Recommendations - Fast / Exciting / Prestige Estate or SUV.

Recommendations - Fast / Exciting / Prestige Estate or SUV.

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sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
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Hello all,

My current Audi A6 Avant Black Edition is due to go back in March. I've had it on a fully maintained PCH for the last 3 years. It was the first "new car" I'd driven (aware that "owned" isn't the right terminology with a PCH or PCP) in over a decade. I've really enjoyed the car and whilst its reliability hasn't been perfect, the ownership experience with Audi has ensured I was never inconvenienced.

My car has quite a good spec with tech pack advanced and other goodies, but I really regretted getting the 2.0TDi Ultra engine, and going for 2WD because: gutless.

I'm due to replace the car at the end of March, although I can extend my lease by up to 3 months ad-hoc.

My requirements for the replacement are as follows:

- Ideally needs to be an estate or SUV as I go on holiday in France with my family each year, and the car has to swallow myself, my wife, two kids, our small dog and plenty of luggage and other family crap.
- I do 15-18K p.a. so I'm looking at 15k PCH or PCP deals with reasonable charges for excess mileage.
- Not looking at maintained this time around, hence PCP becomes an option (I didn't like having the makes of tyres and specific wear depth shoved down my throat on the current deal).
- Budget is £6k deposit and up to £750 per month (inc. VAT) although naturally the lower I can make the monthlies the better.
- Would really prefer a petrol engine, something quick or if not quick then a vehicle with a bit of cachet.

My initial shopping list (although I'm aware that not all of these vehicles cover all of the bases listed above) included the Audi RS4, Audi SQ5, Mercedes E53 AMG, Mercedes C43 AMG, Porsche Panamera, Porsche Cayenne.

It quickly became apparent that many of these vehicles were out of my price range. The Mercedes E53 AMG, for example, came it at closer to £1000 per month as the depreciation on them is truly eye watering. The Audi SQ5 was even over the top of my budget and just didn't feel special enough to justify the cost. The RS4 was likewise too expensive, but that was a moot point in any case because no Audi dealership could source one for me to take a test drive in, and I'm not about to stake £33k or thereabouts on a car that I've not even driven! Audi also weren't keen to give me an S4 Avant to drive, stating that the S cars were all due to become diesel in the not-too-distant future due to WLTP testing (not sure if I was being spun a yarn or not there). I did have a spin in a new A6 and loved the new interior, but the new ones are all diesel at the moment although I'm going to test an A6 Avant 50TDI Quattro next week so I guess I'll get to test whether my attachment to petrol for my next car is that strong after all. I have test-driven the C43 AMG and have to say I absolutely loved it, it's probably the favourite I've tested so far and one with my perfect spec (list price £47,149.99) is within my budget, coming in at £730 per month on a PCP.

I'm finding Mercedes a bit stingy with their deals though, to be honest. Their agreed final value is terrible on the AMG models (which is admittedly their prerogative) and combined with a refusal to drop the interest rate on the PCP lower than 4.1% despite my reasonable deposit makes me feel like I'm not getting as much car for my money as I'd like, or conversely that I should be getting the car which I like *a lot* for significantly less money. One curve-ball that was thrown me is the M4 Competition Pack. I test-drove the car on a whim, and loved it. It's available on a PCH for £640 per month with my amount of deposit or from the dealer with all servicing included for £730 per month. On the latter it was a 4 year PCP, but the voluntary termination point came at 3 years which meant I could have handed it back at the preferred 3 year point anyway - does anybody have any experience of this? Of course the M4 is quite a small car, not an estate and not 4WD which will probably be a bigger deal living where I do (Huddersfield environs).

Apologies for the novel, I'm just looking for some advice and pointers from people who know their cars inside and out. Am I missing a really good car that I should be considering? Am I looking at purchasing my car in completely the wrong way? None of the people I speak to in everyday life are real gear-heads so your input is very much appreciated. I appear to have tied myself in knots at this point with youtube videos, online reviews and test drives.

TIA for any advice.

TL;DR: I have £6k deposit and up to £750 per month for a PCH or PCP new motor. Would like a fast estate or SUV, have tested the C43 AMG and M4 and really liked them. Anything else I should look at?

jimmy_wrxsti

202 posts

183 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
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Some other potential cars to think about which are more SUV:

Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 Supercharged V6 S
GLC 43
X3 M40i
GLA 45
Maserati Levante
X5 Xdrive40i
Range Rover Velar D300 3.0 V6 R-Dynamic SE
SQ5 - https://leasing.com/independent-brokers/silverston...

