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[tunnie]

Considering scratching the V8 inch, while my miles are low and the 3.2 looks to be near death. My miles are around 6-7k per year, I don't want to spend much, couple grand really. While I save up for a proper replacement early next year.

Thinking:

- XJ/XJR

- BMW 535/540 e39 era. (Although these are not cheap)

- BMW 740 late 90's ones as well.

Trying to think what else, Merc's of that era will be a pile of rust, not so keen on Lexus, too much like a big old Nissan.

[Doctor Gollum]

Near death my arse... Still no response to my question on your help post...

[Mr.OmegaMan]

Enjoying my CLS500 
May not quite be as cheap as some of them. But the early 5.0 CLS500 start around £3,000+ 

Edit: Looks more like around 5k

Excluding this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909092030777?

[Andy H]

I would like to get something like this https://trademe.nz/motors/cars/holden/commodore/listing/2260445830 to play with.

[b4ndit]

Try a Lexus you may be surpprised

[BazaJT]

A couple of grand XJ would put you in X308 territory[I don't think X350 are quite that low-apart from the odd one or two]If looking at a X308-which would be a 3.2 or 4.0[certainly the latter for XJR]then make sure the timing chains have been upgraded to the later 4.2L items.X308 also got the first of the "sealed for life" gearboxes.Don't forget they all ride low by design so check that you're comfy getting in/out of it-I had to get rid of my X300 due to the fact that my partners increasing disabilities meant she was struggling to much because of this issue-and a long wheelbase model is handy for the increased rear legroom if you have family.

[Viral_Jim]

Audi S4/6 and A8 with 4.2 V8 are all available at sub £4k, but don't forget to take your brave pills

This looks fun for the money and comes without the Dairy Milk auto box that was the undoing of father-944's RS6.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908201339863?atmobcid=soc3


Early Porsche Cayenne, jeep grand Cherokee, P38 rangeie. All terrible choices, but all technically fit the brief   

Other than that I think your list is reasonably complete

[TheBoy]

A late 90s 7 series is going to have continual electrical issues, always expensive. Don't ask how I know .  That's why they are peanuts to buy, often pre LPG'd by previous owners.

And 4.4/4.8 beemer V8 with a few years on it is going to lose water and oil faster than your Omega does, although usually externally.

For the Jag, you need to ideally go for the Ford derived 5.0l, as water pump and a coolant hose aside, is rock solid.  That puts you post 2009 XF X250 (earlier is 4.2, X260 didn't get the V8) or XJ X351 (90% certain the X358 only got the 4.2).  Because this engine is so much better, they command strong prices. But do offer 400 - 575bhp factory depending on induction and tune, and similar torque to the TDV6 3l diesel lump.

[tunnie]

Thanks all. 

I did not really think about how low the XJ (308) would be, that could be an issue.

Audi is interesting, thanks for that. Not sure on a convertible though with two blokes car sharing. 

[tunnie]

Can’t really justify later 5.0 V8 nor the stupid road tax...

Audi A8 V8 could be an option.

Lexus interior always looks like a Nissan, that said I’ve not sat in one yet.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Can’t really justify later 5.0 V8 nor the stupid road tax...

Audi A8 V8 could be an option.

Lexus interior always looks like a Nissan, that said I’ve not sat in one yet.

No more than a Signum at £600 P/A.

[tunnie]

I’m not paying that much for road tax....

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

[b4ndit]

go for a ls430 much nicer than the early ls 400 still a good car though

[tunnie]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

[Entwood]

If you even consider the Audi A8 have a check on service costs / parts costs .... I seriously looked at an A8 before going for the A6 Allroad .... the prices simply frightened me !!

[btc]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/211031/mileage-mercedes-cl500-almandine-black

The guy has a good reputation for the quality and standards of his cars

[Doctor Gollum]

W220 S CLASS is readily available for sub £4k.

But.

They rust like an old Fiat and are really cheaply made. Especially if compared side by side with the previous W140.

Airmatic issues will cost anything upto £2k to sort in parts alone.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

The CL is a very attractive coupe.

Inside they look far from expensive though with acres of cheap plastic.

