Which executive car for <£10k

[wemorgan]

A friend has asked me for advice on which executive sized car he should buy for <£10k. Apart from price his requirements are: <5 years old, <60k miles, ideally petrol, but would consider a diesel if refined enough, mid-high performance, ideally no less than 30mpg

The shortlist I came up with was:

Petrol:
2005 Audi A6 3.2 FSI
2004 BMW 530i
2004 Merc E280
2006 Saab 95 2.3T Aero

Diesel:
2005 Audi A6 2.7 TDI
2004 BMW 525d
2004 Merc E270 CDI
2006 Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI

Have I missed anything? Can anyone offer advice on the above cars?

He currently drives a 2001 Saab 95 2.3t. He's a Saab fan and I understand why as it offers a lot of car for the money. But I feel it's time for a change as the Saab 95 model is now 12 years old.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[mattc]

A Jag?

 

[wemorgan]

A Jag?

Thanks.

The S-Type does well in both JD Power and Honest John. But I'm not too sure the retro style whould appeal sadly. I'll certainly add it to the list and see what he says.

 

[mattc]

THIS might make him like an S type more

 

[stumpy1]

He won't get 30mpg av from a 530 petrol but apart from that it is a hard car to fault. Might feel a bit tame after his Saab though. If it were me I'd get an S500. I got 30mpg on the motorway with mine and the amount of car for money ratio was amazing.

 

[wemorgan]

He won't get 30mpg av from a 530 petrol but apart from that it is a hard car to fault. Might feel a bit tame after his Saab though. If it were me I'd get an S500. I got 30mpg on the motorway with mine and the amount of car for money ratio was amazing.

Thanks.

I thought the 530i was meant to be one of the best in class? I think he'd accept 28-30mpg for the right car. Would a V8 S500 be able to get 30mpg in mixed driving with motorway speeds 70-80mph?

 

[stumpy1]

The E39 is an amazing car. The 3.0D is a corker too.My mum has a 530 petrol and her trip computer shows between 26 - 30 most of the time. On a run it is over 30. The S class averaged early 20's for me.

 

[A210AMG]

How many miles does he do?

As for me that would make a huge difference either big engined petrol or derv?


Brother sold his 2003 Saab Aero Hot estate before Christmas for £6000 and that was a great car, all the toys you could imagine and went very well.... Certainly a lot of car for the money.

 

[jdrrco]

Alfa 159 1.9 or 2.4 diesel or 2.2 petrol (diesel are better engines - Alfa's own. Petrol is a GM one and a bit lethargic). Has the advantage of being rare enough still to turn heads and with personal plates on it, is the same as the current model.

<-- not that I'm biased!

 

[davidpavey]

Lexus ??

 

[wemorgan]

How many miles does he do?

As for me that would make a huge difference either big engined petrol or derv?


Brother sold his 2003 Saab Aero Hot estate before Christmas for £6000 and that was a great car, all the toys you could imagine and went very well.... Certainly a lot of car for the money.

He does about 15k/year.
For him it's not an entirely economical choice, he's happy to pay more to run a petrol vs diesel, but I suspect would not be happy with a petrol that averages 25mpg.

 

[wemorgan]

Lexus ??

Thanks.

The brand and quality I'm sure he'd like. But I looked at the GS and LS and both lacked fuel effecient options sadly.

 

[SilverSaloon]

hi

the 5 series or the E class for me.

Or a 2003 730i would be great, but may struggle for a decent one under £10k

but, its a waste of time.... if he is a Saab fan, he will get another Saab. Saab fans are loyal to the last. Just wait and see

 

[wemorgan]

Alfa 159 1.9 or 2.4 diesel or 2.2 petrol (diesel are better engines - Alfa's own. Petrol is a GM one and a bit lethargic). Has the advantage of being rare enough still to turn heads and with personal plates on it, is the same as the current model.

<-- not that I'm biased!

Thanks. I really like their styling. Has the trim quality improved from the 156?

The 159 might be a touch on the small side I'd expect. He's 6'2, so would anyone be able to sit behind him?

 

[flango]

BMW 530i will easily get over 30 mpg on a motorway run, around town 24 - 25 mpg, mixed motoring should still achieve 30 mpg. That said out of what you have identified it would be the MB for me E280 or E270 cdi

 

[wemorgan]

hi

the 5 series or the E class for me.

Or a 2003 730i would be great, but may struggle for a decent one under £10k

but, its a waste of time.... if he is a Saab fan, he will get another Saab. Saab fans are loyal to the last. Just wait and see

My sentiments exactly

I'm trying to widen his horizons, but on each discussion all I hear is how great the 95 is. To be fair, the 95 is a good car, but just getting on a bit. I would hope both the 5-series and E class would offer improved refinement and vehicle dynamics, but I've no personal experience.

 

[wemorgan]

BMW 530i will easily get over 30 mpg on a motorway run, around town 24 - 25 mpg, mixed motoring should still achieve 30 mpg. That said out of what you have identified it would be the MB for me E280 or E270 cdi

Thanks.

How does the 5-pot E270 CDI sound? He's the kind of guy that traditionally scoffs at noisy diesels. I suspect a E320CDi would be too expensive.

 

[Mudster]

If a Petrol returns around 26-28 mpg..what would that equate to in a diesel considering the disparity in price and increased service costs? low to mid 30's?

 

[jdrrco]

Thanks. I really like their styling. Has the trim quality improved from the 156?

The 159 might be a touch on the small side I'd expect. He's 6'2, so would anyone be able to sit behind him?

Build quality improved hugely from 156. I had one of those too and this is in a different league. http://www.topgear.com/uk/alfa-romeo/159

Rear legroom no worse than a C-class/A4/X-type or 3-series, but obviously less than the next size up of each.

Good size and well-shaped boot (I measure mine in wine bottles from France: 159 = 275, E-class (W211) = 289)

 

[wemorgan]

If a Petrol returns around 26-28 mpg..what would that equate to in a diesel considering the disparity in price and increased service costs? low to mid 30's?

For example from the vehicles I've listed, 15k miles per year, petrol 91p, diesel 101p

BMW 530i 29mpg = £2137
BMW 525d 40mpg = £1720

Petrols also typically have higher road tax than diesels. But to him spending an extra £1k/year on the right car is something he could live with I feel.