Moving to Germany - what car?
Discussion
I'm off to Munich for at least three years with my work and will need a motor while I'm over there. My wife, being from the USA, is only used to driving an auto so a manual isn't an option.
Given the fact that Munich gets decent winters one option would be to go for a 4x4 of some description such as the BMW X3 or X5, Range Rover etc.
However, I also want to scratch the barge itch and therefore the Merc S Class and BMW 7 Series are both potential contenders (especially for wafting along the autobahns). I've had a look on the German equivalent of Autotrader and seen some very tidy 735s and 740s for sale.
Due to the fact the public transport network in Munich is so reliable and extensive I don't envisage doing a huge amount of driving each day and therefore fuel economy isn't that much of a concern.
I'm open to suggestions so over to you guys.
Bertie W
Given the fact that Munich gets decent winters one option would be to go for a 4x4 of some description such as the BMW X3 or X5, Range Rover etc.
However, I also want to scratch the barge itch and therefore the Merc S Class and BMW 7 Series are both potential contenders (especially for wafting along the autobahns). I've had a look on the German equivalent of Autotrader and seen some very tidy 735s and 740s for sale.
Due to the fact the public transport network in Munich is so reliable and extensive I don't envisage doing a huge amount of driving each day and therefore fuel economy isn't that much of a concern.
I'm open to suggestions so over to you guys.
Bertie W
Hugo a Gogo said:
tax is something to bear in mind, slightly older 5 litre could be 500 euros a year to tax
Also worth taking low emission zones into account, if the OP is considering older machinery. I don't know what the situation is in Munich, but my car - which predates Euro 1 pollution rules and has no catalytic converter - isn't allowed into Cologne.
A lex said:
OK, the budget puts a bit of a kibosh on my original suggestion.
How about a 330Xi touring instead?
http://www.autoscout24.nl/Details.aspx?id=21704150...
That looks quite good. How reliable is the 4x4 system though?How about a 330Xi touring instead?
http://www.autoscout24.nl/Details.aspx?id=21704150...
Bertie W
P.S. How's the Volvo these days?
davepoth said:
Teach her to drive "stick", surely? The driving culture is so different in Germany compared to the USA she may want a few lessons with an instructor just to get used to the speeds, motorway lane discipline, and so on.
To be honest, wafting along in an auto appeals to me so I would be more than happy with one. My wife has a UK licence and is more than happy on UK roads - although she still finds it hard to believe how small some of our A roads are! She wants to learn to drive a 'stick shift' at some point - maybe when we get back to the UK.Bertie W
München is really nice, great place to be. Think you'll both enjoy that 
.
So much choice car wise, even if the budget buys you much less than in the UK
here's a link [1] to a site you probably already know, with some R129 Mercs thrown in as a leftfield idea. If I'd go for something bargesque, I'd look for a W126 S-Class or an E38 7er or perhaps a 400 / 420 W124 E-class. All old cars though with potential for expensive stuff to go kaputt.
Safer bet will be something from an official main dealership (BMW, Merc, VAG, Lexus etc. they are pretty much the same warranty wise I think. Not very good by international standards that is).
Just to add a bit to points already made:
- Petrol engined cars with a catalyst will get the green pollution sticker thing so lots of choice there. Beware of diesels with yellow or red sticker. Not sure how soon Munich will ban the yellow stickered cars, but it is already affecting resale heavily.
- Auto box in smaller cars. This might make things a bit more difficult on resale but also a bit cheaper on buying. People prefer manuals in non barge class vehicles here, so something like a 3er BMW with a slush box will be not so easy to sell on. Exception is the VAG DSG stuff, could be something in budget if so inclined. Mk5 DSG GTI?
- Taxes. As stated, can be expensive for big engined Euro 1 or 2 emissions cars. A Euro 1 XJR is about 605 € per year.
- Insurance: factors in your claim free years and the risk of the car. For the risk, the insurers have a big database that lists most vehicles [2]. Often a newer or more "private use" (convertible, station wagon) type car will be cheaper than something older with a rep mobile spec diesel. For the claim free years no idea how they deal with "new arrivals". Be sure to shop around!
- AWD or not? You need winter tyres anyway (insurance thing) so I would not focus on an AWD car to much. RWD/FWD is fine with winter tyres if you don't live very remotely.
[1] http://suchen.mobile.de/auto/bmw-518-benzin.html?s...
