[Barry]

Gents,
I apologise in advance for this non Ferrari, and largely boring question.

Since I bought the 308 GT4 I have realised that I can use it as a semi daily driver (already put nearly 2,000km on it in just over a month) but it won't cut it through the winter. Simply put, I won't drive it when the roads are salted or there's a chance of serious ice/snow.

As I found out last week the BMW GS motorbike really is not ideal in similar conditions.

So, I'm in the market for a true DD. Nothing excites me greatly, but I have narrowed it down to either a BMW 6 series or Merc CLS. Here's the criteria; has to hold 4 people, has to be sub €12K, don't want anything older than 2003, not particularly interested in something completely sensible (like a 320d or A4 diesel)... Maser QP would be ideal but currently cheapest one on the market is double the budget.

Any 6 series or CLS owners here? Any thoughts? Drove a 630 and 645 today. Must admit the 645 sounds lovely and a 2004 model here is just dipping below €10K these days. Not bad for what was a €130K+ car when it rolled out of the showroom back in 2004....

Anything else I should be considering?

Someone help me get excited about this....

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Barry

Gents,
I apologise in advance for this non Ferrari, and largely boring question.

Since I bought the 308 GT4 I have realised that I can use it as a semi daily driver (already put nearly 2,000km on it in just over a month) but it won't cut it through the winter. Simply put, I won't drive it when the roads are salted or there's a chance of serious ice/snow.

As I found out last week the BMW GS motorbike really is not ideal in similar conditions.

So, I'm in the market for a true DD. Nothing excites me greatly, but I have narrowed it down to either a BMW 6 series or Merc CLS. Here's the criteria; has to hold 4 people, has to be sub €12K, don't want anything older than 2003, not particularly interested in something completely sensible (like a 320d or A4 diesel)... Maser QP would be ideal but currently cheapest one on the market is double the budget.

Any 6 series or CLS owners here? Any thoughts? Drove a 630 and 645 today. Must admit the 645 sounds lovely and a 2004 model here is just dipping below €10K these days. Not bad for what was a €130K+ car when it rolled out of the showroom back in 2004....

Anything else I should be considering?

Someone help me get excited about this....

Barry, forget all that and just get a Japanese rice cooker. w/ smiles Jimmy

[tazandjan]

Barry- Jimmy has a point. The one problem with something like a 645 is maintenance costs could be as high or higher than for your 308. Something like a FWD or AWD Audi from the same period might be cheaper to maintain and much better in snow and nasty weather. A VW GTI with winter tires might be worth a look, too.

[Brian.G]

E60 530d? Youll get an 05 for that price if you keep your eyes open and are the first one up to check the adds.

218 bhp, 0-60 6.8 secs, and can out corner a Mk2 Vw Gti with the comfort of a couch.

Whats not to like!

Brian,

[champagne612]

I agree with a rice cooker - Subaru makes some serious awd fun!

[360 Modena]

I recently bought a BMW X5 (and a new snow blower).

Now it is certain to not snow.

I like the BMW brand. I'll see how it handles this winter and report back.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by 360 Modena

I recently bought a BMW X5 (and a new snow blower).

Now it is certain to not snow.

I like the BMW brand. I'll see how it handles this winter and report back.

I did consider another X5, but have a Range Rover Sport already, so sports coupe rather than SUV seemed to appeal. Must agree with you though, I like the BMW brand too, have had many over the years. Never owned a Merc or Audi though.

[Saint Bastage]

I love my Audi A3 2.0T. I'm on my second one. The Station wagon appearance can be a problem. I needed it for Lil Bastages hockey equipment. I love the fuel economy and performance (30+ MPG and 220HP) but its not for everyone. What about a A5 or VW GTI. If you want to look at rice cooker, consider the Acura TL, Nice car for the money.

[redtrman]

Originally Posted by champagne612

I agree with a rice cooker - Subaru makes some serious awd fun!

Let's get the slang right, it is rice burner! Now, with that, there is only 1 real rice burner, the GSXR!

[Saint Bastage]

Originally Posted by redtrman

Let's get the slang right, it is rice burner! Now, with that, there is only 1 real rice burner, the GSXR!

You are correct that there is only one rice burner, the GSXR. There are however plenty of rice cookers that really can't burn due to a lack of power.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by redtrman

Let's get the slang right, it is rice burner! Now, with that, there is only 1 real rice burner, the GSXR!

