Talk me out of a big barge / GT
Discussion
I've recently acquired a hankering for a big luxury barge / GT as a second car.
Don't need a newer car, this is purely want and man maths..
Current 2nd car is a 2010 BMW 325i SE, manual, about 82K, FSH, verg good condition.
Cars I'm current obsessing about are;
2010 on - Jaguar XJ diesel, Portfolio
2012 on BMW 640d
Diesels because they are the most common at my price point and not £700+ road tax. When I use my 2nd car, I do long enough journeys that DPF isn't an issue for me.
I'm thinking of a notional £10k purchae budget.
Please can people more knowledgable then me tell me realistic running costs, problems, good parts etc. for each?
I suspect the BMW may be cheaper to run, but I do love the looks of the Jaaaaag, especially the interior.
Don't need a newer car, this is purely want and man maths..
Current 2nd car is a 2010 BMW 325i SE, manual, about 82K, FSH, verg good condition.
Cars I'm current obsessing about are;
2010 on - Jaguar XJ diesel, Portfolio
2012 on BMW 640d
Diesels because they are the most common at my price point and not £700+ road tax. When I use my 2nd car, I do long enough journeys that DPF isn't an issue for me.
I'm thinking of a notional £10k purchae budget.
Please can people more knowledgable then me tell me realistic running costs, problems, good parts etc. for each?
I suspect the BMW may be cheaper to run, but I do love the looks of the Jaaaaag, especially the interior.
What about the 5 series GT?
It was a bit of an ugly duckling but shared the 7 series platform i think.
Personally for me, the arguments with getting another car are the fixed costs for both: tax, insurance, servicing etc
(Though I suppose for tyres etc you can only drive one at once)
Then there's factors like storage space on the drive or road, having to keep another vehicle clean, and the fact cars can go downhill quick if they're not used very often.
At least, this is what I tell myself whenever I think about getting another one!
It was a bit of an ugly duckling but shared the 7 series platform i think.
Personally for me, the arguments with getting another car are the fixed costs for both: tax, insurance, servicing etc
(Though I suppose for tyres etc you can only drive one at once)
Then there's factors like storage space on the drive or road, having to keep another vehicle clean, and the fact cars can go downhill quick if they're not used very often.
At least, this is what I tell myself whenever I think about getting another one!
640d is utterly boring.
It's a phenomenal car for tedious long journeys, a lovely place to sit and excellent value for cost/ performance/ economy but there's nothing fun or enjoyable about it. All my other cars get taken out fairly regularly just for a drive but I've never felt like that about the 640d.
Also at £10k kind of age/ mileage they're going to be reaching the high maintenance stage. Mine did mostly motorway work, it still needed a new intake manifold at 95k because it was full of black snot, lots of bits are reaching end of life, if I didn't do my own work on it I'd have spent more than it's worth on it in the last couple of years. I'm mainly keeping it running now because it's almost worthless as a trade in and there's a reason for that, if I was a warranty company I'd just laugh at the dealer who asked me to warrant it.
For a £10k barge I think I'd be staying away from diesel. That era of diesels are just too compromised
It's a phenomenal car for tedious long journeys, a lovely place to sit and excellent value for cost/ performance/ economy but there's nothing fun or enjoyable about it. All my other cars get taken out fairly regularly just for a drive but I've never felt like that about the 640d.
Also at £10k kind of age/ mileage they're going to be reaching the high maintenance stage. Mine did mostly motorway work, it still needed a new intake manifold at 95k because it was full of black snot, lots of bits are reaching end of life, if I didn't do my own work on it I'd have spent more than it's worth on it in the last couple of years. I'm mainly keeping it running now because it's almost worthless as a trade in and there's a reason for that, if I was a warranty company I'd just laugh at the dealer who asked me to warrant it.
For a £10k barge I think I'd be staying away from diesel. That era of diesels are just too compromised
E63eeeeee... said:
640d is utterly boring.
It's a phenomenal car for tedious long journeys, a lovely place to sit and excellent value for cost/ performance/ economy but there's nothing fun or enjoyable about it.
Don't agree with this. It's a phenomenal car for tedious long journeys, a lovely place to sit and excellent value for cost/ performance/ economy but there's nothing fun or enjoyable about it.
Mine has VDC and set to Sport Suspension combined with the GPS aware auto box it can be a hoot on the lanes when you want it to be.
I had turbo diesels for a decade (business use reasons) but they were only 4 cylinder ones.
Since then I've only had straight 6 petrols and they are just so much nicer to drive. I notice DPF regeneration shouldn't be a problem for you but do you do enough annual mileage to justify a diesel? One of my cars is in Band M for Road Tax but it's so great I'll happily live with that - I mean it doesn't take much of a bill to make another £300 or so a year look inconsequential.
Anyway a CLS looks like a good shout, and personally I much prefer the looks of the XF to the XJ.
Since then I've only had straight 6 petrols and they are just so much nicer to drive. I notice DPF regeneration shouldn't be a problem for you but do you do enough annual mileage to justify a diesel? One of my cars is in Band M for Road Tax but it's so great I'll happily live with that - I mean it doesn't take much of a bill to make another £300 or so a year look inconsequential.
