Completely at a loss as to what to buy next... help needed!

[markirl]

Hi folks,

Currently have a 9 year old e92 335i auto which is an absolutely stonking car but I'm getting the itch to change it, mainly due to the ride quality and that a coupe is a bit too restrictive for bringing staff to meetings etc. 4 seats is also a bit of a pain. It's our only car so while the reliability hasn't really been a problem it has needed a few repairs which have meant the car has been off the road a few times - mainly waiting for parts etc.

My favourite cars I've owned have been the two e39s I had - 530i and 530d but it appears to be pretty much impossible to find a good one now and I don't really like the e60. F10 528i or 535i would be ideal but I don't want to spend any more than I can get for my 335i yet as we're aiming to pay off our mortgage over the next year so all spare cash is going into that and I don't do personal loans.

Typical mileage varies. There are 4-5 of 220 mile return motorway trips a month, I commute through traffic 2 days a week and it'd be used for general domestic use, holidays to the continent etc.

My requirements are - Auto, nothing over 15 years old, ideally RWD/4wd but good FWD in with a shout, no 4 cylinder diesels, decent reliability, low cabin noise at speed & enjoyable to drive. 30mpg+ would be nice

The short list I currently have:
Another e39 - Pretty much a restoration project at this stage and a bit dated now having driven one recently.
Audi A6/A8 3.0tdi - I drove a remapped A6 years ago and it was very quick and handled well. Have always admired the A8.
06 facelift BMW 730d - As I don't like the e60, this is the only BMW which will offer what I want
03-06 Jaguar XJ - Lovely cars, not sure on reliability
01/02 Jaguar XJ - I love these but maybe getting on a bit..
Mercedes w220 S-class - potential reliability issues concern me, however very cheap to get into - would go for cdi or v8
Mercedes CLS - Think these look superb but wonder if they're any better than above?!
Lexus IS250/GS300/GS450h - Look like a bit of a bargain and reliability is attractive. Concerned that I might get bored.
Saab 9-5 Aero - This is a car I always fancied and a wagon would be handy and an absolute bargain. Just worried that they aren't a drivers car.
Volvo V70 - Love the 5 pot in these, just concerned that I'd fall asleep driving one.
VW Golf MkV GTI - much smaller than the above but a great all-rounder. Seem expensive for what they are though.

I've deliberately left off Range Rover (due to reliability), Q7 & X5 due to image. I'd also love a 6 series or a CL but they don't solve the coupe issue

I know it's a bit of a mad list but any help/guidance would be appreciated.

[white_goodman]

The A8 is the only one that makes sense to me on that list. Will your budget get you a younger, lower mileage car? The 3.0 TDI is pretty pleasant for a diesel and very economical and the old-shape A8 was the nicest-looking car in its class IMHO. Could you stretch to the 4.2 TDI V8? Most of the others on your list either seem older so potentially more expensive issues and less economical than your 335i. Otherwise, better the devil you know...HTH

[Innowaybored]

I would say the SAAB 9-5 Aero is a good choice. Insane prices and very reliable. The 2.3T is a nice motor with lots of options and servicing isn't an issue. You can still get a good 35mpg out of it as well.

I'm in a similar position to you and this is on my short list next to a Golf R on a lease deal. (yes that conflicted)

[LuS1fer]

I have always fancied a Jag XJ but the 01-02 is getting on a bit and I was put off the 03-on by the steel rivets in alloy body = corrosion that will eventually write the car off., beautiful though they are. High VEL too unless you buy a 3.0 V6.

Golf GTIs are good cars and will doubtless earn lots of "respect". The GTIs I have owned have always been very competent cars and fun to drive.

Audis I have always found to ride harshly.

I was once tempted by a GS300 but was put off by the interior photos.

I think auto is your limitation. Mondeo ST I believe are manual. Saabs are a bit GM-ruined for my liking but the 9-5 is better than the 9-3.

[white_goodman]

Not on your list and I'm not sure exactly how much your cash budget is but I would be tempted by something with a 3-pointed star for a change.

I always like the W211 E-Class (2002-2009) and understand that the post-facelift 2006- cars are better quality and have less issues. An E500 would be very pleasant or an E320CDI if fuel economy is paramount.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

or how about a C55 AMG or E55 AMG?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Of those two, the C55 would probably be the better bet, as I think it's a bit less complex than the E-Class but the older shape (W210) E55 would be quite tempting if rust-free, as I think they are a bit simpler mechanically?

[bomma220]

Innowaybored said:

I would say the SAAB 9-5 Aero is a good choice. Insane prices and very reliable. The 2.3T is a nice motor with lots of options and servicing isn't an issue. You can still get a good 35mpg out of it as well.

