Thoughts on SUV vs. large 'prestige' for a treat!

[Betts88]

Hi all,

I've thought about asking this in the leasing thread but don't think it is fair to do so as it is for deals.

Firstly, I'm aware of the privileged position to be in and first world problems etc but please try and put those to one side for a long time lurker on PH.

I'm looking at leasing and it will be my first brand new car in 12 years of driving. I've just changed job and will be travelling a lot driving many many rental cars (anything apart from my own!) but want something to have that's mine for me to enjoy in those brief periods at home.

I'm after a 24 or 36 month (ideally to avoid maintenance and out of warranty bills) lease with 3 months deposit and up to £700 pcm (max for something special).

Torn between an SUV (Touareg/Q7/Cayenne) and a premium saloon/hatch 640d/A7 3.0 262/BiTDi Black Edition/S350 CDi with Premium Plus/S5 Sportback. Ideally at least a 3 litre engine with forced induction and RWD or AWD.

Can also have something with low monthly payments as it will be mostly sat in airport parking e.g. Golf R/M140i or 335d. I prefer my cars to be bigger though and would like it to be comfortable and interior quality is important to me, as is a decent stereo. I'm also talk and long of leg.

I currently drive a 2007 535d SE with M5 anti roll bars and poly bushes and enjoy the delivery and relative frugality of diesel but want something newer and less hassle (drop it off at a dealer instead of my own servicing etc).

My partner has a little boy but we have her 120d for family duties so not a deal breaker if someone suggested a 2 door.

I don't need a car in a particular rush (ideally 2 weeks before Xmas but can move on a bargain.

Am checking Contract Hire and Leasing regularly but would appreciate others views! Feeling spoilt for choice really. Alternatively could just keep the 535d but at 130k I expect it will throw me some bills soon and I can do without the hassle.

Thanks all in advance.

[LM95]

I just cold not drop £30k an a car over 3 years and not own it in the end. Me and the wife both lease our cars so this is not a negative against leasing.

The cars that you are looking at here are not overly lease friendly (although deals do come up) and usually depreciate at quite a rate so buying one would make much more sense (to me)

If I wanted something in the premium executive sector and had £700 per month to spend a month I would be looking to own one of these after 3 years. Each one will have value left in it and the decision so sell and keep on with the payments and in to something closer to £40K in 3 years or save the £700 a month and keep on driving this would be much more appealing.

The A6 and the 535d look great value with the BMW not even run in yet (ok there is a newer model but it still looks good!).

If it has to be a lease though I would keep an eve on the Lease deals thread and jump when the deal is there, some guys have had amazing deals on the Audi S8 so they do pop up now and again.


Audi A7 Black Edition

Audi A6 Saloon

BMW 535d

BMW 640d GC

Jaguar XJ

Maserati Ghibli

[Gareth1974]

You can get a decent A7 (S-Line) for about £435 a month on a 3+23, so no need to spend £700

[ZX10R NIN]

Why not get an AUC with GFV which means you could just get an S500 Coupe for you £700.00 per month.

Something along these lines:

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

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

[Sparkzz]

S Class

I've got a 2007 model, I'm not in a position to buy a new one!

I did however, get a drive of a 2016 model last year, drive is similar to mine, however the interior comfort and technology was a big improvement to an already perfect vehicle.

They look wonderful, have a massive presence and are reliable. My only word of warning would be that driving an S can make you appear very wealthy to other people, which isn't always a good thing.