Anyway a CLS looks like a good shout, and personally I much prefer the looks of the XF to the XJ.
I love a barge. Currently obsessions are Hyundai Genesis 3.8 V6, big tax but lots of car for the outlay and surely a relatively safe bet...and the aforementioned A8...although I'm thinking a lot about the 2.0tsi Hybrid...again, surely a safe bet. Both cars are vast, underrated, well built, perfect for wafting from A to Anywhere....
I never really got the annual mileage argument for a diesel, I go on usage. If a car is used once a month for a 400mile journey, you're better off in a diesel despite only doing 5000 miles a year.
Anywho... if you do long journeys I reckon a 640d would be great. Bmw straight six diesels are great engines, seem very different to the 4pots. My 2008 330d is happily chugging along after 177k, still absolutely fine.
I've looked at 640ds myself before now but I've never needed something quite so big, and my 330d is so great at everything I've never needed to change.
Bet you could pick up an older 630d for peanuts now...
Anywho... if you do long journeys I reckon a 640d would be great. Bmw straight six diesels are great engines, seem very different to the 4pots. My 2008 330d is happily chugging along after 177k, still absolutely fine.
I've looked at 640ds myself before now but I've never needed something quite so big, and my 330d is so great at everything I've never needed to change.
Bet you could pick up an older 630d for peanuts now...
No one is talking you out of this one! haha
As someone who loves a big barge of a car and own a couple, I highly recommend them. The only thing I would say is if you plan on it being a weekend car, buy a petrol. If it's going to be used daily or for a big chunk of mileage every year then diesel makes sense but for lower miles and a weekender, get an interesting petrol. SORN the car over the manky winter months if you want to save on the tax.
Merc CLS500 is quite a car, you'd likely even find a CLS55 for £10k and it won't necessarily be a bad one. I recently bought a BMW 650 but there's the 630 which is apparently quite a sweet spot.
A V8 will make it seem a lot more of a special car in my opinion of course and there's loads to choose from.
As someone who loves a big barge of a car and own a couple, I highly recommend them. The only thing I would say is if you plan on it being a weekend car, buy a petrol. If it's going to be used daily or for a big chunk of mileage every year then diesel makes sense but for lower miles and a weekender, get an interesting petrol. SORN the car over the manky winter months if you want to save on the tax.
Merc CLS500 is quite a car, you'd likely even find a CLS55 for £10k and it won't necessarily be a bad one. I recently bought a BMW 650 but there's the 630 which is apparently quite a sweet spot.
A V8 will make it seem a lot more of a special car in my opinion of course and there's loads to choose from.
stackmonkey said:
I've recently acquired a hankering for a big luxury barge / GT as a second car.
Don't need a newer car, this is purely want and man maths..
Current 2nd car is a 2010 BMW 325i SE, manual, about 82K, FSH, verg good condition.
Cars I'm current obsessing about are;
2010 on - Jaguar XJ diesel, Portfolio
2012 on BMW 640d
Diesels because they are the most common at my price point and not £700+ road tax. When I use my 2nd car, I do long enough journeys that DPF isn't an issue for me.
I'm thinking of a notional £10k purchae budget.
Please can people more knowledgable then me tell me realistic running costs, problems, good parts etc. for each?
I suspect the BMW may be cheaper to run, but I do love the looks of the Jaaaaag, especially the interior.
I won't talk you out of it Don't need a newer car, this is purely want and man maths..
Current 2nd car is a 2010 BMW 325i SE, manual, about 82K, FSH, verg good condition.
Cars I'm current obsessing about are;
2010 on - Jaguar XJ diesel, Portfolio
2012 on BMW 640d
Diesels because they are the most common at my price point and not £700+ road tax. When I use my 2nd car, I do long enough journeys that DPF isn't an issue for me.
I'm thinking of a notional £10k purchae budget.
Please can people more knowledgable then me tell me realistic running costs, problems, good parts etc. for each?
I suspect the BMW may be cheaper to run, but I do love the looks of the Jaaaaag, especially the interior.
but I will give you some more options 
CLS, these have sensible running costs & the drivetrain is nigh on bulletproof:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511067...
Shooting Brake:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510056...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508215...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508085...
Gen1 CLS 63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206...
The XJ Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509206... a good option but budget for a cambelt change
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510036...
530d GT not the best looking but they're a very nice place to be:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508115...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510307...
640d GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511057...
If you want a cracking barge buy & you can live with the fuel cost, then the Genesis ticks all of your boxes & you'll get one under budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509036...
Sir Keith Stormer said:
What about a Mercedes CLS, plenty decent examples about at that budget.
Not a fan of the looks.If I'm going to spend what (for me) is relatuively big money, I'm having something I like to look at, as well as drive.
Ian Geary said:
What about the 5 series GT?.....It was a bit of an ugly duckling
As above, I want something I'd like the look of - I'd prefer a regular 5 series to a GT one.gasman712 said:
Quattroporte?
