Decked Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I need some help advising my parents…. If you were looking for a new vehicle that it’s main purpose were to do the shopping in, taking things to the local tip, taking people here there and everywhere, what would you go for keeping in mind some form of performance and class, + a few other requirements are necessary... It would have to be 4x4, safe and not a Merc! The price tag isn’t really an issue (within reason). They keep looking at bloody Mercs! That’s all they ever have and I’m trying to get them to look at something different. My mom doesn’t want another SUV (the ML55 she had was a load of toss!!!) not only that, she feels people deliberately dent and scratch them…. (Don’t worry she’s getting old! If you buy a car that doesn’t fit in a supermarket space, expect a few scratches/dents…) She also get irritated with Kens thoughts on Chelsea tractors and all the extra charges that may be applied soon so the Porsche Cayenne turbo is out of the question! Damit! All I can really advise them on is an RS4 Avant or an RS6 Avant when it comes out….. What else is out there? The name “Volvo” and “hybrid” came into conversation yesterday so I decided I needed to do something to help! They live in Hong Kong so they can’t just pop into a dealer to look at a car! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
330dcoupe Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I was just about to beg you not to advise them on another 4x4 until i saw the bit about them living in hong kong ;-) So would you need to ship it out to them? or would the buy it from there? I think and RS6 would be a good choice - or how about a E55 AMG estate? I know i keep harping on about Merc estates - but they really are the business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decked Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 They are living in HK at the moment and are moving back to the UK later in the year, maybe early next year but as they customise everything they are looking to order it now for then. They like the Merc estate but according to them they don't do the estate in 4matic (although they do in the rest of Europe).... The reason they want it 4x4 is because the house is down the back lanes that never get gritted etc in the winter and dads other toys are the sort of thing you'd drive in snow/ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Lexus R400H Hybrid 4 x 4 3.2 diesel All the comfort and quality oldies could ever ask for £38k and congestion charge exempt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 BMW 5 series touring, ive got the 520d on order which is pretty quick (c 35k for m sport with some options) although theres always the 535d/550i etc if you need more power. Or they can wait a bit and get an M5 Touring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Again no AWD though. I would seriously look at the new X5 Sport, or the new V8 Diesel Range Rover Sport maybe? If the RS6 is anything like the S6 it will be a dog. The RS4 is manual with gear ratios set up for 0-60 times and not a relaxed drive at all, you sure this is what they really want? The new ML is a fantastic car though, the old one was a complete pile of junk, so you can't compare at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 As it sounds like they've got £50k+ to spend how about an 4.2 FSi V8 Allroad?? 350 PS and it will be rare as hen's teath, you'd get an A1 spec for £50-55K, just dont think about the depreciation........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSE Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Only advice I can give would be to steer clear of an automatic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Someone beat me to it but the Lexus is the answer. Reasonable size, hybrid, good brand name. MOSE??!! It has to be an Auto!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Lexus R400H Hybrid 4 x 4 3.2 diesel [/ QUOTE ] It's actually a 3.3 V6 petrol (and two electric motors) but still good for a quoted combined MPG of 34.9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSE Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 [ QUOTE ] MOSE??!! It has to be an Auto!! [/ QUOTE ] OK....ok.......just dont tell Ari!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decked Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 [ QUOTE ] As it sounds like they've got £50k+ to spend how about an 4.2 FSi V8 Allroad?? 350 PS and it will be rare as hen's teath, you'd get an A1 spec for £50-55K, just dont think about the depreciation........ [/ QUOTE ] Cheers for the replys, what is a 4.2 FSI Allroad? An Audi or VW? Also do BMW sell a touring in AWD in the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparticus Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Lexus R400H Hybrid 4 x 4 3.2 diesel [/ QUOTE ] It's actually a 3.3 V6 petrol (and two electric motors) but still good for a quoted combined MPG of 34.9 [/ QUOTE ] Also 'dust to dust' one of the most toxic cars on the planet due to the production and disposal of those batteries. ML320 cdi is just as quick, more economical and far more classy. A magazine ran them both for over 1500 miles across the US, the ML was the more economical. Go with a Merc again and on that budget maybe the new ML400 cdi and some toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 If your 1500 miles is on open roads in the US a diesel is bound to be more econimical. Where the hybrid wins (hands down) is around town. And on emissions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 The new ML420cdi is nothing short of stunning, veryt quick, extremely agile and not bad on economy. The allroad 4.2 will loose loads of money, isn't very dynamic at all and drinks like a fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennnis Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Agree with gizze ML is a beautiful car and miles ahead of the old ML pile o shite. Nice drive too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decked Posted March 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 I think they looked at an ML in HK and they did like it but it's another Merc.... I'm trying to convince her to take a look at the new Porsche Cayenne turbo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkPrincess Posted March 16, 2007 Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 Can I ask why not a Merc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted March 16, 2007 Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 Q7 - very nice, if a little big. 530xiT, all wheel drive estate version, probably the best BMW i have had. X5's are very poor in snow deeper than an inch unless you change tyres, as they are fitted with 'sport' road tyres from the dealer, they may as well be slicks. New Audi All Road? Given the import duty for cars into HK, I'd def wait until they get back to the UK and then buy from Europe and personal import. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decked Posted March 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Can I ask why not a Merc? [/ QUOTE ] Basically because that’s all seem to buy at the moment. I think they are overpriced and you don't get your moneys worth, and if they sell a car that is so great then they should be able to service it properly (and they can't). The last one was well over £100K, lovely car, all the gadgets you could ever ask for, looked great, went like stink etc and as it happens dad has kept it in some storage depot somewhere. But 2-3 years down the line its miles behind the rest and its depreciated so much you could have bought a good car every year that was up to date and be quids up! I just think if you go for something cheaper that hasn't got an expensive badge you get more for your money. But will they listen...... It's worth a try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decked Posted March 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Given the import duty for cars into HK, I'd def wait until they get back to the UK and then buy from Europe and personal import. [/ QUOTE ] They'll be ordering the car/cars in the UK for when they return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 16, 2007 Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 Sounds like they bought the wrong car mate, nothing wrong with an ML320cdi sport, will hold its value as good as anything out there, sounds like they bought a big S or CL petrol, which is a depreciation nightmare. Any car over £100k is going to loose sh|t loads, by there very nature they are bound to, they aren't going to loose 10, 20 30k over a couple of years, you are into a different market, and those that can afford to spend £80k will just buy a new one for £100k. The Merc 320 cdi E class estate is the car at the top of the retained value chart at the moment with an expected value of 63% after 3 years. You then have some of the big petrol Mercs at the bottom too, CL500 worth just over £80k at 6 months old for £44k!! Just don't think it is fair to write the Merc ML off, you might be getting them out of a car that holds its value well into something that looses shed loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkPrincess Posted March 16, 2007 Report Share Posted March 16, 2007 Get them a golf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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