Luxo barge as a family car
Discussion
As the 2 children have grown a bit and we no longer need all the carrying capacity of a large MPV. So we have started looking at large SUV's but cannot really warm up to any of them (Cayenne being the exception). Large estates came into focus as I really want something that is a bit better to drive. The BMW 5er G31 is currently on top of the list, but in my searches I have been seeing very attractive offers for the 7er (G10) and have begun to wonder if it could also be fit for family duties, mainly long motorway cruises and some mountain roads in the Alps.
The saloon used to be the norm as a family car back in the day.
Things that may speak for the luxo barge:
1. the depreciation is massive so as a second hand buy they become very attractive.
2. Off lease examples are usually well maintained, especially as manufacturers (BMW specifically) threw years of free service at these in order to attract customers.
3. Better perceived build quality as these are all flagship models.
4. Ride comfort, NVH and general refinement on saloons must be a cut above the rest, as the passanger cell is completly isolated from the boot.
Downsides are obviously the possible maintenance bills, however extended warranties and similar drivetrains as lesser models (in BMW the B58 or B57 with the ZF 8 speed) make it more palatable.
So, what do y'all think? Worth the splurge?
The saloon used to be the norm as a family car back in the day.
Things that may speak for the luxo barge:
1. the depreciation is massive so as a second hand buy they become very attractive.
2. Off lease examples are usually well maintained, especially as manufacturers (BMW specifically) threw years of free service at these in order to attract customers.
3. Better perceived build quality as these are all flagship models.
4. Ride comfort, NVH and general refinement on saloons must be a cut above the rest, as the passanger cell is completly isolated from the boot.
Downsides are obviously the possible maintenance bills, however extended warranties and similar drivetrains as lesser models (in BMW the B58 or B57 with the ZF 8 speed) make it more palatable.
So, what do y'all think? Worth the splurge?
flatso said:
So, what do y'all think? Worth the splurge?
In a word yes. 7-series would also be my choice (I'm biased as currently in a 5 series) and is a relatively rare sight (most luxo barges seem to be S-classes). Enjoy it whilst still around - am I right in thinking the 7 has moved to electric only, or is that just the i7 - is there still a new petrol 7? Just after our first child was born we realised a 3 series wasn’t going to accommodate the crap that as new parents we felt compelled to drag around. We bought an ex demo D2 Audi A8. A triumph of a decision - it was great. It ate long distances like Pac-Man. Huge boot, and a lovely cabin. Of course, petrol was a bit cheaper in those days, and there weren’t a million and one speed cameras in whichever direction you looked…
We ran a D3 A8 as our family car for a year and it was fabulous. The only downside is that the seats don't fold and they're not an estate - otherwise they are designed to move people in comfort and generally mechanically quite similar to the lower models these days also so running them isn't as ruinous as you'd think.
If the boot is big enough for holidays I would go for it. A much nicer experience for those in the back seats compared to a mid-size saloon or a SUV.
For long distance holidays I'd prefer to have something like a S500 than an estate or SUV, but it ain't going to happen in my circumstances.
For long distance holidays I'd prefer to have something like a S500 than an estate or SUV, but it ain't going to happen in my circumstances.
I've just traded in a 730d for and 840d. Normally I keep cars max 1 year but I had the 7 series 2 1/2 yrs - it was excellent. Had xdrive, air suspension, loads of kit and a massive boot (back seats don't drop tho). It was 3 yrs old when bought and a total bargain. Obvs, prices have increased since then, but an ex-lease 3 yr old 7 series is as good as it gets value wise. As for costs, insurance was reasonable, service intervals are long and pricing from BMW wasn't extortionate. I put about 30k miles on the car whilst I had it and averaged 45mpg. It was bought from franchised dealer so got warranty and roadside cover for 1 year. All in all, I'd totally recommend.
630d GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309202...
640i GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...
Genesis G80:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
GV70:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309041...
XJ Autobiography:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...
Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306128...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309202...
640i GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...
Genesis G80:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
GV70:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309041...
XJ Autobiography:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...
Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306128...
I've also been looking at the 7 series as an option which will have to do family duties. I used to have a 540i and it was brilliant. I'm selling my campervan and looking to free up some cash for a potential house move so I was thinking of an older 340i, but I've seen some great spec 7 series where the depreciation has already hit. Very tempting.
Another vote for a D3 A8 if you can get one with a good service history and ideally a warranty. My kids loved how much space they had in mine and the boot was MASSIVE.
