pretty much bullet proof make sure the transmission fluid has been changed & enjoy the luxury.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thanks, look to be definitely worth a look.

Cheers

[wadsy]

swlove said:

Have you considered a Jaguar XK8 or a XKR?

Looks great, fast, comfortable, can be had for relatively little money and not bad in running costs and reliability.

I had thought about an XKR, but thought the newer XK would be a better bet, what would you think?

cheers

[wadsy]

Kierkegaard said:

I would second what was said above regarding the Mercedes CL. Admitally, it's at the top of your budget but it's the best big GT car Mercedes makes - it's really comfortable too. Not far off a modern day S-Class coupe for a fraction of the price.

You could go down the 'modern classic' route and up the budget a bit to get into an Aston DB7? Ok, it will cost a bit to run and be a bit dated in most ways, however you won't lose any in depreciation so it will actually work out cheaper than anything modern - CL/XK/Maser etc..

Yes, it is top of the budget; would the older model be worth considering?

Just had a look at DB7's but seem to start at about 20k, which is too much.

Cheers

[wadsy]

alpha channel said:

I'm leaning towards the XK as a replacement for my Alfa personally. Classy looks, a good knowledge base to call upon should the need arise and, at least in my neck of the woods, not all that common plus it would appear to be fairly reliable if tinternet chatter is to be believed (and if I do get one and get along with it I'll LPG it, by all accounts the 4.2 is pretty much plug and play). However above all these - it's not a diesel.

Where would be a good place to look for the knowledge-base?

Cheers

[craigjm]

The XK is not really quiet and refined in the way that a CL is

[SpeckledJim]

craigjm said:

The XK is not really quiet and refined in the way that a CL is

Very true, but it is sexy in the way that a CL is not.

[craigjm]

SpeckledJim said:

craigjm said:

The XK is not really quiet and refined in the way that a CL is

Very true, but it is sexy in the way that a CL is not.

OP said:

The main priority (as per previous thread) is refinement, so comfy seats, low cabin noise and excellent ride quality, oh and reasonable luggage space for trips.

I don't see that in the original criteria

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to second this the XK is a good car but tyre noise & a harsher ride due to the XK having more sporting credentials would be an issue, plus the interior isn't league as the CL which was basically a S Class Coupe in all but name.

XK
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...












A BMW 650i might be worth a look but again it's much more on the sporty side rather than a refined luxury GT.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...