Luxo barge advice please

[Roadster25]

All,

A spot of advice needed please. We have just booked a holiday in the South of France for the back end of August for three adult sized people and a small dog, and have realised we don't have a suitable car between us (too small, too loud or too slow and small and loud).

Thoughts have turned to the short term ownership of some sort of big luxury car, with the nominal budget of £2k. It needs to be big enough for 3 plus Jack Russell and all our luggage, have air con, and be able to waft for a few thousand miles without going wrong. As long as it isn't actually slow, speed is not really an issue.

My initial thought is of a Merc W140, maybe an S320 or S280. How are these at this sort of budget? I suspect massively expensive if they go wrong. Other thoughts are a BMW 7 series, Jag X308 or an Audi A8. Any advice on any of these? Any other suggestions? Don't really mind old as long as it fits the bill and won't break down!

Thanks,
Roadster25

[drivin_me_nuts]

W140 or a Lexus LS400. Both highly regarded.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Contains loads of advice, experience, and examples at your budget, for your needs. HTH

(prepare to spend a lot of virtual pound notes!)

[Sooty]

So much choice for £2k. I have an E39 528i which I bought for less than half that a few months ago, and I wouldn't worry that could make the journey in comfort and reliably.

But if I was buying something specifically for that purpose, I'd be looking at something like this ...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2854491.htm

If the worst happens and it did break, every little garage in every littel French town would be able to fix it easily and cheaply.

[skoff]

I think this has Lexus LS 400 written all over it...

Not the most stylish from the outside, but should be reliable.

[jbi]

Nobody suggested this yet



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

Although the LS400 would be my personal choice

[AcidReflux]

You don't mention it, but cruise control would be high on my list of must-have options for the long hours on the traffic-free French Péages.

Good luck with the barge, whatever you choose.

[TotalControl]

skoff said:

I think this has Lexus LS 400 written all over it...

Not the most stylish from the outside, but should be reliable.

End thread.

[Eggman]

My advice would be not to worry overly about the specific model. Buy on condition and get something bought sooner rather than later so you can use the car for a few weeks before setting off.

People generally sell cars for a reason, so better to find out now that it needs a few jobs doing rather than when you're on holiday.

You don't want to find out that your super new purchase overheats in traffic when you're in a foreign country with passengers, luggage and dog.

[sparks_E39]

I found my E39 a little cramped with 3 of us and literally packed with luggage, still 34 mpg average over 2400 miles wasn't half bad for a 2.8 litre barge but I think a 540 would have coped much better with the weight(went to Modena from Poole) Lwb 7 Series E38 750 should cope well Economy probably won't be that dire if your doing long trips.

[Jaguar steve]

£2k will not get you a x308 you could have full confidence in for a European road trip. Lots to go wrong with cheap/old examples including gearbox, secondary timing chain tensioners and throttle bodies.

Either buy a very, very good one with fsh or don't buy at all.

Earlier x300 is nowhere near as nice to drive but has bombproof reliability, and a good one of those is easily in you budget - that'd be my choice.

Either way expect 26/28MPG gentle touring and a very good ride quality.

Just make sure the boot is big enough for your needs

[Rich1973]

Slightly different suggestion to everybody else, but my mates bought a Ford Galaxy 2.3 petrol for five adults to drive to holland in. I was really impressed with how comfortable it was and we had plenty of room. The handling is pretty comedy, but we covered 500 miles in one day with ease. YOu would have plenty of room for luggage and people and enough room for the dog to be comfortable. You will pick one up for 2K no problem and should it break, any garage in europe will be able to fix it.

[Jw Vw]

Another vote for the Lexus LS400. Another option would be an old 7-Series, can pick up very good ones with all toys and FSH within budget.

[confused_buyer]

LS400 is the logical choice. Other suggestions are nice cars but I wouldn't want my "shakedown" trip to be across Europe with confidence to be my first long journey in them.

Apart from the basics check the aircon is OK and take any car you are considering up to mototway speed to check for wobbles etc. which would be very tiring on long motorway drive. W140 would be my 2nd choice, E38 third and A8/XJ long way behind.

[Roadster25]

Thanks for all the advice. Have to say it looks like a Lexus as sensible choice, maybe a W140 if I find a good one at the time. Intrigued by the idea of an E39 (I drive a Mini 1000, my standards of comfort are low), especially a touring. Might even manage to justify keeping that one :-)

Will keep you posted.

[sprouting]

Here you go,

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2542774.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2754698.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2846852.htm

Of course I'm biased, i have an e39 540 Touring and love it, Dont discount an e34 touring either.

[smartie]

£2K buys an awful lot of (petrol) Volvo S80.....

[soxboy]

A very very boring suggestion would be to hire a new car for a week. No worries about resale, tax or insurance, little worries about reliability.

Otherwise, Peugeot 605 off fleabay for peanuts, stealth on the autoroute, frenchies may be able to mend it and then chuck it/ weigh it in when you get home.

[ChrisRS]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2872677.htm

[carlingofblack]

Not the A8 with the 5 speed auto. Sure to go boom. Older ones with the 4 speed auto, much better.