640d/A8/gs450H - what motorway cruiser?

[jason61c]

Company car goes back soon, i'm dropping out of the scheme as its not worth it with the current tax setup.

I want a proper motorway cruiser, mega seats, mega stereo, 40mpg at 70.

I'm looking at an a8, something like this; however I think it'll struggle to get 40mpg, internet says 35ish?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-AUDI-A8-3-0ltr-TDI...

I've a massive want for a 640d. These actually do a genuine 45mpg on the motorway. I'd need the GC version though as i've 3 kids to squeeze in .

This actual one is right up my list, however I've got my company car for the next 3 months.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-BMW-6-Series-Gran-...

I'm also want to keep it to about 20k tops. i'll be doing 15-17 k a year, i'd like to buy with less than 50k and sell at about 90k.



What else should I look at?

[Pistonheader101]

740d perhaps

[cerb4.5lee]

I did 70k miles in a 640d(coupe) and it was a lovely long distance cruiser and it did 40mpg overall(great for the performance it offered). The ride can be a bit punishing over pot holes/rough tarmac though with the 20" rims/run flats.

I'd have another one for sure. I like the 740d suggestion too.

[jason61c]

cerb4.5lee said:

I did 70k miles in a 640d(coupe) and it was a lovely long distance cruiser and it did 40mpg overall(great for the performance it offered). The ride can be a bit punishing over pot holes/rough tarmac though with the 20" rims/run flats.

I'd have another one for sure. I like the 740d suggestion too.

I think i'd get a set of 18" wheels for it just to make it even more plush.

What would you get on the motorway?

740d isn't the worse option either, I just think the 640d would be easier to sell/find?

[cerb4.5lee]

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I did 70k miles in a 640d(coupe) and it was a lovely long distance cruiser and it did 40mpg overall(great for the performance it offered). The ride can be a bit punishing over pot holes/rough tarmac though with the 20" rims/run flats.

I'd have another one for sure. I like the 740d suggestion too.

I think i'd get a set of 18" wheels for it just to make it even more plush.

What would you get on the motorway?

740d isn't the worse option either, I just think the 640d would be easier to sell/find?

As you mention I would expect 45mpg on the motorway for sure. I never reset the fuel computer on mine and it stayed at 40mpg over the 33 months I had it.

[jason61c]

cerb4.5lee said:

As you mention I would expect 45mpg on the motorway for sure. I never reset the fuel computer on mine and it stayed at 40mpg over the 33 months I had it.

Thanks.

Amazing given the weight/size.

[Shiv_P]

I would go for a D4 A8 like you linked or S Class. They are both more comfortable than the comparable 7 series IME. GS is not a bad shout either, however both 6 series and GS are of a lower "tier" of car vs the A8/S class and on the motorway this will show
My dad has a D4 2015 A8 SWB with same engine as the OP link, motorway will yield 41/42mpg

The ad has a few incorrect details. Xenon headlights - nope. This has full LED with fantastic matrix LEDs - these are great
Also not really "fully loaded". It has just the standard sport exec spec, ie 360 cams, sports seats etc

Edited by Shiv_P on Thursday 25th April 21:17

[rayyan171]

There is something about large BMW diesels that make them amazing for motorway use. Make the speed you are doing feel much less until you look down at the speedometer, they truly feel like they are very solid and planted at high speed, a sensation few cars can offer.

The 740d is perfect for the motorway, has that ever so slightly jiggly ride in some instances but otherwise very comfortable. Great options too such as ACC which makes motorway driving very easy, as well as really good seats. 640d in my books is a 740d that can actually tackle bends astonishingly well, truly athletic cars that can still do motorways very well. I know someone who does galactic miles in a 635d and no complaints whatsoever, all positive all around.

[stevemcs]

For comfort i would take the A8 over the 6 series every single time.

[parabolica]

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I did 70k miles in a 640d(coupe) and it was a lovely long distance cruiser and it did 40mpg overall(great for the performance it offered). The ride can be a bit punishing over pot holes/rough tarmac though with the 20" rims/run flats.

I'd have another one for sure. I like the 740d suggestion too.

I think i'd get a set of 18" wheels for it just to make it even more plush.

Mine had the standard 19" with runflats and was supremely comfortable over everything but the roughest of roads. Can't comment on the mpg as I had the 640i with the 3l petrol engine.

