540i Tourer to what?
Discussion
My MIL is about to get rid of her 7th BMW 5 series touring, Siince first getting a 535i in 2010 she's replaced it every 2 years and hasn't cared to look at anything else.
With BMW having discontinued the petrol estate she's now lost as to what to get, test drives in an X3 40i and an X5 60i have resulted in her confirming her hatred for SUVs and and even bigger hatred of anything that needs plugging in.
Any suggestions on what estates she should probably take a look at? Her cars tend to be debaged and she'd rather they weren't too flashy but also expects a somewhat premium interior. At the moment my shortlist is:
- Alpina B3 (Though with more modest wheels and she's likely to say it's too small in the boot)
- E53 or E63 (Discontinued but seen some low mileage options)
- E300?
- Panamera Turismo (Pretty sure I'll be told no because it's a PHEV, though can obviously just never plug it in)
Thoughts?
With BMW having discontinued the petrol estate she's now lost as to what to get, test drives in an X3 40i and an X5 60i have resulted in her confirming her hatred for SUVs and and even bigger hatred of anything that needs plugging in.
Any suggestions on what estates she should probably take a look at? Her cars tend to be debaged and she'd rather they weren't too flashy but also expects a somewhat premium interior. At the moment my shortlist is:
- Alpina B3 (Though with more modest wheels and she's likely to say it's too small in the boot)
- E53 or E63 (Discontinued but seen some low mileage options)
- E300?
- Panamera Turismo (Pretty sure I'll be told no because it's a PHEV, though can obviously just never plug it in)
Thoughts?
PushedDover said:
Sounds like she has great taste tbh.
All the above have none of the Oooomph a 540 delivers.
Surely you are in to Merc AMG E-class territory ?
A Superb may be lower on horses, but is quicker to 60 by 0.1 of a second than a 540i...I think that's comparable ooomph.All the above have none of the Oooomph a 540 delivers.
Surely you are in to Merc AMG E-class territory ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403278...
Answers to a few questions...
3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
Panamax said:
J1990 said:
Since first getting a 535i in 2010 she's replaced it every 2 years
I'd love to see the cumulative depreciation on that strategy! Step 1 is finding an alternative car. Step 2 is finding the best way for it to be paid for - My top suggestion currently is that she gets an IX50/60 that I can use and I buy her the estate she ends up liking. I don't think that'll go down well though...
alock said:
Why sell the current car? It takes effort to sell a car, surely you only do this if you want something else.
Oh don't worry, part of me expects to put in the leg work here and for her to then decide that sticking with the 540 is the best option. She needs to reject everything else first though.J1990 said:
Answers to a few questions...
3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
530e:3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038...
J1990 said:
Answers to a few questions...
3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
Ah, so the question from the MiL is "find me a unicorn, daaaahling..."3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
Good luck, hope the Jag is acceptable.
As an aside, this is the consequence of too many manufacturers having turned almost entirely to SUVs, under the pretence of "there's no demand for estates and large saloons/hatches any more". When palpably there is a demand for such cars.
What I wouldn't give to be able to buy a Lexus GS estate.
J1990 said:
My MIL is about to get rid of her 7th BMW 5 series touring, Siince first getting a 535i in 2010 she's replaced it every 2 years and hasn't cared to look at anything else.
With BMW having discontinued the petrol estate she's now lost as to what to get, test drives in an X3 40i and an X5 60i have resulted in her confirming her hatred for SUVs and and even bigger hatred of anything that needs plugging in.
Any suggestions on what estates she should probably take a look at? Her cars tend to be debaged and she'd rather they weren't too flashy but also expects a somewhat premium interior. At the moment my shortlist is:
- Alpina B3 (Though with more modest wheels and she's likely to say it's too small in the boot)
- E53 or E63 (Discontinued but seen some low mileage options)
- E300?
- Panamera Turismo (Pretty sure I'll be told no because it's a PHEV, though can obviously just never plug it in)
Thoughts?
The Panamera Sport Turismo has low and high powered petrol ones they are not all PHEV.With BMW having discontinued the petrol estate she's now lost as to what to get, test drives in an X3 40i and an X5 60i have resulted in her confirming her hatred for SUVs and and even bigger hatred of anything that needs plugging in.
Any suggestions on what estates she should probably take a look at? Her cars tend to be debaged and she'd rather they weren't too flashy but also expects a somewhat premium interior. At the moment my shortlist is:
- Alpina B3 (Though with more modest wheels and she's likely to say it's too small in the boot)
- E53 or E63 (Discontinued but seen some low mileage options)
- E300?
- Panamera Turismo (Pretty sure I'll be told no because it's a PHEV, though can obviously just never plug it in)
Thoughts?
A low mileage E53 would suit your MIL they have some nice tech IIRC that gets rid of turbo lag power gap with a small electrical motor.
CivicDuties said:
J1990 said:
Answers to a few questions...
3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
Ah, so the question from the MiL is "find me a unicorn, daaaahling..."3 Series likely feels like a step down in quality, which she won't accept. If the size difference is acceptable that's why I'm suggesting the Alpina to bring that interior quality back up.
The Skoda is a non-starter. I appreciate I said not too flashy and debaged, however there's still that desire to feel like it's a treat.
The V90 is discontinued in the UK market which rules that out.
XF might actual not be a bad shout, just seen this one which could work and is significantly cheaper than the budget allows: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404068...
Good luck, hope the Jag is acceptable.
As an aside, this is the consequence of too many manufacturers having turned almost entirely to SUVs, under the pretence of "there's no demand for estates and large saloons/hatches any more". When palpably there is a demand for such cars.
What I wouldn't give to be able to buy a Lexus GS estate.
Yesterday was a test drive of a Panamera Turismo, which was discounted because of the load lip.
Today she's test driving a low mileage 2023 RS6, part of me wants her to love it so I can borrow it occasionally but I have a feeling she won't be won over by the aggressive styling.
The 530e ZX posted and the upcoming new 5 tourer are on the table - After spending time explaining to both FIL and MIL that just because they're PHEVs doesn't mean that they must be plugged in, yes it would be much more efficient but they won't just stop working and need charging back up to go.
I also found out the main driver that she's suddenly decided the car needs to go is that she's replaced 5 tyres this year and 2 rims, due to potholes. Having this knowledge I've now explained that the answer is to go smaller wheel and higher profile tyre. You don't necessarily need a new car for that! (I avoiding telling her that if she steered around potholes instead of aiming for them at full speed that she'd get caught out less often).
CivicDuties said:
I detect the presence of a person who believes the Universe will bend to their will, rather than accepting that they themselves should perhaps adapt their behaviours and expectations to better fit with objective reality.
It's OK, I'm married to one of those, I know what it's like...
Agreed, however that perception is because for the last 3 decades her husband has thrown money at whatever problem arose and so she's never had to compromise. Obviously that's hit fault for the enabling behaviour and I can't really blame her for not wanting to effectively take a step back.It's OK, I'm married to one of those, I know what it's like...
I've had a call since her 11am RS6 test drive and the answer was that the space was great but the interior was disappointing, felt cheap and the screens show far too many fingerprints - Which I agree with.
I'm currently trying to find a decent wheel centre over in Lincolnshire or Norfolk that I could book an appointment with for her to tke her current 540 in and get advice on downsizing wheels as much as possible without snagging on the brakes. It feels like throwing a few K at wheels and tyres is going to be far easier, if not then I hope she likes the XF as I think the one I linked above is bloody beautiful... British racing green, tan interior, facelift infotainment etc.
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