Used Car...Audi A5, Merc E Class Coupe or stick with Lexus?

[KCCantiaci]

Hi all

Newbie here. We’re looking to replace the missus car (07 plated Lexus IS250). We was initially thinking of a newer IS300h but it would appear she fancies a change with ‘something more sporty looking’ as her criteria.

We’ve had a look around and she likes the Audi A5 coupe and the Mercedes E Class coupe. I tried to talk her into an A7 but she wasn’t going for it.

It’ll be a used car.... probably around a 10/11 maybe a 12 plate. So what would you guys recommend? Just for info, we have the Lexus as their build quality is reputedly very good and it’s been a good car. I had an 04 Mercedes e Class for a short while and it was full of overly complicated electrics that were costly to replace like the brake pump SBC, seat pad sensor for passenger airbag etc. but I don’t know if the newer Mercs are as likely to have similar sorts of items going wrong. She doesn’t want a car that’s going to cost a fortune to keep on the road as we’ve been spoilt having had 2 different Lexus cars that have both been faultless. So I thought I’d ask for some advice.

[anonymous-user]

Stick with Lexus. It's the Japanese Mercedes.

[anonymous-user]

Ahh a 7 year old Audi: "Your car needs a new battery sir, we'll need to remove the front of the car, drop the engine and transmission, and remove the rear left door to do that"

[keasden]

At that sort of age, I'd imagine the Lexus is going to be far more reliable than the Merc or Audi and in the long run, less expensive.

[KCCantiaci]

The problem is, I love Lexus as an engineering brand BUT I can also understand she wants something a little sportier, even if just in looks. The RC coupe is well out of our budget. Not sure what else to consider?? Even the newer shape GS is out of our budget unless we get one that’s got space voyage mileage on it

I tried to talk her into a 08/58 plated LS but no

[anonymous-user]

KCCantiaci said:

The problem is, I love Lexus as an engineering brand BUT I can also understand she wants something a little sportier, even if just in looks. The RC coupe is well out of our budget. Not sure what else to consider?? Even the newer shape GS is out of our budget unless we get one that’s got space voyage mileage on it

I tried to talk her into a 08/58 plated LS but no

IS250 convertible?

There is also nothing remotely sporty about a cooking A5 or E-Class coupe. The A5 will likely be a worse steer than your Lexus.

[grudas]

how is an a5 or e class more sporty than is300 is above me lol.

300 is probably the sportiest/most aggressive looking out of them all.

[KCCantiaci]

dme123 said:

IS250 convertible?

I did suggest that but she’s not a convertible fan and it’d be just like driving the car she has as everything else is the same..

dme123 said:

There is also nothing remotely sporty about a cooking A5 or E-Class coupe. The A5 will likely be a worse steer than your Lexus.

I think they’re pretty cars which is what she’s after as opposed to an ‘old mans’ saloon. She’s going through a mini mid life but is sensible enough to know she doesn’t want a money pit for the sake of a change of image.

And to be fair, it’s me asking as to what might be the least troublesome as it’ll be me that’ll have to get it sorted if/when it goes wrong.

[KCCantiaci]

grudas said:

how is an a5 or e class more sporty than is300 is above me lol.

300 is probably the sportiest/most aggressive looking out of them all.

She doesn’t want aggressive..... it’s why she doesn’t like the A7. Plus the size of it.

As a matter of course, we’ll try all three and she might be swayed. From my perspective, as if we’re out together it’s usually me driving, the IS isn’t exactly inspiring to drive and not the best accelerating car. My old runner is a Saab 9-5 Aero Est and that pulls when needed. The IS250 she has feels slow by comparison. Not sure what an IS300h would be like but the published 0-60 times are the same as the IS250?

[ZX10R NIN]

What's your budget as there are other offerings dependent on what you want to spend?

[KCCantiaci]

ZX10R NIN said:

What's your budget as there are other offerings dependent on what you want to spend?

Circa £10k and could push it to £12k ish if really necessary.

Are people on here not Audi or Merc fans? Or am I seriously looking at problems if I get one or the other? Because if that’s the case, there’s an argument for spending more on the car to hopefully reduce the need to spend more as repairs become necessary.

[bassanclan]

Not sportier, but a "change" with similar reliability, you could look at Infiniti

[ZX10R NIN]

KCCantiaci said:

ZX10R NIN said:

What's your budget as there are other offerings dependent on what you want to spend?

Circa £10k and could push it to £12k ish if really necessary.

Are people on here not Audi or Merc fans? Or am I seriously looking at problems if I get one or the other? Because if that’s the case, there’s an argument for spending more on the car to hopefully reduce the need to spend more as repairs become necessary.

The E Coupe is a very nice place to be but by the time you've got a decent E350:

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

You can get a loaded E500 which is the one to go (I love my one) for:

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

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

You can get a nice 3.2 A5:

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

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

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

But why would you buy those if you can have the S5:

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

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

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

Now here are some alternative coupes.

Infiniti G37 Coupe if you want Lexus levels of reliability mixed in with a very good chassis it's hard to look past one of these, it's basically a four seater 370Z.

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

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

Alfa Brera 3.2 QV

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

Prodrive

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