Comfy, fast, reliable, low depreciation - for £20k?
Discussion
I've just bought a 2016 Citigo for local journeys and business use, so my 2015 Touareg R-Line diesel isn't going to get much use - 4000 miles a year for longer journeys, or when I need more load space. WBAC reckons it's worth £21k, so that's my budget if I replace it.
Looking for something that's more comfortable and a bit smaller (width, rather than length, as the Touareg feels massive on smaller roads). Needs to be no more expensive to keep on the road (servicing, repairs, tyres, insurance), but fuel economy isn't that important with the mileage I'll be doing. 35mpg on a run is OK.
It needs to have enough space to carry an 8 foot fence post or a grandfather clock with the rear seats and front passenger seat folded, so that rules out saloons. I prefer the look of estates anyway.
The biggie is depreciation. This will possibly be the last big car I buy for many years. If I do sell it (boredom), it's replacement won't be any more than I get for it, so something that isn't going to lose a wad of cash after 2 or 3 years.
Does such a car exist, or would I be better off sticking with what I've got, or buying something like a £10k 5 series or Mondeo and banking the rest? A cheaper car obviously has less to lose each year.
Looking for something that's more comfortable and a bit smaller (width, rather than length, as the Touareg feels massive on smaller roads). Needs to be no more expensive to keep on the road (servicing, repairs, tyres, insurance), but fuel economy isn't that important with the mileage I'll be doing. 35mpg on a run is OK.
It needs to have enough space to carry an 8 foot fence post or a grandfather clock with the rear seats and front passenger seat folded, so that rules out saloons. I prefer the look of estates anyway.
The biggie is depreciation. This will possibly be the last big car I buy for many years. If I do sell it (boredom), it's replacement won't be any more than I get for it, so something that isn't going to lose a wad of cash after 2 or 3 years.
Does such a car exist, or would I be better off sticking with what I've got, or buying something like a £10k 5 series or Mondeo and banking the rest? A cheaper car obviously has less to lose each year.
CLS Shooting Brake
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Last of the line R Class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Last of the line R Class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The closest BMW got to an R Class was the 5 Series GT & they're similar money:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The CLS Shooting brake doesn't have a direct competitor from any manufacturer really.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The CLS Shooting brake doesn't have a direct competitor from any manufacturer really.
ZX10R NIN said:
The closest BMW got to an R Class was the 5 Series GT & they're similar money:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The CLS Shooting brake doesn't have a direct competitor from any manufacturer really.
I've not driven an R Class (I do like the look of them though) but I've driven a friends 535d GT and it was a really nice drive and place to sit. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The CLS Shooting brake doesn't have a direct competitor from any manufacturer really.
clockworks said:
Why do these big Mercs seem to be so cheap? Pretty sure an equivalent BMW would cost a bit more to buy.
Insurance is quite high + repairs etc. They look good though.Here's a bit from cls mot history, the mileage is screwed up 2016 = 185,970 miles then 2018= 48,810 miles!!!
Moxcis said:
Insurance is quite high + repairs etc. They look good though.
Here's a bit from cls mot history, the mileage is screwed up 2016 = 185,970 miles then 2018= 48,810 miles!!!
Something isnt right, that wouldve been that cars first MOT and you'd struggle to find any car that in 3 years had done 185k miles and had serious corrosion issues.Here's a bit from cls mot history, the mileage is screwed up 2016 = 185,970 miles then 2018= 48,810 miles!!!
The price is about rightfor the CLS SB, late last year I traded in a 2013 E Class estate and it was then listed at £16k or so by the dealer - no problems at all in the 4yrs I owned it, nothing other than regular servicing and tyres/brakes.
st4 said:
clockworks said:
Why do these big Mercs seem to be so cheap? Pretty sure an equivalent BMW would cost a bit more to buy.
Because they’re unreliable, badly made, ponderous to drive and cost a fortune to repair. I looked at the R-Klasse entensively a few years ago. They are very good looking vehicles, but the pre facelift models are in deed very poorly assembled (its an ML platform put together in the US). They are also very large cars, so if you are looking for a something that feels smaller then your Touareg look elsewhere.
The 5er GT has the 7er underpinnings, and is probably better put together. It may not be as cavernous inside as the R or as pretty to look at, but its probably the better vehicle to drive.
