Help on 5/A6/E
Discussion
Hello,
I think I'm going to buy a 5 Series/A6/E Class.
10 years old, 2014 ish, £10-£15k.
I only want petrol and at least 6 cyl.
I'm looking, in order, for (1) Crash Safety (2) Reliability.
What models of these cars are good and what should be avoided? I don't mind maintenance costs but I don't want breakdowns or bills as much as the value of the car. I quite like the S6 but seems like it might have engine issues.
Is there anything else to consider? I've never enjoyed any Japanese car I've had. I could go SUV (Cayenne/Q5?) but are SUVs more expensive to maintain than saloons?
Thanks!
I think I'm going to buy a 5 Series/A6/E Class.
10 years old, 2014 ish, £10-£15k.
I only want petrol and at least 6 cyl.
I'm looking, in order, for (1) Crash Safety (2) Reliability.
What models of these cars are good and what should be avoided? I don't mind maintenance costs but I don't want breakdowns or bills as much as the value of the car. I quite like the S6 but seems like it might have engine issues.
Is there anything else to consider? I've never enjoyed any Japanese car I've had. I could go SUV (Cayenne/Q5?) but are SUVs more expensive to maintain than saloons?
Thanks!
I have zero knowledge of the mechanical reliability but the rest of your criteria would have me looking at this as being the place I'd most like to spend my time vs the competitors you mentioned: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312134...
If I'm wrapped up on reliability then I'd struggle to look past an LS: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401306...
If I'm wrapped up on reliability then I'd struggle to look past an LS: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401306...
Thanks, I'm not against a Jaguar but I thought they (and Range Rover) had poor electrical reliability. Many years ago I had use of a supercharged range rover which broke down on the M1 so that clouds judgement a bit.
The Lexus looks ok but is it safe - I initially stared looking at Nissan Patrols and similar but they have really poor NCAP ratings.
RE. 6cy E class, it isn't a UK purchase and there's a million E350s / E400s available.
Otherwise, Porsche Panamera v6 is a leftfield option.
But I'm not particularly bothered, I'm just looking for a safe and reliable 6cy petrol car about the size of a 5 series. SUV is ok assuming the costs aren't very high (as I expect on a 2014 Cayenne).
The Lexus looks ok but is it safe - I initially stared looking at Nissan Patrols and similar but they have really poor NCAP ratings.
RE. 6cy E class, it isn't a UK purchase and there's a million E350s / E400s available.
Otherwise, Porsche Panamera v6 is a leftfield option.
But I'm not particularly bothered, I'm just looking for a safe and reliable 6cy petrol car about the size of a 5 series. SUV is ok assuming the costs aren't very high (as I expect on a 2014 Cayenne).
sneezer212 said:
Thanks, I'm not against a Jaguar but I thought they (and Range Rover) had poor electrical reliability. Many years ago I had use of a supercharged range rover which broke down on the M1 so that clouds judgement a bit.
The Lexus looks ok but is it safe - I initially stared looking at Nissan Patrols and similar but they have really poor NCAP ratings.
RE. 6cy E class, it isn't a UK purchase and there's a million E350s / E400s available.
Otherwise, Porsche Panamera v6 is a leftfield option.
But I'm not particularly bothered, I'm just looking for a safe and reliable 6cy petrol car about the size of a 5 series. SUV is ok assuming the costs aren't very high (as I expect on a 2014 Cayenne).
Lexus GS 300H should be reliable, six cylinder petrol. Not particular quick though. 450H is faster but that would mean higher mileage. The Lexus looks ok but is it safe - I initially stared looking at Nissan Patrols and similar but they have really poor NCAP ratings.
RE. 6cy E class, it isn't a UK purchase and there's a million E350s / E400s available.
Otherwise, Porsche Panamera v6 is a leftfield option.
But I'm not particularly bothered, I'm just looking for a safe and reliable 6cy petrol car about the size of a 5 series. SUV is ok assuming the costs aren't very high (as I expect on a 2014 Cayenne).
I'm sure I've read that the Cayenne can have air suspension problems at 100k miles. Worth checking that out.
Infiniti FX 5.0 could be worth a look?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401165...
If crash safety is #1
Volvo S90, not 6 cylinder, but less to go wrong.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
Volvo S90, not 6 cylinder, but less to go wrong.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
Thanks. Lots of support for Lexus. Are they safe?
On Volvo, there aren't many in the market, there's a nice looking V60 but not sure on reliability. S90 is a bit out of budget and 150k miles.
Stinger is nice but visibility looks poor.
Are there any views on reliability of the standard 530 / A6 3.0 / E 350?
On Volvo, there aren't many in the market, there's a nice looking V60 but not sure on reliability. S90 is a bit out of budget and 150k miles.
Stinger is nice but visibility looks poor.
Are there any views on reliability of the standard 530 / A6 3.0 / E 350?
sneezer212 said:
Thanks. Lots of support for Lexus. Are they safe?
On Volvo, there aren't many in the market, there's a nice looking V60 but not sure on reliability. S90 is a bit out of budget and 150k miles.