Drove well for a land yacht but it was the 4.0 twin turbo diesel so had no reason to be a slouch. Selectable ride height air suspension was useful when we went anywhere countryside-y and unpaved, and you can get roof bars for them if you need to put a box on them for holidays etc. No idea if you can for BMW 7s as I've not owned one.
Drove well for a land yacht but it was the 4.0 twin turbo diesel so had no reason to be a slouch. Selectable ride height air suspension was useful when we went anywhere countryside-y and unpaved, and you can get roof bars for them if you need to put a box on them for holidays etc. No idea if you can for BMW 7s as I've not owned one.
I ran a 740i for a while.
Very comfortable, not slow, BIG. Mine was the long version so rear leg room was massive.
Surprisingly good on fuel, a run down to Cornwall, about 500 miles round trip, saw 3G mpg overall.
Mine was a 2017 and I bought in 2019, was well maintained and probably still is as BMW were offering a 5 year service plan when new.
I would say that it drives like a smaller car but managed to scrape my gatepost as some t
t had parked in my way, saying that on the road you do forget the sheer size of the thing, well over 5m long.
The digital key is a bit of a gimmick.
Very comfortable, not slow, BIG. Mine was the long version so rear leg room was massive.
Surprisingly good on fuel, a run down to Cornwall, about 500 miles round trip, saw 3G mpg overall.
Mine was a 2017 and I bought in 2019, was well maintained and probably still is as BMW were offering a 5 year service plan when new.
I would say that it drives like a smaller car but managed to scrape my gatepost as some t
t had parked in my way, saying that on the road you do forget the sheer size of the thing, well over 5m long.The digital key is a bit of a gimmick.
Panamax said:
I think you'd be better off looking at posh estate cars than luxo-barge saloons. The Germans are particularly good at it.
How I dreamed of an A8 estate! The only estate I would go for is the BMW G30, the E-Klasse looks are a turn-off and the A6 also is no longer as pretty. In all honesty the boot sizes of estates (except t he Skoda Superb and E.Klasse) are a bit disappointing the 5er having just 55 litres more than the 7er.How cumbersome are the new barges on mountain roads? Is the 7er still the more agile of the bunch?
flatso said:
How I dreamed of an A8 estate! The only estate I would go for is the BMW G30, the E-Klasse looks are a turn-off and the A6 also is no longer as pretty. In all honesty the boot sizes of estates (except t he Skoda Superb and E.Klasse) are a bit disappointing the 5er having just 55 litres more than the 7er.
How cumbersome are the new barges on mountain roads? Is the 7er still the more agile of the bunch?
A long time ago Audi had a concept car: the Avantissimo. It was a D2 A8 avant. How cumbersome are the new barges on mountain roads? Is the 7er still the more agile of the bunch?
As RDMcG suggests, if you want a barge sized estate, a Panamera Sport Turismo is the only car that ticks the box.
Cannot recommend this approach enough, I've used big heavily depreciated barges as family cars since I had kids.
I think it's a bit ridiculous that what you get told is a "family car" will usually be utterly horrible to be a rear seat passenger in like some hatchback or mid sized SUV. Isn't one of the expectations of a family car that it will have people in the back more often? You can't blame kids for being whiney and unhappy about spending more than 20 minutes in the back of something like a Golf or Qashqai, on top of the horrible environment they often have piss poor ride quality for rear passengers.
The best barges for the job have power rear seats that are heated and maybe cooled, four zone climate, and if you can get something with a fridge, TVs, and rear massage long journeys won't be something they actively hate anymore. TVs can help too, for some reason the sight of a 10 year old fuzz-o-matic TV on a head rest is still exciting to kids who have had a super HD tablet with a bigger screen and much better interface for as far back as they can remeber.
I think it's a bit ridiculous that what you get told is a "family car" will usually be utterly horrible to be a rear seat passenger in like some hatchback or mid sized SUV. Isn't one of the expectations of a family car that it will have people in the back more often? You can't blame kids for being whiney and unhappy about spending more than 20 minutes in the back of something like a Golf or Qashqai, on top of the horrible environment they often have piss poor ride quality for rear passengers.
The best barges for the job have power rear seats that are heated and maybe cooled, four zone climate, and if you can get something with a fridge, TVs, and rear massage long journeys won't be something they actively hate anymore. TVs can help too, for some reason the sight of a 10 year old fuzz-o-matic TV on a head rest is still exciting to kids who have had a super HD tablet with a bigger screen and much better interface for as far back as they can remeber.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 22 September 18:45
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