2011/2012 vintage CLS350 CDI vs Audi A7 3.0 TDI Quattro

[Walter Sobchak]

I’m going to be moving further out to Sussex this year and my drive to work is going to get considerably longer, from about 7 miles each way to about 45 miles each way!, so thinking about getting a big,comfortable motorway cruiser which is nice to drive and decent on fuel, unfortunately my sheddy old CLK will have to go but I will be keeping the Landcruiser so I’m not too worried about RWD vs AWD if there’s a bit of bad weather as I will simply just use that if there is.
Budget would be approx £10-12k which seems to get you a lot more CLS for your money than it does A7, lower miles,higher spec etc.
I suppose I’d not be against a 640d either, I’ve never been much of a BMW fan but the 6 and 7 Series are big exceptions.
As I will be spending a fair bit of time in it I’m more bothered about comfort and how well it rides, fuel economy will be pretty good on any of them ticking along at 70ish on the motorway all day, reliability is another concern, I’ve had an A5 3.0 TDI before which never really gave me any trouble but I’m a bit concerned about the long term durability of the S Tronic gearbox but I do really like the A7 looks wise, not that the CLS is ugly at all!.
Any thoughts or opinions from people who have driven both-or all 3 would be appreciated.

Edited by Walter Sobchak on Sunday 6th February 11:30

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a decent comfortable cruiser I'd have at the 3.0d Infiniti M GT (this particular one comes with a years warranty) they're loaded with kit & comfortable will cruise with ease & be reliable too. These also have the added bonus of being ULEZ/CAZ compliant so should you need to travel in these zones they'll be no charge & they come in under budget.

Infiniti M GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

Out of the three Germans the CLS would be my first choice as it's the best overall package of the three.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110018...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112130...

The A7 would be last for me:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...

Leftfield

535d GT if you want a comfortable cruiser from the BMW (looks are another matter) range then this is it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201251...

530d GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...

[jason61c]

what about a big Lexus? it'll loose out a bit on MPG but have lower running costs, always hold its money and be a better motorway cruiser?

[Walter Sobchak]

Didn’t even know about the Infinitis existence!, are they Euro 6?, definitely worth considering then!.
Not keen on the 535 GT at all looks wise, I’d much rather a 640.

Out of interest why do you prefer the CLS to the A7?, I think really I like the A7 just a tiny bit more than the CLS but I’d still be very happy with the Merc, I just marginally prefer the looks and the interior of the Audi but if the CLS is a much better car overall I’d go for it.

I like Lexus too I’d definitely consider one but mileage wise it would have to be a diesel and I’m not sure if they do them ?.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 3.0d was built by Nissan to Euro6 levels before Euro6 was introduced so you can get a 2009 3.0d Infiniti that are ULEZ/CAZ compliant.

I prefer the CLS for it's better ride & for me more responsive engine, the Audi has a better infotainment neither are bad I just prefer the CLS.

[Walter Sobchak]

That’s handy to know, I doubt I will be going into ULEZ or clean air zones much so I should be ok with a Euro 5 but I’m definitely interested in seeing if I like them.
I’ve heard the CLS ride is better, also they have a more powerful engine and a proper auto box which is probably less prone to issues than the S Tronic in the Audi, I’d be looking to keep this 2-3 years then replace with a used Model 3 ideally.

[Walter Sobchak]

Another consideration thinking about it would be the E 250/350 CDI convertible as it would be a good replacement for the old petrol CLK cab I’ve got and be a decent commuter too.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for the 350 it's the better engine, I'd actually go for a coupe with the pano roof.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012197...

[Walter Sobchak]

The E Coupe doesn’t really appeal, I think I’d rather have the CLS, the convertible does a bit but really it’s just more to go wrong and probably not worth it for longer drives, the CLS seems like the best choice overall.

Is the 250 engine in either that bad then?, they look really good on fuel, but the V6 doesn’t look bad either, although 10 MPG could mount up over a year!.

[LayZ]

640d Gran Coupe is one of BMWs best lookers of the last 10 years and I'd find it hard to overlook one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111219...