Stinger is nice but visibility looks poor.
Are there any views on reliability of the standard 530 / A6 3.0 / E 350?
Yes Lexus is safe and reliable, just like volvo. 5* NCAP ratings fairly consistently.On Volvo, there aren't many in the market, there's a nice looking V60 but not sure on reliability. S90 is a bit out of budget and 150k miles.
Stinger is nice but visibility looks poor.
Are there any views on reliability of the standard 530 / A6 3.0 / E 350?
As for the german exec's you're looking at, I don't know of any particular horror stories regarding the engines on these but when you're looking at a fairly slim budget for a 6cylinder petrol of a 'premium' brand you're going to be looking at higher mileage and you're also looking at cars which are 10 or more years old. Test drive some, work out what excites you and then narrow down by reading specific reviews. It's all well and good us making suggestions but until you've sat in and driven an example you'll have no idea whether or not you'd want to own it.
Thanks. This is going to be a tool to drive on a motorway. That's it. It needs some acceleration, to be safe and not to have horrible mechanical failures.
I was looking for some advice e.g. don't buy an Audi 4.0T the turbos fail. Buy a Mercedes 3.0 whatever. I can indeed test drive a large universe of cars and then spend ages looking for common mechanical problems on them prior to spending money on inspections but I thought, given this is a car forum, there might be some useful knowledge on common engine, gearbox and suspension problems.
I was looking for some advice e.g. don't buy an Audi 4.0T the turbos fail. Buy a Mercedes 3.0 whatever. I can indeed test drive a large universe of cars and then spend ages looking for common mechanical problems on them prior to spending money on inspections but I thought, given this is a car forum, there might be some useful knowledge on common engine, gearbox and suspension problems.
Firstly, don't worry about crash safety, all cars made in the past 10 years or so are very, very safe. Best not to crash them in the first place, mind.
I'm not such a fan of the F10 5 series to be honest - I much prefer the later G30. Most of the engines in the F10 had reliability issues such as the N52 and N53 6 cylinders and N63 V8 with things like timing chain failure, engine fires, fuel pump failure, oil consumption, injector failure, coil pack failure, etc, etc. If I had to pick one, it'd be the 535i. Other than that they are generally reliable, but if parts do go on them, they tend to be expensive.
With the Audis, avoid pre-2012 models and the multitronic gearbox as a general rule. The supercharged 3.0 V6 TFSI is a good one. You won't be able to afford a 4.0 V8 TT S6 for only £15k so it's kind of academic, but they need regular oil changes, so a FSH is essential. Engine mounts can fail on them and are expensive to replace.
In the E class, it'll probably be the W212 E350 that uses the M272 motor - avoid any made pre-2009 as they had issues with balance shafts and lumpy idling resulting from issues with the intake manifold. If you can stretch to the E500, definitely consider one as the M273 5.5 litre is a great engine, plenty of power and very reliable, if a little thirsty.
I'm not such a fan of the F10 5 series to be honest - I much prefer the later G30. Most of the engines in the F10 had reliability issues such as the N52 and N53 6 cylinders and N63 V8 with things like timing chain failure, engine fires, fuel pump failure, oil consumption, injector failure, coil pack failure, etc, etc. If I had to pick one, it'd be the 535i. Other than that they are generally reliable, but if parts do go on them, they tend to be expensive.
With the Audis, avoid pre-2012 models and the multitronic gearbox as a general rule. The supercharged 3.0 V6 TFSI is a good one. You won't be able to afford a 4.0 V8 TT S6 for only £15k so it's kind of academic, but they need regular oil changes, so a FSH is essential. Engine mounts can fail on them and are expensive to replace.
In the E class, it'll probably be the W212 E350 that uses the M272 motor - avoid any made pre-2009 as they had issues with balance shafts and lumpy idling resulting from issues with the intake manifold. If you can stretch to the E500, definitely consider one as the M273 5.5 litre is a great engine, plenty of power and very reliable, if a little thirsty.
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Wednesday 31st January 18:59
georgeyboy12345 said:
With the Audis, avoid pre-2012 models and the multitronic gearbox as a general rule.
Erm...Audi A6 C6 2009 multitronic owner here - with 228k miles on the clock - still going strong - have only changed ATF oil once, only done basic oil changes too! Best car I've had in terms of reliability, previous cars were Lexus and Porsche - Lexus was the worst - great car - solid engine/auto box - but constantly other things going wrong with itswiftguy said:
Erm...Audi A6 C6 2009 multitronic owner here - with 228k miles on the clock - still going strong - have only changed ATF oil once, only done basic oil changes too! Best car I've had in terms of reliability
Fairest play, but you are absolutely the exception, not the rule!CLS 350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310022...
E350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402016...
XF V6 S, these are underrated but are a good steer/ride well & are also reliable:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312094...
GS450h:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401195...
640i GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312084...
535i Luxury:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310022...
E350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402016...
XF V6 S, these are underrated but are a good steer/ride well & are also reliable:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402026...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312094...
GS450h:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401195...
640i GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312084...
535i Luxury:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...
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