WDB
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Post by WDB on Apr 19, 2021 19:54:59 GMT
Leaving the jokes about medallions and grey slip-ons where Humph thinks they’re funny, let’s do some thinking about big cars, and what sense, if any, it makes to replace the one I have — and what the candidates might be.
Starting with the obvious,
Candidate 1, 2013 Mercedes CLS 350 CDI
Getting old but still a superb machine. All the luggage space, cruising legs and, yes, headroom I could wish for. A bit heavy on fuel, despite unfashionable diesel power, and annoyingly heavy on the inner edges of its tyres. Only seriously challenged on long four-up trips, when a little more legroom and under-thigh support might quell the occasional grumblings from behind me. Which brings me to...
Candidate 2, 2018 BMW 630i GT
One I’ve been eyeing up since its original, 530i GT incarnation but much more attractive now. I love the space in the back, the whole BMW driver environment and the Saaby big hatchback layout. Not a full-on 5 to drive, but should still be plenty good enough to be the equal of the CLS as a travelling machine. £10-12,000 on top of the CLS would move me forward five years and get me a car that really can be the last fossil car I’ll ever need.
But if the goal is petrol power and rear legroom, there are two other affordable possibilities.
Candidate 3, 2018 Volvo V90 T-something
Bit of a wild card as I was underwhelmed by the diesel S90 I tried before buying the CLS. But that was a pretty limited drive in heavy traffic, and the V90 ought to have the space and comfort we want. Quick too, with the right petrol engine.
And another with the space is
Candidate 4, 2019 Škoda Superb
Hard to know how I feel about this one. It’s a fine machine, with all the space we need, but would it feel like a comedown after the magnificent CLS? Not sure even what my mechanical options are — and I’d better mention DSG before someone else does.
I suspect that if I were to sit tight a couple more years — which would hardly wear the CLS out; might not even take it past 60,000 miles — my electric options would open up to the point where a fossil car would be redundant. But that may also take us past the end of four-up holiday trips, if not the end of campus runs.
So we need a big car, for people, loads and long distances, until at least 2024. There’s no electric candidate yet with both the space and the range. So what’s the solution until life or technology moves on?
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Apr 19, 2021 20:06:04 GMT
Some thoughts from me.... admittedly partly based on cars I drove that are by the same manufacturer.
Volvo V90 - I didn't like the Sense infotainment system (is that what they are called)? If you have it with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay it also only uses the lower half. Nowhere near as good to use as BMW's OS7. But not all BMWs will have OS7 (yet). Also the cabin quality on the XC40 was not quite there for me and the placement of starters button, EPB button and pro buttons weren't right for me.
Skoda Superb - well you know I had one albeit with the 'fragile' 7-speed dry clutch DSG. Never had a problem with it nor did I with it in the Audi A3. I also had the 2.0T DSG 6-speed wet clutch car as a demo for a long stint. I felt it was deliberately hobbled and did not want to accelerate unless you put in sport mode. Something was deliberately holding it back. Which is why people tweak the car to overcome this. I'm sure it will be emission related. In sport mode it was more than willing to accelerate. But in 'normal mode' it felt slower than my 1.4 for some reason.
Never did experience what many reviewers seem to lazily suggest is poor pull away on roundabouts and problems with manoeuvring. I think someone once experienced this and now they all jump on the same bandwagon.
As for VW DSG I find it amusing that people say they don't want a DSG whereas it's actually a generic term. The German version is used by Porsche, i.e. PDK. Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Volvo, etc. all have their own Dual Clutch setups. I assume people had a problem with a VW DSG right at the start and they are all labelled as a problem despite things moving on.
I wouldn't rule out the Skoda if the price was right. Plenty of passenger space in the back including more legroom than you have in the CLS.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Apr 19, 2021 20:23:16 GMT
Thanks, Rob — and of course you’re right that VAG cars are not the only ones with dual-clutch transmissions. If I have a concern about them — and I’m not sure I do — it’s that I’d be taking the car on at about the age at which you dispose of yours.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Apr 19, 2021 21:52:01 GMT
I know I would not take on a VW DSG 7-speed dry clutch DSG. But I'd certainly consider a wet clutch DSG from VW group.
Not sure what my UK motoring needs will be in 2022 either. I won't have the BMW 330e this time next year that's for sure. What I might need will also depend on how long I need it for. Buying and selling something short term will cost - so maybe I'd need short term rental if I do need a car.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Apr 20, 2021 4:43:15 GMT
If you do need to sink your own money into a car Rob, and you are sure you will stay in Europe, buy LHD and make sure you get the CoC for the car. You can then export it fairly easily*.
As for WDB choice I'm a big fan of Volvo, they don't dazzle with anything immediately, they creep up on you with reliability and simply get on with the job year after year after year. As mentioned in the other thread, if memories are to be made I'd look for something else to spend a five figure sum on than a few cms extra legroom.
* for now while there is still alignment between EU and UK standards. If they start to diverge then who knows?
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Post by dixinormus on Apr 20, 2021 5:48:20 GMT
The solution, WdB, largely depends on whether you are happy to drop £11k or more to replace a car that is barely run-in?! And like Al’s, a car that might only see 5-6000 miles/year under its wheels?
FWIW, my bet is that the Volvo will be too stodgy and the Superb not “premium” enough...
