What car for wife??? (Sorry another What car thread!)
Discussion
Thinking about changing the wifes Merc for something with a bit more about it, needs to be an occasional 4 seater for small kids in the back, new or nearly new, budget say £40k and she hates convertibles.
So I'm thinking either BMW 335 coupe or a used M3 coupe or an Audi S5
I realise this is a biased place to ask, but any views?
Is one any more practical than the other?
Thanks
So I'm thinking either BMW 335 coupe or a used M3 coupe or an Audi S5
I realise this is a biased place to ask, but any views?
Is one any more practical than the other?
Thanks
Thanks for the thoughts guys, unsuprisingly no votes for the S5 
The S5 V8 is from the RS4 and is actualy quite a light engine, got to say it is appealing most to us at the moment.
The 3 series coupe is just a bit bland looking to me, wife quite likes it just for a change.
I think and M3 is going to be too expensive and probably a bit too hardcore for her too.
Had a look at the Merc range and they just seem dull as dishwater apart from the CLS and that's what she's coming out of.
We have the Discovery as a family bus so this only needs to be an occasional 4 seater.
The S5 V8 is from the RS4 and is actualy quite a light engine, got to say it is appealing most to us at the moment.
The 3 series coupe is just a bit bland looking to me, wife quite likes it just for a change.
I think and M3 is going to be too expensive and probably a bit too hardcore for her too.
Had a look at the Merc range and they just seem dull as dishwater apart from the CLS and that's what she's coming out of.
We have the Discovery as a family bus so this only needs to be an occasional 4 seater.
bertie said:
Thanks for the thoughts guys, unsuprisingly no votes for the S5
The S5 V8 is from the RS4 and is actualy quite a light engine, got to say it is appealing most to us at the moment.
I take it you haven't driven it by that comment. It feels very nose heavy compared with the BMW/Mercs. The S5 V8 is from the RS4 and is actualy quite a light engine, got to say it is appealing most to us at the moment.
bertie said:
The 3 series coupe is just a bit bland looking to me, wife quite likes it just for a change.
I think and M3 is going to be too expensive and probably a bit too hardcore for her too.
The M3 with EDC is actually softer and easier than an M-Sport. I think and M3 is going to be too expensive and probably a bit too hardcore for her too.
bertie said:
Had a look at the Merc range and they just seem dull as dishwater apart from the CLS and that's what she's coming out of.
We have the Discovery as a family bus so this only needs to be an occasional 4 seater.
The Merc is hardly dull!! We have the Discovery as a family bus so this only needs to be an occasional 4 seater.
It is the most hardcore feeling of the lot.
How about the new S4? It is my favourite car that Audi have made, it is sublime when you add the sports diff.
You can remap it to 420bhp as well, plenty fast enough.
gizlaroc said:
bertie said:
Thanks for the thoughts guys, unsuprisingly no votes for the S5
The S5 V8 is from the RS4 and is actualy quite a light engine, got to say it is appealing most to us at the moment.
I take it you haven't driven it by that comment. It feels very nose heavy compared with the BMW/Mercs. The S5 V8 is from the RS4 and is actualy quite a light engine, got to say it is appealing most to us at the moment.
bertie said:
The 3 series coupe is just a bit bland looking to me, wife quite likes it just for a change.
I think and M3 is going to be too expensive and probably a bit too hardcore for her too.
The M3 with EDC is actually softer and easier than an M-Sport. I think and M3 is going to be too expensive and probably a bit too hardcore for her too.
bertie said:
Had a look at the Merc range and they just seem dull as dishwater apart from the CLS and that's what she's coming out of.
We have the Discovery as a family bus so this only needs to be an occasional 4 seater.
The Merc is hardly dull!! We have the Discovery as a family bus so this only needs to be an occasional 4 seater.
It is the most hardcore feeling of the lot.
How about the new S4? It is my favourite car that Audi have made, it is sublime when you add the sports diff.
You can remap it to 420bhp as well, plenty fast enough.
The M3 is no doubt a better ultimate drive, but th issue with the M3 is it's too much money really, for £40k you get an almost new 335, plus the company BIK is a lot more on the M3, it's tempting though.
The Merc might not be a dull drive, but they just look dull, the pensioners choice, the only normal Merc that has an interesting shape is the CLS, and that's what she has now. I had a C Class as a loaner when the CLS was serviced and the interior was horrid, plus the 63AMG are way too much money / BIK, sorry just not doing it for me at all.
