Help me buy a post 2016 S class, 7 series or A8S8?
Discussion
Hi team
I have decided to scratch the itch for a luxury car, now that the family is getting bigger.
The use case is mostly London travel about 50 miles a week in 20 - 30 mph zones. Two or three "holiday drives a year.
I am completely boggled by the variety between the models and reading reviews doesn't really get my much farther.
I am looking for a lovely modern interior, decent running costs and hopefully, somewhat acceptable MPG. I appreciate all these cars pretty much offer the same experience across these factors, which is why I am struggling so much having never owned one.
My budget is circa £20,000. I appreciate this means low mileage cars are probably not going to happen.
Does the S8 offer anything material over the A8 other than performance and exterior looks (that I don't need)
I'd be super grateful if PH could help me decide
(a) which car to go for - spec seems to be high across the board, but are there any "must haves" or "no gos"?
(b) whether petrol or diesel (I've never had a diesel given we're mostly urban drivers - not sure how this affects ULEZ etc)
(c) if there are any particularly strong examples out there I should look into
(d) should I be wary because these cars tend to depreciate like stones, or given the level I'm buying at I should be ok?
Thanks!
I have decided to scratch the itch for a luxury car, now that the family is getting bigger.
The use case is mostly London travel about 50 miles a week in 20 - 30 mph zones. Two or three "holiday drives a year.
I am completely boggled by the variety between the models and reading reviews doesn't really get my much farther.
I am looking for a lovely modern interior, decent running costs and hopefully, somewhat acceptable MPG. I appreciate all these cars pretty much offer the same experience across these factors, which is why I am struggling so much having never owned one.
My budget is circa £20,000. I appreciate this means low mileage cars are probably not going to happen.
Does the S8 offer anything material over the A8 other than performance and exterior looks (that I don't need)
I'd be super grateful if PH could help me decide
(a) which car to go for - spec seems to be high across the board, but are there any "must haves" or "no gos"?
(b) whether petrol or diesel (I've never had a diesel given we're mostly urban drivers - not sure how this affects ULEZ etc)
(c) if there are any particularly strong examples out there I should look into
(d) should I be wary because these cars tend to depreciate like stones, or given the level I'm buying at I should be ok?
Thanks!
Edited by Speed.deman on Friday 14th March 11:20
I'm also surprised by the lack of response!
I'm afraid I don't have any direct experience of this vehicle demographic.
Have a look at High Peak Auto on YT, Matt had an A8 around this price point and had nothing but praise for it.
My general advice would be the usual, maybe avoid the complexities of hybrid, petrol if miles are not huge due to DPF/Tariff/EGR blah blah issues.
But the best car you can afford and be willing to travel to get it, keep a few thousand in reserve as expensive cars can throw expensive bills, but as with most well looked after cars, serviced as they should, issues should be the exception.
Good luck!
I'm afraid I don't have any direct experience of this vehicle demographic.
Have a look at High Peak Auto on YT, Matt had an A8 around this price point and had nothing but praise for it.
My general advice would be the usual, maybe avoid the complexities of hybrid, petrol if miles are not huge due to DPF/Tariff/EGR blah blah issues.
But the best car you can afford and be willing to travel to get it, keep a few thousand in reserve as expensive cars can throw expensive bills, but as with most well looked after cars, serviced as they should, issues should be the exception.
Good luck!
The w222 S-Class is considered to be the benchmark in the segment, and is a solid car. Boot size is surprisingly compact.
If you do a lot of city driving a hybrid Lexus LS could be a notch above in terms of smoothness.
A8 is very discreet.
7er did not seem that popular and to me not that special looking inside.
If you do a lot of city driving a hybrid Lexus LS could be a notch above in terms of smoothness.
A8 is very discreet.
7er did not seem that popular and to me not that special looking inside.
There is a lot up for sale which are ex chauffeur cars 2018 / 2020 just matter of knowing the history and ownership.
Roughy £20,000 a lot of chauffeurs now updating to new we shape to continue getting work.
Where are you based ? Pm I know of a 2019 80k used to below to Sir Alex Ferguson
Roughy £20,000 a lot of chauffeurs now updating to new we shape to continue getting work.
Where are you based ? Pm I know of a 2019 80k used to below to Sir Alex Ferguson
With your budget the S500 with the 4.7TT is the pick, trying to get a high spec one is the harder part:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409053...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...
If you go for the 3.0T A8 you'll land a much newer model vs the S Class:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...
Or the older gen with the 4.0 V8:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406100...
The S8 will feel nicer inside than the V8 SE above how much that's worth is a decision only you can make:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412127...
Another car well worth a look is the XJ:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408062...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408303...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502269...
Or the full fat XJ R:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408082...
