Dad's looking for a daily driver to replace A8 - suggestions?

[Mr. M]

The requirements are simple. It has to be able to:

- sit four in comfort, sit five if needed;
- have frugal fuel consumption (at least below 11L/100km on a combined cycle);
- have enough power (adequate will do, we're not looking for a sports car);
- have enough style and image.

We feel having two large cars (A8 and QP) is a waste so we're selling off the A8 for a smaller car. Also the A8 is drinking too much fuel for a daily driver.

Right now we're playing with ideas all the way from the CL to the 5er to even an X5. We're actually quite clueless as to what we should get now. The closest we've come to a conclusion to is a 520d or a C220CDI. We need more input from you guys who know the marketplace inside out to recommend more.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mr. M]

We test drove a 520i today and it was quite impressive for a four pot. But we don't want the petrol, we want a diesel, the 520d and right now the dealer is reluctant to bring one in, because the government only recently reduced taxes on diesel cars. In the whole of Singapore only 6 people drive diesel cars, so maintenance would be an issue unless they can garner enough demand. For Mercedes however, the E220 CDI cabs are all around so getting a diesel Benz shouldn't be a problem. However, the C is a bit too small and the E is ageing. Audi's market is too small in Singapore to offer any diesels.

Is this a dilemma or what.

 

[Centurion]

The E-class is a good car and since it will be replaced within a year you can probably get a very good deal on a used one.

 

[Zafiro]

What about a Lexus or perhaps Honda Legend (or whatever its called)

 

[Alwing]

There're some good cars that could fulfill your stated requirements however I don't know much about its availability in Singapore.

• BMW X3 2.0D or 3.0D
• BMW X5 3.0D
• Jaguar XF 2.7D
• Volvo S80 D5
• Lexus GS450h
• Lexus RX400h
• Mercedes-Benz ML 280 or 320 CDI
• Mercedes-Benz GLK CDI (not out yet)

Another option would be the cars mentioned below but you have to sacrifice one seat:

• Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDI
• Volkswagen Passat Coupe TDI

 

[fortuner]

hi i own a c220 cdi and all i can say is it a awesome little car economical and spacious easy for four adults to be seated and for the odd trip 5 adults

its built solidly and its got good power and awesom torque

id you have any queistions on the c220cdi feel free to ask me

 

[Yperion]

Sell the QP and keep the A8.

In the long term the A8 will prove much more reliable and well build.

 

[ree]

Well I think, a car like the BMW 5-series or Mercedes E-Class would be perfect. Maybe a Jaguar XF would be great!! Your family owns a lot of "special" cars. I think, it would be a nice addition to the Maserati.

 

[Zonda]

Phaeton?

Lol, but I'm in love with that car

 

[ree]

Phaeton?

Lol, but I'm in love with that car

Lol, his family already had a Phaeton V6!! But nice idea, though!!

 

[Zonda]

I know

But Lexus is my best recommendation apart from that
I have great experiences of Lexus.

 

[Mr. M]

The E-class is a good car and since it will be replaced within a year you can probably get a very good deal on a used one.

It is an idea... But then we would have to live under the shadow of a new model. Doesn't feel really good, especially when a new diesel hybrid is likely to come out which would offer even better consumption figures.

What about a Lexus or perhaps Honda Legend (or whatever its called)

No way, no Japanese car in consideration here. PS. has your dad chosen a car yet?

There're some good cars that could fulfill your stated requirements however I don't know much about its availability in Singapore.

• BMW X3 2.0D or 3.0D
• BMW X5 3.0D
• Jaguar XF 2.7D
• Volvo S80 D5
• Lexus GS450h
• Lexus RX400h
• Mercedes-Benz ML 280 or 320 CDI
• Mercedes-Benz GLK CDI (not out yet)

Another option would be the cars mentioned below but you have to sacrifice one seat:

• Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDI
• Volkswagen Passat Coupe TDI

Thanks Alwing for your suggestions. I tried introducing the X5 to my dad, but he isn't convinced the 3.0d can meet the fuel consumption figures he want. Also, it's too big. Like I said before, don't think we'll consider any Lexuses. The XF is an idea but we'd have to see the car in person. Maybe tomorrow.

hi i own a c220 cdi and all i can say is it a awesome little car economical and spacious easy for four adults to be seated and for the odd trip 5 adults

its built solidly and its got good power and awesom torque

id you have any queistions on the c220cdi feel free to ask me

Is the engine refined? How's your fuel consumption in the city? We might suffer an "image" problem here in Singapore because E220 CDIs are used as taxis... May hurt the resale value.

