Space, comfort, reliability, 12-16k

[macron]

Yes I know, pick 2!

600 mile monthly round trips, this is the range for early S classes from 2014-16 with sensible starting miles (allegedly), with good specs (sunroof, cooled fronts, exec pack in the back). Don't need to maintain BPs profits or pay fat tax, but specific economy not a huge issue so long as it doesn't mean stopping every 30 mins.

But, what beats it? SUV or EV with range? Is a Model S comfy? Other EVs with range?

Other luxobarges are not ideal at this price point, A8 likely pre 2017 update and looks it, 7 series "sporty" and want toys and waft, S90 nasty plastic, similar in a Superb. Don't know anything about SUVs, can't imagine any JLR product is a good idea, but you tell me- what don't I know about?

[mickyc79]

Got to be some sort of Lexus barge LS,GS or IS range would all cover your space, comfort and reliability.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608245...

[Gerradi]

mickyc79 said:

Got to be some sort of Lexus barge LS,GS or IS range would all cover your space, comfort and reliability.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608245...

Exactly this ...

[a311]

I think you’re probably talking yourself back into the S-Class

A 600 mile round trip once a month is exactly the sort of use where one makes sense. You’re not doing silly annual mileage, fuel economy isn’t the be all and end all, and for hours on the motorway you’re going to appreciate something that just wafts along.

I’m not sure I’d bother with an SUV unless you specifically want the higher seating position. For this sort of use I don’t really see what it gives you over a big saloon.

A Model S is an interesting one, but I’m not convinced an older one is really an S-Class replacement for ride, refinement and just generally feeling relaxed after a long journey. They’re getting on a bit now as well, so I’m not sure I’d assume it’s the safer bet for avoiding big bills.

I’d probably have a look at an LS, 7 Series and maybe an XJ as well, but at this age I’d be buying almost entirely on condition and history rather than badge.

If it was me I’d probably just find the best S-Class I could, accept that something expensive may eventually need doing, and keep a bit of money aside for it.

[Dg504]

Personally I love the look of the >2019 S-class’

This has been on since Jan and still not sold https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601169...

Might be high miles but could an approved warranty be setup for it?

[KadettE]

Could get a very nice XJ with that budget: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609035... Surely no less reliable than an S-class? Volvo S90 might also be worth a look.

[Chris_i8]

I'd definitely recommend taking a Model S for a drive before committing to an old school barge.

Having owned all of the luxury barge's around this price point (excluding Phaeton) if I was forced to revisit I'd go XJ or Range Rover.

Happy shopping!

Chris

[ZX10R NIN]

Hard to find but I'd suggest looking out for the Hyundai Genesis:

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwjv2...

XJ is a great shout & the 3.0SC is the sweet spot:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607284...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606103...

Lexus ES:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608205...

740 Li depreciation is your friend here:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503049...

A8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607073...

[macron]

Gerradi said:

mickyc79 said:

Got to be some sort of Lexus barge LS,GS or IS range would all cover your space, comfort and reliability.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608245...

Exactly this ...

CVT gives me the chills, IS tiny, GS a jumped up Camry, LS has values I cannot fathom.

The RX, however, how are they, do we think?

Still a CVT but does the road noise (!) drown it out? Post 2016? One with the angular angry face seems nice inside... What do we think of them?

I am drawn to an enormous disco 5 in HSE trim or above, although I am pretty certain it would flunk the reliability aspect with aplomb... It's just I could get so much more in it than an S class....... Which means I may well consider an SUV this time......

[addey]

We've had a 2017 RX450h for just over a year (yes its got a pointy angry face). Can't really compare to the other options you are considering (had a Skoda Kodiaq and Jag XF estate before) but its a pretty comfortable and quiet motorway cruiser (vastly better than the kodiaq). Its a big car and feels very solid, although the interior space is focused in the cabin, i.e. the boot isn't massive, especially with the sloping rear roofline. Reasonably efficient, we pretty much always get 38-40mpg, although our driving is mainly urban where the hybrid obviously helps. Did a big road trip last summer, France, Austria, Germany, France and it was great for that and still did high 30's. One downside is that insurance is very expensive so check that first. They obviously have a great reputation for reliability but ours has an issue with the hybrid battery at the moment (it has done 135,000 miles though)

[AddyT.]

Dg504 said:

Personally I love the look of the >2019 S-class

This has been on since Jan and still not sold https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601169...

Might be high miles but could an approved warranty be setup for it?

Love an S Class. I am not sure you can put an MB warranty on a Mercedes unless its less than 10 years old or under 100k miles. I could be wrong about the mileage cap. You can check on the MB site if a car is eligible.

[McMoose]

A Lexus. But not one with keyless entry.

[joshcowin]

I have a 13 plate Q5 with the 3.0 tdi V6.

I have just done a 600 mile journey on one tank, comfy mile muncher. Been reliable and people often comme t how comfy it is.

[macron]

I'd likely be after the size above, so Q7.

I've got some saved YouTubes comparing them against things like the Disco and XC90. Disco is, on paper, fab, but the risk of water through the windscreen or front windows, before anything mechanical, I just can't ignore. Post 2015(?) XC90 has mega miles in this price range, and a stty 2.0D before I've looked at the AC controls in a screen. Which would be a no, lol!

Current shortlist,

S Class,
Maybe a 7 series but I think the spec would be low compared to the Merc, eg:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607224...

I wouldn't get the most benefit from the hybrid , but you can see the £4k rear seat package with individual electric recliners, heated and cooled.

Or this one which also has the sunroof

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608275...

Lexus RX needs to be seen, as does a Model S, new wildcard of a Model X, yes dumbass rear doors, but more interior space than the S, allegedly.

Q7/ Toureg which depreciates faster a possibility, but I suspect in budget neither would be ace.

What else have I missed given what else I've ruled out?

[flatso]

Following this with interest! Exactly my brief for a while now, just cannot get around to testing all of the options.

[andy43]

I think I’d grit my gearbox teeth and go Lexus. RX is very comfy - Takumi is top spec - at that budget it’d be the non PHEV V6 which is a very smooth engine. Might even scrape in with a bit of the ten year warranty left.
Model S is definitely worth a try, the silence in traffic is ace. Good seats, a bit of road noise on the bigger wheels, and you might get one (pre 2017 iirc) that’s still got free supercharging. X is a bus with loads of room - I had an X on loan while my S was broken and the difference in size was noticeable.

[Krhuangbin]

I've just done this.

Picked up a lovely 2016 F10 520d M Sport.

£35 a year tax (!) I've just averaged 50mpg driving down the country, its smooth, quiet, comfortable, spacious, and being the later engine anecdotally reliable. It has more than enough power/speed.

I'm really pleased with it

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd find it hard to look past the Genesis listed above, well under the OP's budget & apart from the tax, there's really not a downside.