Some leftfield choices may be a late model Citorn C6 with the large petrol engine, as it has the potential to become a classic (last of a long line of Citroen barges).
The CLS shooting break is a brilliant car, and will surely be very desirable in a few years.
The 5er GT has the 7er underpinnings, and is probably better put together. It may not be as cavernous inside as the R or as pretty to look at, but its probably the better vehicle to drive.
Some leftfield choices may be a late model Citorn C6 with the large petrol engine, as it has the potential to become a classic (last of a long line of Citroen barges).
The CLS shooting break is a brilliant car, and will surely be very desirable in a few years.
C6 sounds like a great choice, and the CLS does look good.
I looked (on paper, never got to drive one) at the R Class a couple of years ago. It's not a looker.
What about something a bit smaller? I said that I needed to be able to carry an 8' fence post or a grandfather clock, but it's OK if I have to lay the front passenger seat down to do that.
Shame they don't make an M3 estate, as something like that should be depreciation-proof if bought at the right age/price and looked after?
I looked (on paper, never got to drive one) at the R Class a couple of years ago. It's not a looker.
What about something a bit smaller? I said that I needed to be able to carry an 8' fence post or a grandfather clock, but it's OK if I have to lay the front passenger seat down to do that.
Shame they don't make an M3 estate, as something like that should be depreciation-proof if bought at the right age/price and looked after?
If that's the case go for a C63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or E63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
RS4's are holding their money well:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or E63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
RS4's are holding their money well:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Something that I didn't even realise existed - Skoda Superb estate.
I sat in one at the dealers today (taking the Citigo in for some work), seemed like a pleasant place to be. Salesman reckoned he could find me one as a straight swap for the Touareg. Looking at the spec, the 280ps petrol seems like a decent choice. No more expensive to run than the Touareg, and a fair bit quicker. Same size as my old E61.
What are these like in real life?
I sat in one at the dealers today (taking the Citigo in for some work), seemed like a pleasant place to be. Salesman reckoned he could find me one as a straight swap for the Touareg. Looking at the spec, the 280ps petrol seems like a decent choice. No more expensive to run than the Touareg, and a fair bit quicker. Same size as my old E61.
What are these like in real life?
clockworks said:
Something that I didn't even realise existed - Skoda Superb estate.
I sat in one at the dealers today (taking the Citigo in for some work), seemed like a pleasant place to be. Salesman reckoned he could find me one as a straight swap for the Touareg. Looking at the spec, the 280ps petrol seems like a decent choice. No more expensive to run than the Touareg, and a fair bit quicker. Same size as my old E61.
What are these like in real life?
I'm a huge fan of the Superb estate, I should have bought one this time in hindsight but the wife still can't get over the Skoda image of old and hates them for that reason alone, I bought a Volvo V60 instead but come change time I intend to look again at Skoda SuperbI sat in one at the dealers today (taking the Citigo in for some work), seemed like a pleasant place to be. Salesman reckoned he could find me one as a straight swap for the Touareg. Looking at the spec, the 280ps petrol seems like a decent choice. No more expensive to run than the Touareg, and a fair bit quicker. Same size as my old E61.
What are these like in real life?
My experience is they are very well built, very comfortable and generally a very nice place to be. They aren't sporty at all but if you want a comfy cruiser then they are great, no idea on your depreciation concerns though, it's not something I ever consider to be honest.
If you like the Superb then I'd say go for the Mondeo Vignale/Titanium 240, these are a better steer just as well built (I'd say the Mondeo is quieter inside) & a better package overall but both are decent options but they will both depreciate at a greater rate than a CLS Shooting Brake.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ST Line X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ST Line X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I would consider a Mondeo Estate, but I'd have to travel a long way to find a petrol one I think. I live in West Cornwall, can't find one at the local dealers.
The longest I've owned a car is 3.5 years - an E61 525d. I would consider a later 5 series, but they are ugly things, bigger, and BMW reliability seems to get worse with each new model.
I was surprised to find that the Superb is almost identical in size to the E61, and the 280 petrol is a rapid machine. 4wd too
The longest I've owned a car is 3.5 years - an E61 525d. I would consider a later 5 series, but they are ugly things, bigger, and BMW reliability seems to get worse with each new model.
I was surprised to find that the Superb is almost identical in size to the E61, and the 280 petrol is a rapid machine. 4wd too
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