Here's my current situation, I have a 20 min drive to work each day, which I currently use my fabia for. My mrs works 2 min down the road, but due to my shifts & her going gym till fairly late she also has a car.

So, the fabia is great fun when I go for a drive, show, Santa pod etc but not so much when were going somewhere far to visit family or something. Also with driving for a living, often I could just get in the car and be doing without the effort of driving it. (Lazy I know)

This got me thinking, I couldn't part with the fabia, but it's getting on a bit, so I am toying with semi retiring it and getting something larger and more comfortable. Cue luxury barges! I had a spin (as a passenger) in a 740i a while back, I was amazed at how nice it was, huge amount of room, smooth, super comfortable, lovely.

Had a quick look, for £1500-£2000 I'd have a decent choice, most engines, reasonable mileage etc. Is this a stupid idea? I'm thinking the 728i would be semi economical, quick enough (I'm not after a fast car, just quick enough to get about) and not loose much money over a year or two of ownership. I looked at 5's but i think i prefer the 7's looks, and for the money they look better value. I can afford the extra running costs and have always liked the big 7. Get one now while I can afford it is my thinking. Fabia can go on a limited mileage policy on renewal to save a few quid.

What do we think?

What do we think? If you want reliable bullet proof luxury with massive wafting ability, get a Lexus LS400 series.

Dunno much about barges, but I'm thinking a 728 may be a little underpowered for a huge motor like that, might end up costing more due to you having to hoof it more, a mte found this on a Zafira 1.6 and 2.0, reckoned the 2.0 cost less as it carried the weight easier.

If you can cope with the running costs it sounds like a good idea to me.

With the current financial climate you can get some real bargains on big heavy cars that like a drop of fuel.

Indeed. Always regret not buying a barge. Someone I know who run a Jensen Interceptor for a few years found a nice Bentley Turbo R for not much money either. It's risky but it's a lovely car

The 728 would be a ggod choice. From what ive heard the 2.8ltr motor does a fine job. What about an A8. Event V6 in this car would suffice. Quattro would be nice too. Not sure if the V6 was quattro but there is always the V8's.

As some one else said a lexus is a lot of reliable car for the money.

If you love car maintanance what about an old Jag??

toyota/lexus soaerer with a 1jz engine

I am very biassed in suggesting an A8, they just waft you everywhere. Mileage is no headache either, my engine is still as sweet as it left the factory despite having 182K miles on it.

My 3.7 V8 manages 32MPG on a run, however around town it manages 12MPG. The V6 2.8 is actually less efficient and was only produced to keep the company car buyers happy due to its reduced tax at the time.

At 70MPH on the motorway the engine is running at less than 2K RPM, so its really quiet and very comfortable.

The newer D3 variant is leaps and bounds ahead of my D2, and can be had for reasonable money. A £60K plus D3, could be on your drive for less than £7K, and for less than £2K you could get a 4.2 D2 which cost around £50K new.

With luxury barges, don't let mileage put you off, what is more important is a full main dealer history if possible, and if not a good independent. They maybe cheap to buy, but they still have the running costs of a 50 to 60K car.

I am very biassed in suggesting an A8, they just waft you everywhere. Mileage is no headache either, my engine is still as sweet as it left the factory despite having 182K miles on it.

My 3.7 V8 manages 32MPG on a run, however around town it manages 12MPG. The V6 2.8 is actually less efficient and was only produced to keep the company car buyers happy due to its reduced tax at the time.

At 70MPH on the motorway the engine is running at less than 2K RPM, so its really quiet and very comfortable.

The newer D3 variant is leaps and bounds ahead of my D2, and can be had for reasonable money. A £60K plus D3, could be on your drive for less than £7K, and for less than £2K you could get a 4.2 D2 which cost around £50K new.

With luxury barges, don't let mileage put you off, what is more important is a full main dealer history if possible, and if not a good independent. They maybe cheap to buy, but they still have the running costs of a 50 to 60K car.

2k for a 4.2ltr V8?? WOW. One of my favourite all time cars. S8 would just pip it but standard 4.2 gets pretty close. They have lots of electric gadgets so wouldnt want to fix some of those items if they broke. This applies to all luxury barges though not just audi. Any electrical problems on yours?

Another similar car i love is the 4.2 ltr A6 quattro avant. With this even the dog could enjoy the ride. These are pretty rare cars though but i have always hankered after one. Dam company car rules i never get to own the cars i really want.

All the electrics in mine work thankfully, you are right though there is a lot to go wrong.

