4 series cab or a5 cab or c class cab ?
Discussion
Advice please fellow PH ers. .
Just sold my Ferrari California T as although I loved it - I wasn’t using it as was worried about parking, scraping it down country lanes etc etc . When I bought it I convinced myself I would use it as a daily car but then started to fret about it .
Me and the Mrs go for a lot of weekends away ( no kids ) so I fancy another convertible - up to a max of about 15k that I will use all the time without worrying about it getting scraped in country lanes, dented In the supermarket car park etc etc. Needs to be automatic and comfortable with a decent stereo.
I’ve narrowed the choices down to:
Bmw 428 / 430
Audi A5 cabriolet ( 2 litre petrol
Or 3 litre diesel)
C class merc cabriolet.
I don’t need the most powerful versions of the above ( so no m4 s5 c63 type variants ) just a car I can jump into in the summer and on weekends and enjoy cruising around in without worrying - also one that I can leave in the street overnight if I have a skinful at the pub.
I’m 6 foot 3 by the way so these decent size cars should be comfy I think
Any advice ?
Cheers fellow PH ers!
Just sold my Ferrari California T as although I loved it - I wasn’t using it as was worried about parking, scraping it down country lanes etc etc . When I bought it I convinced myself I would use it as a daily car but then started to fret about it .
Me and the Mrs go for a lot of weekends away ( no kids ) so I fancy another convertible - up to a max of about 15k that I will use all the time without worrying about it getting scraped in country lanes, dented In the supermarket car park etc etc. Needs to be automatic and comfortable with a decent stereo.
I’ve narrowed the choices down to:
Bmw 428 / 430
Audi A5 cabriolet ( 2 litre petrol
Or 3 litre diesel)
C class merc cabriolet.
I don’t need the most powerful versions of the above ( so no m4 s5 c63 type variants ) just a car I can jump into in the summer and on weekends and enjoy cruising around in without worrying - also one that I can leave in the street overnight if I have a skinful at the pub.
I’m 6 foot 3 by the way so these decent size cars should be comfy I think
Any advice ?
Cheers fellow PH ers!
Edited by swanseaboydan on Monday 26th July 13:19
I was looking at the same 4 months ago, albeit £20K budget
The BMW and Audi are lovely looking and well built so you will not go wrong with either. I would not consider the C class, because its cr4p and the E class is much nicer.
The 4 series drives well and looks fantastic. What put me off was the rattles from hardtop (3 year old 330d), potential leaks and general borkage. Also its around 300Kg over the coupe. However I do double take at them thinking mmm should of I...
The A5 again looks great, but I struggled to find the 3.0tdi 272 I wanted.
The E350cdi cab is the pick, great value. Its not a car to sling around country lanes, but its much more refined than the BMW or Audi and for £15K-20K you will have better options and lower mileage as the general owner demographic has been more 'conscientious'.
The BMW and Audi are lovely looking and well built so you will not go wrong with either. I would not consider the C class, because its cr4p and the E class is much nicer.
The 4 series drives well and looks fantastic. What put me off was the rattles from hardtop (3 year old 330d), potential leaks and general borkage. Also its around 300Kg over the coupe. However I do double take at them thinking mmm should of I...
The A5 again looks great, but I struggled to find the 3.0tdi 272 I wanted.
The E350cdi cab is the pick, great value. Its not a car to sling around country lanes, but its much more refined than the BMW or Audi and for £15K-20K you will have better options and lower mileage as the general owner demographic has been more 'conscientious'.
Out of your three it would be the A5 BUT in all honesty I'd say look for an E350cdi, it's the best in this segment & you can get a nice one with sensible miles on for right around your budget.
AMG Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
AMG Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
I’d echo the e class, was recently looking at them as a possible substitute for an S63 cabrio as i couldnt fine one, i was very surprised at how good it was and how close it was size wise to the s class cabrio.
Equally i had the 4 series cabrio as a hire car not long ago, one of the worst cabriolets ive ever driven, the rattles were awful and it felt very slow and pondering.
Cant comment on the audi, the new one looks good, the older one does look dayed to me but thats personal
Equally i had the 4 series cabrio as a hire car not long ago, one of the worst cabriolets ive ever driven, the rattles were awful and it felt very slow and pondering.
