7 Series, A8 or S Class

[ImDesigner]

If you had 3k to spend on one of these beasts, which would it be and why?

Pick one from an E38, D2 and a W220. Give your trim level/engine choice and why?

I like all three but I think out of them I want a tidy E38 728i Sport. I just love how it looks. I'm not looking for a huge engine as it would be used for a 35 mile round trip commute on the motorway, so I won't need outright pace.

Which one is less likely to enforce a heavy diet on the wallet?

[Wadeski]

BMW geeks: how interchangeable are the M52 and the US market S52 (the 240hp engine that came in their E36 M3)?

Considering S52s go for buttons as they are swapped out for "proper" M-motors, a E34 528i with one could be quite nice?

[LHD]

I'd have a Jaguar XJ.

[ImDesigner]

So two replies in and in standard PH form, both choices aren't included in the original post.

An E34 5 Series and a Jag XJ.

[0a]

I have a cheap d2 a8 4.2 at the moment. Fast compared to my old w124, and good in the wet. However it feels like a stretched and engined £30k car, whereas the old Merc feels like a £70k car condensed into a mid sized car. The a8 is a great car in many ways, but not for me - by trying to remove any flaw, Audi removed almost all of the character.

I would not look at modern S-classes - I'd want a mint w140, in many ways the high point of the S class range. I have been warned again and again that that cheap modern s500 will be ruinous. Though I'm sure I will try it one day!

I'd go for the e38, and I would look for a non sport 728 (but settle for a 740). With little wheels these cars look superb to my eyes.

Or an ls400 in that dark green.

Or a supercharged jag!

The barge buyer with a few grand in his pocket will never have it so good, in my opinion!

[slippery]

A lovely example of any of the three cars mentioned would be a joy to behold. Get yourself over to the 1-5k bargain barge thread and we'll have you fixed up by the weekend!

[ImDesigner]

slippery said:

A lovely example of any of the three cars mentioned would be a joy to behold.

Can a really good example be had for 3k though? I'm not seeing many 728i Sport examples for sale at the moment.