Help Me Decide. Big and Comfortable with Some Go

[48Valves]

It’s time for something new after 5 years and 100k in my F11 535D. I’m older and doing longer journeys so the standard sports seats aren’t cutting it in the comfort department.

I need, comfort, space, a decent boot and effortless cruising in all weather. Ideally at least a 3 litre engine.

Fuel costs aren’t a concern, but reliability and overall ownership cost is.

Budget is £30k, £32k absolute maximum. 2017 or newer With less than 60k miles and Euro6

Edited to add. I want an estate or SUV.

My short list so far

A6 Allroad
S4
S6
SQ5
Q7
X3
Disco First Edition or Luxury
RR Sport (FFRR are too expensive to insure)
GLC AMG 43 or 350
E43
Maserati Levante

Help

Edited by 48Valves on Tuesday 17th October 09:16

[Lotobear]

48Valves said:

It’s time for something new after 5 years and 100k in my F11 535D. I’m older and doing longer journeys so the standard sports seats aren’t cutting it in the comfort department.

I need, comfort, space, a decent boot and effortless cruising in all weather. Ideally at least a 3 litre engine.

Fuel costs aren’t a concern, but reliability and overall ownership cost is.

Budget is £30k, £32k absolute maximum. 2017 or newer With less than 60k miles and Euro6

My short list so far

A6 Allroad
S4
S6
SQ5
Q7
X3
Disco First Edition or Luxury
RR Sport (FFRR are too expensive to insure)
GLC AMG 43 or 350
E43
Maserati Levante

Help

I've just acquired an A6 Allroad - it's older than your budget and has the mid range 245bhp engine but it's a lovely, comfy and very capable thing with more than enough grunt for what I need. It's understated too which I like.

The Biturbo version must be epic - that might just suit you down to a tee

[MustangGT]

Mercedes C43 AMG 4matic.

Just within budget, 4wd as needed (RWD is normal mode), comfortable, refined and quick (V6 3.0 376bhp).

Not sure on the 3 litre front though? My C300d 4matic runs a 2.0 diesel, though also has electric drive, so, total 240ish bhp, plenty quick enough and I get low to mid 50s mpg.

[andy43]

Kia Stinger but do check the seats as they’re sporty/hard-ish.
3.3 twin turbo V6, every option you can think of as standard and seven years warranty.

[P1Fanatic]

Is it just the seats you don't like about the 5 series? If so maybe X3 M40i or d. I've been running an F25 30D for 9yrs and I've loved it. Mine came with the msport suspension delete so not too harsh. I find the seats comfy but have not sat in newer gen X3. Better size than X5 / 5 series for my usage (I had a 530D touring loaner and found it too long personally. If current prices weren't so mental I would have swapped to an m40i for the extra power and soundtrack by now.

[Krikkit]

S500 plus warranty.

Can't believe some people are recommending an AMG for comfort

[Byker28i]

unusual choice suggestion

I've just driven a Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2000 km's around Canada. V8 5.7l and on long journies got around 26mpg, which was surprising.
Plenty of the V6 around for under 30K or you could go silly with the 6.4l SRT

[FMOB]

I would avoid the C8 version of the S6, seats are horrible, driving position is same, dash rattles galore but 40+ mpg.

MMI is awful.

[Adenauer]

I've had my 2020 S6 oil burner for two years now and bloody love it, plenty of grunt, very good on fuel, and very comfortable.

Best company car I have ever had by a country mile. If you can get an estate one I'd definitely recommend it, if you can ignore the stupid fake exhaust tips.

[48Valves]

P1Fanatic said:

Is it just the seats you don't like about the 5 series? If so maybe X3 M40i or d. I've been running an F25 30D for 9yrs and I've loved it. Mine came with the msport suspension delete so not too harsh. I find the seats comfy but have not sat in newer gen X3. Better size than X5 / 5 series for my usage (I had a 530D touring loaner and found it too long personally. If current prices weren't so mental I would have swapped to an m40i for the extra power and soundtrack by now.

The seats never were particularly comfortable. I didn’t realise they didn’t have lumbar support until after I’d bought it, wrongly assuming such a car would have it as standard. Now I’m sick of them.