+1 for this. Even though mine's an '02 shed, it's still an incredible car. Depends of course on your personal criteria in terms of a drivers' car, but I very much doubt you'll be disappointed...

[danp]

Ref the ride - assume you're not on run flats? SE or sports suspension and what size wheels?

Not sure I'd rather have any of the other cars in your list, unless you just fancy a change.

Swap it for a 335i saloon or touring?

[SilverSpur]

I'm getting a surprising amount of pleasure from my A6 avant 3.0 tiptronic. 34 mpg despite the fact that I drive everywhere a bit faster than I should, and when you want to play popping it into sport gives a good turn of speed, a nice sound from the engine, and the Quattro makes it very sure footed in the wet of winter. I'm sure in the dry summer it will be a bit bland but I'm not caring. 4 year old, 84k miles but feels like new.

[markirl]

Thanks for the replies folks.

Re the A8 - you make a great point, serious road presence and I think the seats look lovely. Any insights into reliability?

9-5 has always been on my radar, and tempting as they are ridiculously cheap.

I had considered a w211 and drove one last year - felt a bit of a barge without being a full barge. A C63AMG is pretty much my dream car and I'd love an E55 AMG but concerns re bills potential!

My 335i is the m sport suspension on 19s with no run flats!

Edited by markirl on Thursday 10th March 21:55

[nlm13]

I ran a 3.0 Tdi A8 for 6 years and 110k miles. It was still driving like new when I sold it, and all it needed in that time was tyres, brake odds and discs. Perfect for trips to continent, very smooth and quiet for long drives (I managed Paris to Glasgow on 1 tank of fuel!) the only reason I sold it was because I bought an RS6 and couldn't fit them both on the drive.

[white_goodman]

markirl said:

Thanks for the replies folks.

Re the A8 - you make a great point, serious road presence and I think the seats look lovely. Any insights into reliability?

Edited by markirl on Thursday 10th March 21:55

No first hand experience but judging by this, relatively few common faults


http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/audi/a8-2003/...

compared to the W220 S-Class!

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz...

There's one A8 TDI on AT with nearly 300k, so this one is barely run in!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Love those wheels too. Thanks to Ronin and The Transporter series, A8s will always be cool in my eyes (even TDI ones)!

You could even get the V8 TDI for not much more, which you can chip up to 300bhp+ for 500 notes.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I also love the understatedness of the Audi S4 (especially in Avant guise)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I thought that a Volkswagen Phaeton 3.0 TDI might be more car for you money than an A8 but actually the price difference is pretty minimal. Very underrated car though and the basis of the Bentley Continental GT. Don't be tempted by the 5.0 TDI. Awesome but very fragile!

Just a few more suggestions. You mentioned the Golf GTI. Great car but might seem like a bit of a downgrade from your Beemer and I always thought the turbocharged delivery worked better with the manual transmission. How about a Golf R32 though? People always knock them for not being that quick or as fun as the GTI but a great, fast, luxurious cruiser with AWD and the DSG works really well with the V6. There's still something appealing about a big engine in a small car too and that V6 engine is very sonorous, making every drive an event.

Just a couple more leftfield suggestions.

Jaguar S-Type R? You'll probably get a newer one within your budget than an XJ.

Subaru Legacy Spec B - very discrete but handsome in my opinion, awesome AWD system and a very quick cross country car with fantastic reliability.

Some of these cars might be considered an upgrade from yours but they are all different enough not to be comparable, all more practical (4/5 doors) and should be available for similar money to what you can get for the 335i.

[markirl]

Re the A8: How is the reliability of the V8 TDI vs V6 TDI? From reading online most people say the V6 is the one to go for however. I'm concerned about how massive an A8 would be and the potential for bills (although most people seem to report good reliability).

I have been tempted by an S4/S6 as well in the past.

R32/S-type R/Legacy - all cars I considered and discounted for various reasons!

[Mr Tidy]

Don't think it has been mentioned yet, but what about a Jaguar XF (ideally 5.0 V8 flavour)?

They seem to be quite popular on here.

I would also find a Merc CLS 500 pretty tempting!

[ewand]

markirl said:

Re the A8: How is the reliability of the V8 TDI vs V6 TDI? From reading online most people say the V6 is the one to go for however. I'm concerned about how massive an A8 would be and the potential for bills (although most people seem to report good reliability).

I have been tempted by an S4/S6 as well in the past.

R32/S-type R/Legacy - all cars I considered and discounted for various reasons!

