BMW - Merc - Audi - Saab - Volvo

[ontheedge]

Now that my drive is clear of the boys cars I am thinking about a new toy for an older man, but which one ?
Must be 4/5 door
Not bothered about engine size as not going to do many miles in it
Don't want rusty arches etc, I want a nice looking motor
Under £999
I was thinking German !
A large car would be nice

What can you advise lads or lasses

Just added Saab & Volvo

[joem83]

I would go for a bmw e39, infact I am looking for one myself atm lol.

[mgbizzle]

Something with a V8 or V12

[Littlepixel]

Audi 100/200 Avant? It's certainly big.

[mjphotography2016]

for that money id be tempted to look at Jaguar Xj's & Lexus GS300 & Ls400's
you could pick up a W140 Merc 280 or 300 maybe a 320 but at the price they are going to need work, Not sure on more recent bmw's but id assume a E23 is now over budget even if you can find them for sale.
and an A8 audi your only likely to come across the 2.8's
How about a Cadillac Seville (sls or STS) although would be over budget.

[jollyroger]

Get yourself an old Lexus GS300 or similar, have just done so myself and it is great.

[njw]

The first reply was the correct one! Not that I'm biased being currently on e39 number three!

[ontheedge]

Just added Saab & Volvo

[njw]

Volvo 850/s70/v70/s60 T5? Or, to throw a curved ball, s80 T6?

[vitesseefi]

Audi A8, preferably 4.2 quattro sport obviously, though the non-sport ones are just as fast in straight line and have a smoother ride.

This one is in your part of the world I think
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A8-4-2-V8-D2-/272421725097?hash=item3f6d99a3a9:g:9EgAAOSwXeJYCi3D

Gearbox history is important as the 5 speed autos do fail if the oil is not changed regularly and Audi (bless them) say it's sealed for life.......

The earlier 4 speeds (to Mid '96 approx) just soldier on. By the mileage this could just be one of them.

Or you could buy mine (languishing well down the order in the uninteresting section (why??) For Sale section) though I'm not very near you.....

Nick

[stinkynails]

7 series beemer? a few e32s been popping on on evil bay for high hundreds that require some tinkering

[keithyboy]

Oct 27, 2016 22:18:43 GMT vitesseefi said:

Audi A8, preferably 4.2 quattro sport obviously, though the non-sport ones are just as fast in straight line and have a smoother ride.

This one is in your part of the world I think
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A8-4-2-V8-D2-/272421725097?hash=item3f6d99a3a9:g:9EgAAOSwXeJYCi3D

Gearbox history is important as the 5 speed autos do fail if the oil is not changed regularly and Audi (bless them) say it's sealed for life.......

The earlier 4 speeds (to Mid '96 approx) just soldier on. By the mileage this could just be one of them.

Or you could buy mine (languishing well down the order in the uninteresting section (why??) For Sale section) though I'm not very near you.....

Nick

My Jag also has sealed for life 'box. This didn't stop Jaguar dropping the sump at 100k to change the fluid and filter (and charging accordingly). When they say sealed for life, I didn't realise that it was the expiry of the gearbox that determined how long the life is.

I like the idea of an old Lexus quite a lot. I also like the idea of an E39 because I've always fancied one myself. Saab 9-5s are good value but if fuel and space aren't an issue I'd probably go for an X308 XJ. The only reason I have an S-type is because the XJ doesn't fit on my drive.

[qwerty]

I also vote Jag. Maybe a nice XJ40 although a nice X300 will be easier to find.


Tom

[EssexRich]

Saab 9-5 Aero estate. A gentleman's carriage!

Also, it's a 2.3 litre turbo. I think pushing out around 250bhp stock. remappable up to approx 300bhp on the cheap..

Oh and check the tax bracket as they had a long production run so there's a few different tax rates for essentially the same car so choose wisely!

ta,

Rich

[ontheedge]

Oct 28, 2016 0:21:45 GMT stinkynails said:

7 series beemer? a few e32s been popping on on evil bay for high hundreds that require some tinkering

I must admit, I do like that A8 !

[rblote]

Oct 27, 2016 14:42:26 GMT joem83 said:

I would go for a bmw e39, infact I am looking for one myself atm lol.

 Yes, I agree!! 540i any one?

[welshpug]

would be a ropey 540 for a grand, most other variants are easily attainable for a grand and get a decent one though.

[miaspa]

I was just doing a random search on Autotrader last night, (I prefer the app on my phone as it sorts the cars oldest to newest)

A car that caught my eye was a 1987 Audi 80, looked quite good for £990, not currently MOT'ed but mot history doesn't look to shocking.

[njw]

Oct 28, 2016 10:56:27 GMT welshpug said:

would be a ropey 540 for a grand, most other variants are easily attainable for a grand and get a decent one though.

I agree, as much as I would like to recommend a 540i (I drive one myself!) for that money I would be looking for a good 2.5 or 2.8 with a manual gearbox and a grand would get you a very nice one.

[dickdasterdley]

Here you go! As long as the fuel tank isn't rusty, its a cheap 740!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191986807926