Another which barge? E38 728i, Lexus GS or LS?

[bigfatnick]

Hi all, looking at around the £1000 region for a luxobarge that myself and my dad can share for a few months.

After going through all the barges I could think of, and my dad putting a veto on my personal favourites, a Jag XJ, and merc S types and all the other options not interesting both of us, its come down to An E38 728i, a Lexus GS300 (mk2) and a LS400. All to be valued at around a grand. We're in a bit of a rush as I'm effectively car-less at the moment and don't have time to go waste sellers time test driving cars we dont really intend on buying.

So its ask the internet time.

What are people's experiences with these cars? To me, the GS sounds like the obvious sensible choice (and it wont cost any more to insure than my current car) but I feel it won't have the bargy-wafty-sealed from the outside worldyness of the other two. Is it just a 5 series with japanese interior design (read, naff to look at fonts on all the buttons) Is this true?

The 728 seems like the second choice to me, goodish on fuel, cheaper to insure than the LS, and probably the best to drive of the 3, but ones at a grand seem fairly ropey and possible trouble. Also, i imagine not as comfortable as the others, my current E36 and old E34 had uncomfortable drivers seats (at least for a 6ft 3 18 stone type like myself, and I guess that has put me off.

As for the LS, its the one my dad likes, but I'm not so sure myself, i'm not sure on its looks, and interior design, though i'm sure it does everything very well.

So, i'd be interested to hear anything you guys have to say, hopefully before a possible this weekend purchase.

Thanks in advance, nick

[drivin_me_nuts]

LS400 every day of the week. It's a big Toyota with few pretensions and 250k down the line, will still be there. They come highly regarded by bargists... And for good reason.

[sparks_E39]

You'd get a better E39 528 for the money.

[Stu R]

£1k on an E38 will be tatty and in need of work. I'd put my money on a lexus unless the budget was higher.

[E38Ross]

Stu R said:

£1k on an E38 will be tatty and in need of work. I'd put my money on a lexus unless the budget was higher.

99% of the time i'd say yes. but hornetrider on here got one for £900 including 13 months MOT and (i believe) FSH.

having been in it, it's absolutely fine. i'd still recommend steering clear of £1k E38s, mind, as i think he just got extremely lucky.

as above, an E39 528i might be a better bet, still very good wafting cars.

[sparks_E39]

£1000 is almost throwaway motoring. But take into consideration what it can take to get these old Beemers in a state where they can be considered roadworthy. I've ploughed £2000 into my BMW in 3 years excluding service costs, and I'm lucky I guess the problems were spread out. It's worth a grand now probably, and I will happily spend over it's value in the next couple of years if needs be. A £1000 car can quickly turn into a £4000 one. But, you may as well, I've seen more repair bills on a 10 year old shopping cart Focus than on my 528. And it's a diesel, who's owner initially mocked me for buying a gas guzzler. Made me feel smug, he can keep his 45 mpg

[Garlick]

The LS is fantastic, well I think mine is.

As said above, cars that were once expensive still suffer from expensive running costs regardless of the depreciation they have suffered over time.

My tyres are £200 each, recent suspension work was over £2500 and some spares are not available as pattern parts. However, it's as close as you'll get to Rolls-Royce silence for the money and more often than not you'll not need to spend a penny....my local garage did a service for me for £150 too.

Oh, and I hardly ever see above 20mpg, but then I am mostly tooling around town.

[bigfatnick]

thanks everyone, i'm not new to old bmw's its why i like them, i've found them to not cause me any trouble and generally do me very well, financially.

But my dad's just not interested in an E39, it offers no real advantages (except maybe an auto box) over his current car.


However, after a call to my insurance company, it seems that no accidents, 6 years no claims and an age of 26 just isn't quite enough. The only car of the 3 they'll insure me on is the GS300, and at a premium of £386 over my identically insurance grouped E36 325!

So, can anyone tell me amazing things about the GS300 or should i just keep what i have as it seems its probably not worth it.

[Dracoro]

My uncle as a GS430, it's nice and wafty without being "too" big. I think, it'll feel a little more modern (if you get a 1997 onwards - twin headlamp ones) than the equivalent LS. They're quite "under the radar" as well.

What about an Audi A8?

[somnv]

Got to be the LS! Mine does 33mpg on a run which I think it pretty good. Also tyres will be a lot less than £200 with standard alloys, it's the larger DHP alloys that require the more expensive tyres. I like BMWs as well but for the money, the LS has to be the better buy in terms of ease of ownership IMO. Insurance is not cheap though!