Then there's the next step down but these are proper luxury inside & wallet friendly too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503039...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406170...
750i is the vfm buy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409053...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...
If you go for the 3.0T A8 you'll land a much newer model vs the S Class:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...
Or the older gen with the 4.0 V8:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406100...
The S8 will feel nicer inside than the V8 SE above how much that's worth is a decision only you can make:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412127...
Another car well worth a look is the XJ:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408062...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408303...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502269...
Or the full fat XJ R:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408082...
Then there's the next step down but these are proper luxury inside & wallet friendly too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503039...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406170...
750i is the vfm buy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068...
Someone else was asking about A8's recently. May be helpful?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
To be honest, if it's really just 50 miles a week in London I'd almost prefer to walk or cycle! Any of those choices will just be wasted doing that.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
To be honest, if it's really just 50 miles a week in London I'd almost prefer to walk or cycle! Any of those choices will just be wasted doing that.
You get a lexus LS is what you do
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025012584...
Won't ruin you financially like an S class or a8.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025012584...
Won't ruin you financially like an S class or a8.
Edited by Pickle_Rick on Friday 14th March 20:45
Petrol models of all of these should be decent spec and much less chance of mileage blockers than the ubiquitous S class Heathrow taxis.
The only ones that really have a following are the Jags. The A8 is bland, the S8 somewhat anodyne, if you had another 5k to find something that doesn't need walnut blasting next week that might be good. The S7, if you like the Audi interior, noting the rear space is a bit s
t for something with such large external dimensions, and the high boot floor is a disappointment, has the same engine but feels a lot more special as there are so few of them. Find one with a sunroof as otherwise it can be pretty dark in there.
Jag wise the XJ is good, but dated, have you thought of an XF-R? Very well thought of, well understood and quick without being ridiculously sized.
The only ones that really have a following are the Jags. The A8 is bland, the S8 somewhat anodyne, if you had another 5k to find something that doesn't need walnut blasting next week that might be good. The S7, if you like the Audi interior, noting the rear space is a bit s
t for something with such large external dimensions, and the high boot floor is a disappointment, has the same engine but feels a lot more special as there are so few of them. Find one with a sunroof as otherwise it can be pretty dark in there.Jag wise the XJ is good, but dated, have you thought of an XF-R? Very well thought of, well understood and quick without being ridiculously sized.
VW Phaeton?
Half the price, so plenty left over to pay ULEZ charges...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412187...
Half the price, so plenty left over to pay ULEZ charges...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412187...
I hadn’t realised how much these cars had depreciated. Even then I the £20k for MY18 Merc is stretching it somewhat. If you’ll be driving in London a hybrid would be the best option for fuel saving. BMW offer the 740 LE but it’s a 2.0 engine (boo hiss)
This:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...
Or this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410215...
Good choices.
This:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...
Or this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410215...
Good choices.
I think the lack of responses is due to big saloons not being popular anymore, I love them and I've had 3 G11 7 series and think they are wonderful cars, most just think it's a big 5 series but they are so much better built than those.
I've driven A8 and S class but for me the 7 wins it, the A8 is too numb and the S class lacks that hewn from stone feeling that the 7 series offers plus the engine/gearbox combo is disappointing at the price point you'll be looking at, you can hustle a 7 series down a b road and it won't fall apart but it also does that high speed imperious motorway cruise.
The best engines are the diesels (unless you have lots of money for fuel) either 40d or 30d have a good blend of performance and efficiency, the 40d offering 5 seconds to 60 and M5 levels of low down torque, the BMW engine/gearbox combo is superb it's linked to the navigation and it's always ahead of you and you never get that nasty elastic feeling that you suffer with Mercedes autos.
What you have to accept is that they are not cheap to fix if they go wrong the weak spot on the 7 series is the air suspension and the sensors like the KAFAS camera both of which are expensive to replace.
I largely agree with Wills above.
The S is the benchmark but you will get less spec fir the same money a 7 would get you. The S will prob have higher miles too.
The A8 is a bit under the radar and less special feeling. The AWD seems to drink more fuel than the X Drive from bmw too.
These are big cars and diesels do drive so much nicer than petrol unless you're going fir a V8 or something?
I would probably get another 7 series if I wanted a large saloon again. (I've had BMWs and Mercs but not the Audi as I was left underwhelmed when I did test one)
The bmw straight 6 3.0 diesel is a lovely thing and (from memory) about 260 bhp in 730 guise and about 310bhp in 740 guise. The 8 speed ZF box is brilliant too. In urban use your looking at 33 mpg from rhe diesel but on that holiday motorway run you can nudge 60mpg or 54mpg with X drive.
