I really miss my BWM 728i - yes, another what car thread!
Discussion
Up until I retired in November last year, my daily driver was a 728I. Best car I have ever owned but it was starting to get a little tatty due to the starship miles... I no longer needed such a big car as i don't do the miles any longer, so I sold it.
But.... I miss the auto, the wafting about, the leather, the quiet... So what else to buy?
it needs to be an Auto
it needs to be waaaafty
It needs to be quiet
I have up to £7000 to spend
it needs to do at least 32 MPG on a run
something the size of a BMW 5 or 7 series is too big for me now
Suggestions? Mercedes are out, see the thread on rust! I was thinking of a 330i but the horror stories of E46 rear subframe mounting ripping the chassis put me off... Looked at Audi A4, but they all seem to have problems with the multitronic gearbox...
Any suggestions?
But.... I miss the auto, the wafting about, the leather, the quiet... So what else to buy?
it needs to be an Auto
it needs to be waaaafty
It needs to be quiet
I have up to £7000 to spend
it needs to do at least 32 MPG on a run
something the size of a BMW 5 or 7 series is too big for me now
Suggestions? Mercedes are out, see the thread on rust! I was thinking of a 330i but the horror stories of E46 rear subframe mounting ripping the chassis put me off... Looked at Audi A4, but they all seem to have problems with the multitronic gearbox...
Any suggestions?
To me, looking for a waftmobile smaller than 5-series is a bit like looking for a low-slung, convertible SUV. Ain't going to happen.
I see the choice as (a) big car for wafting, or (b) small car. However much leather and extras are fitted it's still a small car and will drive like one.
I see the choice as (a) big car for wafting, or (b) small car. However much leather and extras are fitted it's still a small car and will drive like one.
Buzzer, can you not, in fact, be persauded into 'staying large?'
That many bags avails you of some of the best, semi-frugal wafting known to man with (in one case) near new credentials.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2759405.htm
Imho, the best luxury car ever made and that includes the opinion of a fellow PHer who works for a Merc dealer and reckons these still trump the latest S class for all out soporificism.
That many bags avails you of some of the best, semi-frugal wafting known to man with (in one case) near new credentials.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2759405.htm
Imho, the best luxury car ever made and that includes the opinion of a fellow PHer who works for a Merc dealer and reckons these still trump the latest S class for all out soporificism.
derestrictor said:
Buzzer, can you not, in fact, be persauded into 'staying large?'
That many bags avails you of some of the best, semi-frugal wafting known to man with (in one case) near new credentials.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2759405.htm
Imho, the best luxury car ever made and that includes the opinion of a fellow PHer who works for a Merc dealer and reckons these still trump the latest S class for all out soporificism.
I really don't want to go that big... one of the reasons is I maintain all my own cars and that wont go in the garage with the doors shut... well it will but you cant work on it.That many bags avails you of some of the best, semi-frugal wafting known to man with (in one case) near new credentials.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2759405.htm
Imho, the best luxury car ever made and that includes the opinion of a fellow PHer who works for a Merc dealer and reckons these still trump the latest S class for all out soporificism.
I will take a look at X types as I quite like the look of them...
keep the suggestions coming!
AlVal said:
toyota prius. almost completely silent, super-floatiness ride quality - very wafty, auto, massive mpg. you probably werent expecting that reccommendation. Drive one, thats all Ill say
I'm on PH aren't I? or have I stumbled on BatteryHeads "because charging matters" 
Edited by tdm34ds on Friday 6th May 17:23
Stay large! Get another E38, anything else will just leave you disappointed. With your budget you'll get a phenomenal late model 740i Sport. If you want to downsize to save on fuel, just get it LPG converted, and you'll have a 740i Sport returning 40 mpg equivalent!
Seriously, I got my Range Rover converted, it gives me 260 miles for £100 in fuel, or the same miles for £50 in LPG!
Seriously, I got my Range Rover converted, it gives me 260 miles for £100 in fuel, or the same miles for £50 in LPG!
tdm34ds said:
AlVal said:
toyota prius. almost completely silent, super-floatiness ride quality - very wafty, auto, massive mpg. you probably werent expecting that reccommendation. Drive one, thats all Ill say
I'm on PH aren't I? or have I stumbled on BatteryHeads "because charging matters"
Give it a rest. It was just a suggestion. 
Lexus IS300.
Quiet, wafty when you want it, handles as well as a BMW 330.
Utterly bulletproof car, chassis and engine and gearbox.
All servicing work can be done at home, and the I6 engine has plenty of access. Sparkplugs are a bit of a hastle, but not rocket science.
Won't make 32mpg on a run, unless you put it in cruise at 70 and leave it there.
Quiet, wafty when you want it, handles as well as a BMW 330.
Utterly bulletproof car, chassis and engine and gearbox.
All servicing work can be done at home, and the I6 engine has plenty of access. Sparkplugs are a bit of a hastle, but not rocket science.