 

[Mr. M]

Sell the QP and keep the A8.

In the long term the A8 will prove much more reliable and well build.

That's true on both accounts, but if we sell the Maser now we'll be losing a lot of money. Also, we waited 9 months for the car, we're quite emotionally attached to it so it's quite difficult to sell it. On the other hand the A8 is already a 3rd hand, and we didn't customise it or anything, it just seems easier to let go. I have to admit the A8 doesn't feel as special enough to be kept.

Phaeton?

Lol, but I'm in love with that car

Too heavy, doesn't meet fuel consumption requirements. Plus we had one before, want to try something new. Leaning towards either BMW or MB.

 

[coolraoul]

I'd take a CLS 320cdi. That's beautiful, available as a 5-seater as option, and if the rear passengers aren't giant it's spacious enough. And it will not change as soon as the E-Class.

The C-Class is an idea, you could take it as a 320cdi to have a really refined engine.

A 5er is an excellent choice too, and why not an A6?

Concerning ML or X5...I personally am not keen on SUVs, but they're very good SUVs.

I think it could be interesting to have a comfort-oriented Mercedes, to complete the more sporty Maserati.
My choice would be the CLS, I adore that car.

 

[Mr. M]

I'd take a CLS 320cdi. That's beautiful, available as a 5-seater as option, and if the rear passengers aren't giant it's spacious enough. And it will not change as soon as the E-Class.

The C-Class is an idea, you could take it as a 320cdi to have a really refined engine.

A 5er is an excellent choice too, and why not an A6?

Concerning ML or X5...I personally am not keen on SUVs, but they're very good SUVs.

I think it could be interesting to have a comfort-oriented Mercedes, to complete the more sporty Maserati.
My choice would be the CLS, I adore that car.

The CLS eh? Well it doesn't really feel like a daily driver that would put on the miles, we need something tough and that we can scratch, scar and damage (God forbid) without feeling that painful of a pinch.

Plus having a >3L diesel engine does have its drawbacks. Even though the government reduced taxation on diesel cars, there is still an additional tax on diesel cars on top of the tax given to petrol cars. Basically, tax for diesel cars is petrol tax rate + (cc x 0.625) x 2. It's quite complicated I know, but the bigger the cc of the diesel engine the larger the tax penalty, to put it simply.

I like the idea of a comfort-oriented Mercedes, the C-Class fulfills many of our requirements but I just wished we had the next-gen E out now that had the qualities of the W204. The current gen of E has really aged.

We're staying away from Audi because we already had an Audi and we want to try something different. Of course, we're still keeping the A6 in sight but we rather not get the same brand again.

We're not that keen on SUVs either.

 

[Zafiro]

PS. has your dad chosen a car yet?

No, we visit MB dealer a while ago but the sales people did not show any intrest to sell him a car so he left disappointed. He has driven BMW the last 12 years so I think in the end he will pick BMW E90.

 

[Mr. M]

We've recently installed iPod connectivity to our A8 (and it was expensive) so don't think we're selling this car so soon just yet. Today we pumped a full tank of RON95 fuel and it costs a whopping SGD180 (~USD130?). It'll only last us for 2 weeks max. It's just crazy. Stop the speculation on oil already...

 

[SDNR]

A diesel A6 (as you mentioned in another thread) is a great choice.

But I guess it'll be between the new 7 and the S class when the time comes ?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Wait a bit for the new S hyrbid next year.

 

[Mr. M]

A diesel A6 (as you mentioned in another thread) is a great choice.

But I guess it'll be between the new 7 and the S class when the time comes ?

Wait a bit for the new S hyrbid next year.

You guys are right... So far, the S seems like the more likely choice. I just wonder if the hybrid technology is really worth the wait though, or if just getting a diesel is good enough.

Another car came out in my mind: the GTI. This is really endless.