Other than that it’s been a fabulous car.

I’m finding used car prices are crazy compared to when I bought the 535. An equivalent car is now wall over £10k more than I paid 5 years ago.

Thanks for the other replies. I want an estate or SUV so the Stinger is out.

[FMOB]

Adenauer said:

I've had my 2020 S6 oil burner for two years now and bloody love it, plenty of grunt, very good on fuel, and very comfortable.

Best company car I have ever had by a country mile. If you can get an estate one I'd definitely recommend it, if you can ignore the stupid fake exhaust tips.

Interesting, I have a 2021 S6 and it is the biggest pile of poo I have ever bought.

[Adenauer]

FMOB said:

I would avoid the C8 version of the S6, seats are horrible, driving position is same, dash rattles galore but 40+ mpg.

MMI is awful.

I have the Sport L seats in mine (or whatever they're called) and they're lovely. No squeaky or rattles at all in the dash, but then I've only had it up to 260 km/h

[Adenauer]

FMOB said:

Adenauer said:

I've had my 2020 S6 oil burner for two years now and bloody love it, plenty of grunt, very good on fuel, and very comfortable.

Best company car I have ever had by a country mile. If you can get an estate one I'd definitely recommend it, if you can ignore the stupid fake exhaust tips.

Interesting, I have a 2021 S6 and it is the biggest pile of poo I have ever bought.

Everyone's different.

Seriously though, had mine for 2 years now and 60,000kms, never had a problem and love it. It's a saloon and I'm thinking of chopping it in for another, but an estate.

[FMOB]

Adenauer said:

FMOB said:

Adenauer said:

I've had my 2020 S6 oil burner for two years now and bloody love it, plenty of grunt, very good on fuel, and very comfortable.

Best company car I have ever had by a country mile. If you can get an estate one I'd definitely recommend it, if you can ignore the stupid fake exhaust tips.

Interesting, I have a 2021 S6 and it is the biggest pile of poo I have ever bought.

Everyone's different.

Seriously though, had mine for 2 years now and 60,000kms, never had a problem and love it. It's a saloon and I'm thinking of chopping it in for another, but an estate.

Is your LHD by any chance?

[alfabeat]

Not on your short list, but my neighbour who drives mega miles for work each year, has moved from a 530d, to a Merc coupe to a VW Tourag. He absolutely loves it. Quick & very comfy (and reliable):

For example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309152...

[Adenauer]

FMOB said:

Adenauer said:

FMOB said:

Adenauer said:

I've had my 2020 S6 oil burner for two years now and bloody love it, plenty of grunt, very good on fuel, and very comfortable.

Best company car I have ever had by a country mile. If you can get an estate one I'd definitely recommend it, if you can ignore the stupid fake exhaust tips.

Interesting, I have a 2021 S6 and it is the biggest pile of poo I have ever bought.

Everyone's different.

Seriously though, had mine for 2 years now and 60,000kms, never had a problem and love it. It's a saloon and I'm thinking of chopping it in for another, but an estate.

Is your LHD by any chance?

Jawohl.

[Cryssys]

MustangGT said:

Mercedes C43 AMG 4matic.

Just within budget, 4wd as needed (RWD is normal mode), comfortable, refined and quick (V6 3.0 376bhp).

Not sure on the 3 litre front though? My C300d 4matic runs a 2.0 diesel, though also has electric drive, so, total 240ish bhp, plenty quick enough and I get low to mid 50s mpg.

C43 is permanent 4WD and 2019 model year has 395 BHP, not sure about current model although that's probably too expensive.

Suspension may be a little too firm for some.

[andy43]

I missed the estate/SUV bit before my Stinger suggestion.
2019 Lexus RX450h Takumi - dead reliable, super super comfy, decent-ish boot, but add additional security as they can get nicked easily.

[Shiv_P]

Get an A8. Supreme comfort, and more reliable than the Merc & BMW counterparts.

[lornemalvo]

I'm a typical PH but I don't know which codes refer to which BMWs, although I've owned a few. I wish people would just say what year they're referring to instead of quoting F numbers, E numbers etc.