Looking for a new motor...

Castiel

Castiel

Castiel

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I'm in the market for a car, I've looked around at Audi A4/5, BMW 3/5 and Merc coupe E220/250...and would like to hear some opinions on these and others I haven't considered. What to look for, what to avoid and how to get the best value for money out of around £20-25k.

I'm pretty open to suggestions, my only stipulations are it needs to have a premium interior, have a decent turn of speed/acceleration (no 140bhp diesels thanks) and doesn't have a pile of miles on it, (and I don't want to finance, so the £20-25k cash is how much I want to spend, rather than a deposit on something daft.) age, I suppose no older than 2010..but I'm relatively flexible with that. Tax and Fuel, stay sensible, but again I'm flexible. (No 20mpg nonsense)

I've looked at some main dealers around my area, but not much is doing.
 
Does it have to be new(ish)? Because £20k - £25k will get you an Audi RS6 or S8 with money left over should anything go pop. Both big spec cars and rapid to boot.

Edit: Nvm, I just caught the "no 20mpg nonsense".

Get a 330d and be done with it.
 
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If you want a luxury interior, go up a class to the Jaguar XJ. It's absolutely perfect. As with any luxury exec car not cheap to maintain, but you haven't mentioned maintenance costs in your op so I'm assuming you're happy with that.

I couldn't spend 25k on something as plain and common as an A4 or 3 series.
 
Also, I have always bought from main dealers for peace of mind and warranty etc...is it worth looking at independents and are there savings to be had, whilst retaining that peace of mind?

Looking around, decent low mileage, 3-4 year old BMW 3/Audi A4/5 all come in at over 20k.
 
Private you will shave a couple of £K off. Could still have warranty intact, even more warranty if the owner extended it. Doubt independants will be much cheaper than main dealers, if not dearer.

Still... Interior, looks and class... Jag.
 
I have spent ages looking at this market now and I cannot see past the 5 Series. Less dull than an A6, more modern than an XF.
 
[TW]Fox;25895285 said:
I have spent ages looking at this market now and I cannot see past the 5 Series. Less dull than an A6, more modern than an XF.
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What should I be looking for, what to avoid and what is the best balance of value given my budget?
 
If you can avoid M Sport you'll get a better car for your budget. I would suggest that a 2010/2010 530d SE Auto is in budget. Ensure it has, at a minimum, Visibility Pack (Or you get the worse looking lights and no Xenons) and Professional Media Package.

Many of the 2010 cars on the market are ex-launch dealer demo cars, these were very nicely specified. Avoid silver trim as it ruins what is otherwise one of the nicest interiors in its class.

A petrol would be more desireable but they simply don't exist in sufficient numbers to give choice, sadly.

My quick thoughts on the competition:

a) Jaguar XF. Wonderful cars. But they came out in 2007 and it shows inside. The XF is a nice £15k car, a car thats well worth it over it's then rival the E60.

b) Audi A6. Perhaps I'm being irrational but cannot excited about this car. At all. I suspect its very good and I'm being unfairly harsh.

c) Mercedes E Class. I like these but the ownership experience just seems crap? Dealers are problematic, everything about running one is expensive, the warranty is just ridiculous money, etc. Plus the prefacelift interior is just a bit weirdly cheap looking.
 
Thanks Fox, I'm off to look at some dealerships today and will include the BMW 530d and Jaguar in my search.

What should I budget for warranties and servicing on the BMW (compared it to the Mercedes as I couldn't get any info from Mercedes on average warranty and serving costs tbh)...
 
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[TW]Fox;25895324 said:
c) Mercedes E Class. I like these but the ownership experience just seems crap? Dealers are problematic, everything about running one is expensive, the warranty is just ridiculous money, etc. Plus the prefacelift interior is just a bit weirdly cheap looking.
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Just to put another spin on this as I think they have worked very hard at improving this. Certainly my experience when purchasing my Smart from Mercedes Coventry and then service/warranty work in Mercedes Birmingham Central they have been really brilliant. Seem very organised and not pushy at all, warranty work was undertaken with no quibble and when they have told me things like tyres need replacing - when I said I would probably shop around on price they weren't pushy at all. This is reflected in their recent JD Power results.

That said their dealership time isn't cheap, and obviously I am using the Smart side of the dealership rather than the Merc, but recently it seems to have been put together in most dealerships.
 
I cant seem to find a decent 530 in my budget. So far I have found these which are of interest to me...

http://www.pooleaudi.co.uk/vehicle/a4-saloon/27-tdi-190-ps-black-edition/oe11arz
http://www.inchcapeaudi.co.uk/vehicles/22249/audi-a5-sportback-3.0-tdi-quattro-se.aspx
http://www.yeovilaudi.co.uk/vehicle/a5-coupe/20-tdi-black-edition-177ps/oy12xpo
http://www.ridgeway.co.uk/bmw/used-cars/11956/bmw-5-series/
http://www.ridgeway.co.uk/bmw/used-cars/12680/bmw-5-series/

this one is a little over my self imposed budget, but I'm finding it difficult to find a BMW that fulfils what TW Fox has said...it seems like I may have to compromise or increase my budget (which means I might as well spec up a new car and be done with it)

http://www.ridgeway.co.uk/bmw/used-cars/11219/bmw-5-series/

I don't really know what is what tbh...I am not the best carbuyer out there that is for sure.
 
The back end of the 5 GT looks horrendous. There's just something wrong with the entire design of them. BMW haven't made a desirable looking car for years. When things like the E60 and E90 were launched I finally understood the phrase "face only a mother could love".

Edit: Looking on wikipedia, Joji Nagashima designed the E36, E39 and Z3. Then designed the E90. How the hell?
 
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Castiel said:
What are they like compared to the standard 5 series?
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Basically the same but with more luggage space due to the horrific backend bulge. Like someone with a fat arse that doesn't look quite right on their body. I'd have to agree with Geekman on the Jaaaaaag choice on exterior aesthetics alone.
 
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