Cant comment on the audi, the new one looks good, the older one does look dayed to me but thats personal
The problem I had with the E400 cab I had for a bit was simply the dash. It is ancient. Plastic. Awful. I mean just look at it- random example from AT. Dated doesn't even start to describe it, as the cab came out what, 2010? There were a few facelifts concentrating basically on the lights and bumpers, but the interior remained frankly gash.
Now, you need to up the budget which is a dangerous thing, but, the post 2018 facelift worked wonders. Screens not elderly dials, and the four vents in the base of the dash as the rest of the MB range started to get (well my S class has from about the 2014 upgrade).
More random AT stuff, forget the disco lighting, look at the ergonomics.
The later front ends have the spangly grille, but the rear is noticeably tidier now too- old, 2010 car
And bar moving the reversing lights to the base of the units with the 2014 facelift
They stayed the same throughout.
Now, post 2018, much tidier
Now, you need to up the budget which is a dangerous thing, but, the post 2018 facelift worked wonders. Screens not elderly dials, and the four vents in the base of the dash as the rest of the MB range started to get (well my S class has from about the 2014 upgrade).
More random AT stuff, forget the disco lighting, look at the ergonomics.
The later front ends have the spangly grille, but the rear is noticeably tidier now too- old, 2010 car
And bar moving the reversing lights to the base of the units with the 2014 facelift
They stayed the same throughout.
Now, post 2018, much tidier
Edited by Macron on Monday 26th July 22:40
It was the later e class i was referring to, older models interior was very poor imo.
W213 from 2017> maybe the cabrio was 2018>?
Eta: mm… 25k for a 220d, maybe a bit of negotiating but right now itd be hard going, i’d still take the later model mapped 220 over the 350d older model as it was such a leap forward.
W213 from 2017> maybe the cabrio was 2018>?
Eta: mm… 25k for a 220d, maybe a bit of negotiating but right now itd be hard going, i’d still take the later model mapped 220 over the 350d older model as it was such a leap forward.
Edited by LeroyLoser on Tuesday 27th July 13:44
Another amazingly comprehensive reply and I’m very grateful.
The key for me in all this is not worrying too much about the looks as it will get abused I think.
As long as is comfy amd not too much of a show pony it sounds perfect - the spa breaks and weekends away we go on usually end up with us driving down overgrown lanes with brambles sticking out then parking the car in a gravel car park with pot holes etc in it. If the car is too good to look at I’ll worry about it.
I’ve got a friend in the trade and I’ll ask him to keep an eye out for me for something - I noticed that there is even a ‘luxury ‘ version that seems to have more comfy seats and maybe not an AMG suspension - I’ll start looking and see how I get on !
Thanks again all,
Dan
The key for me in all this is not worrying too much about the looks as it will get abused I think.
As long as is comfy amd not too much of a show pony it sounds perfect - the spa breaks and weekends away we go on usually end up with us driving down overgrown lanes with brambles sticking out then parking the car in a gravel car park with pot holes etc in it. If the car is too good to look at I’ll worry about it.
I’ve got a friend in the trade and I’ll ask him to keep an eye out for me for something - I noticed that there is even a ‘luxury ‘ version that seems to have more comfy seats and maybe not an AMG suspension - I’ll start looking and see how I get on !
Thanks again all,
Dan
I think the interior of the older model is great. The materials are quality, its well build and has actual buttons. Change station - press a button. Change temperature - press a button, change driving mode - press a button.
It was actually the interior of the new E class that put me off. Each to their own though.
But newer model or older model get the 350d. Even a mapped 220d is not close to the luxury of the v6.
It was actually the interior of the new E class that put me off. Each to their own though.
But newer model or older model get the 350d. Even a mapped 220d is not close to the luxury of the v6.
tomsugden said:
Would you really want to listen to a diesel with the roof down? I've had many convertables but I've never even contemplated a diesel, it would annoy me every time I heard it.
Me neither, but op is on a budget and I think the money is better spent on the later interior than the older V6 imo, and that’s from an S63 owner.As an only car then that choice is harder if you’re not getting your engine kicks from something else (didn’t notice if op said he had other stuff)
Many say they like the old interior, years ago I simply walked away from a test drive just on sight of it, so an instant dislike for me.
I adore the new styled merc interiors ever since it debuted in the w222 s class, many hate it though.
LeroyLoser said:
tomsugden said:
Would you really want to listen to a diesel with the roof down? I've had many convertables but I've never even contemplated a diesel, it would annoy me every time I heard it.
