[Greendiamond]

Hi,

Currently driving a Toyota avensis before that had another Toyota. Current car is 2004 so want to change the car. I was originally looking at a 2010/2011 avensis as have always found toyotas reliable however while it's a grand car it's not very exciting
So had a look at a few different cars, the Audi A4, 5 series BMW etc. a bit more expensive but looked great, all bells and whistles with leather interiors etc. My head was turned

Of course I will look at mileage, road tax class etc but am just wondering with Audis, Merc, BMW etc are you getting something much better or are you paying for the luxury ' badge'

Are the worth the money ?

[ninty9er]

The BMW 5 series is equivalent of the MB E-Class, Audi A6 or Lexus GS.

The A4, 3 Series and C-Class are all smaller than your current car.

[Bigus]

Get an Avensis with leather !

Years ago luxury cars had extras that ordinary cars hadn't
also luxury cars were safer,( luxury cars had abs airbags, power steering air con etc first) neither is true now,

if anything they are less reliable because of some unwanted technology ie electronic hanbrakes, mmi systems software controlled heating systems and complicated sh1te you don't want unles your of the playstation generation.

[Greendiamond]

Originally Posted by ninty9er

The BMW 5 series is equivalent of the MB E-Class, Audi A6 or Lexus GS.

The A4, 3 Series and C-Class are all smaller than your current car.

Thanks for this, very helpful. do you think the 5 series BMW are good/ worth the money? I know that's a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but keen to hear your opinion. Thanks

[ofcork]

I would agree 100% with that also remember because they cost more new they are generally alot more expensive to fix.I have heard of a number of these premium brands giving their owners hassle A6s 5 series s class etc and i drive a 04 avensis with 140k miles and never gave trouble.The new avensis looks well esp the 2012 refresh although they do have an electronic handbrake which was giving trouble.

[ShadowHearth]

Luxury brands will be always luxury.

Sitting inside something like 5 series same age will be way different from avensis vectors etc.

All depends on your budget op and how high on tax you can go. You might aswell buy jaguar xk for 3k with all the goodies and pay 1.7k eu tax. It will still be cheaper Even after few years, them buying a 2011 avensis.

[Greendiamond]

Originally Posted by ShadowHearth

Luxury brands will be always luxury.

Sitting inside something like 5 series same age will be way different from avensis vectors etc.

All depends on your budget op and how high on tax you can go. You might aswell buy jaguar xk for 3k with all the goodies and pay 1.7k eu tax. It will still be cheaper Even after few years, them buying a 2011 avensis.

Budget is max 35k and would like tax band B at worst.

[ongarite]

Absolutely worth it (for me)
I went from a Megane to a 5 series.

I do small mileage and "luxury" petrols are terrific value 2nd hand.

[Greendiamond]

We do about 12,000 miles per year. In terms of fuel efficiency would we be better with a 2/2.2 diesel or a 1.8/2 petrol ?

[-Corkie-]

Originally Posted by Greendiamond

We do about 12,000 miles per year. In terms of fuel efficiency would we be better with a 2/2.2 diesel or a 1.8/2 petrol ?

Petrol definitley...

[Bigus]

Originally Posted by Greendiamond

Budget is max 35k and would like tax band B at worst.

Stretch your budget to ,or wait for a current model 520 d to fall into your budget so QED

[-Corkie-]

Originally Posted by Bigus

Stretch your budget to ,or wait for a current model 520 d to fall into your budget so QED

Surley a petrol F10 would be bought for that now???

[pajo1981]

Originally Posted by Bigus

Get an Avensis with leather !

Of course, because an Avensis with leather is practically a 5 series

IMO, where luxury cars become particularly interesting is as 2nd hand buys.

[Bigus]

Originally Posted by -Corkie-

Surley a petrol F10 would be bought for that now???

Not if there was effectively none sold.

[Owen]

Originally Posted by Bigus

Get an Avensis with leather !

A turd with fuzz growing on it is still a turd underneath. Life's too short to be driving an Avensis.