Changing from X5 4.8is to ?..............

[DanX5]

Have had the X5 4.8is now for 2.5 years, has stood me reasonably well depreciation wise and mechanically but thinking of a change.

Options at around £20k, must have a boot to fit kids stuff and occasional labrador in, be moderately interesting to drive and not too 'fragile' mechanically. Not too bothered about mpg as only do 6-8,000 per annum in this as a second car, but proper warranty (or ability to continue manufacturers warranty) would be nice.

My shortlist is thus (links show example cars):

BMW 335i touring - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2208923.htm a bit small? but presumably pretty quick in hartge form?

Porsche cayenne turbo S - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2221495.htm a bit similar dynamic wise to the x5? potentially mind blowing repair / service bills?

BMW 550i touring - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... seems a reasonably sensible choice, bmw warranty, considerably newer than the X5 and same lovely engine

The following two would be ideal but I think these are in the 'fragile' category and would be maxing my budget in both purchase price and running costs (but please convince me!!):

Audi RS6 - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2248098.htm looks very nice in 'plus' form but have read horror stories on suspension issues?

BMW M5 touring - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... again, put off to an extent by internet forum horror stories re fragility - are they THAT fragile?

What would be ideal would be an Alpina B5 touring but apart from one I followed up the A31 the other day I don't think they exist! Certainly none for sale in the past month that I have seen. Something like this:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4...

Any thoughts on what fellow PH's would go for??

[Major Fallout]

I went from X5 to Porsche cayenne then back to X5.
I was not impressed by the way the cayenne handled, yes it's quick but it does not give you as much confedence as the x5. It had all the trick suspension, but still felt it's weight.

[DanX5]

Cheers for the reply - i am maybe thinking that a fast estate may be a better comprimise then.

The 550i looks pretty favourable in m sport estate form but am interested by the 335i for something more 'chuckable'. I guess that both of these would have the newer generation of in car tech (i-drive, etc) which would be nice.

[Remagel2507]

They all look quite appealing actually, the 335i would probably the most chuckable with that Quaife diff. I have a Cayenne at the moment but prior to that an X5 3.0d, the Cayenne is excellent and wouldn't change it but on the same note I wouldn't say no to a 4.8is



Just to point out though, I think that Cayenne is actually a Turbo rather than a Turbo S.

[monthefish]

Major Fallout said:

I went from X5 to Porsche cayenne then back to X5.
I was not impressed by the way the cayenne handled, yes it's quick but it does not give you as much confedence as the x5.

I'm surprised at this; I was blown away by how well the Cayenne handled when I had a play with one on the Millbrook hill circuit. I was also driven round the circuit by a Professional Porsche driver, who obviously pushed harder/faster than I did, and was astounded at how good it was.

[jfbrin]

What about an E55 AMG Estate? Got to be worthy of inclusion in this selection?

Very few about at the moment but

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[darronwall]

i went from same to e60 m5,didnt like it too much ended up with sc rangie,awesome car

[DanX5]

Thanks for the other suggestions - I will add them to my list of things to take a looky see at.

E55....mmm, not 100% sure. I usually like estate cars over saloon models but the E55 looks better as a saloon imo. Plus would always be wanting the newer 63 amg engine I think. If boot wasn't an issue I like the idea of a CLS AMG which are coming into price range. Wonder when C63 / E63 estates will come into price range..... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... not far off!

RR Sport s/c - something like this http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2233665.htm it does have an appeal but if i went RR I think I would go for the full fat version rather than sport. Someone I work with has a brand new disco which has gone back to main dealer with numerous faults and has a courtesy RR sport which he doesn't rate but it is the old V6 diesel not s/c V8!!

[205jsy]

That rs6

[tomsugden]

The RS6 is beautiful, but having bought from that dealer before, I wouldn't repeat it.

[10JH]

205jsy said:

That rs6

Easily my first choice

[Zod]

The M5 Touring. Amazing engine. No, they are not fragile.

[martin mrt]

RS6 is way too expensive for its age IMO.

Out of that lot, 1st Choice would be 335i Touring, sensible running costs, practical enough, And plenty quick enough, the rest just scream out huge running costs IMO and the 335i will probably give you 8/10s of the M5s pace with less than half the running costs. I also happen to think it looks great too....... But I am biased

[DanX5]

The RS6 and M5 getting a few nods of approval then as I thought they might this being PH and all.

Using man maths to justify spending more than I should, on the assumption that running costs would be similar, what would one say that each would be worth in say 3 years with another 20k on the clock on?

54 reg RS6 Avant Plus, 55k, £25k today

07 reg M5 touring, 61k, £26k today

56 reg E63 estate, 60k, £28k today

[Stu R]

Just had my first drive of a Cayenne Turbo. They're absolutely ridiculous, you should buy one

[nonuts]

Zod said:

The M5 Touring. Amazing engine.

This, they also go sideways rather well with 4 people in the car with a suitable pilot.