They are all available on leasing deals within budget. As you note on PCP deals for the 'performance' cars I have found manufacturers being rather cautious with GMFV and so the PCP deals are not that good.

Then you also have the more saloon style options which can include:
Kia Stinger GT S
M3 CP (nearly new but as you mentioned M4)
640i GT xDrive SE

Lots more but these are some of the ones I have been looking at (albeit at lower budget than you have).




sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
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Some interesting options there, thank you. Time to do a little research!

The Levante's an interesting option from the cachet angle - hadn't even considered it or assumed it would be in my price range.

Thank you for linking to the PCH deal on the SQ5 as well - that looks like a *much* better option than the £830 ppm PCP the dealership were strong arming me towards.

Out of interest, why is it that dealers are so biased towards PCP deals? I should point out that I got my current A6 on a PCH direct from the dealer, albeit I went in there with an exact spec insisting on PCH from the get-go.

SWoll

18,430 posts

259 months

Saturday 5th January 2019
quotequote all
Had to chuckle at your post as I'm an almost identical position.

Currently run a 17 plate A6 Black Edition Avant in gutless 2WD spec as a company car but as I'm changing jobs in March it's going back.

Decided to opt out of the car scheme with the new role as their car list is poor, BIK tax is horrendous on the new salary and car allowance offered very good so now looking at alternatives to ferry around a family of 4 + small dog.

Cover similar mileage to you and have been looking at a few different options as for me luxury and comfort are more important than outright performance in a road car.

Current possibles list includes the BMW 640D Grand Coupe, RR SDV8 (a bit thirsty but so much kit in Autobiography spec), S Class Coupe, Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera 4S etc.

A lot more interesting than the usual list of A6/5-Series/E-Class at least.

sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
OK, so I've digested all of the input so far. Really grateful as it's given me some great ideas!

Jimmy_wrxsti - these are my thoughts on your suggestions...

Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 Supercharged V6 S - There's just something about the F-Pace that I don't like the look of. I can't really put my finger on it, it's something to do with the way that the back of the car tapers at the top and bottom. It isn't a general Jaguar complaint - I love the XJ and I'm gutted that Jaguar are dumping the petrol engines, otherwise I'd be looking very long and hard at the XJR.
GLC 43 - I was vaguely considering these, on the basis that there were a pair of GLC63's on the forecourt being the salesman when I was chatting through figures for a C43 at Mercedes! They're a nice looking car, but I think on balance that the C43 estate (or "Wagon" if one's being strictly correct) is a better fit for me and there doesn't seem to be much in it price-wise.
X3 M40i - I wonder if anyone has any feedback on what size the new X3 clocks in at? I'd discounted it as being too small, but I understand that it's pretty much the size of the original X5, with the X5 now larger to compete with the Q7? In any event, I'm going to get a test drive as the increased performance of the 40i motor due to the smaller physical car is appealing.
GLA 45 - I've definitely discounted the "A" range from Mere as too small. Not sure about the 4 cylinder engine either, although the power is clearly bonkers.
Maserati Levante - my initial excitement over this has been tempered somewhat by seeing the interiors in the reviews. They look really dated to my eyes, unless I'm being overly picky? Anyone have one of these?
X5 Xdrive40i - This looks amazing. The new X5's interior and infotainment (iDrive 7.0) looks phenomenal. Going to take one for a spin at the same time as the X3. Hopefully will be able to get one with M-Sport trim and an uprated stereo on budget.
Range Rover Velar D300 3.0 V6 R-Dynamic SE - I'd initially discounted this as suffering from the "Boxster effect" i.e. people won't ever accept that you bought the car on merit rather than being unable to afford the more expensive stablemates (RR Vogue, Sport or, of course, the 911 in my example).
SQ5 - https://leasing.com/independent-brokers/silverston... - Definitely back in for consideration at the price you've linked to. Based on research (i.e. not tested in the flesh yet) the interior appears to be less 'special' that the new X5.