The dual zone climate in the A8 is very complex and has lots of little motors dotted around to control airflow to the umpteen air vents and you can even run the heater with the engine off using residual heat in the system. When the engine is off and the "REST" function enabled, the coolant is circulated through the heater using an electric pump and these can fail due to its location.

The things to keep an eye out on with the A8 are blocked scuttle drains and the aircon drains, if these get blocked then you can end up with fried ECUs and water everywhere inside the cabin.

There's an 2003 730d on autotrader for around £3K! High miles but a lot of car for the money!

There's an 2003 730d on autotrader for around £3K! High miles but a lot of car for the money!

I would have thought a basic normally aspirated petrol would handle bigger miles better than a turbo diesel. In theory the 730d would be preferable but would it not be riskier running a mega high mileage one of these as opposed to a 728i??

What about the VW Pheaton. is it not just a rebadged A8

The Phaeton is actually much more like a Bentley than an Audi in design. Lovely cars, I've toyed with one many a time. The W12 is cheap but complex and very fast. The TDI is more to buy but simpler and much better on fuel. Generally they are pretty reliable too.

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Wooooha, loads of replies. Can always depend on the brisky massive! lol

What do we think? If you want reliable bullet proof luxury with massive wafting ability, get a Lexus LS400 series.

Just had a look, I know the fabia is no style icon, but my god its like a block on wheels lol. I dont think I could live with the interior either, just so bland.

Dunno much about barges, but I'm thinking a 728 may be a little underpowered for a huge motor like that, might end up costing more due to you having to hoof it more, a mte found this on a Zafira 1.6 and 2.0, reckoned the 2.0 cost less as it carried the weight easier.

I had thought this, but a few owners have said while its no rocket the 2.8 can hustle itself along well enough, its just not got the go of the v8/v12`s.

The 728 would be a ggod choice. From what ive heard the 2.8ltr motor does a fine job. What about an A8. Event V6 in this car would suffice. Quattro would be nice too. Not sure if the V6 was quattro but there is always the V8's.

As some one else said a lexus is a lot of reliable car for the money.

If you love car maintanance what about an old Jag??

A8 is on the maybe list. I actually really like the Jags, was looking at XJ6/8`s, proper old skool motor. Sadly, the other half hates them, old mans car etc etc, and while i`ll be driving it, she`ll be getting driven about in it, so I need her to at least semi agree

toyota/lexus soaerer with a 1jz engine

As the lexus, not really my bag!

I am very biassed in suggesting an A8, they just waft you everywhere. Mileage is no headache either, my engine is still as sweet as it left the factory despite having 182K miles on it.

My 3.7 V8 manages 32MPG on a run, however around town it manages 12MPG. The V6 2.8 is actually less efficient and was only produced to keep the company car buyers happy due to its reduced tax at the time.

At 70MPH on the motorway the engine is running at less than 2K RPM, so its really quiet and very comfortable.

The newer D3 variant is leaps and bounds ahead of my D2, and can be had for reasonable money. A £60K plus D3, could be on your drive for less than £7K, and for less than £2K you could get a 4.2 D2 which cost around £50K new.

With luxury barges, don't let mileage put you off, what is more important is a full main dealer history if possible, and if not a good independent. They maybe cheap to buy, but they still have the running costs of a 50 to 60K car.

Interesting, my (very rough) workings were using 15mpg as a example, so not too far out. As for miles, I wasnt sure what to aim for/use as a cut off. My fabia has 166,000 on it now, so I know if looked after cars can run for a long time, I guess its down to history more than anything.

There's an 2003 730d on autotrader for around £3K! High miles but a lot of car for the money!

I could only find them starting at £4000. I really like that shape though.

What about the VW Pheaton. is it not just a rebadged A8

I`m thinking of spending around £2000. I really like the newer 7 Pheaton & A8 but I`m not sure I can justify the extra cash for either one just now. I think the main contenders just now are the 7 series and A8. I really like the old range rovers (snatch style) but it seems rust has taken many from the roads, any half decent ones are going for silly money now. However, I`m not looking to buy until the new year, so decide for sure then.

I know whichever car, it'll cost a fair wedge to run, not just fuel and tax but tyres, brakes and the usual stuff. Luckily I have a excellent mechanic in Alistair @ Unit 18, but i`d rather not have it off the road for repairs too often on top of those costs!

Thanks for all the replies guys, I`ll keep you all updated if/when I go for one, might pop a few ads up when I start looking see what the opinion is!

Cheers again

Matt

Cue luxury barges! I had a spin (as a passenger) in a 740i a while back, I was amazed at how nice it was, huge amount of room, smooth, super comfortable, lovely.

When I first read this I though 'he's gotta be kidding right!?'

