Automatic practical classic (something with some oomph)

[A.Norton]

I recently sold my Bmw 2019 M240i and 2013 Porsche 992 to make way for something i can use approx 10k miles per year, not be precious about and is fun as i just fancy a change.
I had a Porsche 928s and a Aston Martin Db7 v12 so i am not afraid of large running cost bills.

I have other cars so 2/4 seats are fine but i do not want a convertible and a mid 2000s Mercedes clk amg and Bmw 840/850 are on the list so far.

I have no preference on age so a Triumph Stag and Rover Sd1 Vitesse twin plenum have been thought about too..

Budget is up to £40k but less would be great and i do have a slush fund for running costs..

Any ideas would be appreciated..

[WombleCate]

BMW M635i
Did they do an Auto?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503039...

[A.Norton]

I have had a 635 csi non M which when bought was £800 so you can tell that was some time ago..
Not sure they made a auto M version..

Thanks

[davettf2]

M cars of that era are manual, if you want auto, have a look at Alpina, not quite M performance but close. Generally a better every day car.

Cheers
Dave (E46 Alpina B3S)

[4rephill]

A.Norton said:

I have had a 635 csi non M which when bought was £800 so you can tell that was some time ago..
Not sure they made a auto M version..

Thanks

No - There wasn't an automatic version of the M635 CSi

The closest you could get was the end of production 635 CSi Motorsport edition - This had the looks of the M635 CSi, but had the 2 valve per cylinder 215bhp engine, rather than the 4 valve per cylinder 286bhp engine

[InitialDave]

Bentley Turbo R?

[Dapster]

What a great dilemma to have! I'd go for a Merc C126, 928 or a Bentley probably.




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1804021




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1825245




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1811014




https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1800722




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1830423




https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1761976




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1795194



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1809985




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1753784




https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1830077



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1826082




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1778930



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1844203

[WombleCate]

456 is a great shout as an Auto.

How about a Vantage V12s

[Skyedriver]

Cheaper options:
Lotus Excel SA (the A is an auto)
Volvo 780 Bertone.
or
Merc SL500

[hidetheelephants]

A broad church. Some random ones that spring to mind; Volvo 164, Maserati 3200GT, Bitter Coupe, Peugeot 504 coupe.

[coetzeeh]

Maserati 3200 GT

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1651774

[alabbasi]

Dapster said:

What a great dilemma to have! I'd go for a Merc C126, 928 or a Bentley probably.




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1804021




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1825245



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1811014




https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1800722




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1830423




https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1761976




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1795194



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1809985




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1753784




https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1830077



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1826082




https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1778930



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1844203

That's a great list. I currently own 8 of them :-)

Mercedes Benz S class with a V8 has plenty of go. Does not matter which one whether a W108/W109-W220.
Jaguar XJ12 is also very waftable - I have an XJ81 (XJ40 style) and a Series III. Both are beautiful.
The 928 has back seats but they're pretty useless. If it makes the list, the XJS should also be considered
Also a Mercedes Benz C107 350SLC, 450SLC or 380SLC. The SLC has a longer wheelbase when compared to an SL and in my opinion a better car. They have a huge sunroof so you'll get plenty of sun and usable back seats and a bigger boot. The 380SLC is a one year only model but with the 4 speed auto, it's more frugal on the fuel.

Edited by alabbasi on Sunday 16th March 02:53

[Tommo87]

Mid Noughties daily driver would go for something like an RS6 or S8, although I appreciate it’s way under budget.

[url]

|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/428823/202503162999944[/url]


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267085616395?mkcid=16&a...

[A.Norton]

Thanks for the great replies....

My list has just got very long and i really like the S8, 456 and Ghibli and as a fan of italian cars (Alfa 156 gta and Fiat 131 Mirafiori sport owned) i have a soft spot for Maseratis but have never owned one.

I keep looking at this Jaguar xjs v12

https://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/jaguar-xjs-...

Edited by A.Norton on Monday 17th March 07:49

[V12 Migaloo]

The XJS looks nice.... Consider a low mileage XJ12 as well....

[alabbasi]

A.Norton said:

Thanks for the great replies....

My list has just got very long and i really like the S8, 456 and Ghibli and as a fan of italian cars (Alfa 156 gta and Fiat 131 Mirafiori sport owned) i have a soft spot for Maseratis but have never owned one.

I keep looking at this Jaguar xjs v12

https://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/jaguar-xjs-...

As an owner of 4 V12 Jags. I would like to suggest that if you're looking for an XJS, to consider a very late model 95 or 96 XJS with the 4 liter 6 cylinder engine. The V12's are a delight to drive but I would not call them practical as they're difficult to fix due to the complexity of the engine and accessibility of the maintenance items. The later model 6 cylinder cars are almost as smooth, and almost as fast as they have a 5 speed automatic vs the 3 speed in that car. They also have outboard discs in the rear which simplifies brake jobs. It's not that the V12's are unreliable but because everything takes twice as long or more, they're often neglected.

[Yertis]

alabbasi said:

As an owner of 4 V12 Jags. I would like to suggest that if you're looking for an XJS, to consider a very late model 95 or 96 XJS with the 4 liter 6 cylinder engine. The V12's are a delight to drive but I would not call them practical as they're difficult to fix due to the complexity of the engine and accessibility of the maintenance items. The later model 6 cylinder cars are almost as smooth, and almost as fast as they have a 5 speed automatic vs the 3 speed in that car. They also have outboard discs in the rear which simplifies brake jobs. It's not that the V12's are unreliable but because everything takes twice as long or more, they're often neglected.

Nowadays I only come to this website for useful nuggets of info like this .

[A.Norton]

I agree, very useful information

Thank you

[V12 Migaloo]

Take a look here
https://jec.org.uk/classifieds/index.php?page=cars...