Circa £5K, fast and comfy
Circa £5K, fast and comfy
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Croutons

Original Poster:

12,118 posts

184 months

Tuesday 20th June 2017
quotequote all
Saloon, potentially estate. Mid sized so not really barge territory, must be fast (for its time, anyway) but not elise hardness. Mpg not a great concern, bork potential something I need to be aware of, but it should do about 6k miles pa. What have I missed and what should I know/ avoid?

Current thoughts:

Elderly S6, available from about 4K. In 1999 I had the 4.2 quattro Avant as a company car and loved it for the 3 weeks I had it until a lorry parked on it. A certain rose tint suggests it should be good in S form. S's have survived, the cooking 4.2's are much harder to find.

S Type R. Yes I know how it looks. And the XJR is lighter. But somehow is 2-3 x the price. Oddball aside, they offer 400bhp, which can only be a good thing.

Merc E500. Why not the AMG? A good E55 is more money, cheap ones are, err scary. Some nice ones in the classifieds, albeit 52ish plates appear to be in the sweet spot for maximum rust potential, crap electrics (with many complicated things on board!) and the older gearboxes.

Over to you...

TVR Sagaris

1,142 posts

250 months

Tuesday 20th June 2017
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No better suggestions but posting to hear others as I will have a similar search next year.

Croutons

Original Poster:

12,118 posts

184 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
quotequote all
No insight on any of these, or alternative suggestions?

FiL has an E60 530I, which is fine, if a little sterile. I imagine the 545I would be more comparable to the others above, but can't really warm to them.

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
quotequote all
The E500 is a sweet car I don't understand why people go on about the 5 speed gearbox when you have 5.0 to play with gears aren't a problem but with your budget you should get a 7 speed, with both gearboxes get the fluid & filter changed for peace of mind other than that just enjoy it.

If you really want the 7 speed then lookout for an E350 30bhp down on the 500 but you get 7 gears, the electrics are okay on the W211 rust shouldn't be a big issue unless it's been badly repaired or just abused.

2005 Mercedes E350 Elegance 275bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2004 Mercedes E500 Avantgarde

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2003 E500

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

These cars have a very low bork factor.

exelero

1,974 posts

107 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
quotequote all
There you go my friend smile Reliable, all the kit needed, maybe a bit more smile
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-GS300-SE-L-/182623...

Croutons

Original Poster:

12,118 posts

184 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
Thanks ZX10, was hoping you'd turn up!

The 7G is of interest as I know from the Barge thread its arrival coincided with a heap of updates on the S class at the time, most of which appear to have copied to the E as well.

Appreciate someone looking at an S-Type has a hard time saying this, but I can't get over the looks of that GS300!

Yiliterate

3,789 posts

224 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
Regarding the S-Type R, in terms of big bills, there is apparently a known issue regarding the valley pipe (part of the cooling system) - the part itself isn't expensive but the associated labour is as it involves removing the supercharger. Beyond that they have a reputation for the sills rusting (there's a panel that covers the sills, which traps water). Worth a quick google (plus one or two other issues)...

It's also pretty heavy and an MPG in the teens is not uncommon!

However, overall, it is an awful lot of car for the money and, touch wood, I've been very happy with mine so far...

akirk

5,775 posts

132 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
bmw e39 / e60 540
lots of v8 waftiness
in price range - saloon or estate

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
Croutons said:
Thanks ZX10, was hoping you'd turn up!

The 7G is of interest as I know from the Barge thread its arrival coincided with a heap of updates on the S class at the time, most of which appear to have copied to the E as well.

Appreciate someone looking at an S-Type has a hard time saying this, but I can't get over the looks of that GS300!
No problem if there's anything in particular you'd like to know feel free to ask.


Croutons

Original Poster:

12,118 posts

184 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
quotequote all
Shifting requirements already, GOD DAMMIT!

Now looking at a 1st gen CLS, probably stinky diesel (320, might be able to stretch to the 350 but will likely be 2009/ 2010 latest). Have asked in the Merc forum (there is a "Thinking of a CLS thread", the chap being after a 2011 revised version, out of my league), with no replies beyond one to him about a 2007 one having been good, if losing a lot in depreciation.

Any knowledge here?

FredClogs

14,041 posts

179 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
quotequote all
I'm in the same market place at the moment and whilst I have said I'll never buy another Ford because of the overall feel of the quality and durability of their products... I have found myself wondering about one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Ford-Mondeo-2-5T-Ti...

220bhp, nice size, comfy, lots of toys etc.. etc... You just have to be aware some of the plastic bits will break.

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
quotequote all
Now the Mondeo is a cracking car & the 2.5T is a very sweet unit I wouldn't have one over an E/CLS500 but might go for one compared to having a 320cdi, not that the 320 is a bad car but both produce around 220bhp whilst the E/CLS will have more torque & the nicer ride/interior but the Mondeo will be fun. Decisions decisions.

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
quotequote all
Croutons said:
Shifting requirements already, GOD DAMMIT!

Now looking at a 1st gen CLS, probably stinky diesel (320, might be able to stretch to the 350 but will likely be 2009/ 2010 latest). Have asked in the Merc forum (there is a "Thinking of a CLS thread", the chap being after a 2011 revised version, out of my league), with no replies beyond one to him about a 2007 one having been good, if losing a lot in depreciation.

Any knowledge here?
The E/CLS are the same car with different clothes (so all the hardware is identical) they're depreciating at a similar rate to any other car in this segment the diesel isn't a bad option that really respond well to a map.

Just look out for skipped gearbox services etc.