New, ridiculous car! Job Change

[Jeebz92]

Hello!

I'm finally changing jobs which allow me to reduce my commute from 1h30 each way to a 20 minute tube journey. This means I can finally have a ridiculous, petrol engined car for the first time in a while.

I'll only be using the car to and from the station + weekends for fun, so MPG isn't an issue for me. Main things I'd want:

- BMW, Merc or similar marque.
- Big, puts-a-smile-on-your-face engine with sound to match.
- Don't mind body type, don't need an estate/hatch. SUV/Saloon/Coupe are all good.
- Must be Auto
- Reliable to an extent; Appreciate the bigger engined cars have more to go wrong but I would prefer something that is not guaranteed to ruin my bank account on a regular basis.

Budget: Anywhere between 3-9k. Can probably push it a bit more for the right car.

Currently on radar; 540/550i's, E500, CLS500 etc.

Thank you!

[Herbs]

6 series is good value

[Caddyshack]

Depends what will put a smile on your face, a BMW 540 is a fine machine but not sure it would make me smile, a 540 would be my go to sensible car.

I would have thought something like a supercharged Jag might be more thrilling and sound the part.

I don’t think bigger engines have more to go wrong but they will probably have higher running costs for things like brakes and tyres as they will have bigger everything.

Could you get an E46 M3 for that money?

[ninjag]

I was tempted to get a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. There are some cutting around for under £10k and being able to shift what is effectively a Toureag in less than five seconds would definitely put a smile on my face.

[rsbmw]

I usually suggest XFR but I'm not sure you'll get one for 9k, that said you should be able to pick up an XF SV8 instead

[rsbmw]

As if by magic, this looks pretty tidy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Caddyshack]

rsbmw said:

As if by magic, this looks pretty tidy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

That gets my vote amd for the brave you can do a pulley change on the supercharger and remap, that and a sporty exhaust would make it a TVR with a sensible suit on.

[Caddyshack]

Herbs said:

6 series is good value

They look a bit more special too.

[sparks_E46]

E39 M5.

[sparks_E46]

Or an E55 AMG.

[ZX10R NIN]

Jeebz92 said:

Hello!

I'm finally changing jobs which allow me to reduce my commute from 1h30 each way to a 20 minute tube journey. This means I can finally have a ridiculous, petrol engined car for the first time in a while.

I'll only be using the car to and from the station + weekends for fun, so MPG isn't an issue for me. Main things I'd want:

- BMW, Merc or similar marque.
- Big, puts-a-smile-on-your-face engine with sound to match.
- Don't mind body type, don't need an estate/hatch. SUV/Saloon/Coupe are all good.
- Must be Auto
- Reliable to an extent; Appreciate the bigger engined cars have more to go wrong but I would prefer something that is not guaranteed to ruin my bank account on a regular basis.

Budget: Anywhere between 3-9k. Can probably push it a bit more for the right car.

Currently on radar; 540/550i's, E500, CLS500 etc.

Thank you!

CLK55 AMG I actually know the car listed below as it used to be mine & I know the previous/present (this car is on sale & return) owner these cars are bulletproof but they really benefit from an X-pipe filter along with a map which improves throttle response & shift speed if you want as well as blips on the downshifts.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

There's also a set of 19's for the car above:



This one is exceptional:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The CLS/E500's are nice but the CLK's are more fun, if you're going to get one of those make sure it's a 55AMG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you want a 500 then go for an E500 Coupe it will mean a stretch of the budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW wise the 650i Sport is worth a look but be aware of the valve stem seal issues, I prefer the CLK as a drive but these are decent.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi S5 these can suffer with timing chain issues so get any car you're looking at checked before buying, also the heads coking up can be an issue they benefit from an X Pipe :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you want a GT then the CL500 is a good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Jeebz92]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Given me some good options here.

Being honest, I'm not really a fan of Jags so I'm leaning toward the BMW/Merc suggestions. As mentioned, I don't want potentially ruinous bills so maybe the CL500 is not a good shout.

Would love the Porsche Cayenne; Are they relatively reliable/easy fixes? Failing that, an E39 M5 would be the ideal choice, but again, potential bork.

[Shiv_P]

S6 V10

[S100HP]

rsbmw said:

As if by magic, this looks pretty tidy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Those seats are a great colour, but don't look overly supportive!

[DanL]

I had an old shape 650 and liked it so much I now have the newer version. Full running costs over 4 years for mine can be found in my profile. I did have the BMW warranty on it during my ownership - think it cost £100/month or there abouts, and was good for peace of mind.

[rsbmw]

S100HP said:

Those seats are a great colour, but don't look overly supportive!

One of the drawbacks of the SV8 vs XFR

Cayenne, CL500 and 545,645,550,650 all require serious brave pills IMO!

[Edible Roadkill]

E39 M5

[ZX10R NIN]

Jeebz92 said:

Thanks for the replies everyone! Given me some good options here.

Being honest, I'm not really a fan of Jags so I'm leaning toward the BMW/Merc suggestions. As mentioned, I don't want potentially ruinous bills so maybe the CL500 is not a good shout.

Would love the Porsche Cayenne; Are they relatively reliable/easy fixes? Failing that, an E39 M5 would be the ideal choice, but again, potential bork.

The CL500 I linked to is the later one & is going to be no more ruinous than the CLS500 so don't discount them, at this price point both the E39 M5 & Cayenne both have more bork potential than the CL500 above.

[raceboy]

I can't see how a Berlin Taxi is a go to 'fun' car for the weekend, and it can't be the easiest thing to chuck in the standard train station parking bays, I'd be looking at something more like these...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Jeebz92]

raceboy said:

I can't see how a Berlin Taxi is a go to 'fun' car for the weekend, and it can't be the easiest thing to chuck in the standard train station parking bays, I'd be looking at something more like these...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

A Z4 would be absolutely perfect; But I need 4 seats for the weekends/odd ferrying duties

Will take a better look into the E39's + CL500's. Might also give a look @ a sorted 330/335i for little less bork potential.