New Family Saloon Needed...

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Hey folks,

 

Looking for a little advice on a new car.

 

I generally try to pick big comfy diesel automatic saloons or coupes. I will soon be getting rid of a leased 2013 CLS 250 – (what a car, I’ll miss it like mad…!)

 

So I’ve been pottering around on Autotraderand PH looking at options. I’m looking to downgrade form the plush CLS but don’t want to go too far. The CLS has comfort, economy and some punch when you ask it nicely. Can’t find anything like that around the 10k mark. So far I’ve learned;

 

A6 – not hugely keen, had a 2L TDI before, faultless car but dull as dishwater to drive. Sent me to sleep. Good mpg / reliability though.

A4 – smaller but nice to drive, like the audi engines and boxes.

Passat – gets good write ups but seats don’t and that’s important.

BMW 5 series – considered for a long time, but they’re so dammed expensive I’ll be lucky to get a 2005 for that money. Seems one of the best options though…

BMW 7 series – too big, but not written off yet

Merc S class – too big, but not written off yet

Peugeot 508 – apparently the auto boxes are crap. I’d have it killed in the first week

Phaeton – wife reckons it’s ugly and I can’t disagree. Not sure I care about that tho…

Sportage – great drive, great comfort, great extras but stinky mpg…

 

Top ask is comfort, cannot compromise on that – but needs to have non-annoying auto gearbox, and some mpgs are always nice.

 

If anyone has experience or suggestions I’d love to hear them. I’m 5 weeks away from not having a family car and really need to pull the finger out…!

 

Cheers!

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

I have a 535d touring, I love it. You should get a 2008-ish for £10k if you shop around, especially if you look at the single turbo 530d's

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Isn't it a little on the stiff side Mr F?

 

Cheers!

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Its fine by my standards but each to their own I suppose? Yes they are dear in comparison to other stuff, as in hold their residual value well, but to me thats somewhat a measure of the car. If you buy the SE version they are softer suspension wise than the MSport, I bought the MSport as I think it looks the business, carbon black on 19" staggered Spiders.

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

I agree with your thinking but I have hatchbacks to rattle my spleen out if needs be...! Does your M sport have that dynamic susp?

[Dai1983 1]

Euro3 Volvo S60 D5s are meant to be good and way, way under budget.

 

I've always had a soft spot for the Citroen C6 and x350 model Jaguar XJ. They share the same 2.7 twin turbo D but the later c6 had the 3.0tdi. Interestingly the v8 jag is meant to give better economy than the v6

[Pugleyrich 37 1 Cars]

I'm not sure if its too small, but you can get a nice 123d coupe for 10k.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Or a 330D E9X..

[Batfink 201]

The power of my Audi A4 TDI 170 is great but its not a car to love...

[GLPoomobile 958]

Audi A8 with a 4.2 V8 diesel. Then get it remapped and have enough torque to pull down a castle.

[nomis 12]

Jaguar XF - good looking, great handling, luxury and feels a bit special.

Our family car is a 2006 2.2d Jaguar X-Type estate and despite the disparaging remarks the motoring journos wheeled out, it's a great car.

The estate is a decent looking car, whereas the saloon looks a bit odd. My dad had a series of Jags and even our poor man's one is a lovely place to be and good drive.

By all accounts the XF is much better.

 

Mind you I'd also be tempted by an old-shape XJ.

 

If comfort is the thing, what about a Citroen C6? Unusual and some great wafting potential

We had a DS5 as a hire car once. I thought it was pretty good and quite quirky.

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

I have a lot to think about, I'm off to review the C6, I've always like the seats in Citroens....

 

Cheers lads!

[welshpug 1,657]

if you're looking at the c6, look at the jaaaaag, similar money same basic engine but rwd.

 

mk2 c5 looks nice, same diesel engines as ford and jaaag again.

[B1ack_Mi16 67]

C6 FAP 240 or the C5 Tourer FAP 240.

They look good

[Justin 9]

FWIW, we run a couple of XF Diesel S's here and I'm not sure I could recommend one, based on my limited experience.

 

Both have had significant electrical problems. The first, in 2010, had it's whole wiring loom replaced and was still problematic. It was eventually rejected at 6 months old. The second also had a few niggly electrical faults and eventually needed a new infotainment/sat nav head unit replacement at 3 years old. I found the interiors wear pretty quickly too.

 

Mechanically they have been pretty good though. The 3.0 diesel V6 pulls pretty well (271bhp and 443ft.lbs) and they're pretty decent to drive, although both ours (one on 19" wheels, one on 20's) don't ride particularly well. Certainly the E38 740 on 17"s rides better.

 

For me though, they really aren't big enough inside. I found the rear head and legroom poor and the boot's not very big. I found our Skoda Superb much better in terms of space - loads and load more legroom - especially when travelling 4 up.

 

I think I'd have to have a serious look at a 5 series. When we first got the Jags in 2009 BMW couldn't get anywhere near the price for two 535d's, the Merc was dull and the Audi duller!

 

I'd love a C6 though!

 

Justin

Edited February 24, 2015 by Justin

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

if you're looking at the c6, look at the jaaaaag, similar money same basic engine but rwd.

 

mk2 c5 looks nice, same diesel engines as ford and jaaag again.

 

I'm still sulking about getting rid of my 98 plate XJR s/c... nothing could possibly compare to the butler with the flick knife...

 

Reviews on the C6 ain't too hot. Not sure the plastic interior would stack up coming from the cls... I'm gonna see how plush the C5's get