[2] http://www.gdv-dl.de/komplexe-suche.html
. So much choice car wise, even if the budget buys you much less than in the UK
here's a link [1] to a site you probably already know, with some R129 Mercs thrown in as a leftfield idea. If I'd go for something bargesque, I'd look for a W126 S-Class or an E38 7er or perhaps a 400 / 420 W124 E-class. All old cars though with potential for expensive stuff to go kaputt.Safer bet will be something from an official main dealership (BMW, Merc, VAG, Lexus etc. they are pretty much the same warranty wise I think. Not very good by international standards that is).
Just to add a bit to points already made:
- Petrol engined cars with a catalyst will get the green pollution sticker thing so lots of choice there. Beware of diesels with yellow or red sticker. Not sure how soon Munich will ban the yellow stickered cars, but it is already affecting resale heavily.
- Auto box in smaller cars. This might make things a bit more difficult on resale but also a bit cheaper on buying. People prefer manuals in non barge class vehicles here, so something like a 3er BMW with a slush box will be not so easy to sell on. Exception is the VAG DSG stuff, could be something in budget if so inclined. Mk5 DSG GTI?
- Taxes. As stated, can be expensive for big engined Euro 1 or 2 emissions cars. A Euro 1 XJR is about 605 € per year.
- Insurance: factors in your claim free years and the risk of the car. For the risk, the insurers have a big database that lists most vehicles [2]. Often a newer or more "private use" (convertible, station wagon) type car will be cheaper than something older with a rep mobile spec diesel. For the claim free years no idea how they deal with "new arrivals". Be sure to shop around!
- AWD or not? You need winter tyres anyway (insurance thing) so I would not focus on an AWD car to much. RWD/FWD is fine with winter tyres if you don't live very remotely.
[1] http://suchen.mobile.de/auto/bmw-518-benzin.html?s...
[2] http://www.gdv-dl.de/komplexe-suche.html
Just to throw in a specific model not available in the UK, an Audi D2 shape A8 with W12 motor was available in left hand drive - proper iron fist in silk glove territory! Just make sure the auto box has been serviced (there's no recommended interval from Audi but they're only good for around 100k miles without) and keep your fingers crossed the oily bits don't fail!
Germans can be quite funny about cars - in this country you'd remove the badges from your rep-mobile spec 316 to hide its poverty spec roots but in Germany they'll do it on a 330d/540i etc to stop them looking too ott! Been in many a 530i/d in Germany with cloth seats too....
Munich is a lovely place - just don't confuse it with being in Germany - it's Bavaria, don't you know. They get quite sniffy about it
Germans can be quite funny about cars - in this country you'd remove the badges from your rep-mobile spec 316 to hide its poverty spec roots but in Germany they'll do it on a 330d/540i etc to stop them looking too ott! Been in many a 530i/d in Germany with cloth seats too....
Munich is a lovely place - just don't confuse it with being in Germany - it's Bavaria, don't you know. They get quite sniffy about it
Kolbenkopp said:
München is really nice, great place to be. Think you'll both enjoy that .
So much choice car wise, even if the budget buys you much less than in the UK here's a link [1] to a site you probably already know, with some R129 Mercs thrown in as a leftfield idea. If I'd go for something bargesque, I'd look for a W126 S-Class or an E38 7er or perhaps a 400 / 420 W124 E-class. All old cars though with potential for expensive stuff to go kaputt.
Safer bet will be something from an official main dealership (BMW, Merc, VAG, Lexus etc. they are pretty much the same warranty wise I think. Not very good by international standards that is).
Just to add a bit to points already made:
- Petrol engined cars with a catalyst will get the green pollution sticker thing so lots of choice there. Beware of diesels with yellow or red sticker. Not sure how soon Munich will ban the yellow stickered cars, but it is already affecting resale heavily.
- Auto box in smaller cars. This might make things a bit more difficult on resale but also a bit cheaper on buying. People prefer manuals in non barge class vehicles here, so something like a 3er BMW with a slush box will be not so easy to sell on. Exception is the VAG DSG stuff, could be something in budget if so inclined. Mk5 DSG GTI?
- Taxes. As stated, can be expensive for big engined Euro 1 or 2 emissions cars. A Euro 1 XJR is about 605 € per year.
- Insurance: factors in your claim free years and the risk of the car. For the risk, the insurers have a big database that lists most vehicles [2]. Often a newer or more "private use" (convertible, station wagon) type car will be cheaper than something older with a rep mobile spec diesel. For the claim free years no idea how they deal with "new arrivals". Be sure to shop around!
- AWD or not? You need winter tyres anyway (insurance thing) so I would not focus on an AWD car to much. RWD/FWD is fine with winter tyres if you don't live very remotely.