Me neither, but op is on a budget and I think the money is better spent on the later interior than the older V6 imo, and that’s from an S63 owner.As an only car then that choice is harder if you’re not getting your engine kicks from something else (didn’t notice if op said he had other stuff)
Many say they like the old interior, years ago I simply walked away from a test drive just on sight of it, so an instant dislike for me.
I adore the new styled merc interiors ever since it debuted in the w222 s class, many hate it though.
Gareth1974 said:
LeroyLoser said:
tomsugden said:
Would you really want to listen to a diesel with the roof down? I've had many convertables but I've never even contemplated a diesel, it would annoy me every time I heard it.
Me neither, but op is on a budget and I think the money is better spent on the later interior than the older V6 imo, and that’s from an S63 owner.As an only car then that choice is harder if you’re not getting your engine kicks from something else (didn’t notice if op said he had other stuff)
Many say they like the old interior, years ago I simply walked away from a test drive just on sight of it, so an instant dislike for me.
I adore the new styled merc interiors ever since it debuted in the w222 s class, many hate it though.
Eta: sure it said 20k originally.
Edited by LeroyLoser on Tuesday 27th July 14:40
tomsugden said:
Would you really want to listen to a diesel with the roof down? I've had many convertables but I've never even contemplated a diesel, it would annoy me every time I heard it.
Bothers me not one jot, one of my favourite cars owned was a lowly 1.9tdi beetle cabrio, huge fun. Have you considered the 6 series convertible?
640d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107255...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...
640i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...
650i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106133...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006240...
640d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107255...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...
640i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...
650i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106133...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006240...
Funnily enough a saw a bloke getting into an e class cabriolet this afternoon and ran up to him and asked him about it. I asked if I could sit in it ( he must have thought I was a bit of a weirdo … ) and he obliged. Lovely car - it was a 2019 car - a 3 litre petrol I think. He said it was a top car and he’s never get rid of it .
I’m defo going to see what I can get- when I do I’ll post on here as per PH custom ! !
I’m defo going to see what I can get- when I do I’ll post on here as per PH custom ! !
I currently own a 2016 428i M Sport Cab.
Silver with red leather interior.
It's been pretty faultless with the exception of a bit of nylon string that that snapped in the roof mechanism. It is a tensioner for the headlining when it folds which meant the top folded but the headliner didn't causing a rip.
The part was a £10 bit of string... sadly the damage to the headliner much more.
These are design flaws, so WILL happen at some point. You can replace at £10 a side in about 20 minutes as preventative maintenance though.
Aside from that its been faultless and would fit the bill exactly as you say. I must admit, for me the M-Sport trim level is a must for the looks, it transforms the car.
Silver with red leather interior.
It's been pretty faultless with the exception of a bit of nylon string that that snapped in the roof mechanism. It is a tensioner for the headlining when it folds which meant the top folded but the headliner didn't causing a rip.
The part was a £10 bit of string... sadly the damage to the headliner much more.
These are design flaws, so WILL happen at some point. You can replace at £10 a side in about 20 minutes as preventative maintenance though.
Aside from that its been faultless and would fit the bill exactly as you say. I must admit, for me the M-Sport trim level is a must for the looks, it transforms the car.
Out of your current shortlist i would go 4 series everytime a with your budget the 428i would be all you need.
However fancy something slightly different ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373658394754?hash=item5...
However fancy something slightly different ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373658394754?hash=item5...
We had a 66 435d msport cab and now a 69 e350i premium plus with black pack cab - both on lease, both were really cheap, alas no decent deals now and the merc is going back soon
435d - in budget, super gearbox and smooth straight 6 oil burner. Really fast, also a v sport feel. Tech meh.
E350 - out of budget, bloody lovely place to be - if the missus kicked me out i could live in it. Gearbox dithers. 4pot turbo is 300bhp, plenty of power but doesnt really suit it, (gb doesnt help). Looks fab, great GT car and tech is amazing.
435d - in budget, super gearbox and smooth straight 6 oil burner. Really fast, also a v sport feel. Tech meh.
E350 - out of budget, bloody lovely place to be - if the missus kicked me out i could live in it. Gearbox dithers. 4pot turbo is 300bhp, plenty of power but doesnt really suit it, (gb doesnt help). Looks fab, great GT car and tech is amazing.
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