Won't make 32mpg on a run, unless you put it in cruise at 70 and leave it there.
mercfunder said:
Get yourself an X type with slush box, leather and toys.
Plenty available in that budget.
I'd advise against this suggestion.Plenty available in that budget.
Had one before I got the XF. Had to endure a whole year in it.
Ok so it was the measly 2.0l v6 but it was gutless.
Smooth yes, but not 'wafty' and I wasn't particularly impressed with the build quality of it either. It is, after all a Mondeo (not that that's always a bad thing)
If a jag is an option, probably an S type.
ensignia said:
tdm34ds said:
AlVal said:
toyota prius. almost completely silent, super-floatiness ride quality - very wafty, auto, massive mpg. you probably werent expecting that reccommendation. Drive one, thats all Ill say
I'm on PH aren't I? or have I stumbled on BatteryHeads "because charging matters" Give it a rest. It was just a suggestion. It was a light hearted bit of banter that's all....
tdm34ds said:
ensignia said:
tdm34ds said:
AlVal said:
toyota prius. almost completely silent, super-floatiness ride quality - very wafty, auto, massive mpg. you probably werent expecting that reccommendation. Drive one, thats all Ill say
I'm on PH aren't I? or have I stumbled on BatteryHeads "because charging matters" Give it a rest. It was just a suggestion. It was a light hearted bit of banter that's all....
tdm34ds said:
Sorry! i've just edited it to add this
It was a light hearted bit of banter that's all....
It was a light hearted bit of banter that's all....
tell you what, the lpg conversion suggestion isnt bad either, I'm always a bit suspicious of lpg though - all a bit beardy wierdy, and the fact noone (proton?) fits it as standard to new cars currently makes me think something must be wrong with it? finding it hard to see what the problem is though, if done right. only 1400 stations nationwide is a bit of a bummer, as is constantly carrying a "bomb" in the car, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. It could be my ticket back to using old luxury barges again
AlVal said:
tell you what, the lpg conversion suggestion isnt bad either, I'm always a bit suspicious of lpg though - all a bit beardy wierdy, and the fact noone (proton?) fits it as standard to new cars currently makes me think something must be wrong with it? finding it hard to see what the problem is though, if done right. only 1400 stations nationwide is a bit of a bummer, as is constantly carrying a "bomb" in the car, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. It could be my ticket back to using old luxury barges again
1. LPG will never go mainstream, there is nowhere near enough production capacity for it to become a serious competitor to diesel or petrol.
2 Lack of filling stations is not really relevant so long as there's one somewhere near where you live, you still have the ability to run on petrol and you should always keep at least quarter of a tank anyway.
3. The 'bomb' is a myth, or to put it more frankly BS. LPG tanks are infinity safer than petrol tanks. LPG tanks and crash proof and fire proof, how fire proof is a plastic petrol tank?
4. Would the royal family, the cabinet, and the President of the USA convert official cars if the 'bomb' bs was true?
So I'd say, take your ticket back to luxury barges! Even the conversions have become half the price now, plus the kits are much better!
bozmandb9 said:
To answer your questions:
1. LPG will never go mainstream, there is nowhere near enough production capacity for it to become a serious competitor to diesel or petrol.
2 Lack of filling stations is not really relevant so long as there's one somewhere near where you live, you still have the ability to run on petrol and you should always keep at least quarter of a tank anyway.
3. The 'bomb' is a myth, or to put it more frankly BS. LPG tanks are infinity safer than petrol tanks. LPG tanks and crash proof and fire proof, how fire proof is a plastic petrol tank?
4. Would the royal family, the cabinet, and the President of the USA convert official cars if the 'bomb' bs was true?
So I'd say, take your ticket back to luxury barges! Even the conversions have become half the price now, plus the kits are much better!
That Lexus LS430 is looking so much more attractive now.. and theres two very local lpg places to me as it turns out.. Just need to do some research into how they get registered on V5, how it affects taxation class etc (I'd be hoping to be re-taxed in a significantly better band), what certificates are required (in the event I shop for an already converted vehicle), if shopping for "already-converted", which companies you'd want to have had completed the conversion etc. anyway, don't mean to take over the OP's post, but all relevant I think!1. LPG will never go mainstream, there is nowhere near enough production capacity for it to become a serious competitor to diesel or petrol.
2 Lack of filling stations is not really relevant so long as there's one somewhere near where you live, you still have the ability to run on petrol and you should always keep at least quarter of a tank anyway.
3. The 'bomb' is a myth, or to put it more frankly BS. LPG tanks are infinity safer than petrol tanks. LPG tanks and crash proof and fire proof, how fire proof is a plastic petrol tank?
4. Would the royal family, the cabinet, and the President of the USA convert official cars if the 'bomb' bs was true?
So I'd say, take your ticket back to luxury barges! Even the conversions have become half the price now, plus the kits are much better!
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