Advice needed

[sarg]

Whilst I'm still trying to sell the Porker, my mind keeps wondering about what to go for next.

After attending the Christmas meet, my mind was pretty set for a D3, and this is very much still on the shortlist, though even then I can't decide between petrol, diesel, spend 7k or 17k.

But, I have another thought doing the rounds and I'd like to invite opinions and thoughts.

Back in 2008, I drove my then boss's Q7 a few times, and I really liked the drive, especially the high seating position and practicality.

I'm also starting to get more problems with an old football hip/thigh injury, and getting out of the Porsche is getting harder, so I am thinking I might be better served going for an SUV of some kind.

So what should be on the short-list?

• X5
• Q7
• ML
• Touareg
• XC90
• Something else?

I would want 250+ bhp, 30+mpg, top price 18k and less than 80k miles, preferably less. I have no kids, so 7 seats not necessary.

I've ruled out the RR Sport - much as I really like them, my budget would only get a 2.7 TDV6 which is very slow and not especially economical.

I know Ian has a Q7, I'm sure I've seen one or our members has an XC90, and somebody else was talking about their X5 the other day. I don't want an old shape X5, would have to be latest shape.

I also read somewhere about high tyre wear on the Q7 - is this true?

I'm not over-fond of the looks of the Q7 to be honest, looks overly-big if you know what I mean, so at the moment I think the X5 and ML are favourites, with maybe the XC90 sneaking in.

Still keep thinking about those W12s, no stop it, 15mpg is not cool

So, step forward with your thoughts please....

[IT]

In all honesty, I find the Q7 really uncomfortable to get in and out of. Its high up, but with a close dashboard and enclosed armrests etc assembly. If you've got any sore limbs, I strongly urge you to go try one first.

The range rover has way more free cabin space in contrast for example.

To drive its superb, but the front tyres do seem to be wearing as per other reports.

I'd also say at 18K you'd have to settle for a high miler, or low spec, and the Q7 is a really low spec unless you get loads of options as its based on A6 tech. Navigation, twin pane, heated seats - all options and harder to come by than you'd think.

Overall, its a lovely car, but an A8 owner would likely find themselves longing for the comfort, space and functionality of the 8 imo, especially if they'd come from a D3.

[Condor]

Hmmm, Sarg, its a bit of a leading question really.......we all have our favourites! Come over to xdrivers.co.uk for a mosey around and some advice - its a very friendly place
This is always just going to be a personal choice and opinion thing, but I looked long and hard before settling on an X5 between that lot you mentioned and the Toureg and Porsche version.

Q7 a very ugly lumbering thing, huge foot print, just as bad as an S8 to park in miserly parking lots. Expensive - don't think the budget you mentioned will get one. Q5 possibly better but also expensive still.

XC90- boring boring boring old gitz car (sorry folks to all the Volvo fans!) Had issues with spontaneous fires breaking out as per Watchdog a year or two ago. Very few toys. Worse than average fuel consumption for a big SUV.

Likewise the older MLs - they come in all flavours these days, but are quite spartan and interior finish of Merc is IMHO nowhere near that or BMW or Audi. Very pricey repairs and prone to early failures of some bit I can't remember off hand.

Touareg - big and heavy, the V10 is very heavy on fuel, but well equipped and nice interior, as is Porsche's SUV - they are both the same, really, and jury out on the looks - a bit like Marmite.

I had a P38 Range Rover for 6 years before my X5 - the Rangey was an expensive beast to keep 100% working and finish was , well, typically poor / typically British, interior not great compared to BMW, but I did grow very fond of the old thing and it didn't let me down.

X5 - only model I ever really wanted was the 4.8iS Alpina-derivative, facelift shape. I hate the "new" shape and won't be getting one as I dislike the shape so much, so when the 4.8 goes, who knows? Having said that, I tend to keep my cars for years, so its not leaving anytime soon if I can help it.
Fantastic engine, cooled with an oil cooler below the main radiator, what a performer, and what a pleasure to drive. Closest drive to the S8 IMO.