I do like the looks, can't stomach the reliability risk of an old, high miles, Maserati.gasman712 said:
Or any Lexus LS
Opposite of the Maserati - known reliablity, so-so look, but would consider if a particularly good one came to my attention.biggbn said:
Hyundai Genesis 3.8 V6
Hadn't thought of these, but high tax is not good, will take a look..FourGears said:
If it's man maths and a want then why is high RFL a factor?
High cost per mile, rather than high cost itself.plus I want something that won't financially cripple me if my daily shed dies.
This is why I'm also steering clear of many wonderful petrol engined car, that I would love to own.
I had to use my 325 for a couple of months earlier this year. 30mpg I can afford, not 15-20mpg for 1k miles/month
Thanks for the suggestions etc.
Currently wading through the autotrader ones.....
Edited by stackmonkey on Sunday 16th November 17:37
I bought a 2015 XJ Portfolio earlier this year, overall pretty pleased with it. Mine was on 34k so paid a bit more but had a fresh cambelt, MOT, warranty, new tyres, new brakes and was like new.
Its very comfy and it goes well for a big car, the interior is lovely, got in a Bentayga Azure recently and didnt think it was 200 grand better by any means, bit nicer, not night and day.
Tech is dated, I replaced with an Android screen which works pretty well and you can access all the old system. Had to replace the battery as well as kept getting battery warnings, these cars are susceptible to problems when you have a low battery.
Had to replace the front brakes as though they were new, they had an annoying judder, I did them for the princely sum of £79.99 from eBay.
Have one niggle with the Adaptive headlights, believe a software update is required so its booked in at a Jag specialist to try that on Friday. Had an annoying noise, turned out to be a 10p rolling round inside the console ! Pig to get but oh so satisfying.
VED is £255, insurance is £400 ish from scratch as was an additional car.
Its a pig to park in tight carparks as you would expect.
An XF is a step down in every way, nice enough but the XJ was a lot more expensive, an XF in 2015 was 32 grand for the entry model, when the XJ base price was 58 grand.
I think as a diesel, they are ok for occasional usage but try to make those trips longer ones, short trips arent good for them.
Try and get a facelift, 2012 on with the 8 speed gearbox as lower VED and its a better box, few other changes like Meridian over Bowers and Wilkins will tell you if its an early car, avoid later ones 2016 on as they are Euro 6 and tend to have more engine issues, bit more power and look sharper but more risky, unless you go for a petrol but then you get the chunky VED and lower MPG. I see high twenties knocking about to 50 on a run.
Its very comfy and it goes well for a big car, the interior is lovely, got in a Bentayga Azure recently and didnt think it was 200 grand better by any means, bit nicer, not night and day.
Tech is dated, I replaced with an Android screen which works pretty well and you can access all the old system. Had to replace the battery as well as kept getting battery warnings, these cars are susceptible to problems when you have a low battery.
Had to replace the front brakes as though they were new, they had an annoying judder, I did them for the princely sum of £79.99 from eBay.
Have one niggle with the Adaptive headlights, believe a software update is required so its booked in at a Jag specialist to try that on Friday. Had an annoying noise, turned out to be a 10p rolling round inside the console ! Pig to get but oh so satisfying.
VED is £255, insurance is £400 ish from scratch as was an additional car.
Its a pig to park in tight carparks as you would expect.
An XF is a step down in every way, nice enough but the XJ was a lot more expensive, an XF in 2015 was 32 grand for the entry model, when the XJ base price was 58 grand.
I think as a diesel, they are ok for occasional usage but try to make those trips longer ones, short trips arent good for them.
Try and get a facelift, 2012 on with the 8 speed gearbox as lower VED and its a better box, few other changes like Meridian over Bowers and Wilkins will tell you if its an early car, avoid later ones 2016 on as they are Euro 6 and tend to have more engine issues, bit more power and look sharper but more risky, unless you go for a petrol but then you get the chunky VED and lower MPG. I see high twenties knocking about to 50 on a run.
Edited by J4CKO on Tuesday 18th November 12:16
Hi
Forget the diesel bit..
have a look for and then a go in a BMW 630i Sport, manual.
IMHO a vastly overlooked car, a proper GT, it'll eat massive distance in comfort but equally show it a nice bit of tarmac and it's properly engaging to drive, very efficient too.
Circa a 1/4T lighter than the 650, makes a big difference to the way it handles, it has 'enough' poke in that you can use what there is, it sounds lovely when you do, and while a bit more power might be nice every now and again, it won't be often and for the rest of time it's not breaking the bank to run it..
All IMHO of course!
Forget the diesel bit..
have a look for and then a go in a BMW 630i Sport, manual.
IMHO a vastly overlooked car, a proper GT, it'll eat massive distance in comfort but equally show it a nice bit of tarmac and it's properly engaging to drive, very efficient too.
Circa a 1/4T lighter than the 650, makes a big difference to the way it handles, it has 'enough' poke in that you can use what there is, it sounds lovely when you do, and while a bit more power might be nice every now and again, it won't be often and for the rest of time it's not breaking the bank to run it..
All IMHO of course!
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