Early 20teens cars do have air suspension issues but have irobably been replaced by now but def check. Later cars less so.
The radiator blades that close the radiator off when the engine is cold can sometimes stick open behind the grill. Not a huge issue just a niggle really but would still need checking.
I think I would be looking for a 730d M Sport with a few options and Rear seat reclining and or entertainment etc.
I've never ran a barge in urban life as I was buying these when I was working and regularly doing big miles across the UK.....a job they are all superb at....wafting around and suddenly you've covered 250 miles without even thinking about it.
Gratuitous pic of the last one I had
The S is the benchmark but you will get less spec fir the same money a 7 would get you. The S will prob have higher miles too.
The A8 is a bit under the radar and less special feeling. The AWD seems to drink more fuel than the X Drive from bmw too.
These are big cars and diesels do drive so much nicer than petrol unless you're going fir a V8 or something?
I would probably get another 7 series if I wanted a large saloon again. (I've had BMWs and Mercs but not the Audi as I was left underwhelmed when I did test one)
The bmw straight 6 3.0 diesel is a lovely thing and (from memory) about 260 bhp in 730 guise and about 310bhp in 740 guise. The 8 speed ZF box is brilliant too. In urban use your looking at 33 mpg from rhe diesel but on that holiday motorway run you can nudge 60mpg or 54mpg with X drive.
Early 20teens cars do have air suspension issues but have irobably been replaced by now but def check. Later cars less so.
The radiator blades that close the radiator off when the engine is cold can sometimes stick open behind the grill. Not a huge issue just a niggle really but would still need checking.
I think I would be looking for a 730d M Sport with a few options and Rear seat reclining and or entertainment etc.
I've never ran a barge in urban life as I was buying these when I was working and regularly doing big miles across the UK.....a job they are all superb at....wafting around and suddenly you've covered 250 miles without even thinking about it.
Gratuitous pic of the last one I had
Longy00000 said:
I largely agree with Wills above.
The S is the benchmark but you will get less spec fir the same money a 7 would get you. The S will prob have higher miles too.
The A8 is a bit under the radar and less special feeling. The AWD seems to drink more fuel than the X Drive from bmw too.
These are big cars and diesels do drive so much nicer than petrol unless you're going fir a V8 or something?
I would probably get another 7 series if I wanted a large saloon again. (I've had BMWs and Mercs but not the Audi as I was left underwhelmed when I did test one)
The bmw straight 6 3.0 diesel is a lovely thing and (from memory) about 260 bhp in 730 guise and about 310bhp in 740 guise. The 8 speed ZF box is brilliant too. In urban use your looking at 33 mpg from rhe diesel but on that holiday motorway run you can nudge 60mpg or 54mpg with X drive.
Early 20teens cars do have air suspension issues but have irobably been replaced by now but def check. Later cars less so.
The radiator blades that close the radiator off when the engine is cold can sometimes stick open behind the grill. Not a huge issue just a niggle really but would still need checking.
I think I would be looking for a 730d M Sport with a few options and Rear seat reclining and or entertainment etc.
I've never ran a barge in urban life as I was buying these when I was working and regularly doing big miles across the UK.....a job they are all superb at....wafting around and suddenly you've covered 250 miles without even thinking about it.
Gratuitous pic of the last one I had
Wow! Lovely example, elegantly athletic look!The S is the benchmark but you will get less spec fir the same money a 7 would get you. The S will prob have higher miles too.
The A8 is a bit under the radar and less special feeling. The AWD seems to drink more fuel than the X Drive from bmw too.
These are big cars and diesels do drive so much nicer than petrol unless you're going fir a V8 or something?
I would probably get another 7 series if I wanted a large saloon again. (I've had BMWs and Mercs but not the Audi as I was left underwhelmed when I did test one)
The bmw straight 6 3.0 diesel is a lovely thing and (from memory) about 260 bhp in 730 guise and about 310bhp in 740 guise. The 8 speed ZF box is brilliant too. In urban use your looking at 33 mpg from rhe diesel but on that holiday motorway run you can nudge 60mpg or 54mpg with X drive.
Early 20teens cars do have air suspension issues but have irobably been replaced by now but def check. Later cars less so.
The radiator blades that close the radiator off when the engine is cold can sometimes stick open behind the grill. Not a huge issue just a niggle really but would still need checking.
I think I would be looking for a 730d M Sport with a few options and Rear seat reclining and or entertainment etc.
I've never ran a barge in urban life as I was buying these when I was working and regularly doing big miles across the UK.....a job they are all superb at....wafting around and suddenly you've covered 250 miles without even thinking about it.
Gratuitous pic of the last one I had
The value for money on these is great.
Can you get reclining seats in short wheelbase versions?
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