The obligatory new car thread

[GC2012]

So the time has come to start thinking about selling my B8 RS4, I absolutely love the car and its got almost every extra from new you could think of but with increased mileage at work and a baby on the way I feel we should get some thing more practical as lets be honest the RS4 is anything but that. I also own the car outright now and my plan from the sale is to put the money in to the property market and continue to grow my BTL portfolio.

This means I will be on the look out for a good PCP deal on something along the lines of a SQ5, X5 40d/M50d, Cayenne diesel etc.

I will probably PCP my next couple of cars and then in a few years go back to the normal car loan route but at the moment my focus is really investing money rather than paying loans off on a car which is depreciating.

There is a few petrol heads on here so I am looking for advice, I think the above cars can all be bought reasonably on a PCP deal (with a few thousand down), relatively cheap to run in comparison to what I pay now and still have a bit of power and luxury. My head is saying the SQ5 as it works out the cheapest per month, lowest insurance and probably the quickest one however the only thing putting me off is the looks, most of the time I find it hard to spot the difference between a normal S-Line and an SQ5 until you see the quad exhausts at the back, however I can overlook that and think of the value for money.

Secondly is the X5 or Cayenne, is the M50d worth paying more for over the 40d?
I love the look of these and my feeling is the M50d will keep its value much better so on a PCP could be a good option for future value?
The Cayenne again is a lovely car, I would probably have to go for the 3.0d rather than 4.2 but my last car was a 911 and I love the build quality on a Porsche and would happily step back in side one long term.

Another option is the Range Rover Sport or Vogue which I looked at last year however I cant get the reliability issues out my head. We will probably be driving to Spain at least once in the next 12-18 months and last thing I was is a break down with a young baby in the car!

What are your thoughts?
It is tempting to go for an RS6 or something equally as crazy but I would like a break from high running costs while I put money into other projects for the next few years.

[adrianw]

I tried a new M50D last year, it is possibly the worst car I have ever driven, tracks, bangs, bumps and I am sure it is nowhere near as fast as they claim.

[mondie]

Sounds like you own the RS4 and have already ridden the depreciation curve somewhat. Are you really better of selling it and taking on 6-9 payments upfront and £5-700pm on a car that you wont own vs the RS4? I think the RS4 is pretty practical, sure it only gets mid 20's mpg vs 40mpg of the SQ5, but would tyres, brakes and servicing be that much cheaper to justify the switch?

[Hooshabak]

I tried a new M50D last year, it is possibly the worst car I have ever driven, tracks, bangs, bumps and I am sure it is nowhere near as fast as they claim.

You should try the X5M completely different and an outstanding car

[thegreatdogwood]

I have an SQ5 and previously owned an X5 35d that I put over 100k miles on. Some thoughts;

SQ5 - quad exhausts are fake!. It's actually a twin exhaust hidden under the bumper on the drivers side. I went down this route as it is noticeably smaller than the X5 / cayenne (which I wanted) but still fine for a family. Interior is top notch as is the tech and it's a decent drivers car that still manages to put a smile on your face. I'd say it isn't quite as luxurious as the larger X5, for instance no electronic adjustment on the steering wheel, but hardly a big deal. I also like the fact that it has very subtle styling as it means you don't have the whole world trying to push you into a race and just blend in with other Q5s

X5 - I owned the twin turbo diesel for over 100k miles and have also driven the 50d plenty of times. Totally different car to the SQ5 for me. It's very capable at transporting a family and copious luggage from A to B in luxury, BUT it lacks soul. Regardless of the performance stats, I just don't find any of the X5 diesels to engage you emotionally in the driving experience. I bought the X5 after I had a 650 convertible and whilst I never tired of firing up the V8 on the 650, I never warmed to the X5 diesel and a journey went from being an event to an efficient means of getting from one place to the next. The 50d is obviously quicker, but had the same diesel issue for me of being a soul-less driving experience.

