Flagship German luxury cars. BMW 7er, S class or A8

[st4]

So, whilst I am still serving my disqualification its 365 sleeps and its over. The time has come to consider what I should buy as a car for myself. Now, for the record, I am not complaining about my punishment or that the police caught me. Nor will I be driving fast or flogging the car, so if you have nothing useful or helpful to say, then don't please.

However, I don't want to be obeying the speed limits in a crap box and think really for my law abiding future I need a proper big luxury car.

I looked carefully into the BMW 7 series. Looks like a lot of expensive issues with the N57 timing gear fault and the earlier M47's can give issues. I won't be getting one, but £14k for a 58reg 55k miles BMW 730d is a great buy, if the thing doesn't break.

Mercedes S320cdi/S350cdi. The defacto choice and having had 3 Mercedes before, I could easily get another. I've driven numerous S classes, great comfortable cars. Effortless drive.

Audi A8 - this sort of thing- http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/classi...tro-se-4dr-t...

I'm trying to dig the dirt to find know issues. The ZF 6speed box is AFAIK reliable, few minor electrical gremlins but I cannot find links or pages giving fault with the V6TDi. Anyone here run a VAG car with a 3.0TDi engine or indeed an Audi A8. I like the idea of the 4wd and sticking some winter tyres on it will make it totally ideal for winter trips up Glencoe and Glen Etive.

Before anyone digs about insurance, its not a problem, they weigh in at £700pa even with a DD40 conviction.

A8 or S class, what would you buy?

[alanyork]

Ive had lots of Audi,s A5 /A6 all 3Ltdi great engines in them, now have a A8 ,D4 4.2 this is the best ever (for me) never had a merc or bmw , good luck with whatever car you find.

[st4]

No major bugs or problems with the engine.

I am coming off a DD40 conviction. Insurance is ok on 3litre, on 4litre plus it gets punchy, and I don't need all that power.

[alanyork]

All my 3 L tdi have been 2010 onwards and no bugs at all on mine, and all of them have been remapped , But I dont keep them long ,

[Lefty]

If I were in the market for a flagship barge it would need to be petrol. In fact, I'd spend less up front to allow for the extra fuel bills.

s500, 750, a8 4.2 etc.

I just bought a Range Rover LSE (the classic shape, LWB, 4.2v8. Very bargey, very thirsty and I fking love it)

[st4]

I looked at petrols. Sensible age/miles (6yo under 70k miles) I couldn't find much differntiaton on price anyway, so diesel it will be.

I want a 3.0TDi too, I'd love a 4.2TDi but I got DD40 conviction.

[Dr G]

Lateish, 3.0 TDI A8 is generally very well behaved indeed.

Minor problem with inlet manifold generally 60-80k range (cheap repair, won't stop you driving), can punish a couple of their suspension bushes (cheap), air suspension expensive to repair but faults pretty rare.

Bloody good cars and great value for money now.

[st4]

Perfect, sounds just what I want to hear

[IainT]

Probably a bit new and out of budget but I was having a nose around an A7 at the weekend and it was a stunning bit of kit. Finance on it was the same monthly as my A5 but it was the 200bhp 3.0 rather than the 250 so no good.

Could be that an older one is in your price range?

[st4]

IainT said:

Probably a bit new and out of budget but I was having a nose around an A7 at the weekend and it was a stunning bit of kit. Finance on it was the same monthly as my A5 but it was the 200bhp 3.0 rather than the 250 so no good.

Could be that an older one is in your price range?

I wouldn't rule out an A7 but I am at the £14-£17k budget here

[Lost soul]

IainT said:

but it was the 200bhp 3.0 rather than the 250 so no good.

3lt 200 ? never heard of that

[gizlaroc]

Steve, if it were me I would choose the 7 series unless you can stretch your budget a bit and get into a 10 plate A8, new model, which is stunning.

The current 7 series is a really, really nice place to lap the miles up.
I called a dealer about a lovely 750i they had for sale that I had been considering for a couple of weeks but he has taken a deposit, but it was a lovely looking thing.

Also have this in my saved cars at the moment, looks nice...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

As does this, but a fair chunk more....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...



What about a CL??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[IainT]

Lost soul said:

IainT said:

but it was the 200bhp 3.0 rather than the 250 so no good.

3lt 200 ? never heard of that

Suprised me too, guessing it's a Company Car tax thing...

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a...

[Lost soul]

gizlaroc said:

What about a CL??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[IainT]

Lost soul said:

seconded!

[st4]

gizlaroc said:

Steve, if it were me I would choose the 7 series unless you can stretch your budget a bit and get into a 10 plate A8, new model, which is stunning.

The current 7 series is a really, really nice place to lap the miles up.
I called a dealer about a lovely 750i they had for sale that I had been considering for a couple of weeks but he has taken a deposit, but it was a lovely looking thing.

Also have this in my saved cars at the moment, looks nice...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

As does this, but a fair chunk more....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

I don't want a 2dr car. Hate the things.

I'd love a new shape A8, budget is nearer £15k than £20k but could finance the difference. 730d looks good actually for a new shape car prices coming down.

What about a CL??

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[gizlaroc]

st4 said:

I agree with you on that.

[gizlaroc]

Oh, you replied in my quote.