3 car shortlist
Discussion
I'm half considering moving my S5 on. Due to the type of driving I'm doing there seems little point having something with all that power commanding inflated insurance, fuel, running costs.
Having looked on autotrader I have a few ideas for it's replacement. Budget will be around £20K but will stretch a bit more for the right car.
1) Jaguar XF Estate - These seem to tick quite a few boxes and seem a nice place to be. I have very little experience of Jags (other than a 98 XJ8 I owned many years ago) so unsure of reliability, refinement etc.
2) BMW 4 series Gran Coupe - Always been a bit of a BMW fanboy and although I've not owned one personally (my wife has) since my E36 days I feel it's an itch I need to scratch again. They seem to be well equipped and I imagine the best drive out of the 3 but again any advice on things to look out for would be appreciated.
3) Mercedes C Class Estate - Had an E Class in the past and was a big fan of it. Luxurious and felt special (although there's millions of them!) but am assuming the C Class won't be quite as refined but certainly worth a look.
I'll arrange test drives for all 3 but I just wondered if anyone has any experience of these 3 or alternatively can suggest something which may tick the right boxes which are:
a) Practical for family use (2 adults, 2 children) on UK and European holidays.
b) Reliable
c) An element of fun (I appreciate we're not talking a supercharged Caterham here but I enjoy driving and don't want something that feels woolly and boring - think Passat for example)
d) Nice looking
I'm not a massive SUV fan and from a bit of searching the value of these seems much higher than their saloon / estate equivalent. I'm always open to suggestions though so won't fully dismiss an SUV without going to view / drive one.
Having looked on autotrader I have a few ideas for it's replacement. Budget will be around £20K but will stretch a bit more for the right car.
1) Jaguar XF Estate - These seem to tick quite a few boxes and seem a nice place to be. I have very little experience of Jags (other than a 98 XJ8 I owned many years ago) so unsure of reliability, refinement etc.
2) BMW 4 series Gran Coupe - Always been a bit of a BMW fanboy and although I've not owned one personally (my wife has) since my E36 days I feel it's an itch I need to scratch again. They seem to be well equipped and I imagine the best drive out of the 3 but again any advice on things to look out for would be appreciated.
3) Mercedes C Class Estate - Had an E Class in the past and was a big fan of it. Luxurious and felt special (although there's millions of them!) but am assuming the C Class won't be quite as refined but certainly worth a look.
I'll arrange test drives for all 3 but I just wondered if anyone has any experience of these 3 or alternatively can suggest something which may tick the right boxes which are:
a) Practical for family use (2 adults, 2 children) on UK and European holidays.
b) Reliable
c) An element of fun (I appreciate we're not talking a supercharged Caterham here but I enjoy driving and don't want something that feels woolly and boring - think Passat for example)
d) Nice looking
I'm not a massive SUV fan and from a bit of searching the value of these seems much higher than their saloon / estate equivalent. I'm always open to suggestions though so won't fully dismiss an SUV without going to view / drive one.
Probably not much help but, as you've had no replies I'll give my experience.
I've had reasonable experience of Jags, having owned an X Type, an XF, and my last one was an XK8. I can say that the XF was a comfortable place to be and, for the couple of years I had it, I don't recall any major problems. That was a while ago though, as it was when they were first launched.
Don't have much experience of BMW's beyond a loan car I was given for a couple of weeks. It was some kind of souped up 3 series, which was fast but, in comparison to the Jag I found the stalks, switches etc a bit complicated and not as intuitive, but that's possibly because I wasn't used to it.
Can't really comment on the Merc, as the only one I've driven was pretty old. It was comfortable but I found the interior a bit plasticky.
Ultimately it comes down to personal taste, so I guess you won't really know until you've test driven a few.
I've had reasonable experience of Jags, having owned an X Type, an XF, and my last one was an XK8. I can say that the XF was a comfortable place to be and, for the couple of years I had it, I don't recall any major problems. That was a while ago though, as it was when they were first launched.
Don't have much experience of BMW's beyond a loan car I was given for a couple of weeks. It was some kind of souped up 3 series, which was fast but, in comparison to the Jag I found the stalks, switches etc a bit complicated and not as intuitive, but that's possibly because I wasn't used to it.
Can't really comment on the Merc, as the only one I've driven was pretty old. It was comfortable but I found the interior a bit plasticky.
Ultimately it comes down to personal taste, so I guess you won't really know until you've test driven a few.
My dad has a 2017 420i Gran Coupe and has been quite underwhelmed by it. He had an E46 320d SE Coupe, which he liked, an 2007 E90 320d SE that he loved (and his partner ran it to more than 200,000 miles without incident) and a 2010 320d M Sport that he didn’t think was as good as the 2007 one. He also is a big fan of my 130i, but finds the 420i a bit meh.
I’ve always thought the Audi A5 Sportback had a better interior, feeling of quality and more pleasant drive than the BMW (barring 435i/440i versions). What year/body style is your S5? Are you looking to move away from Audi particularly?
My decision would come down to engines. A six-cylinder BMW would appeal, but I’d personally steer clear of the C-Class, as it seems more style than substance to me…
I’ve always thought the Audi A5 Sportback had a better interior, feeling of quality and more pleasant drive than the BMW (barring 435i/440i versions). What year/body style is your S5? Are you looking to move away from Audi particularly?