Rice burner - bike

Rice cooker - car

Barry fall boom on bike =

[NigelV12]

Barry, my DD is an 2000 MB CL500, 4 seats, but only two doors. had it for five years and done 80 000 kms in it. Came with about 400kg of toys already fitted. Only the TV is missing. Everything except the steering is fully automatic.I abosutlutely love it in all conditions. You can even hear the (excellent) stereo, at speed. I run it on standard rims and winter/snow tyres from November to March and 18" AMG rims from Aprils to October. Only 285 hp but bags of torque. great in town or on the motorway. Cruises confortablly at 250 km/h on the autobahn at 4500 rev/min. MB standard speed limiter which I have not bothered to overide. Active suspension with a sport mode. Interesting comparison with the Maranello
Nigel

[Barry]

Originally Posted by NigelV12

Barry, my DD is an 2000 MB CL500, 4 seats, but only two doors. had it for five years and done 80 000 kms in it. Came with about 400kg of toys already fitted. Only the TV is missing. Everything except the steering is fully automatic.I abosutlutely love it in all conditions. You can even hear the (excellent) stereo, at speed. I run it on standard rims and winter/snow tyres from November to March and 18" AMG rims from Aprils to October. Only 285 hp but bags of torque. great in town or on the motorway. Cruises confortablly at 250 km/h on the autobahn at 4500 rev/min. MB standard speed limiter which I have not bothered to overide. Active suspension with a sport mode. Interesting comparison with the Maranello
Nigel

A CL is a good choice and one that is very good value at the moment for an early 2000 - 2003 CL 500.

Though at present an entirely unfamilar common sense approach has set in and I'm thinking an Audi quattro is probably a more sensible choice - especially for a car that I will probably drive max 3-4 times per month.

[Brian.G]

Originally Posted by Barry

A CL is a good choice and one that is very good value at the moment for an early 2000 - 2003 CL 500.

Though at present an entirely unfamilar common sense approach has set in and I'm thinking an Audi quattro is probably a more sensible choice - especially for a car that I will probably drive max 3-4 times per month.

Have fun fitting suspension arms, and your central convenience system shutting down due to passenger floor water ingress.

They are a bit floaty too, but harsh over small stuff, and bottom out a lot on our roads - maybe its just my driving, though

E60 Barry, go drive one, then drive the Audi - see which one you think about more that evening.

Brian,

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

Gents,
I apologise in advance for this non Ferrari, and largely boring question.

Since I bought the 308 GT4 I have realised that I can use it as a semi daily driver (already put nearly 2,000km on it in just over a month) but it won't cut it through the winter. Simply put, I won't drive it when the roads are salted or there's a chance of serious ice/snow.

As I found out last week the BMW GS motorbike really is not ideal in similar conditions.

So, I'm in the market for a true DD. Nothing excites me greatly, but I have narrowed it down to either a BMW 6 series or Merc CLS. Here's the criteria; has to hold 4 people, has to be sub €12K, don't want anything older than 2003, not particularly interested in something completely sensible (like a 320d or A4 diesel)... Maser QP would be ideal but currently cheapest one on the market is double the budget.

Any 6 series or CLS owners here? Any thoughts? Drove a 630 and 645 today. Must admit the 645 sounds lovely and a 2004 model here is just dipping below €10K these days. Not bad for what was a €130K+ car when it rolled out of the showroom back in 2004....

Anything else I should be considering?

Someone help me get excited about this....

Audi A8 Quattro. Much better than the Merc or BMW in really crappy weather.

[Barry]

Ok, so I decided that common sense and practicalities were order of the day, and I set off today to look at an Audi Quattro Allroad and a couple of Audi A4 Quattro's. Sensible, practical, good in snow & ice. Just what I should buy.


























Came home with this.... 4.4 litres of V8 fun, should be good in the snow

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

You move fast, Barry. Safe driving. w/ smiles Jimmy

[RossoVeloce]

There's no fun in being sensible! Very cool!

[Magnum6464]

I used to like the 7 series but I am not a BMW fan anymore, not since 2001.

But hey....seems like a good winter beater....lol

I am still deciding what to buy for a DD all year. I has to be 4wd or AWD....but I do have to say, you are much faster than me...I have been looking and thinking about it for 4 months....lol

I hope you like it and does the job. Looks sharp...



~

Mario

[Barry]

Thanks guys. Saw it, wanted it, bought it. Nothing like impulse buying at christmas! There are some huge bargains to be had in high end motors in Ireland these days. This little gem is 7 yrs old, 56k miles, full service history and in excellent condition. Acquired for 9% of the original purchase price back in 04!!

What's not to like (apart from the road tax and MPG )