Then I suddently twigged, BMW!

When I first read this I though 'he's gotta be kidding right!?'

Then I suddently twigged, BMW!

To be honest, that's what I thought too!

I would have that lovely old Volvo though, always had a soft spot for old volvos

I have a mate running a 530D touring, it is a 52 plate, done well over 200k, it is white and none turbo, it easily manages 35+ mpg on a run and he paid £1000 for it.

It is an ex police car so it is well specced too and the service history is incredible, oil changes every 6 weeks etc, even though it has no turbo it really does go well and pulls like a train.

Hey, don't diss the other 740. I liked my old 740GL.

What would I spend my £2K on?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211144234796/sort/default/usedcars/transmission/automatic/price-to/2000/engine-size-cars/4l_to_4-9l/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/page/14/postcode/ka92hp?logcode=p

Tell your wife it will grow on her..........

I have a mate running a 530D touring, it is a 52 plate, done well over 200k, it is white and none turbo, it easily manages 35+ mpg on a run and he paid £1000 for it.

It is an ex police car so it is well specced too and the service history is incredible, oil changes every 6 weeks etc, even though it has no turbo it really does go well and pulls like a train.

I thought all the 3l BMW diesels were turbo charged but could be wrong

Have toyed a few times with luxo-barges but at the end of the day always come back craving something a little more driver focussed. FWIW, I drove a 328 and 528 back to back and the 528 was noticably more sluggish than the 328 and I'd not personally want that engine in anything bigger/heavier as, coupled with the auto box, it felt a bit average, but with a 6-cylinder fuel bill. 750iL on the other hand is something else

Chris

They had a cheap barge seg on the new series of 5th gear recently. 5 series, Phaeton and an Jag XK - all well under £4k. Guessing if you went a little older than they did you could make your £2k budget

I'm going to be biased here as i work for volvo but what about a S80 D5, yeah i know its a diesel but the 163bhp is a fantastic engine and will run forever aslong as you keep belts and pullys changed (reason most D5 engines die),

I fitted a abs ring to a D5 other day and it had done 267000 miles and run sweet as a nut

Plus they can be had for around 2-3k or petrols can be had even cheaper but they are abit underpowered unless you buy a turbo and I would avoid the twin turbo T6 models as there crap

I'm going to be biased here as i work for volvo but what about a S80 D5, yeah i know its a diesel but the 163bhp is a fantastic engine and will run forever aslong as you keep belts and pullys changed (reason most D5 engines die),

I fitted a abs ring to a D5 other day and it had done 267000 miles and run sweet as a nut

Plus they can be had for around 2-3k or petrols can be had even cheaper but they are abit underpowered unless you buy a turbo and I would avoid the twin turbo T6 models as there crap

Agee on the S80, has some seriously comfy seats. Best ive sat in. Dont knock the old 740 volvo, my dad had 2 in the past. Really comfy car and built like a tank. Old range rovers are nice as you said but not very reliable but at leats parts are dirt cheap. Swap air suspension for springs and then keep fingers crossed about the rest of the electrics.

My personal choice would be the A8. Would try and find a 4.2 or 3.7 V8 with quattro. I presume these were all tiptronic as this is essential for this type of car and then pretend you are in Ronin. i.e letting peugeot 406's keep up with you. Or was it 605's or a renault safrane. Dam my memory is poor.

Ask Manny about his A8. Nearly 200k on the clock if I recall correctly and still going.

I thought all the 3l BMW diesels were turbo charged but could be wrong

Have toyed a few times with luxo-barges but at the end of the day always come back craving something a little more driver focussed. FWIW, I drove a 328 and 528 back to back and the 528 was noticably more sluggish than the 328 and I'd not personally want that engine in anything bigger/heavier as, coupled with the auto box, it felt a bit average, but with a 6-cylinder fuel bill. 750iL on the other hand is something else

Chris

No mate a lovely big straight six with loads of torque,

2002 (2002 MY) BMW 530d E39 series automobile data summary

What body style? sedan/saloon with 4/5 seats How long? 4775 mm How heavy? 1575 kg What size engine? 2.9 litre, 2926 cm³ How many cylinders? 6, Straight How much power? 183.5 PS / 181 bhp / 135 kW @ 4000 rpm How much torque? 390 Nm / 288 ft.lb / 39.8 kgm @ 1750-3000 rpm How quick? 0-100 km/h: 8.00 s How fast? 225 km/h, 140 mph What fuel economy? 9.8/5.7/7.2 l/100km urban/extra-urban/combined What CO₂ emissions? 192 CO₂ g/km