I ran a 2005 D3 A8, 3.0 V6 TDI for a few years and it was a great car - lovely interior, super comfy, surprisingly quick and yet pretty frugal (40mpg was about the norm). The only trouble I had was a variable geometry turbo fault, where the vanes were sticking - a bit of a wiggle and some lube seemed to sort it out. If anything went wrong electrically, that could be an issue, as all the systems in the car are connected into the MMI.

I did wonder about chopping it in for a 4.2 V8 TDI but unless you're blatting up and down autobahns, I can't see where you'd need the extra oomph; the 3.0 is punchy and it never felt slow, and in such a big car, it feels a bit unbecoming to hustle it on B roads too ;-) Inevitably, there's more complexity in the twin-turbo 4.2 V8 TDI and the 3.0 unit is installed in more cars across the range, so maybe it's more of a known entity. Avoid the 4.0 V8 TDI as it's older, too niche and not enough of a step up from the V6.

My mate had a 3.0 TDI Phaeton at the same time, and I have to say, I'd choose the Audi every time. It's considerably lighter (I think 200kgs?), the interior was much more classy (the Phaeton's control system felt at least a generation older than Audi's MMI) and it was returning 10mpg less than the A8 for the same kind of use.

If you're going for D3, you'd probably be best to look at the 2005-on facelift, and they come pretty well specced. Parking sensors all round help deal with the fact that it's a big car

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at the E500's they're a solid dependable car N?A V8 so not a lot to go wrong.
(ignore the fact someone has put E550 badges on it all the later 500's came with the 5.5 388bhp V8)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

or the CLS

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[ajcj]

I've bought a 2008 A8 3.0 TDi, which I then treated to a Bluefin remap from Superchips. It's now really quite quick for such a barge - not M5 or S6 territory, but it doesn't feel sluggish at all.

I do a 150-mile journey twice a week, and get high 30s mpg with the cruise generally set to 85, sometimes 90. It's very spacious and comfortable, the stereo is fantastic, the heated seats were a nice bonus over the winter, and all in all I'm very pleased with it.

[markirl]

XF is a good suggestion but the early ones don't really do it for me and the facelift is out of budget. I'd love a Merc AMG, but I think that's a few years off.

The A8 3.0TDI is certainly starting to look like a standout choice. The one part I'm uncertain about is what years are fragile for injectors and tensioners and when the changeover to safe is. Ideally, I'd like a 57-reg onwards facelift but they're still a little over budget for a good one. My concern is size, my girlfriend already finds the current car quite large so might be time to split to 2 cars..

I should have mentioned that I'm in Ireland so choice is limited and taxes are high.

[markirl]

Bit of a thread resurrection.. Since posting, I've continued to enjoy my 335i (even though I've had to do thermostat and waterpump) but still considering a change. I've test driven a CLS 320cdi and while it was nice, it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. I also test drove a w211 and actually preferred it but the interior was better in the CLS.

My shortlist now boils down to:
- Audi A8 3.0 tdi: From everything I see, I like these. €1500/year tax (same as 335i) for pre-08, post-08 is €1200/year. Looking at a 06 with 130k for £5ish, a 08 with 160k for £7k or a 08 with 109k for £9k. Only concerns centre around reliability but overall reports seem good.
- Lexus GS450h: Power is great, like the looks (in dark colours) and reliability seems to be excellent apart from battery packs which seem cheaply repaired now. Downsides appear to be that the steering is dead. Pre-08 models here have €1800/year tax and 08-on are €750/year which is much more reasonable but they're obviously more expensive.
- Saab 9-5 Aero: Always considered one and they're only getting cheaper. Need to drive one to see if they can compete anywhere near the same level as cars like the above 2. I'm concerned I'd get bored.
- Volvo V70 D5: A very practical choice, attracted by the MPG but I'd probably end up going to a manual as the autos don't have a good reputation.
- Golf GTI: Still an option, probably the choice that makes the most sense but no where near a sense of occasion like an A8/GS.

Any thoughts? Any reasons that I shouldn't buy an A8/GS450h? Test driving this weekend

[qska]

What about the good old E class? E320 or E350, nice 3 litre V6... diesel

[markirl]

Thought I'd wind up this thread in case anyone is in a similar dilemma! In the end, I sold my 335i 2 weeks ago and bought a 2006 GS450h SE-L with 105k on the clock - pretty much exactly the same age and mileage as the 335i in fact. So far, I'm really enjoying it, economy for the first tank is sitting around 35mpg according to the computer and it makes some pretty swift progress when required! I still miss the exhaust noise of the 335i and also the looks, but overall pleased with my move!

I tried an A8, CLS, E280, E220, civic diesel, Saab 9-5 estate, golf GTI and 3 GS450h's before making my decision, the possibility for bills put me off the a8 in the end.