advice please

[daviesbike]

As you know im selling the w12 i have been offered a straight swap for a bmw 730ld its a long wheel base its 2007 moddel

What are peoples opinions of this car how dose it fair up against the a8
Also been offered the same swap on a mercedes cls 320d with 26k miles on it only

Any advice would be great as i have never owned a bmw or a merc
Comparrison would be great

Thanks guys

[Singh]

I would take up up eitheir one of those offers, even if it is just to sell them on. The diesel motors should be easier to shift then your 6.0, 12 cylinder petrol car.

I remember sitting in a CLS at the Audi forum in Munich, the quality was shocking. But, as a chauffeur car - will people care? People go weak at the knees for a 'Mercedes Benz', I reckon you'll get more business for the badge alone despite the fact it's a four seater (I think).

The 730ld will be a great car too, a guy from TSN made the move from a D3 to a 7 series and said the 7 had more toys and was more comfortable and reliable.

If I were you, I'd snap that 7 series up, subject to inspecting it, of course.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Singh

I would take up up eitheir one of those offers, even if it is just to sell them on.

My thinking too.

Friend of mine had a CLS until recently, it's not massive in the back. For a chauffeur service the LWB 7-series will be much better, even if it's only temporary.

[daviesbike]

Thanks for the replys guys. Im torn. I have the cls now on loan to see if i like it and i will have the bmw tomorrow on loan as well. Cls is not as good build quality as the audi its a 4 seater and size i would compare to an a6 so not a great deal of leg room
The bmw is a lwb so plenty there and it looks quite big the bmw is on air ride i think. But the mer is not

Il post some pictures of the merc shortly and il do the same with the beemer tomorrow.
Any idea on fuel econemy with ether of them ?

[sarg]

Go for the BMW, much better for your business, been toying with the idea of getting a SWB 750i Sport myself, they seem to be a little cheaper to buy than the equivalent 8s at the moment.

I'd think the 730d is going to get you around 30-35mpg depending on your driving of course.

[Kenta8]

I had a 730L diesel a couple of years ago. I loved the car and the MPG was around 30 depending on driving style. Having said that it was shocking in the snow and sitting at traffic lights you will notice the tractor engine beneath the bonnet!! The BMW is a lovely car but I suspect you would be disappointed having come out of a W12.

[kal_ay]

I have a CLS given the choice you have I'd go for the 730.Merc build quality aint what it used to be,and it shows in the CLS.Local driving I get 450 miles on a tank of diesel.Hope this helps Guy.

[Architex_mA8tey]

The problem is that the CLS is a sports saloon and doesnt have the headroom or the space expected for chauffeuring. Its a great car but not a chauffeur car. All you see in London is Merc S Classes, Audi A8's and BMW 7 series, with the odd Merc E Class and Lexus very rarely

As somebody who has had a Chauffeur/Limo business, if you have to choose betweeen the two I would go for the BMW every time on this choice here

[daviesbike]

Well im shocked with the merc its awfull interior is tacky the wood looks like its from toys are us the ride is floaty and the rear leg room is just pittyfull would not expect a 7 year old to be comfy back there let alone paying passangers. Looks like the bmw is winning so far and i have not even driven it yet. Beemer looks nice too. Would expect better mpg from a 3.0L this cls is getting 30 at the moment. But i guess thats better than 20mpg. Is there an alternative 7 series that would be cheaper to run ie lpg ect ?

[sarg]

Alll large 3.0 diesels are not going to get much better than 30mpg - the old man's C350CDI BlueEffiency only averages about 33mpg, 37-38 on a longer run - the problem is they take a long while to warm up, the first 15 miles or so will be well below average