[tunnie]

If you even consider the Audi A8 have a check on service costs / parts costs .... I seriously looked at an A8 before going for the A6 Allroad .... the prices simply frightened me !!

I would be a temp car, but yes looks expensive. 

[tunnie]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/211031/mileage-mercedes-cl500-almandine-black

The guy has a good reputation for the quality and standards of his cars

Good find! Thanks, has more detail.

Was 3.8, now 2.9k!

Wonder if he would take 2k 

[tunnie]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

The CL is a very attractive coupe.

Inside they look far from expensive though with acres of cheap plastic.

Maybe, but with a V8 and massage seats. Who cares! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

CL 500 has the same 306 BHP V8 as in my CLS 500. Doesn't sound much but with plenty of torque  to back it up was more than adequate.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/211031/mileage-mercedes-cl500-almandine-black

The guy has a good reputation for the quality and standards of his cars

Good find! Thanks, has more detail.

Was 3.8, now 2.9k!

Wonder if he would take 2k 

I wouldn't pay any more than £2k for it. Its a very old one, and there are plenty of newer ones for sale as cheap if not cheaper.
Nice colour though.
The scary thing with them is the ABC system going wrong.  As with all things, you could leave it in a garage for repairs and pay £1k plus for the privilege. Or you could research the issue and work out the best option.
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/abc-how-it-all-works.136702/

If your feeling really irresponsible you could go for the CL600. 6 litre V12 ! Theres also the CL55 AMG option.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Merc CL500, BMW e38 740, Jaaaaag, or LS400. All great cars with V8 engines, and all have potential pitfalls to look out for. Although the LS400 will have less pitfalls than the others. You can pick up a nice example of any of them for £2-3 grand.
Personally I would go for a CL500 all day long.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323916285471

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/211031/mileage-mercedes-cl500-almandine-black

The guy has a good reputation for the quality and standards of his cars

Good find! Thanks, has more detail.

Was 3.8, now 2.9k!

Wonder if he would take 2k 

I wouldn't pay any more than £2k for it. Its a very old one, and there are plenty of newer ones for sale as cheap if not cheaper.
Nice colour though.
The scary thing with them is the ABC system going wrong.  As with all things, you could leave it in a garage for repairs and pay £1k plus for the privilege. Or you could research the issue and work out the best option.
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/abc-how-it-all-works.136702/

If your feeling really irresponsible you could go for the CL600. 6 litre V12 ! Theres also the CL55 AMG option.

My favourite old Merc is the late sixties/early seventies 6.3 SEL. a proper 'cold war' Merc.

Failing that an E55 with a supercharger from around 2003-2006. A properly quick car.

[Doctor Gollum]

5.8 v12 is a piece of shit*. Hence the prices. The bi turbo v12 is actually one of Mercedes most reliable recent engines.

*OK, that's a bit harsh, but the oil cooler is a service item and requires the heads to be removed to change it. Add in 24 spark plugs driven by two coil packs and the rust issues it's not a good idea. Any hint of oil leaks, run away. Quickly.

[aaronjb]

A friend of mine bought a 2004 (IIRC) Audi S8 about a year ago for £4k.. so far all he's had to do is change the spark plugs and fix a broken multiram (not called that, but you know what I mean) actuator arm - common fault, aluminium replacements available from Poland and took an hour to fit. Tons of grunt (he reckons it feels almost as grunty as his other car .. which has a bull on the badge), whisper quiet inside as it has double glazing, comfortable ride - sounds right up your street, honestly.

[tunnie]

Hummm. Tempting!

[Rangie]

In 4 years all I did on my E430 was two tyres & 4 oil changes, and then sold it back to the dealer I bought it from. Can't beat the sound of a V8 😁

[TheBoy]

In 4 years all I did on my E430 was two tyres

Blimey. I might have to modify your profile to OOF Daisy

Out of interest, what tyres?

[Rangie]

In 4 years all I did on my E430 was two tyres

Blimey. I might have to modify your profile to OOF Daisy

Out of interest, what tyres?

. 


Continental kept it exactly as supplied from new.