Mine is a very high spec model as a few 4.8is were, all the BMW toys
fuel consumption not bad for the big body - around 24-26mpg (I do a lot of long trips). I dislike LPG intensely and prefer to keep the V8 running as it should on petrol, which it quite likes Great performer in the snow and ice on its winter shoes - Vredestein Wintracs on 18" wheels, usual wheels are OEM 20" HUGE tyres. (315 wide on the rear!) I love the colour - Le Mans Blue - and the gorgeous black special order leather interior. It was also the ONLY SUV to have seats even REMOTELY comparable to the Audi S8, fully adjustable, heated, recaro type, which was really important for us as we both have back problems and I regularly drive very long distances. You could get a 4.8 is in your budget, but the new shape X5s are a bit higher than that still - of all the SUVs, the X5s tend to hold their resdiuals quite well, especially diesels.

*EDIT* Spacious cabin, rather like a large luxury car inside than an SUV, boot space not particularly large, but seats do fold estate-style. Rangey has a much bigger boot.

I suppose the only way to be sure for yourself is to go and look at some of these SUVs and drive them yourself as its a very personal choice!!

Good Luck with the search

[sarg]

Cheers, I agree with most of the points there, before the 8 I come from a long line of BMWs and would happily go back, got a good main dealer and a good independent nearby, and the family personal mechanics are well used to working on BMWs - there are several in the family.

Getting in and out - basically I have a ruptured front quad muscle, meaning it's detached from the knee, so pulling my right leg up towards my chest to swivel out the car is becoming more and more awkward, and let's not mention trying to get my socks on If I could just swivel out then that would be better.

MLs, I quite liked the interior when I went to see one 12 months or so ago.

XC90s - I know what you mean, but conversely, they seem to be considerably cheaper.

RR - just too big and expensive to run for my taste

Porsche - against the grain I do quite like them, but too thirsty by far, can't afford a diesel

Q7s - definitely some in budget (will look up to 20k) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...26dy?logcode=p

which brings me back to the X5, still top of this list at the moment I think

[sarg]

Coming back to D3s for a moment, and ignoring the PF cars, what is the actual difference between SE and Sport on the FL models, apart from the wheels which I'd likely change anyway so not too over fussed about that

[47p2]

Full Fat Range Rover is a fantastic car, but typical Land Rover they are not without their problems. It's the car I look most forward to driving out of all my vehicles.

[PsYcHe]

I'm the old fart with the XC90

Practical as a practial thing on national practical day!

Getting in and out is OK, but with all SUVs its a bit higher. They are holding value very well, but you'd struggle to get 230+ BHP unless you got the scarily thirsty T6 or rare V8. We got the 165 Pre-Facelift model and remapped to 200. It's no '8 but it's quick enough. You can get up to about 220hp with the newer D5 engines, but not sure how much it really needs that.

It is a bit boomy from the engine at 80+, but not too bad probably just because I'm comapring it to an '8. All 7 seats can take an adult in reasonable comfort (and I mean me... so as to whether they can take a grown up that's another question). Boot is massive, spec isn't that great compared to an '8, but ours hasn't missed a beat since we got it 2 years ago.

[Amanda]

I ran a q7 for 3 yrs and loved it apart from fueling and tires (with a diesel 3ltdi 21 mpg) costs I do however drive my mother in laws caravelle now and again and find that's a big roomy car that's seats 8 very comfortly ........only downside is it looks like a box on wheels or is that a van!!! Might be worth a look?

[sarg]

hmm, things have changed, just lost my biggest contract, so the spending £18k option definitely out now.

On the positive side, I will now be working from home 4 days a week so fuel consumption become ever less relevant and I don't need to worry about the size of the small office parking space anymore

[RanjS8]

Sorry to hear that...but like you said nothing like working from home...