[jason61c]

Thanks all.

also thinking of the Mercedes-Benz CLS350 shooting brake?

[ZX10R NIN]

My pick would be the XJ Portfolio:

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...

With the A8 being my second pick.

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

An alternative to the GS450h is Infiniti Q70 3.5h I have a family member who has a Q50 h which runs the same drive train & they're averaging 44mpg on motorway runs & 36mpg around town.

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

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

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

[jason61c]

ZX10R NIN said:

My pick would be the XJ Portfolio:

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...

With the A8 being my second pick.

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

An alternative to the GS450h is Infiniti Q70 3.5h I have a family member who has a Q50 h which runs the same drive train & they're averaging 44mpg on motorway runs & 36mpg around town.

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

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

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

Good calls, however I wouldn't buy any JLR product, they're always behind the curve when new and the guys how have them at work have issues. Just lacking ultimate quality(IMO).

I did look at the q70H, I like an odd ball, however they're pulling out of the UK so will be even harder to sell in the future?

[ZX10R NIN]

jason61c said:

Good calls, however I wouldn't buy any JLR product, they're always behind the curve when new and the guys how have them at work have issues. Just lacking ultimate quality(IMO).

I did look at the q70H, I like an odd ball, however they're pulling out of the UK so will be even harder to sell in the future?

Fair enough on the XJ as for the Q70 Nissan will turn the dealerships into Premuim Centres whilst being happy to renew warranties & sell service packs, resale won't be an issue I'd happily buy one infact I recently sold one to family member & am now about to source another Q50h for another family member, with all the ULEZ talk prices have firmed up quite a bit compared to when I sourced my first Q50h.

[Summit_Detailing]

6-series and CLS are excellent cars and fine on the motorway...until you drive the same stretch of motorway in a A8 or S-class - a whole new level of comfort, isolation and refinement.

I dabbled with the idea of a CLS and drove a couple before driving an S-class and the latter is what now sits on the drive.

Happy hunting!

cheers

Chris

[jason61c]

Summit_Detailing said:

6-series and CLS are excellent cars and fine on the motorway...until you drive the same stretch of motorway in a A8 or S-class - a whole new level of comfort, isolation and refinement.

I dabbled with the idea of a CLS and drove a couple before driving an S-class and the latter is what now sits on the drive.

Happy hunting!

cheers

Chris

In an S class i'd need the s350d. None hit the price.

I'm basically after a step up from a 5 series/a6 etc.

[inflames]

When i shopping around for my current car i was caught between a series or CLS both great cars and brilliant cruises. I choice the 6 series and always wonder if have gone for the CLS. Cant comment on a S-class or a A8 but have i have been tempted by them in the past.

[ninjag]

As much as I find Audi quite nondescript, the A8 ZX10 linked to does look very nice.

I also quite like both of these:

Volvo S90
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Maserati Ghibli 3.0 TD V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Herbs]

Depends what you want from the car

Comfort all the time then S class, 7 series, A8 (test drove all of these and actually went for a Q7 )

If you want comfortable but can still push on then 6 series is a really good shout - they are definitely not a tier down as previously mentioned but they are not as comfortable (still very, very good though).

try and test drive one with Dynamic drive, and steering - the difference it makes between comfort and sport is huge and really does allow you have to have both cars in one - something the S class, 7 Series, A8 and Q7 cannot.

[underphil]

jason61c said:

Company car goes back soon, i'm dropping out of the scheme as its not worth it with the current tax setup.

I want a proper motorway cruiser, mega seats, mega stereo, 40mpg at 70.

I'm looking at an a8, something like this; however I think it'll struggle to get 40mpg, internet says 35ish?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-AUDI-A8-3-0ltr-TDI...

I've a massive want for a 640d. These actually do a genuine 45mpg on the motorway. I'd need the GC version though as i've 3 kids to squeeze in .

This actual one is right up my list, however I've got my company car for the next 3 months.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-BMW-6-Series-Gran-...

I'm also want to keep it to about 20k tops. i'll be doing 15-17 k a year, i'd like to buy with less than 50k and sell at about 90k.



What else should I look at?

Are small differences in MPG really a consideration? - That'd be change of cost of about £20pm, versus the depreciation of about £300pm it's negligible