Getting old - time for SUV

[AntF36]

I currently drive a BMW 435D Grand Coupe which has been a blast to own (i've had four) however due to a back injury and getting on a bit i need something with a higher seating height.

I've discounted most options and left with the BMW X4 35D or Mercedes GLC 350D.

Annual mileage is less than 10k PA, however having driven mostly straight six / v8 diesels i'd find it difficult to adjust to a petrol. I had a 440i for a bout 6 weeks and sold it for this very reason!

No doubt i'm not the first to have had to make the adult decision to ditch a fun car for something a bit more sensible. Which would you have?

[stevemcs]

I'd have an X3 as its a bit more practical. I know how you feel though, i'm looking at replacing my estate for a 3 series touring but its smaller than the mondeo and the 320/330d isn't without risks. I just need to stop looking at XC60's

[swisstoni]

What exactly was so great about the diesels that make it hard to consider petrol?

[Diderot]

We had an X3 35d for 4 years. Great car; very practical, comfortable and good to steer for an SUV, and not too unwieldy either. We would have bought an X3 M40i in 2021, but went BEV through our limited company instead.

[AntF36]

I had a brief fling with a X3 (20D variant) but a crane taking a wide corner ended that relationship after only 3 weeks.

Discounted
Audi Q range - dislike the interior
Ford - Never been a fan
Volvo - I desperately want to like the XC90 but the options list is extremely difficult to find in my budget.

[sunnyb13]

XC60 would be pick of the bunch in this segment for comfort.

[AntF36]

swisstoni said:

What exactly was so great about the diesels that make it hard to consider petrol?

It's mainly torque, also fuel economy.

[edc]

If you're doing less than 10k a year and are comfortable to spend a good chunk on a car the difference in cost for fuel is going to be negligible.

[AAD44H]

edc said:

If you're doing less than 10k a year and are comfortable to spend a good chunk on a car the difference in cost for fuel is going to be negligible.

Also depreciation as I am sure diesels are plummeting vs petrols at the moment.

[edc]

AAD44H said:

edc said:

If you're doing less than 10k a year and are comfortable to spend a good chunk on a car the difference in cost for fuel is going to be negligible.

Also depreciation as I am sure diesels are plummeting vs petrols at the moment.

Less if an issue if it or you die before you sell but I just bought another car and specifically avoided a diesel as I can just see in 5-10 years time nobody will really want them.

[Nimby]

AAD44H said:

Also depreciation as I am sure diesels are plummeting vs petrols at the moment.

Not if you choose wisely. Posted today ...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ZX10R NIN]

AntF36 said:

I currently drive a BMW 435D Grand Coupe which has been a blast to own (i've had four) however due to a back injury and getting on a bit i need something with a higher seating height.

I've discounted most options and left with the BMW X4 35D or Mercedes GLC 350D.

Annual mileage is less than 10k PA, however having driven mostly straight six / v8 diesels i'd find it difficult to adjust to a petrol. I had a 440i for a bout 6 weeks and sold it for this very reason!

No doubt i'm not the first to have had to make the adult decision to ditch a fun car for something a bit more sensible. Which would you have?

The GLC 350d would get my vote out of the two.

[cerb4.5lee]

Had a 2017 GLC350d for 4.5 years and just over a 100k miles and it was a lovely car. Also did 70k miles in a 640d so I'm familiar with the 35d engine as well.

I looked around a X4 35d when I was looking and then decided to go in the direction of the GLC. The X4 will feel more sporty to drive and the 35d is an excellent match to the ZF8 auto as well I reckon. However the GLC does do the laid back relaxing thing very well though, and I personally preferred the interior in the GLC over the X4 too.

[Register1]

Touareg ?
V6
3.0 L.

[swisstoni]

AntF36 said:

swisstoni said:

What exactly was so great about the diesels that make it hard to consider petrol?

It's mainly torque, also fuel economy.

I’d look at hybrids in that case unless you want a big petrol.

[Crumpet]

I’ve always felt the GLC was nasty inside - like most Mercs. Always feels like you’re in a taxi in Germany. Out of the two it would be neither, but forced to choose it would be the BMW.

You don’t say what your budget is but a facelifted F-Pace is a very nice thing (not so much with the old interior) and the 3.0 diesel is a nice powerplant. The V6 petrol is also very nice and the 5.0 petrol is incredible (I’m biased).

[What The Deuces]

swisstoni said:

What exactly was so great about the diesels that make it hard to consider petrol?

Let’s torque about it.

For big annual mileages there’s nothing like a big diesel engine to soothe the journey.

[AmitG]

swisstoni said:

AntF36 said:

swisstoni said:

What exactly was so great about the diesels that make it hard to consider petrol?

It's mainly torque, also fuel economy.

I’d look at hybrids in that case unless you want a big petrol.

+1

10k a year also makes the case for diesel a bit harder IMHO.

Left field suggestion: Lexus RX450H. Not the last word in sportiness, but very comfortable, lovely inside, lots of torque because electric motor, good fuel economy, and basically indestructible. V6 petrol hybrid. Worth a try?

[ZX10R NIN]

It's usage not mileage if the 10k is for medium to long journeys then I'd say a diesel is fine & the OP has been running a diesel just fine so I guess they know what drivetrain they want.

[Mr Tidy]

I'm sorry to read your post OP as I'm getting on a bit so will probably have a similar dilemma to face some time, but hopefully not too soon!

I can't offer any helpful advice (yet) but hope you can find something you like.