Which V8 super saloon

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Author

Discussion

Original Poster

308 posts

153 months

Sunday

I have about 16k to 20k to spend on a new secondhand car and I really want to scratch the V8 itch.
To that end I have the following shortlist of possibilities.
Audi S8 or A8 v8
BMW F10 M5
Jag XJ351 regular or supercharged
BMW 7 series
Lexus LS460 (left field option)
E63 (though I already have a diesel E class and want to try a different manufacturer)

I only do about 7k miles a year

If you have any actual experience of any of these cars and can offer some info on what they are like to live with, running costs etc then please share your V8 owning anecdotes!
many thanks in advance

andy43

9,883 posts

257 months

Sunday

5.5 twin turbo E63 would be my pick. I’ve had a CLS55 - the supercharged one - but the later twin turbo would be immense. Easy 700+ bhp too.

E63eeeeee...

4,068 posts

52 months

Sunday

andy43 said:

5.5 twin turbo E63 would be my pick. I’ve had a CLS55 - the supercharged one - but the later twin turbo would be immense. Easy 700+ bhp too.

What he said.

toasty

7,548 posts

223 months

Sunday

I’ve had an F10 M5 for the past 4 years.

Apart from a leaky grommet letting in water and soaking the passengers carpet, I’ve had no issues.

You might get an early one for £20k but it won’t be cheap to fix, run and maintain.

Original Poster

308 posts

153 months

Sunday

toasty said:

thanks - 2014 cars with <50k miles are available for that price - what is yours and what have the bills been like?

hungry_hog

2,329 posts

191 months

Sunday

Once you turn the key on the E63 you won’t bother even looking at the rest

toasty

7,548 posts

223 months

Sunday

djneils98 said:

thanks - 2014 cars with <50k miles are available for that price - what is yours and what have the bills been like?

Mine’s a 2015 LCI Comp Pack. I’ve had no maintenance bills beyond servicing, all below 1k but have had a bumper respray, wheel refurb, CarPlay install which all add up.

Tyres will be 1k, brakes maybe 2k, plus insurance, tax and fuel.

If you can stomach all that then it’s a fantastic car.

nobrakes

3,079 posts

201 months

Sunday

CLS63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

Original Poster

308 posts

153 months

Sunday

nobrakes said:

CLS63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

I do like these but could do with 3 seats in the rear and I already have a merc so probably want to try another make

sam.rog

792 posts

81 months

Sunday

F10 m5 have issues if mapped. The s63 uses n63 bearings and just can’t cope with the increased torque.
Reddish motorsport will replace the bearings on a stock motor but won’t touch a mapped one.

Original Poster

308 posts

153 months

Sunday

sam.rog said:

F10 m5 have issues if mapped. The s63 uses n63 bearings and just can’t cope with the increased torque.
Reddish motorsport will replace the bearings on a stock motor but won’t touch a mapped one.

thanks for this. I am not interested in anything that is non-stock and will not be mapping or modifying whatever car I get

jeremyc

23,900 posts

287 months

Sunday

Your budget will get you a B7 RS4 which gives you the choice of saloon or Avant (or indeed cabriolet), and the benefit of a manual gearbox if that's your thing. driving

My Avant happily seats 5 if needed. smile

vanman1936

777 posts

222 months

Sunday

Just bought an S8…..it’s really rather good. Feels heavy in the corners, however very good at everything else. Very quick.

vanman1936

777 posts

222 months

Sunday

nobrakes said:

CLS63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306108...

Love these, but think that one has been for sale for some time.

ZX10R NIN

27,861 posts

128 months

Sunday

biggbn

24,330 posts

223 months

Sunday

LS600HL. Relax and watch the world go by...

Original Poster

308 posts

153 months

Monday

vanman1936 said:

Just bought an S8…..it’s really rather good. Feels heavy in the corners, however very good at everything else. Very quick.

this is my no1 choice so far - very interested to hear about owner experience and reliability if anyone has run one for a bit

nobrakes

3,079 posts

201 months

Monday

djneils98 said:

vanman1936 said:

Just bought an S8…..it’s really rather good. Feels heavy in the corners, however very good at everything else. Very quick.

this is my no1 choice so far - very interested to hear about owner experience and reliability if anyone has run one for a bit

‘It’s really rather good’

A splendid line.

vanman1936

777 posts

222 months

Monday

djneils98 said:

vanman1936 said:

Just bought an S8…..it’s really rather good. Feels heavy in the corners, however very good at everything else. Very quick.

this is my no1 choice so far - very interested to hear about owner experience and reliability if anyone has run one for a bit

From my limited research they are pretty solid. Oil strainer issues (ruined turbos) sorted under recall (essential it’s done), other than that, a very well proven engine. Plus you can add an Audi warranty for £1,250 fully comprehensive (£250 excess / 30 days gap to policy commencement) which I will do.

Initial impressions:
- big (obviously), but not as wide as you would think
- quiet inside, even when pushed in sport mode with the valves open (more vocal outside)
- lovely place to sit, solid build quality with lots of leather and discreet carbon
- infotainment a generation old, but perfectly functional. 360 camera useful. Can retrofit Apple car play for £500
- goes very well, throttle is less sensitive than say a Panamera Turbo S (car I had a while back) but really hustles along when you prod it. In gear punch is very impressive. Road testers recorded mid 3s for the 60 dash which is believable. Can easily mod to 600bhp for not much and you are then in the high 2s if that’s your thing
- size / weight shows in the corners, not terrible by any means but it is a big car and not as agile as the Panamera. My driving is mainly A / M roads so suited my needs
- discreet, handsome looks with a genuine bit of road presence to my eyes

T_S_M

816 posts

186 months

Monday

Lexus ISF.

Tax aside, it'll cost you pennies to run. Had mine 18 months/16k miles now and its been faultless. 420bhp 5.0 NA V8 which makes a fantastic noise and just the right size on the road to have some fun.

Plus, you'll hardly ever see another on the road.

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