Then you also have the more saloon style options which can include:
Kia Stinger GT S - OK, I'm a snob. I'd discounted this on the badge alone. Should I park the snobbery and go test one? Is it likely to convince me compared to a C43?
M3 CP (nearly new but as you mentioned M4) - Would be a more practical option compared to the M4 certainly, but one thing I didn't mention in my initial post was the fact that the upcoming new 3 series and 4 series this year puts me off a little. I'm keeping the car for 3 years come what may, so I'm weighing up whether having the outgoing model for 2 years of ownership is a negative.
640i GT xDrive SE - I'd discounted coupes that can't be specced with roof bars, as I semi-convinced myself that I could justify an M3 / M4 if I could get the old Thule Wingbar Edge's on with a roof box!

SWoll - we really are in a similar boat! I'm guessing that maybe you've got a few more pennies to spend than myself, unless I'm not trying hard enough on my deals? Are you talking about a Vogue or an RR Sport in SDV8 spec? Pretty sure they all clock in at £1k or above on the deals I've briefly perused. Ditto the Quattroporte and Panamera but I'd be very keen to hear about your experiences in these cars.

Another question from the community at large, about the best way to approach getting a PCH or PCP deal on the car(s) I'm interested in... Is it better to:

(a) Decide on the exact car that I want most of all, and then pursue the exact car with the exact spec as much in advance as possible (given supply lead times)

OR

(b) Have a shortlist of cars that I like, with some spec must-haves and then wait to see what deals come up with a range of lease companies and dealerships. When one comes up, pounce and relish an almost-perfect car at a much healthier price?

Assuming B is best for a savvy PCH'er, what time of year is best for the deals?

Once again, thanks for any feedback, and props to jimmy_wrxsti and SWoll for your food for thought.


Fox-

13,241 posts

247 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
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sleeplessinwakefield said:
640i GT xDrive SE - I'd discounted coupes that can't be specced with roof bars, as I semi-convinced myself that I could justify an M3 / M4 if I could get the old Thule Wingbar Edge's on with a roof box!
It's not a coupe - its actually a very large hatchback with more boot space than a 5 Series Touring.

I've recently returned from Germany where I had one as a rental - I was initially angry with it because I'd booked an S Class or similar and it isn't one, but by the time it was time to hand it back I didn't want to. It's very ugly but drives very well, has bags of space, and is wonderful inside.

And they are already half price at 1 year old...

StuTheGrouch

5,735 posts

163 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?

sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for that Fox-!

I'd assumed that the 6-series were to the 5 series as the Audi A7's are to the A6's

Researching now.

sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
StuTheGrouch - I did of course have this car floating around my head as a result of all the favourable coverage the Guilia got with the same engine on Top Gear / Grand Tour / Evo etc.

That said, due to the space it occupies (X5 M550d, GLC63 etc.) I'd taken it to be outside my price range. For fun I poked it into the Select Car Leasing website listed at the top of this sub-forum and was shocked to find it there or thereabouts within my price range.

I wonder how easy it might be to get a test drive, mind you, but I'm certainly going to try.

Good call, thank you.

jimmy_wrxsti

202 posts

183 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
I think in the current climate (deals harder to come by) that option b would be the way forward. But then again if you research and test drive them and there is one clear winner then it may force you into option a....

The only issue with PCH over PCP is if you want options, they push leasing prices up a lot as you basically pay for the whole options cost of the leasing period.

Also just to note, M3/M4's with Carbon roofs wont be able to have roof rails without drilling into carbon. It's one of the reasons I am not looking to keep my F80 M3 CP once it hits 3yrs old this year.

I would ask if you were open to used cars, such as 1yr old's which would in theory open the field up. However in my searches any finance deals on the cars are worse than new due to APR's and low GMFV's frown

sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
@jimmy_wrxsti

I did run second hand cars for a number of years quite happily but I've psychologically come full circle now and crave the security of the manufacturer's warranty. I've had issues with my A6 that would have been out of the question to repair from my own pocket, for example.

If there are no roof bar options on the M4 then that's the final nail in the coffin for that particular car!

One thing I have been told when looking at 1 year old's with the possibility of an aftermarket warranty is that the rates on PCP deals for these cars is artificially inflated to make the monthly costs the same or in most cases higher than a new equivalent.

jimmy_wrxsti

202 posts

183 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
sleeplessinwakefield said:
@jimmy_wrxsti

I did run second hand cars for a number of years quite happily but I've psychologically come full circle now and crave the security of the manufacturer's warranty. I've had issues with my A6 that would have been out of the question to repair from my own pocket, for example.