[1] http://suchen.mobile.de/auto/bmw-518-benzin.html?s...
[2] http://www.gdv-dl.de/komplexe-suche.html
Thanks for the very informative post . So much choice car wise, even if the budget buys you much less than in the UK
here's a link [1] to a site you probably already know, with some R129 Mercs thrown in as a leftfield idea. If I'd go for something bargesque, I'd look for a W126 S-Class or an E38 7er or perhaps a 400 / 420 W124 E-class. All old cars though with potential for expensive stuff to go kaputt.Safer bet will be something from an official main dealership (BMW, Merc, VAG, Lexus etc. they are pretty much the same warranty wise I think. Not very good by international standards that is).
Just to add a bit to points already made:
- Petrol engined cars with a catalyst will get the green pollution sticker thing so lots of choice there. Beware of diesels with yellow or red sticker. Not sure how soon Munich will ban the yellow stickered cars, but it is already affecting resale heavily.
- Auto box in smaller cars. This might make things a bit more difficult on resale but also a bit cheaper on buying. People prefer manuals in non barge class vehicles here, so something like a 3er BMW with a slush box will be not so easy to sell on. Exception is the VAG DSG stuff, could be something in budget if so inclined. Mk5 DSG GTI?
- Taxes. As stated, can be expensive for big engined Euro 1 or 2 emissions cars. A Euro 1 XJR is about 605 € per year.
- Insurance: factors in your claim free years and the risk of the car. For the risk, the insurers have a big database that lists most vehicles [2]. Often a newer or more "private use" (convertible, station wagon) type car will be cheaper than something older with a rep mobile spec diesel. For the claim free years no idea how they deal with "new arrivals". Be sure to shop around!
- AWD or not? You need winter tyres anyway (insurance thing) so I would not focus on an AWD car to much. RWD/FWD is fine with winter tyres if you don't live very remotely.
[1] http://suchen.mobile.de/auto/bmw-518-benzin.html?s...
[2] http://www.gdv-dl.de/komplexe-suche.html
I had a long look at E38s on AutoScout24 last night and think that I will in all probability end up getting one of those - especially as my wife likes them! Given the fact I won't be doing loads of miles I don't really want a diesel so a big engined barge seems to be the way forward.One thing that I will need to look at in more detail is the car tax. It looks like the E38 can be anything from Euro 2 to Euro 4 depending on which model you buy.
Bertie W
Adrian E said:
Munich is a lovely place - just don't confuse it with being in Germany - it's Bavaria, don't you know. They get quite sniffy about it
My new colleagues have already informed me that Bavaria is somewhat different from the rest of the country - the language being one example. I'm looking forward to it though - it seems like a great city and a lovely part of the country. I found out last week that I will be able to see the Alps from my office.The A8 idea is an interesting option by the way...
Bertie W
BertieWooster said:
Thanks for the very informative post I had a long look at E38s on AutoScout24 last night and think that I will in all probability end up getting one of those - especially as my wife likes them! Given the fact I won't be doing loads of miles I don't really want a diesel so a big engined barge seems to be the way forward.
One thing that I will need to look at in more detail is the car tax. It looks like the E38 can be anything from Euro 2 to Euro 4 depending on which model you buy.
Bertie W
the euro 2 euro 4 thing doesn't quite match up with the 3 or 4 umweltplakette thing, I have trouble understanding it! a euro 2 petrol car can be green and a euro 2 diesel yellow. Suffice to say most petrol cars of the last 10-15 years should be on a green '4' sticker - lucky for you because Munich will be green only from October this year I had a long look at E38s on AutoScout24 last night and think that I will in all probability end up getting one of those - especially as my wife likes them! Given the fact I won't be doing loads of miles I don't really want a diesel so a big engined barge seems to be the way forward.One thing that I will need to look at in more detail is the car tax. It looks like the E38 can be anything from Euro 2 to Euro 4 depending on which model you buy.
Bertie W
Hugo a Gogo said:
the euro 2 euro 4 thing doesn't quite match up with the 3 or 4 umweltplakette thing, I have trouble understanding it! a euro 2 petrol car can be green and a euro 2 diesel yellow. Suffice to say most petrol cars of the last 10-15 years should be on a green '4' sticker - lucky for you because Munich will be green only from October this year
That does sound rather confusing - more complicated than over in the UK. I guess it is all part of the learning experience! After what you have said above I think a diesel will definitely be off the cards so a petrol V8 is almost certainly the way to go!Bertie W
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