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Apr 20, 2021 6:36:56 GMT
I’d dispute both premises there, Norm. The CLS has plenty of life left in its major mechanicals but as it heads towards ten years old, I start to wonder about expensive problems in things like climate control and, yes, suspension levellers. So it will need replacing before very long, and I’d only be ‘dropping’ the proportion of that £11,000 — or whatever — that amounts to replacing cheap depreciation years with expensive ones. (Although not nearly as expensive as those first two that someone else paid for.)
But I’d also be buying something I don’t have today, the space for four tall adults to travel long distances in uncompromised comfort. So another part of the £11,000 goes on that. And it might indirectly buy some more family harmony and togetherness, which might be worth more than any of it.
As for Volvo, I’ve had one before, of course, and it served magnificently. But I came ‘up’ to Volvo — or at least sideways — from similar mid-market cars. The V90 now competes on price with MB and BMW but I’ve got used to the RWD habit and the steering scrabble of the S90 I tried came as a shock. That may be less apparent with petrol power; then I can see if I can live with the touchscreen-o-tastic user interface of a modern Volvo.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Apr 20, 2021 7:35:48 GMT
The V90 now competes on price with MB and BMW but I’ve got used to the RWD habit and the steering scrabble of the S90 I tried came as a shock. That may be less apparent with petrol power; then I can see if I can live with the touchscreen-o-tastic user interface of a modern Volvo. As The Firm put it in the '80s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCARADb9asE get that ear worm out of your head) ye cannae change the laws of physics, 250+ horsepower/400+ Nm torque + front wheel drive = mechanical intervention to stop it. RWD can get just as lairy it just depends whether you want to feel it in your wrists or hips. If you want all the grip most of the time - AWD. I used to go looking for E class AMGs in my RS when the roads were damp or wet knowing full well they couldn't use all the power they had. Childish but fun. |
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Post by Humph on Apr 20, 2021 8:13:11 GMT
Sounds like you want to change, but probably don't need to. You've said before that you don't use your car to go to work now, and buying something mainly to service a holiday once a year, especially in a year when that plan seems at least endangered, might not be the best move. Who knows.
However, I think we can all relate to want, and if it would scratch that itch, at a price you're happy with, then why not I suppose.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Apr 20, 2021 8:57:59 GMT
It will get used, although I’ve not driven to work (and only once for work) since 2017. Children will alternate between home and campus until at least 2024, one 90 minutes away, one aiming more distant — although the CLS does this just fine two-up-plus-luggage and a GT’s extra space wouldn’t be enough to fit in a third body.
So maybe it is just — or mainly — holidays. And maybe I should just get one of the little blighters to drive it while I sleep in the back.
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Post by Humph on Apr 20, 2021 9:36:08 GMT
I've been ( not very seriously mind ) thinking about what I should do about my Merc. I'll only be working at my current pace for another 2 or 3 years at most. But, while I am still doing what I do, I'll need a big car that is sensibly economical and reliable.
In truth, my current car has been utterly perfect for the job, and is wearing it's miles well. It's young enough to be ULEZ compliant and I'm very happy with it. I bought it at such a knock down price ( a year ago ) that it is still worth more ( according to WBAC ) than I paid for it. Couple that with not having paid BIK tax on it for a year, and having been paid 45p a mile for business use, and it's working out fine so far. Of course as the miles and years advance, it will inevitably cost something at some time to repair, but even if I have to chuck a few grand at it, it should/could see me through until I don't need it.
But, fortunately, I could easily afford to replace it with a new something if required. And, like you, the man maths occasionally kicks in.
I'm also "not sure" about the styling of the new E Class, although they seem to be very good according to reviews. But, the car that I keep "noticing" I suppose is the latest incarnation of the 5 series Touring.
Very smart looking things and I can't imagine they are anything other than lovely to drive.
Inertia will almost certainly cause me to do nothing I suppose.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Apr 20, 2021 9:42:55 GMT
I've got the day off today and, having a few spare minutes, come over all WdB. Not much use to him but have you seen how affordable Maserati Ghiblis are ? Choice of 430 petrol horses or 300 diesel horses fewer than 30,000 miles on the clock for not a lot.  |
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Post by Humph on Apr 20, 2021 9:47:05 GMT
Ooh, now then...I guess if you had to choose something to rock up to the school reunion in, that might work !
😉
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2021 10:11:56 GMT
It'd either be stick or 630i GT for me.
I think you'll end up keeping a large fossil car longer than you anticipate, and it'd be better to be a petrol over a diesel for reasons of potential diesel bans in cities across Europe. Given your low mileage diesel isn't necessary.
Can't believe I'm saying it but what are those Maserati SUVs like for passenger space? Or even Alfa Stelvios? They're big hatchbacks really, not SUVS.
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Post by EspadaIII on Apr 20, 2021 13:12:24 GMT
It is a dilemma if you have a real hankering to change. My children are probably a bit older and have their own cars so the university run is not required for me. So I could change now for something smaller, more economical, just as fast and comfy, but I'm holding out for another couple of years (unless I see a good deal) to buy an BEV that suits both Espadrille and me to compliment her Clubman. If we do take a family holiday in the UK, one of the boys will take their own car.
I would stick. You may find it more cost efficient to use a little of the £11,000 and buy a car for a child?
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