If there are no roof bar options on the M4 then that's the final nail in the coffin for that particular car!

One thing I have been told when looking at 1 year old's with the possibility of an aftermarket warranty is that the rates on PCP deals for these cars is artificially inflated to make the monthly costs the same or in most cases higher than a new equivalent.
Yes, it's a pain as adds work onto negotiating the rates as well as the prices.

However there are some 1yr old cars that may have had the extended warranty purchased, or you budget for the 4th year warranty as part of any deal. So they have taken the main depreciation hit and will still have 3yrs warranty left for you.

However I have looked at this avenue and found it hard to not only negotiate price but also APR on used. Also the likes of BMW and Mercedes wont budge on used pricing in my experience even when you mention you are looking at finance options.

StuTheGrouch

5,735 posts

163 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
sleeplessinwakefield said:
StuTheGrouch - I did of course have this car floating around my head as a result of all the favourable coverage the Guilia got with the same engine on Top Gear / Grand Tour / Evo etc.

That said, due to the space it occupies (X5 M550d, GLC63 etc.) I'd taken it to be outside my price range. For fun I poked it into the Select Car Leasing website listed at the top of this sub-forum and was shocked to find it there or thereabouts within my price range.

I wonder how easy it might be to get a test drive, mind you, but I'm certainly going to try.

Good call, thank you.
You're very welcome

SWoll

18,430 posts

259 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
sleeplessinwakefield said:
SWoll - we really are in a similar boat! I'm guessing that maybe you've got a few more pennies to spend than myself, unless I'm not trying hard enough on my deals? Are you talking about a Vogue or an RR Sport in SDV8 spec? Pretty sure they all clock in at £1k or above on the deals I've briefly perused. Ditto the Quattroporte and Panamera but I'd be very keen to hear about your experiences in these cars.
Not sure on the pennies but I'm looking at PCP on used examples that vary from 1-3 years old as PCH costs on cars of the type mentioned are ridiculous from new (£1-1500 a month with significant upfront payment) . All from main dealer networks, all with warranties.

I've been looking at the FFRR SDV8 in Autobiography spec. £115k with a few option, £45-50k at 3 years old with 40k on the clock.

sleeplessinwakefield

Original Poster:

7 posts

64 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
SWoll said:
Not sure on the pennies but I'm looking at PCP on used examples that vary from 1-3 years old as PCH costs on cars of the type mentioned are ridiculous from new (£1-1500 a month with significant upfront payment) . All from main dealer networks, all with warranties.

I've been looking at the FFRR SDV8 in Autobiography spec. £115k with a few option, £45-50k at 3 years old with 40k on the clock.
Just worked out how to quote, haha.

When you mention warranties, do you mean a full warranty for the duration of the lease / contract?

I'm by no means obsessed with the car being new, it's really just the benefit of knowing that anything that goes wrong is the dealer's responsibility to put right and not mine.

SWoll

18,430 posts

259 months

Sunday 6th January 2019
quotequote all
sleeplessinwakefield said:
SWoll said:
Not sure on the pennies but I'm looking at PCP on used examples that vary from 1-3 years old as PCH costs on cars of the type mentioned are ridiculous from new (£1-1500 a month with significant upfront payment) . All from main dealer networks, all with warranties.

I've been looking at the FFRR SDV8 in Autobiography spec. £115k with a few option, £45-50k at 3 years old with 40k on the clock.
Just worked out how to quote, haha.

When you mention warranties, do you mean a full warranty for the duration of the lease / contract?

I'm by no means obsessed with the car being new, it's really just the benefit of knowing that anything that goes wrong is the dealer's responsibility to put right and not mine.
If PCP on used from the official dealer network at least a 2 year warranty usually applies. This is certainly the case on Land Rover products I've been looking at and can be extended into a 3rd year if required.

Have a look on BMW approved used, they give PCP figures for each vehicle in the finance section and you can easily mess around with the deposit, mileage and term to see how the figures add up. Interest rates on used PCP are high, but in comparison to the new car depreciation covered by a PCH..