I've decided to ditch the car and get a bicycle

[racingmule]

Only kidding

But the quest for my new car is now getting really frustrating.

Over the last few months I've test driven and ruled out BMW 640d, 530d, 435d, Audi A5 2.0tdi and 3.0tdi. Lexus IS300h and the RC300h coupe, Mazda 6 sport nav, Mercedes c250d and infinity Q60 2.0 petrol. Next week I'll be testing the Jaguar XE 2.0 petrol (250ps) and the Mercedes E300.

Unlike some folks here I'm not discerning enough to care about the finer driving dynamics of a car. All I want is a smooth fast punchy engine. Lots of torque. Reasonably attractive & comfortable interior, and some room in the back for the 'once in a blue moon' passenger, and a car that doesn't look like its designed for your grumpy grandad (hello Lexus and Mercedes).

The ones I liked so far were in this order: BMW 640d gran-coupe, the Mazda 6 2.2d sport nav touring (fast, fun, cheap & good looking), Lexus IS 300h (seriously refined and fast. excellent value. Looks like a grandad car).

I do a lot of short inner city London driving which rules out the fat gorgeous wide 640d. I'll probably settle for the Mazda in the end. And I really wish Lexus would employ a decent designer, they have truly amazing fast good value refined cars.

I don't understand the praise lauded on BMW's as the drivers car. Probably sharp steering and planted, but 95% of people will never have access to the roads and conditions that will do justice to the cars dynamics. Also, hated the 5 series, found it unrefined and dull to drive. The same of the BMW 435d which was awful to drive, and I wouldn't trust it at high speeds or in bends. And the cabin is a terrible place to be in, feels really cheap for a £40,000 car. I drove four BMW's just to be sure I wasn't missing anything. Given that you'll spend a lot of time in traffic sat in a cheap cabin suffering a hard ride I don't see the point.

I loved the Audi A5 exterior and the interior was lush, comfortable and refined. Engine noise was really well insulated in both the 2.0 tdi and the 3.0 tdi - fast and comfortable enough. Really liked it. No idea why everyone thinks it's a dull car for everyday use.

However, the A5 had one serious flaw: starting off there's a noticeable lag, it feels like its straining to move, you press down, and then suddenly the torque kicks in and the car lurches. Yes, it lurches. There's no smooth delivery of power. Awful car in stop start traffic or city driving as you really need to concentrate on your right foot. I'd still consider buying one as I personally think for daily practical driving it's streets ahead of BMW.

Finally Mercedes, the new coupe shapes are exciting. Looking forward to testing the e300, but I can't really justify £40,000 for a 4 cylinder engine (Lexus IS300h at £27k is faster & smoother then the c250d I drove), and the Merc 6 cylinder enters into stupid money territory for a car that still has a grandad 'I'm so important look at me' image. It makes the Mazda (£23k) & Lexus (£27k) look like a fast fun bargain.

I think I've given up on trying to find a sub £40,000 decent 6 cylinder engine for now. Starting to focus on turbo 4 cylinders. Next week it's the jaguar XE (250ps) and the Mercedes e300. It's a world of compromise out there, such is the nature of first world problems.

PS some of the car dealerships had awful customer service skills. Mostly BMW and Audi dealerships that were so awful that it just didn't make sense. Notable exceptions were BMW Spires Kentish Town (sweet), Lexus Woodford (enthusiastic) and Audi in Bexley (detailed).

Pps All prices quoted above were online broker prices, usually 15% to 20% of list dealer price

Edited by racingmule on Saturday 6th May 11:05

Edited by racingmule on Saturday 6th May 12:20

Edited by racingmule on Saturday 6th May 12:45

[PistonheadRob]

You have some serious time on your hands ............. Bet your a sales and worst nightmare ☺

[Jonmx]

I was all geared up to come and take the piss, gutted.

[vikingaero]

PistonheadRob said:

You have some serious time on your hands ............. Bet your a sales and worst nightmare ?

