Luxury Car

i think i have settled on the e38 740i now.

My car insurance is up for renewel novemeber time so looking to change around then unless i see a minter before hand.
 
a quick look on 'trader has got me interested in the S-Class now though. Didn't realise they were so cheap and they do look a lot newer than the e38.

I am like a kid in a sweetshop :(
 
[TW]Fox;12180112 said:
It's a telephone. The Comms PACK (ie, a package) also includes Satnav, 16:9 widescreen and television. This car hasn't got it. Top dollar 7's really ought to.

To be honest, I'd rather have an E38 without the comms pack. The Satnav isnt as good as a TomTom in terms of naviation, and is a lot more expensive to get map updates for. If your into customizing the 16:9 widescreen is nice for use with a Car Computer though.

I've had BMW's for years and never found that they are to costly to run, with the exception of fuel... 4L V8's are thirsty buggers. Servicing costs on the 4L were not much higher than a VW with a VR6 engine!, and I've yet to have a major mechanical failer (probably just doomed by Turbo to blow now).

Its worth looking around for a car with a lot of extras included, especially the uprated stereo (DSP Model). It has better speakers, and an acceptable poweramp in the boot. The stereos' powered purely off the factory head unit are pretty poor. I got the 12speaker Hi-Fi factory setup in my E39, and after I added a sub it really sounds quite nice, and more than loud enough.

By sticking with 2000+ cars you nicely avoid the Nikasil engine rot problems of the M60 engine, which made it into early E38s (94-96), Although my last E34 had a 3L M60 engine, with Nikasil coating, and it was still going strong with 200k miles.
 
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Was quite interested in a S320 CDI. Thought i would run some HPI checks before going to see them. All were 3+ owners and all had something iffy in there history :(
 
a quick look on 'trader has got me interested in the S-Class now though. Didn't realise they were so cheap and they do look a lot newer than the e38.

I am like a kid in a sweetshop :(

Tried insurance quotes on them? For some reason insurers don't seem to like the idea of insuring me on an S-class, but are fine with things like Audi A8s, 5 and 7-series etc.
 
Tried insurance quotes on them? For some reason insurers don't seem to like the idea of insuring me on an S-class, but are fine with things like Audi A8s, 5 and 7-series etc.

S500 was a no go with current insurers, S320 CDI is just an admin fee from the Volvo.
 
The S320CDI is rubbish and largely pointless. It is also miles more unreliable - i can see huge bills with a CDI S-class. Get a petrol or don't bother :)

As i said in my other post, fantastic cars but please do get into the mindset that 4 figure bills are normal, else you will get annoyed with it very quickly.
 
Oooh, those S500's look like a nice cheapish option for me. Due to the low annual mileage I do I doubt the mpg would really be any different to currently and the insurance is cheaper too!
 
As i said in my other post, fantastic cars but please do get into the mindset that 4 figure bills are normal, else you will get annoyed with it very quickly.

Speaking from experience, I'm glad to say my e38 was not like that! :eek:

3 figure bills mind you can still make you wince! :o
 
After checking a fair few S430s and S500s at the cheaper end of the market and all have dodgy history (5+ owners, write offs, outstanding credit one was even listed as being scrapped on HPI!)

Seen a nice S320 petrol, its a lot better on the insurance and while its not fast performance seems acceptable. Is it worth traveling to have a look or is it worth spending the extra on a V8?
 
I dont see the point in the 6 cylinder one - it needs to be a V8.

Although with an S Class you want at least several thousand quid in reserve for fixing it if you are running it on a budget or are not wealthy enough to shrug off frequent 4 figure bills.
 
After checking a fair few S430s and S500s at the cheaper end of the market and all have dodgy history (5+ owners, write offs, outstanding credit one was even listed as being scrapped on HPI!)

Seen a nice S320 petrol, its a lot better on the insurance and while its not fast performance seems acceptable. Is it worth traveling to have a look or is it worth spending the extra on a V8?
Personally I would leave the S, I don't really rate it,

I would go for the Lexus LS or the BMW.

The lexus should however be VERY reliable, I have tried one, it's a bit bargy but it's a decent car with plenty of go if needs must.

Cars in this sector are wallet cripplers, you should be able to get away with an LS.
 
Personally I would leave the S, I don't really rate it

But thats ok becuase we know you have some very odd tastes. Reliability gremlins aside, the Mercedes Benz S Class is the finest luxury car in the world. The BMW is more sporty, the Lexus is more reliable but the S Class is just... better.
 
[TW]Fox;12242688 said:
But thats ok becuase we know you have some very odd tastes. Reliability gremlins aside, the Mercedes Benz S Class is the finest luxury car in the world. The BMW is more sporty, the Lexus is more reliable but the S Class is just... better.
Which engine did you try?
 
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