Guys , wanted some opinions on some 4 door cars with a budget of around £25k. Want something frugal pref diesel , 4 doors, good driving experience and perhaps a bit sporty, anyone have any recommendations. i already have a FFRR and not looking to upgrade it either as i am happy.

I've looked at :

mercedes S class (a bit chauffeur-ie)
mercedes cls (quite compact and sporty)
bmw 7 series (high tech)
vw phaeton (understated but high depreciation)
audi a8 (doest feel special enough)
Jaguar XF (?)


any suggestions, perhaps post some links ? thanks !!

How about the new e class, maybe an e220 which is not the fastest car however you can easily get an e350 for around 25k with around.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p

I test drove one of these and thought it was a fantastic car.

a bit of a wild car could be a lexus IS, the xf has had great reviews especially on autoexpress having for approx 800 miles out of a 2.2 diesel.

Citroen C6 3.0 v6 HDi.

Comfort is better than the others, they are suprisingly well built compared to some of the others, and if its for comfort and mile munching nothing comes close in that band tbh
Add to that you wont see many others on the road at all and parts arent too pricey and don't often fail

For £25k you'll get an almost new one if you can find one and still have cash left over

new saab 9-5 aero

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p

Suppose this might sound a bit biased, but I'd vote a CLS. Mine is the 320CDI on an '06. On a run, I average 45mpg taking it easy and 30mpg round town driving normally. Very nice car to drive, the only criticism is the seats take some getting used to going from the FFRR, took me a while before I had it set just right, once it's set however, it's really comfortable, they look nice if a bit bland in silver, hence going for an odd-ball choice of colour that really suits it IMO.

They feel very sure footed when on the move, mine doesn't have the air-matic air suspension so is conventional shocks and springs as it was an option on the diesels but standard on the petrol V8's, but I've driven an air-matic equipped diesel one and it didn't feel as 'sporty' as mine.

The thing I found with the air-matic, it's very comfortable on a long or motorway run, but if you stick your toe down on a twisty b-road, they seems to wallow a bit more, almost as if it can't react quick enough, hence why I'm not really too bothered that mine is on conventional suspension as it's a very good compromise between ride comfort and handling. You can really throw them about and they do inspire confidence.

For £25k you could pick up a relatively new facelift one which gets a few small interior changes, bit more standard kit, although mine isn't exactly lacking and other small exterior differences like LED tail lights and revised bumper grilles. I think the facelift ones may even be 350 CDI's but I'm not sure.

Out of your other list, the S class is a nice car if it's the latest incarnation, but will depreciate quite quick, as will the 7 series. The XF is a nice motor, but for me, there's something lacking, possibly the rear end isn't quite right, I think it's the chrome strip between the tail lights that spoil it.

Phaeton's are a good used buy, but only at the £12k-£15k price bracket in my opinion as you won't see much return in a few years time if you come to sell it. A8 with the big diesel could be a good choice though, as could a 350 CDI E Class as mentioned. 2006 Mercedes CLS
1991 Retro-style Mini
But really finding it hard to fight the urge for a S/C...

I would up my budget and get into a Jaguar XJ 3.0 Luxury Diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p

Should hold value quite well

You could always buy a second FFRR

+1 for the XJ.. it's a lovely car Paul

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I love those new XJ's 2006 Mercedes CLS
1991 Retro-style Mini
But really finding it hard to fight the urge for a S/C...

great advice guys! i also love the new XJ fabulous look and feel in the cabin however a little over my budget when you think they will hit the £25k budget, mid-way 2012 maybe?

M44K TS - would cls is a better drive the springs or air based?

kinpleb - the Citroen does look to be very different and luxurious but not sure on the value after a few years?

RR8701 - The E class is nice but doesnt really make you feel special though..

Its true they wont hold much value in the first 3-4 years but beyond that they seem to be doing well as long as they are cared for.

If you can, save the budget and get one a few years old with a good warranty just incase and the money you've saved could go on holidays or paying off some more of the mortgage(if you have one!) instead which should help appease the boss lady

Take one for a test drive though, both you and your mrs and i mean a proper test drive. not everyone likes the suspension as it is strange at first but so sublime when it comes to comfort and when needed sports mode is just a bit stiffer but not too much so

The later ones that are up for sale are mostly 2.2's im afraid but here is a half decent one from a dealer, so price could maybe be knocked down a bit more and its a nice enough motor
Here

Definitely stretch to an XJ...... Fantastic car!

James

A difficult choice. As you have a full fat, why would want a S class or 7 series which like a FF 'takes you to your destination' although, very nice cars. The CLS is a sound car, good engine and gearbox, but IMO a drive which is not that involving to drive. Audi A8, nice car but zzzZZ. Jaguar XF is also a nice car, comfortable, great diesel engine. How about a BMW 5 series, again, good engine choice and economy from the 520d and 530d, great gearbox, solid.

Personally, I would upgrade the FF, it's the only car you will ever need...a nice 4.4 TDV8. Not that I'm biased of course  Current MY2020
Gone: 1 x L405 and 2 x L322's

To fill the criteria you describe, one car leaps out at me, and it's not on your list, it's the BMW 535d.

It's frugal, fast, sporty, and the best driving experience you'll get compared to any of the cars on your list, however if buying with heart, probably go with the Jag.

P.S. Something like this, you can't know 6.4 seconds to 60, and 42.2 MPG combined!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...?logcode=p Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

Last edited by bozmandb9 on 14th Dec 2011 9:57pm. Edited 1 time in total

4.4's arent in that price range just yet, even allowing say 10k for the current one

You'd get a really nice 3.6 tdv8 though