I test drove a LOT of cars before deciding on the SQ5, including;

GLC 43 - Nice car but I came away puzzled as to how magazines rated it higher than the SQ5 and the interior of the SQ5 is far nicer. The GLC63 would be nice though and have not driven that yet.
Macan GT - best drivers small SUV out there and rock solid residuals. Interior was nice but felt a bit dated. It's also the same width as the X5 and I wanted something narrower to suit where I now drive and park
F Pace supercharged - again same width as X5. Does everything fine but build quality was dubious and it just didn't stand out to me against the competition
Range Rover Sport - bit big and silly money by the time you have a decent engine and spec
S6 Avant - love the engine, the understated looks, sensible running costs and some sensational deals around for 12 month old cars. Strong contender, but decided to stick with a SUV for now.

You've got some real decisions to make. The SQ5 is the smallest of the cars you are looking at, so does that matter? Can you enjoy driving a diesel from any brand as its a very different experience to petrol at the performance end. How many miles do you actually travel as I went with the X5 when doing 35k miles per annum and diesels make more sense for higher mileages.

I've enjoyed the 12 months / 9k miles of SQ5 ownership. I think I would also have really enjoyed the S6 Avant.

[Foxy100]

I have an SQ5 and previously owned an X5 35d that I put over 100k miles on. Some thoughts;

SQ5 - quad exhausts are fake!. It's actually a twin exhaust hidden under the bumper on the drivers side. I went down this route as it is noticeably smaller than the X5 / cayenne (which I wanted) but still fine for a family. Interior is top notch as is the tech and it's a decent drivers car that still manages to put a smile on your face. I'd say it isn't quite as luxurious as the larger X5, for instance no electronic adjustment on the steering wheel, but hardly a big deal. I also like the fact that it has very subtle styling as it means you don't have the whole world trying to push you into a race and just blend in with other Q5s

X5 - I owned the twin turbo diesel for over 100k miles and have also driven the 50d plenty of times. Totally different car to the SQ5 for me. It's very capable at transporting a family and copious luggage from A to B in luxury, BUT it lacks soul. Regardless of the performance stats, I just don't find any of the X5 diesels to engage you emotionally in the driving experience. I bought the X5 after I had a 650 convertible and whilst I never tired of firing up the V8 on the 650, I never warmed to the X5 diesel and a journey went from being an event to an efficient means of getting from one place to the next. The 50d is obviously quicker, but had the same diesel issue for me of being a soul-less driving experience.

I test drove a LOT of cars before deciding on the SQ5, including;

GLC 43 - Nice car but I came away puzzled as to how magazines rated it higher than the SQ5 and the interior of the SQ5 is far nicer. The GLC63 would be nice though and have not driven that yet.
Macan GT - best drivers small SUV out there and rock solid residuals. Interior was nice but felt a bit dated. It's also the same width as the X5 and I wanted something narrower to suit where I now drive and park
F Pace supercharged - again same width as X5. Does everything fine but build quality was dubious and it just didn't stand out to me against the competition
Range Rover Sport - bit big and silly money by the time you have a decent engine and spec
S6 Avant - love the engine, the understated looks, sensible running costs and some sensational deals around for 12 month old cars. Strong contender, but decided to stick with a SUV for now.

You've got some real decisions to make. The SQ5 is the smallest of the cars you are looking at, so does that matter? Can you enjoy driving a diesel from any brand as its a very different experience to petrol at the performance end. How many miles do you actually travel as I went with the X5 when doing 35k miles per annum and diesels make more sense for higher mileages.

I've enjoyed the 12 months / 9k miles of SQ5 ownership. I think I would also have really enjoyed the S6 Avant.

Winchester and SQ5. Please tell me you're not the one that drives through the city centre jabbing the throttle so it crackles and pops?

[thegreatdogwood]

Winchester and SQ5. Please tell me you're not the one that drives through the city centre jabbing the throttle so it crackles and pops?

