|
|
Post by chipbutty on Aug 23, 2023 16:03:54 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by alf on Aug 23, 2023 16:08:28 GMT
Interesting - I had not really been considering XF 3.0 V6S much as I enjoyed driving the XE so much, but its probably a better size and a lot cheaper than an equivalent 5 series, while having the bits I care most about, sorted. If the engine is as vocal, and it handles much like, an XE S I'd certainly consider one. Ideally with less miles on it! I like the two tone leather.... |
|
|
|
Post by Andy C on Aug 23, 2023 17:20:35 GMT
I’ve looked at very similar cars of late and maybe it’s simply because it’s not a BMW / Audi or even Jag but I genuinely find the Kia Stinger as appealing if not more. It may not be quite as economical (and no doubt anywhere near as tuneable) as the BMW engine which is by all accounts a gem but they are still a powerful RWD practical saloon (much more so than the XE) with nice leather, lots of kit and they come extremely well reviewed by most often calling out the fun aspect as they may not be as polished as the German offerings - which given your liking of a fun RWD feel might be a good thing! Of course, the badge isn’t great (but I’m far beyond caring what the neighbours think) and there are some cheaper plastics in some (but no worse than a non extended leather Beemer) but counter with soft leather etc. The only other downside might be price as they have held value better than the alternatives (the BMW previously linked to with brown leather was specced to £57k when new!) but you can pick up a car with 3yrs warranty left for around 26k and hopefully largely trouble free fun! I actually have a couple saved in my autocar garage - which might look odd next to Range Rovers, Mini Clubman JCWs, Maseratis etc)! I agree . How good does this look, and plenty of warranty left www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256645974 |
|
|
|
Post by chipbutty on Aug 23, 2023 18:42:06 GMT
Interesting - I had not really been considering XF 3.0 V6S much as I enjoyed driving the XE so much, but its probably a better size and a lot cheaper than an equivalent 5 series, while having the bits I care most about, sorted. If the engine is as vocal, and it handles much like, an XE S I'd certainly consider one. Ideally with less miles on it! I like the two tone leather.... XE is cramped in the back but the X260 XF is not far off class best for its type. Also, I think the XF has the nicer interior and you can only have the full digital instrument cluster on the XF (XE ICP only got the wider central screen). In late 2017, every XF was upgraded with the alcantara headliner as standard (previously a £1k option) and if you hold out, you may come across an ex-management car from 2018 which had extra goodies added as the standard spec (12 way electric memory seats, cold climate pack, 20 inch silver star spoke alloys) |
|
|
|
Post by clunes on Aug 23, 2023 19:10:02 GMT
XF V6S is a good shout - definitely prefer the interior to the XE's I've seen / sat in.
The Jags seem to have suffered more than most from depreciation - no bad thing in your position!
Ashridge Vehicles is not far from me - they used to have a really wide choice of cars but then (inevitably?) seemed to go very heavily into SUV and EV territory. Decent folk though - we bought my girlfriends Q3 from there and it's given us no issues whatsoever.
Re: Stinger - if you are ever tempted down that path then go for a 19 plate or newer as they had some important upgrades - namely improved exhaust note (although I believe they are still fairly 'polite/muted') and changes to the gearbox software that allowed you to maintain manual mode in Sport/Sport+ (earlier cars would always revert back to auto).
They also had interior lighting updates and a slightly changed Nav / Infotainment screen (angled with a flush bevel rather than rounded edges which is how you can tell at a glance (some late 68 plates might also be updated)
|
|
|
|
Post by PG on Aug 24, 2023 15:03:24 GMT
Kia Stingers are a real Q-car choice. They deserved to do better when they were on sale.
I like the XF V6 S but most seem to be in very weird colour and spec combos for my liking. But then I like my Jags understated.
|
|
|
|
Post by alf on Sept 14, 2023 16:46:24 GMT
I've had a good look about at the various options and the 440i GC still seems the most sensible, but I'm failing to get very excited about them. I quite like the turqoise blue/white leather option but appreciate its not everyone's taste  They just look a little weedy at the back (the exhausts and rear undertray) - one with the sports exhausts and engine upgrade would be very much more of interest but I'd need to be careful to assess the rest of it objectively. This one is 7 miles away so I really ought to look at it www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308140775781 - it has GPF but otherwise is a fine example by the look of it. I had a look at 6 series, which I like, but the rear seats are a joke and the GC versions massive. the 440i GC is a bit smaller/lighter than the XFR and has the benefit of a hatch, which would be useful. New XF's I don't love, I still for some reason prefer the XE V6S. I'm trying to weigh up whether it's worth it basically. Say I get a £28k 2018 440i and get £15k trade in for the Jag (AT's current suggestion) - that's £13k for a car which is 4 years newer, and costs £500 a year less to tax plus presumably a fair bit less fuel/tyres, servicing probably much the same, perhaps a bit less. I'd feel safe tramping around Europe in it from a reliability perspective - the B58 engine seems a fine thing - I'm not going to have the same pride I currently have, that feel I have something fairly apex predator as a car enthusiast, or the lookback pleasure. Things like the headlights and stereo are worse, I'll never use the nav, it has less supportive and not cooled seats, etc. I still think there is a chance I'll just spend the money on the Jag, but really to make it worthwhile and have peace of mind thats the supercharger snout, timing chain, water pump, and gear oil at least. Both winter and summer tyre sets need new fronts soon. That's probably £5-6k, but that's half what I spend to change it! It's just a question of how long I then feel comfortable keeping it, from a value loss perspective, and trusting it... Martin - after your comment on the other thread - how do I tell what headlights a 440i has? Only one lists optional lights, saying it has "adaptive" ones, and while I like it a lot, its the ex press long termer from "CAR" which went to them as a well used press car even before they presumably thrashed it for 6 months ... |
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 14, 2023 17:56:53 GMT
If you want adaptive / voodoo lights (and you should, I wouldn’t be without them now after nearly 10 years), then it’s the second picture in my post on the other thread. Look at them dead ahead and the horizontal plastic section should be in the centre not too third.