My decision would come down to engines. A six-cylinder BMW would appeal, but I’d personally steer clear of the C-Class, as it seems more style than substance to me…
Edited by RoVoFob on Saturday 7th January 15:38
8IKERDAVE said:
I'm half considering moving my S5 on. Due to the type of driving I'm doing there seems little point having something with all that power commanding inflated insurance, fuel, running costs.
Having looked on autotrader I have a few ideas for it's replacement. Budget will be around £20K but will stretch a bit more for the right car.
1) Jaguar XF Estate - These seem to tick quite a few boxes and seem a nice place to be. I have very little experience of Jags (other than a 98 XJ8 I owned many years ago) so unsure of reliability, refinement etc.
2) BMW 4 series Gran Coupe - Always been a bit of a BMW fanboy and although I've not owned one personally (my wife has) since my E36 days I feel it's an itch I need to scratch again. They seem to be well equipped and I imagine the best drive out of the 3 but again any advice on things to look out for would be appreciated.
3) Mercedes C Class Estate - Had an E Class in the past and was a big fan of it. Luxurious and felt special (although there's millions of them!) but am assuming the C Class won't be quite as refined but certainly worth a look.
I'll arrange test drives for all 3 but I just wondered if anyone has any experience of these 3 or alternatively can suggest something which may tick the right boxes which are:
a) Practical for family use (2 adults, 2 children) on UK and European holidays.
b) Reliable
c) An element of fun (I appreciate we're not talking a supercharged Caterham here but I enjoy driving and don't want something that feels woolly and boring - think Passat for example)
d) Nice looking
I'm not a massive SUV fan and from a bit of searching the value of these seems much higher than their saloon / estate equivalent. I'm always open to suggestions though so won't fully dismiss an SUV without going to view / drive one.
The XF is a very good option.Having looked on autotrader I have a few ideas for it's replacement. Budget will be around £20K but will stretch a bit more for the right car.
1) Jaguar XF Estate - These seem to tick quite a few boxes and seem a nice place to be. I have very little experience of Jags (other than a 98 XJ8 I owned many years ago) so unsure of reliability, refinement etc.
2) BMW 4 series Gran Coupe - Always been a bit of a BMW fanboy and although I've not owned one personally (my wife has) since my E36 days I feel it's an itch I need to scratch again. They seem to be well equipped and I imagine the best drive out of the 3 but again any advice on things to look out for would be appreciated.
3) Mercedes C Class Estate - Had an E Class in the past and was a big fan of it. Luxurious and felt special (although there's millions of them!) but am assuming the C Class won't be quite as refined but certainly worth a look.
I'll arrange test drives for all 3 but I just wondered if anyone has any experience of these 3 or alternatively can suggest something which may tick the right boxes which are:
a) Practical for family use (2 adults, 2 children) on UK and European holidays.
b) Reliable
c) An element of fun (I appreciate we're not talking a supercharged Caterham here but I enjoy driving and don't want something that feels woolly and boring - think Passat for example)
d) Nice looking
I'm not a massive SUV fan and from a bit of searching the value of these seems much higher than their saloon / estate equivalent. I'm always open to suggestions though so won't fully dismiss an SUV without going to view / drive one.
R Sport 180:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
I'd take the E Class over the C Class you get a better car imo:
E220 AMG Line:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212052...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209149...
Premium:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212232...
My third pick would be the V60/V90 not as good an overall car but still decent.
V60 D4 Inscription:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241...
D4 R Design:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212152...
V90 D4 Momentum:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212032...
D4 R Design:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...
Now an overlooked car (it's not a looker but if you want a spacious family car then it hits the brief & it's got a 6 pot diesel too.
530D GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...
If your looking at 4 series Gran Coupes, then I’d say a 6 series Gran Coupe like this one would be a nice alternative, designed as a GT car, so would make for a nicer place to be on the European trips and the 640d is a great cruiser IMO.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...
Thank you for your suggestions all, there are some beauties in that list ZX10!
I went to casually view an XF estate over the weekend and was a bit underwhelmed. I think this one wasn't a particularly well kept example so that could have clouded the judgement a little.
No real reason to move away from Audi. Elephant in the room is that I'm on 6 points now for speeding with a potential 3 more coming my way. Therefore having 400bhp at my foot will be completely pointless knowing I am going to have to be super careful. Irritatingly all these offences were all just slightly over the limit but nevertheless they exist. I'm therefore more focused on the comfort element of these cars as opposed to performance.
The Volvo's are a good shout - I had a V70 in the past which was a superb car and the examples you've sent over are suprisingly cheaper than I guessed.
I went to casually view an XF estate over the weekend and was a bit underwhelmed. I think this one wasn't a particularly well kept example so that could have clouded the judgement a little.
No real reason to move away from Audi. Elephant in the room is that I'm on 6 points now for speeding with a potential 3 more coming my way. Therefore having 400bhp at my foot will be completely pointless knowing I am going to have to be super careful. Irritatingly all these offences were all just slightly over the limit but nevertheless they exist. I'm therefore more focused on the comfort element of these cars as opposed to performance.
The Volvo's are a good shout - I had a V70 in the past which was a superb car and the examples you've sent over are suprisingly cheaper than I guessed.
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