Disco 4SDV6, GL 350CDI, E70X5 40d 7 seat or a Q7 S-Line
Hello all
I plan to return to the UK for good in a couple of months after 10 years in the Gulf and will need a car. Must haves include 7 seats, and auto box, and having driven SUV’s for the last 9 years or so I’ve got accustomed to the high seating position , good ground clearance and general go anywhere ability so don’t want to back to a normal car so that rules out an e class estate with 7 seats or a people carrier.
I’ve never leased a car before or bought on finance, and whilst I understand the argument for having a fixed monthly cost which allows one to have a brand new car, at this stage I don’t think it’s for me.
So I’m going to be looking at one of the above I guess, budget is up to £15k and I’m looking for recommendations or advice please.
I’ve had a GL320 before and an e70 3 litre single turbo SE in the UK before. Both were nice cars, and I liked most things about them, although if I was to buy either marque again I’d want a 2012 GL350 with the more powerful engine and revised styling or a 2010 onwards LCI X5, with the facelift and 8 speed auto. I like the fact that you can get these with a twin turbo engine and the road tax is only £300.
However, I can’t help wanting a Disco 4 SDV6 in HSE spec ideally. I think they look magnificent and have a really classy interior as well. The reliability is what I have concerns about, with lots of documented cases of crankshaft failure due to spun shells and turbo failure. I wouldn’t want to buy one, and have loads of issues with it as I’d be kicking myself for buying it in the first place. Or am I being paranoid, and they are worth taking a chance on?
The last option is a Q7 with the 245 BHP 3 litre Diesel engine and the 8 speed automatic box. A friend of mine has one and rates it highly, but I’m not really keen on them for reasons I can’t really quantify.
Also, I guess there’s the 2012 onwards Hyundai Santa Fe which comes with a 7 seat option. The 7 seat ones that are sold over here have an extended wheelbase, but the UK ones cram 7 seats into the standard wheelbase, does anyone have any first hand experience of these?
I’m looking for feedback and informed opinions to help me make a decision please, and any alternative suggestions that I may not have thought of.
I know S Max’s are well regarded, but the power shift gearbox problems are enough to put me off, and I don’t want a manual. I’ve heard the 2.2 diesel has a conventional auto though, so are they worth considering?
I will be moving back to Birmingham, but won’t be venturing into the low emission zone often, so not being Euro 6 compliant is not a big issue as far as I’m concerned.
BMW 2 series Grand Tourer and VW Touran mark 3 are also within budget, am I wrong to dismiss these?
I’ve always found this to be a really knowledgable community, and would really appreciate any and all feedback.
Thanks
R