New car hunt - tomorrow's the day!

[junglie]

A few cars have got away recently that I have taken a fancy to so the hunt continues. I am driving North tomorrow to see my new Nephew and, by chance, these 3 cars are pretty much directly on my route.

BMW 650i

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Lexus LS 460

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

CLS 500

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I plan on seeing the first 2 tomorrow morning.

[Impasse]

But now they know you're excited and an easy punter!

[wemorgan]

The dealer in link 2 is Jay who owns Mercland. He's a very decent guy well respected on the Mercedes forums.

[markw996]

I'd skip number 2 and see 1 & 3 instead... but I don't care much for Lexus

The BMW & Mercedes look very nice though... maybe when I get bored of my Range Rover

[junglie]

I spoke with one of Jay's clan and she was very nice and knowledgeable.

The BMW appeals because it is a manual but cramped if I need to take the family.

The Mercedes has a good spec but I am not sold on the looks.

The Lexus appeals because of the spec and service history but will it be too bland over time?

[minimatan]

It has got to be the 650i and get a BMW Mondial Warranty on a monthly rolling renewal and £100 excess in order to blitz any niggles in the first year.

The seller seems to be prone to eulogising and a touch of hyperbole, as there is another 650i Manual for sale on autotrader. Admitttedly they are rare and the switchable exhaust sounds like fun, however, I cannot comment on whether this is likely to compromise the validity of any warranty claim.

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

[junglie]

There is another 650 in convertible form also which may be interesting.

A nice chap called Pat owns the black with red leather one which is the same colour combo as my old Z4. Not sure how it will be on the 6 series. I think £12500 for the silver one is steep but they are rare but does that command a premium; it all depends on if you want a manual.

[markw996]

junglie said:

I spoke with one of Jay's clan and she was very nice and knowledgeable.
The Lexus appeals because of the spec and service history but will it be too bland over time?

erm.... YES!

(like by the time you get it home...)

[wemorgan]

In the world of executive cars, manuals are rare because they are unpopular. Don't over pay.

[junglie]

Parkers has the value of the various 650s at around £8500 and WBAC at £7000.

Any ideas on a realistic price for one as £10995 and £12500 seem a long way from Kansas!

[minimatan]

junglie said:

Parkers has the value of the various 650s at around £8500 and WBAC at £7000.

Any ideas on a realistic price for one as £10995 and £12500 seem a long way from Kansas!

There is rarity and condition also. Not many manual E63 6 series V8s around, and they make for an excellent and comfortable driver's car proposition. The 650 block has pretty much all of the oil leak issues sorted too.

[jayemm89]

wemorgan said:

In the world of executive cars, manuals are rare because they are unpopular. Don't over pay.

This. We might think a manual in a 650 is desirable, but there's a reason 99% of new buyers specced the auto

[hornetrider]

jayemm89 said:

This. We might think a manual in a 650 is desirable, but there's a reason 99% of new buyers specced the auto

Because they are philistines.

OP - buy the 650. It will be sublime. Although, the gearstick looks huge, much bigger than mine!

[junglie]

First port of call would be a ZHP knob - makes the world of difference having a smaller but weightier one (that's what my wife says anyway )

[minimatan]

jayemm89 said:

wemorgan said:

In the world of executive cars, manuals are rare because they are unpopular. Don't over pay.

This. We might think a manual in a 650 is desirable, but there's a reason 99% of new buyers specced the auto

That's because they were old and shoved their golf clubs in the back. The manuals now make for a real driving enthusiasts find!

[minimatan]

junglie said:

First port of call would be a ZHP knob - makes the world of difference having a smaller but weightier one (that's what my wife says anyway )

Any more information on what this involves? There is quite a long throw on my, erm, knob.

[junglie]

The gesr knob or my wife?

[minimatan]

junglie said:

The gesr knob or my wife?

PM me the Valentine's snaps :P

[junglie]

About to go running then out the door by 0630 en-route to the North!

[wemorgan]

junglie said:

About to go running then out the door by 0630 en-route to the North!

The Midlands, to be precise.