Replacement car dilemma

audidiesel

Currently I have a car I really like a 08 170bhp superb. It was originally a UK import. the tax is a little high at 500 odd a year with the dsg box. As I said I like it a lot but now I'm suddenly in a position to upgrade.

The "dilemma" is I can't make up my mind what to get. There are two frontrunners I'm thinking of. A 2010 bmw 520d or a 2010 Mercedes e250cdi coupe.

My budget would be up to about 30k.
an insurance point of view I'm in my early thirties with 14 years no claims and no points.

I think the merc would be nicer but I'm a little worried about resale. Anyone got any opinions or alternate suggestions.

OldGuysRule

Have never driven the merc, but we have a 2010 BMW 520d and it is a great all rounder. Ours is on 18"s and visually it makes a difference, but is certainly not a harsh ride. Nippy enough when needed but comfort and ease of driving are certainly high points for me. It has about 125k km now and you would not feel it.

R.O.R

I wouldn't worry about the resale on a Merc Coupe - it will sell, and sell well.

Drove an E220 Coupe last year and was pleasantly surprised. Nippy enough and didn't wallow around anywhere near as much as Merc's of old. Decent space in the rear seats as well, but PITA to get in to them. I'd say the 250 would be quite nice to drive.

€30k would get you a very nice 2010 5 Series, and it is a great all rounder, but it won't hold it's value as well as an E-Class Coupe - due to the sheer volume and choice in the 5 Series on the 2nd hand market. More practical if you have folk in the back seats on a regular basis, and I much prefer the cabin layout and drive to a Merc.

JC01

We've a 520d at home and there a fantastic car, great all rounder, I'd definatly advise getting an msport though, there a very boring looking car in SE guise and msport a hold there value a lot better.

They are ~250e to tax but bear in mind that the 250e saving in tax over the skoda will buy you all of one runflat tyre when it comes to replacement time. If maintance/ running costs in the skoda are an issue I wouldn't advise going for either the Merc or Bimmer or in fact any high end German cruiser, having said that you only live once and you will look forward to every trip in either

audidiesel

Running costs aren't a huge issue and I know they will be up on the skoda alright. Just like to limit some of the recurring ones if possible.

The run flats are actually a turn off for me with the Beemer. But what can you do.

I really like the look of the new five series in any case. But the more I look at the e250 coupe, it does stand out. Haven't test driven the merc yet but that's a job for next week. The 220 and 250 are the same engine just tuned different. 200bhp is a nice figure and since I never have owned a coupe before it may be the right time to try one.

Kinda discounted the jaguar. Lovelly car but the 2.7 diesel is too big

TBi

audidiesel wrote: »

The run flats are actually a turn off for me with the Beemer. But what can you do.

(

You can take off the run flats, i did that on my Mini.

Idbatterim

Currently I have a car I really like a 08 170bhp superb. It was originally a UK import. the tax is a little high at 500 odd a year with the dsg box. As I said I like it a lot but now I'm suddenly in a position to upgrade.

Is there another reason other than the minuscule tax difference for changing? Because if its for purely economic reasons, depreciation will probably average 4-5 per year, for the first few years...

R.O.R

audidiesel wrote: »

Running costs aren't a huge issue and I know they will be up on the skoda alright. Just like to limit some of the recurring ones if possible.

The run flats are actually a turn off for me with the Beemer. But what can you do.

I really like the look of the new five series in any case. But the more I look at the e250 coupe, it does stand out. Haven't test driven the merc yet but that's a job for next week. The 220 and 250 are the same engine just tuned different. 200bhp is a nice figure and since I never have owned a coupe before it may be the right time to try one.

Kinda discounted the jaguar. Lovelly car but the 2.7 diesel is too big

The 250 is the same 2.2 4 cylinder diesel as the 200/220, but I think its twin turbo to get 204bhp rather than the 170bhp from the 220.

Engine is bit obsolete now as the 300h is the 220 engine with electical enhancements to bring it to 204bhp, but with much lower emissions than the 250.

bazz26

OP, why look at a 520d when you could look for a 525d/530d, both 525d and 530d have low emissions and tax as well as being a lot more pleasing to drive over a 520d?



http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series/530-D/38813904798153410/



http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/BMW/5-Series/525d-SE/38513899537010500/

JackF1

I have a 10' 525d. As a company car I'm not concerned about fuel/insurance/tax/etc.

It has though been plain sailing (close to 100km's on it now) beyond routine servicing.

Is the 6cyl worthy of the extra cost and possibly lower resale. No. I use the power from time to time but I would say either 520d or 535d. Personally I'm taking a 4cyl next to reduce the OMSP and this my BIK!

audidiesel

Idbatterim wrote: »

Is there another reason other than the minuscule tax difference for changing? Because if its for purely economic reasons, depreciation will probably average 4-5 per year, for the first few years...

in economic terms theres no real reason. In fact its probably a bad idea looking at it like that. But its the "I want one" factor more than anything. this is probably one of the few times I will be able to make this change so I decided to go for it.


Also it will be RWD and RWD is just better

audidiesel

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, why look at a 520d when you could look for a 525d/530d, both 525d and 530d have low emissions and tax as well as being a lot more pleasing to drive over a 520d?

while id loose a nice chunk of change resale on a 520d in 2/3 years. it wouldn't be nearly as much as a 525 or 530 would cost me.


if I was buying a 07/08 those would be possibilities. but buying a 9/10/11 they are non runners im afraid.

audidiesel

R.O.R wrote: »

The 250 is the same 2.2 4 cylinder diesel as the 200/220, but I think its twin turbo to get 204bhp rather than the 170bhp from the 220.

Engine is bit obsolete now as the 300h is the 220 engine with electical enhancements to bring it to 204bhp, but with much lower emissions than the 250.

Its the same engine but I thought it was mapped differently rather than an extra turbo. but I could easily be wrong on that.


the 300h would be nice. i thought that engine only came out last year though. but if you can find one on my budget your doing a better job than me

TBi

audidiesel wrote: »

the 300h would be nice. i thought that engine only came out last year though. but if you can find one on my budget your doing a better job than me

Only came out in latter half of 2013, you are correct. It's a glorified Prius and i want one!

Unfortunately i can't afford cars in that price range... well not for another 6 years anyway