Most dealer staff can't fathom that someone will have consider different classes of cars. They can only compute that if you are looking at a Zafira then you might be looking at a a Touran or C-Max

[Jonmx]

How about Infiniti? Still a rare sight on the roads, sensibly priced and not completely horrendous on the eyes.

[OddCat]

Surely a stonking great petrol engine is the only way to go here ?

Unless they are planning to do a bit of taxi work on the side, i can't believe people are still considering diesels as a private purchase option !

[PK0001]

OddCat said:

Surely a stonking great petrol engine is the only way to go here ?

Unless they are planning to do a bit of taxi work on the side, i can't believe people are still considering diesels as a private purchase option !

My thoughts as well

Porsche Macan V6

Petrol and second hand for £40k

Edited by PK0001 on Saturday 6th May 12:22

[novus]

Just go and buy the Mazda

You clearly not going to buy anything else so save yourself and other people time

[racingmule]

PK0001 said:

My thoughts as well

Porsche Macan turbo ?

Petrol and second hand for £40k

Great suggestion. Though I'm assuming a 2015 Porsche Macan running costs to be extremely high? One of the reasons I was sticking to new is the warranty. And yes I've decided that a petrol is definitely the way forward, it's just hard to find dealerships who have them available as demo cars. I'm still surprised at the number of diesels they're flogging.

I am interested in this new trend of 2.0 litre petrols with twin turbo's, haven't tried one yet though.

[BGarside]

Just get the bicycle. It'll be quicker for those 'short inner London drives', you'll get fitter and it'll save you a fortune 😃

[racingmule]

vikingaero said:

Most dealer staff can't fathom that someone will have consider different classes of cars. They can only compute that if you are looking at a Zafira then you might be looking at a a Touran or C-Max

Absolutely, in the real world you'll try on several pairs of shoes before purchasing. Same should go for wheels. And the motoring press reviews is just waffle.

Edited by racingmule on Saturday 6th May 12:42

[AAD44H]

You're looking at the wrong engines. Needs to be at least 3ltr and petrol

[hman]

Indeed - minimum 3.0 petrol is what you need

[AndStilliRise]

In a year I have done 3k in the car and 10k on a bike last year. Hoping for more bike miles.

[ZX10R NIN]

Hi OP I have a couple of questions:

Does the car have to be Brand New?

Could you live with a pre registered car?

If the answers are no & yes then there are some good 3.0 options as long as you're prepared to haggle, also if you're happy to wait until around Aug/Sept they'll be even better deals on Ex Demos.

Look for a last of the line E400 Coupe (I know this one is a Vert but it's just an example)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or the Diesel E350 (they're doing some nice incentives on these at the moment if you're prepared to haggle)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Audi S6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 A7 SE 3.0tdi 270bhp version (this twin turbo setup might alleviate the lurching you were describing) 500 Miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2017 A7 S Line 270bhp 165 Miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Jaguar XE 3.0S 335bhp 1700 miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 XJ 3.0d Premium Luxury 300bhp 151 miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 XF 3.0d S 300bhp 51 Miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mainstream turbo 4 Options are more rife.

Mondeo Vignale 240bhp (see what deals your broker can get) These are worth a look (we've just ordered one as a pool car) I was impressed with the price as well as the fit & finish (which is a step up from it's mainstream rivals but still behind the Germans & Jaguar, although the price reflects this) we had one on a 48hr test drive & I couldn't fault it.

Petrol 240bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/ford/mondeo-vignale/sa...

Hybrid diesel 210bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Diesel 180bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2017 Volvo S60 T4 R Design Lux 600 Miles 190bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Infiniti Q50 3.5 Hybrid 360bhp (these might be worth a look as you said you drive into London)

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

2017 Alfa Giulia 2.0 100 miles 200bhp

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


From the above 3.0 list I'd take a look at the E400/XE if you want petrol or the A7/XJ if it's diesel, of the more mainstream cars I'd be looking at the Mondeo & Alfa.