|
|
|
|
Post by clunes on Sept 14, 2023 21:48:42 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Sept 15, 2023 7:55:52 GMT
It seems like the easiest way to check the headlights is to visit the car in-person and look at the side of the light unit and see if it just says 'BMW LED' or something more exciting sounding. I think I've seen 1 advert where they'd actually taken a photo of the wording. Mind you I still don't think its a deal breaker to 'just' have the normal LEDs, and the majority of my driving is on country roads, but perhaps I just have better eyesight than Martin The biggest headlight issue I have is sitting in a relatively low coupe and being dazzled by all the SUVs with their laser lights  |
|
|
|
Post by clunes on Sept 15, 2023 8:12:42 GMT
Adaptive LEDs would not be a deal breaker at all neither would LEDs of any flavour. I had the basic ones on the 640d and they were perfectly decent (way better than the xenon’s I have on the 125i but that’s not surprising).
The headlights on my partners Q3 are SO much better than mine so I can see the appeal of a good bulb / setup but if all else was good I’d be happy with the standard options.
I think HUD comes higher ip the list in my priorities - it’s one of those things that once used quickly becomes very useful/beneficial.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 15, 2023 9:03:50 GMT
It seems like the easiest way to check the headlights is to visit the car in-person and look at the side of the light unit and see if it just says 'BMW LED' or something more exciting sounding. I think I've seen 1 advert where they'd actually taken a photo of the wording. Mind you I still don't think its a deal breaker to 'just' have the normal LEDs, and the majority of my driving is on country roads, but perhaps I just have better eyesight than Martin The biggest headlight issue I have is sitting in a relatively low coupe and being dazzled by all the SUVs with their laser lights You may well have! It’s one of those things that you’re fine without until you’ve lived with them, then you really wouldn’t want to go back. The Golf has std LEDs and it’s the biggest annoyance. They are super bright on main beam because they have a 4 x LED light units rather than bi-LED you get on some cars, but I really miss not having main beam where you want it all the time. Laser headlights are fantastic, but the roads are too busy in the UK, you need quite a bit of clear road for them to come on, so it’s pretty rare. I don’t miss them. There are 2 x levels of Xenon’s as well….before you get to bi-Xenon or separate main beam… |
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Sept 15, 2023 9:46:04 GMT
You can tell if a car had adaptive lights because it has two buttons on the end of the indicator stalk. Those without just have a single button (the end looks smooth).
Adaptive Xenons are great as are the adaptive LEDs. For A and B roads the adaptive lights show the verges down the side of the car in front and make night time driving (and overtakes) so much easier.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Sept 15, 2023 11:18:24 GMT
I don't think that's right John, mine has 2 buttons - one for the computer and the other for high beam assistant (which is less reliable than the same system on the Micra).
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Sept 15, 2023 12:42:39 GMT
I don't think that's right John, mine has 2 buttons - one for the computer and the other for high beam assistant (which is less reliable than the same system on the Micra). On the adaptive lights the button is where your high beam assist button is |
|
|
|
Post by alf on Sept 15, 2023 20:33:51 GMT
Adaptive LEDs would not be a deal breaker at all neither would LEDs of any flavour. I had the basic ones on the 640d and they were perfectly decent (way better than the xenon’s I have on the 125i but that’s not surprising). The headlights on my partners Q3 are SO much better than mine so I can see the appeal of a good bulb / setup but if all else was good I’d be happy with the standard options. I think HUD comes higher ip the list in my priorities - it’s one of those things that once used quickly becomes very useful/beneficial. It matters to me - partly an age thing as older eyes struggle with lights! Tina’s Q3 xenon’s were ok but the XFR ones are miles better, I’d struggle with something much worse. The Boxster has xenon’s and I find them atrocious (largely as it’s so low down) on dip beam. I can’t imagine the normal bulb lights… |
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Sept 16, 2023 7:51:59 GMT
You ought to try the lights on the Alvis. Imagine an elderly glow worm in a cloudy jam jar...
