Looking For A Less Stressful Car

Spamalot

Spamalot

Spamalot

Soldato
Joined
25 Oct 2004
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5,242
Location
Cambridge
I’ve owned my Boxster S for about 6 months now. It’s been great throughout summer. However winter is now upon us.

I know this is the worst time to sell a convertible but the thought of spending all winter with it coupled with a change in job and increase mileage is twisting my arm slightly.

II would like something that didn’t feel like much of a step down in terms of speed (0-60 in 5.9) and brand (German or premium please). The Porsche is great for everything bar comfort. I’d like something that wasn't as low, hard and engaged; a wafted instead of a racer.

Criteria-

• Comfort, nice cruiser.
• Speed, 0-60 in 7 seconds or faster.
• Semi-reliable.
• Good quality brand.
• All the toys.
• Auto.​

Not bothered about-

• Running costs/economy.
• Age.
• Depreciation.​

I’m currently considering an E60 or E65, the 530i [258] Sport or 745i. Both would have to be pre-LCI though given my budget of c. £12k, I'm just not 100% sure on the pre-LCI of each so am looking at other options.

What would people suggest for the money?

I’ve already been offered this for a strait swap-

Piston Heads Guy said:
Interesested in a swap for a fully loaded Silver 05 BMW 525d msport.? split screen satnav, bluetooth, cruise, half leather, elec seats, auto wipers, auto lights, self dim mirror, air con, i drive, premium sounds, ect.11 months mot, 5 months tax, 110k
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The 525d being offered is half leather - personally I'd go for full leather. It looks far better and will be more desirable when it comes to selling.

It's also something like 7.8 to 60, so you might be better looking at the 530d if your criteria is strict.
 
I'd have an XJ Jag all day long.

Or possibly get a hard top for that Boxster.
 
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I think this depends on how much performance you want, and how much "wafting" you want.

Audi S4 (I don't think you'd squeeze a decent RS4 in to your budget)
BMW 530d
Citroen C6 (I know, I know, it's a Citroen, and in 20 minutes it will be worth **** all, but I doubt you will find a more comfortable car)
Jag XJ / XJR
Merc E class
Merc S class (you can get some amazing deals on these 2nd hand)
Merc SL (new shape, but maybe a little out of your budget, could probably find one for 15K is you were prepared to accept the entry level model and an older example)
Saab 9-5 Aero
Vauxhall Monaro
Volvo V70R (this one would be a real sleeper - they go like STINK!)

That's about all I can think of :)
 
I'll swap you my 8 for your boxster ;)
If you really don't mind the age/running costs, an 8 series could be a consideration, but it is a little different from the other choices.
 
My random and collected thoughts:

a) The S4 just isnt worth the money. Most. Overpriced. 00-05 shape A4. Ever.
b) Despite what people here will doubtless say I still feel that the pre LCI E60 is just... not as good as the LCI one and not very good value either. You will need at least £12k for a really nice 04/05 530i Sport. Thats a LOT of money for a 5-6 year old 5 Series. It's even more money for a 5-6 year old 5 Series with a cheap interior designed by a guy with a set square fetish.
c) You'd get a nice S Class or similar but the running costs/repair bills are pathetic. I'm sure you can afford it but do you WANT to afford it? It soon gets really boring throwing thousands and thousands of quid fixing what is, nice as though it is, an out of date Mercedes. Jez spent £1500 fixing his last month and when it was all done he still had... an old Mercedes. I'm beginning to feel that way about mine. £600 on a set of tyres for an 8 year old car. Yea great, really fun!

In summary then £12k is a really annoying budget. It's a lot of money but it isn't enough to get any of the genuinelly nicer stuff - decent facelift 7's, facelift 5's and facelift 3's, etc etc. But it's too much to spend on the older stuff.

I dont really know what my point is, perhaps my point is get more money or spend less money? Dunno.
 
[TW]Fox;17317394 said:
I dont really know what my point is, perhaps my point is get more money or spend less money? Dunno.
Click to expand...

That's the conclusion that I came to, hence starting the thread. I'd love to be looking at 335i's but they're way outside budget for now. I could go up to £15k for an LCI E60/E65 but then I might as well chip in the extra to get a 335i. If only the non-LCI E65 weren't so ugly. I don’t really mind the pre-LCI E60 but I’m worried that it will start to look like an “old BMW” when the F10 becomes common place on the roads, this especially worries me as the E60 is such a distinctive car (although I’ve always really liked it).

If I was to drop it to £8/10k what would you suggest? What do you think of the swap deal (considering I paid £9750 for my Boxster + £500 for the light upgrade)?

Thanks as always for your helpful posts.
 
£15k still wont get a nice LCI M Sport, though - you CAN get a decent LCI for this (We just did! Infact less) but it will be an SE with a bizarre colour or weird options to be under £15k.

Dont really like the 525d, and it's hardly 'fully loaded' if it even has half cloth seats. It's effectively a sub £10k M Sport and I'd be wary of those. It's also in a no-mans-land in terms of age and mileage. The mileage isnt high enough for it to be a money no object motorway pounder yet its too high for it to have been one chaps infrequently used pride and joy...

What about a mint E46 Coupe?

Or...

An E Class Merc without air suspension? E320 Avantgarde? Better built than the early E60's...
 
The only thing I'd say about the 525D, having been in one in Das Vaterland, is that it zips up to it's limited 155mph impressively quickly...
 
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