£10k interesting motorway cruiser

[Lazadude]

Currently have a modified 9-5 (400 bhp / comfy but low 20s mpg), a seat ibiza (1.2 so town car) and the wife has a Shogun Sport. (Diesel but used by the wife as a district nurse in Yorkshire wolds).

I'm going to start to have to do a couple 500 mile motorway trips a month, and I'd rather not pile the miles on at 20 mpg mapped for vpower, nor do I want to do it in a little town car.

Therefore I'm thinking of getting something else to add to the garage to do the long trips. Want something interesting, can be petrol or diesel (I guess 30 mpg as a benchmark?) but I want it to be A. a comfy place to sit and B. Vaguely interesting (IE. not a 2.0 TDI white goods A4 / 3 series /C class).

I was thinking something like a luxobarge S class? Maybe Jag XJ? Or the other way and get something "fun" such as an MX5, but would that drive me nuts being sat in for 500 miles at a time even in winter?

Any suggestions?

[Darinz]

I would've thought a diesel is best for this purpose, how about:

- Merc CLS 350 CDI
- BMW 635d coupe (or conv I guess!!)
- Merc S350 CDI
- Jag XJ 3.0 D

All in the 2008-2011 range with high mileage but given the type of car and the mileage would guess a lot of motorway cruising and would think all these cars are good for astronomic mileage with even half decent maintenance...

All should comfortably exceed 30mpg, 35-40mpg I'd guess and have enough poke for anything really.

[ZX10R NIN]

4.2tdi A8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

E350cdi Sport Coupe/Convertible a remap will see 300 with nearly 600 lbft

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...

635d Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Lazadude]

That A8 seems to be the thing, thanks!

Anyone know anything about diesel V8s vs Petrol ones? Do you get a rumble or is it effortless smooth?

[ZX10R NIN]

Neither make a noise a lot of noise outside but you do get a bit of V8 rumble on acceleration.

[wiliferus]

The A8 is exactly what I was going to suggest. Super comfy, effortless torque and power, great road presence. On a budget, it’s the ultimate motorway cruiser. Apparently they also respond to a map really well if you find yourself wanting more....

[Jamescrs]

Don't go for an MX-5, I own one and whilst it is loads of fun they aren't much fun on motorways at all, they aren't geared for it so my Mk2.5 for example will be sat at around 3000 rpm at 70mph on a motorway, I wouldn't want to do it regularly just for commuting.