The Benz has adaptive LEDs and I wouldn't be without them, although the LEDs on the MINI are fairly good. The Xenons on my old Benz 320 were a good step up from previous halogens, but the Xenons on my company A4 weren't nearly as good.
It is true that advancing years and increasing decrepitude make good lights a necessity, once over 50.
|
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Sept 16, 2023 8:43:12 GMT
You ought to try the lights on the Alvis. Imagine an elderly glow worm in a cloudy jam jar... The Benz has adaptive LEDs and I wouldn't be without them, although the LEDs on the MINI are fairly good. The Xenons on my old Benz 320 were a good step up from previous halogens, but the Xenons on my company A4 weren't nearly as good. It is true that advancing years and increasing decrepitude make good lights a necessity, once over 50. I'd extend that decrepitude into 40s |
|
|
|
Post by PG on Sept 16, 2023 10:06:26 GMT
Bad headlights annoy the f^%^ out of me these days. The MINI LED's (standard ones) are good on dip and we have the spotlights that boost high beam. They are way better than the bi-xenos were on the Jag. The Discovery xenons are "OK", but I think that they ought to be better.
When I drive our horse lorry in the dark, which is thankfully a rare thing, I'm usually on roads I know well, so can cope. As the 2010 era halogens are woeful.
|
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Sept 17, 2023 16:46:15 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by alf on Sept 18, 2023 9:53:46 GMT
Wild card, if I'm going sensible on the daily driver (well, in engine size, not marque reliability). A return to my roots? www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112230757287There are also XE's for similar money with the 300bhp 4 pot petrol, 4WD, and occasionally facelift cars with the much improved interior and interface as on the later Range Rovers. I think I'd rather even one of the older 340bhp V6's however, quite like this as it has the right wheels: www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309051566565Much as the Alfas look good with the right wheels, I suspect I would find the response to the loud pedal too thin with either 4-pot, and much more what I'm used to in the 3-litre engines... |
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Sept 18, 2023 12:44:05 GMT
A couple of my mates have Giulias and they're nice things. The interior quality feels as good as anything I'm used to and I was impressed at how they both go down the road, they're certainly less harsh than my BMW.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 18, 2023 12:54:32 GMT
It would have to be a QF though, surely? Something like £7-8k extra and you would get a chunk of that back when you sold it. You wouldn’t be losing out on performance vs your current car and it’s about time someone on the forum bought one, can’t think of anyone better than an ALF!  |
|
|
|
Post by alf on Sept 18, 2023 13:03:39 GMT
I'd have one, if I was having only one car. I suspect it would cost more than both to run!
I'm very fond of the cabins, I prefer that look to the very sparse ones with added tablets...
|
|
|
|
Post by clunes on Sept 18, 2023 14:33:43 GMT
I'd have a QF tomorrow if my heart was slightly more influential than my head right now |
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Sept 18, 2023 14:41:11 GMT
I'd have a QF tomorrow if my heart was slightly more influential than my head right now Give it a bit of time and let us know how we can help! |
|
|
|
Post by clunes on Sept 18, 2023 16:00:16 GMT
I'd have a QF tomorrow if my heart was slightly more influential than my head right now Give it a bit of time and let us know how we can help! Lol! I'm trying to keep my sensible head on - it's so easy to let budget increase until it suddenly doubles! I think my reluctance to leasing a car is in some ways a good thing as rather than it being 'only a bit more a month' it's more like 'twice the price' which is easier to resist! |
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Sept 19, 2023 7:43:11 GMT
Give it a bit of time and let us know how we can help! Lol! I'm trying to keep my sensible head on - it's so easy to let budget increase until it suddenly doubles! I think my reluctance to leasing a car is in some ways a good thing as rather than it being 'only a bit more a month' it's more like 'twice the price' which is easier to resist! I have the same issue - whenever I look at cars I think of the hire purchase cost rather than the PCP. If I change that approach then it might be difficult to avoid getting something like a QF but then I've heard divorces can be a bit pricey too. |
|
|
|
Post by alf on Sept 19, 2023 8:45:59 GMT
I'd have a QF tomorrow if my heart was slightly more influential than my head right now Give it a bit of time and let us know how we can help! If you could remove about 4 years of negative pay increases for me, and get rid of my boss (the one I interviewed and said no to, before being overruled, before someone told her I didn't want her) so I feel I have job security, then I'll get one?? You can even choose the colour... |
|
|
|
Post by PetrolEd on Sept 19, 2023 8:55:46 GMT
Give it a bit of time and let us know how we can help! If you could remove about 4 years of negative pay increases for me, and get rid of my boss (the one I interviewed and said no to, before being overruled, before someone told her I didn't want her) so I feel I have job security, then I'll get one?? You can even choose the colour... You interview your incoming boss? Is that a thing nowadays? That sounds like a no win scenario to me. If your good enough to interview the boss for the role, should you not just be given their job? |
|
They just look a little weedy at the back (the exhausts and rear undertray) - one with the sports exhausts and engine upgrade would be very much more of interest but I'd need to be careful to assess the rest of it objectively. This one is 7 miles away so I really ought to look at it 
