Following the E39 M5 ideas......

[sshenton1975]

I have been "convinced" by the other half that the fuel costs are going to be ridiculous. I still want something a bit special though and so have come down to the following list:

- Audi A8 4.0tdi (03-09 spec)

- Jag x350 3.0v6 petrol sport (with the nice 20 inch wheels and mesh grill)

- Alfa 149 2.4 diesel with TI kit if I can find one

- E39 530d 02/03 plate with 18 inch parallels and M kit

My budget is 6-10K - obviously the BM would be the cheaper shot, but am prepared to pay up to 10K if not a bit more

Not a fan of the E60 shape 5 series so have discounted that and 3 series is too small

So, which would you have and why??

Cheers

[sshenton1975]

• bump* sorry!

[sshenton1975]

I'm going to be commuting in it as an everyday car - only about 25 miles a day.
Am going from a company car to my own car and a better salary. If I use for company use (which will be very little - only to airports) I get 40p a mile

I have the Cerbera for special weekends out but fancies a classic M5 for the everyday car. However the Mrs has put her foot down

I want something classy (I'm going to be MD of a smallish company - 40 people) but I DO ENJOY DRIVING!!! Hence, needs to be fairly swift.......

Other option is to get an old shape but nice condition XJR, stick it on a private plate and spend the money I have saved on the cheaper purchase price on fuel!!

ANy more thoughts??

[McSam]

I'd probably have an A8, to be honest. Dieselness offset by the fact that it's a very rapid V8 and it doesn't hurt that it looks awesome too, always thought these have proper presence. But just how economical is it compared to an M5, and do you do enough miles to make it worthwhile?

The 159 JTDm, you should be able to get a very nice one for your budget and it could probably be remapped to shift a bit better than it does standard. Not very fast, not very economical, but just so lovely to call your own. And, well, look at it.

A late E39 530d will almost certainly be a better car than both in every way except being older, but it depends entirely on your head-heart balance and you might find yourself always wishing your Five was an M, so something completely different might be an idea.

ETA - If you've got a Cerb for hooning about but want a 25-mile-commute daily driver that's just fast and lovely, bin all of the above and get an A8

Edited by McSam on Tuesday 11th January 16:10

[frosted]

The A8 for me also

[sshenton1975]

Anything to look out for on these A8s? I had heard about gearboxes.......?? Anything else?

Also all the cars on Autotrader have all done at least 90-100K - have even seen some at nearer 200!! I am guessing they are pretty bullet proof engine wise???

[lost in espace]

I had a 530d ex plod 2001, in white no less. It was my next car after the Boxster S, and I actually preferred it. I had a plug in chip which did a good job. I can't compare it with your alternatives but it was very good. Apart from the holes in the roof, bumpers and the iffy 3rd gear of course, but that was why it was cheap and therefore easy to sell on.

[u13rr1]

I'm going to ignore whether or not you can convince your missus that a diesel is not the correct option here and approach your problem with a modicum of common sense.

Assuming you do 10,000 miles per year (your 25 mile commute, 5 days a week works out at 6,500 miles per year on it's own so a fair assumption to make). The following is an exmaple using the BMW E39 as it offers the fairest comparison.

At 30mpg of an E39 530i you will pay £1,935 in fuel (@ today's average cost of £1.278)
At 40mpg of an E39 530d you will pay £1,500 in fuel (@ today's average cost of £1.322)

So a £435 saving in fuel. Given the problems with the auto boxes, turbos, swirl flaps plus the extra cost of servicing etc in these I would suggest that £435 per year would very quickly evaporate. In any case, I personally would rather pay the extra and have the smooth petrol six. I know the VED is potentially cheaper but for a pre-2001 car it makes no difference.

At this level of the market, the petrol/diesel debate is academic since you can almost certainly find a comparable car at least a few hundred pounds cheaper if not more, or you can negotiate it off the price.

Edited by u13rr1 on Tuesday 11th January 16:37

[W00DY]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Add an LPG kit and laugh all the way to the bank. Whilst going sideways in a V8 Jag.