Speed isn't a major factor here, she doesn't really drive fast, just wants something that looks nice, and drives niceand isn't mumsy / family , if she really wants to set her knickers on fire she can go in the Gallardo!!
Edited by bertie on Friday 12th February 23:02
Edited by bertie on Friday 12th February 23:04
Great fleet. To my mind most of your suggestions would feel like trading down from the CLS. To get the same quality of car from BMW, you should be considering a new 5GT or 5 Series. From Merc, why not the new E Class Coupe?
Are you looking at a new S5? I don't imagine she would want a manual one, as they all were until 2009. It is a bit bigger outside than the 3 Coupe, while having less room in the back. On the other hand looks and interior both beat the BMW. The new A5 5 door adds back the extra room, but does not look quite as good to my eyes.
I confirm that an M3 with EDC rides better than an M Sport Coupe, and even if she is not interested in the performance the lovely V8 soundtrack ensures that it feels much more special. I understand that it is not good for BIK.
Surprised that she does not go for cabs; most of the wives I know want them (mine had a CLK, now she does not normally have children with her an SLK). If looking at cabs I would certainly like the new S5, with the V6 and DSG - I wonder whether they will put those into the S5 Coupe before long?
Worth saying that for much less money the journalists all love the Scirocco R.
Tell us what you choose.
Are you looking at a new S5? I don't imagine she would want a manual one, as they all were until 2009. It is a bit bigger outside than the 3 Coupe, while having less room in the back. On the other hand looks and interior both beat the BMW. The new A5 5 door adds back the extra room, but does not look quite as good to my eyes.
I confirm that an M3 with EDC rides better than an M Sport Coupe, and even if she is not interested in the performance the lovely V8 soundtrack ensures that it feels much more special. I understand that it is not good for BIK.
Surprised that she does not go for cabs; most of the wives I know want them (mine had a CLK, now she does not normally have children with her an SLK). If looking at cabs I would certainly like the new S5, with the V6 and DSG - I wonder whether they will put those into the S5 Coupe before long?
Worth saying that for much less money the journalists all love the Scirocco R.
Tell us what you choose.
Yes I think an A5 cab would be perfect, but she just doesn't like them.
I like the Scirocco, also like the Renaultsport Megeane 250, lovely looking thing if you ask me, but I think she's a bit of a badge snob, aren't we all really!
The CLS has been great, but to be honest of a weekend we tend to all use the Dicsovery, it's just so practical, comfy and quite luxurious I can't think of anything better as a family car.
Hence the CLS tends to get used when she is on her own and it just seems silly having something that big, but we do need a second occasional 4 seater, I'm a bit long on 2 seaters!
I showed her a Merc E Coupe "whats the point in changing" she said, and I know what she means, if you are gonna have a change, you want a change.
A visit to BMW & Audi beckons tomorrow I think.
I like the Scirocco, also like the Renaultsport Megeane 250, lovely looking thing if you ask me, but I think she's a bit of a badge snob, aren't we all really!
The CLS has been great, but to be honest of a weekend we tend to all use the Dicsovery, it's just so practical, comfy and quite luxurious I can't think of anything better as a family car.
Hence the CLS tends to get used when she is on her own and it just seems silly having something that big, but we do need a second occasional 4 seater, I'm a bit long on 2 seaters!
I showed her a Merc E Coupe "whats the point in changing" she said, and I know what she means, if you are gonna have a change, you want a change.
A visit to BMW & Audi beckons tomorrow I think.
bertie said:
I haven't driven an S5 yet, but have an A5 3.0tdi and is was nice enough, and I can only imagine the S5 drives better, and the fit and finish on the Audi looks a world ahead of both BMW and Merc.
The M3 is no doubt a better ultimate drive, but th issue with the M3 is it's too much money really, for £40k you get an almost new 335, plus the company BIK is a lot more on the M3, it's tempting though.
The Merc might not be a dull drive, but they just look dull, the pensioners choice, the only normal Merc that has an interesting shape is the CLS, and that's what she has now. I had a C Class as a loaner when the CLS was serviced and the interior was horrid, plus the 63AMG are way too much money / BIK, sorry just not doing it for me at all.
Speed isn't a major factor here, she doesn't really drive fast, just wants something that looks nice, and drives niceand isn't mumsy / family , if she really wants to set her knickers on fire she can go in the Gallardo!!
The S5 is meant to get the 3.0 supercharged engine soon, maybe hold on for that??
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