Not me and hardly consistent with me saying I enjoy the subtle styling of the SQ5 - that driver seems to have got to you though, not the first time you've banged on about it here and you clearly love SUV's too.

As far as I can tell, SUVs are taller versions of estate cars that are in no way better apart from allowing you to look down on plebs in their normal height cars. You might feel safer or have a better view but until data comes out to prove that they're safer I'm afraid it's all justification for giving up. When I lived in the middle of nowhere people mostly went Japanese - usually Subaru but Toyota and Mitsubishi too - if they had to tow horses, transport animals and so on.

I'll stick with my impractical Forester with its (currently not fitted) dog guard and roof bars. It hits 60 in about 5.5 seconds, is hilarious in the snow and can happily transport dogs, people and horseboxes without compromising the fun of driving.

Oh and I saw an SQ5 (or whatever it's called) farting its way past a bunch of people the other day. The driver thought we'd appreciate a couple of stamps on the throttle for us all to hear his ECU-controlled crackly exhaust but everyone thought he was a d1ck in a people carrier.

[Foxy100]

Not me and hardly consistent with me saying I enjoy the subtle styling of the SQ5 - that driver seems to have got to you though, not the first time you've banged on about it here and you clearly love SUV's too.

I was laughing at that SQ5, the driver did it past a load of school kids and I couldn't think how cool they must have thought him, in his given-up-on-life car.

[thegreatdogwood]

I was laughing at that SQ5, the driver did it past a load of school kids and I couldn't think how cool they must have thought him, in his given-up-on-life car.

Yep, he REALLY has got to you

[GC2012]

Thanks for the feedback on the SQ5/X5, I have a thing for Audis and owned two previously. All have been faultless and great cars inside and out.

I was lucky when buying the RS4 and managed to get a good deal on it privately, the previous owner was a bloke in his late 50's who needed the money to finish building renovations. I travelled about 2-3 hours for it and made him a low-ish offer which after some consideration he took, I will probably get back what I paid for it. However the running costs are not cheap, here is an approx comparison against an SQ5:

RS4 Insurance - £1250 per year
Road Tax - £550
4 x tyres - £1000 - £1200
Last major service - £1000+
Front discs (no pads or fitting) - £700+
Minor service (booked in on Thursday) - £350
MPG - 15 - 25MPG

SQ5 Insurance - £490 per year
Road Tax - £250
4 x tyres - £550 (Avon tyres on Blackcircles)
Major service - £450-500 according to other forums
Front discs - £80 Pagid vented on Eurocarparts
Minor service - Approx £200?
MPG - 30-40mpg?

Overall there is quite a big saving.

The PCP deals on the SQ5 are coming back reasonable for example the below car is £320 per month with £2500 down, without any haggling.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ice-asc&page=1

I would keep it 2-3 years and use the cash from the RS4 to fund other projects.
Chances are in 4-5 years I will go back to an RS4 (new shape) as they really are a fantastic car.

[-Ally-]

X3 m40i

[Matt8500]

You do need to factor in the payments in your maths. That’s over £10k over 2 years (£14K over 3), vs whatever depreciation there would be on the RS4.

[mondie]

Agree with Matt, its all about depreciation as this is the biggest cost of owning a car. Am surprised by the insurance cost though, I paid £3-500 on M5's when we were in Aberdeen. You must be young or in a high risk area?

I do like the SQ5 and if in your situation would be leaning that way too.

[GC2012]

Yes, I am young and my fiance isn't 25 just yet which doesn't help, luckily we live in a good area as I have friends with 'average' cars who live local to me but pay not far off what I do. It will drop at renewal in March but not by a huge amount, probably around £1000-1100 per year.

The main point in selling the RS is to release funds and continue to buy properties to let out. The money I get from the RS (plus a bit more in savings) will allow me to buy three properties which will generate £750 per month pre tax profit so although I am essentially taking on a new PCP loan its almost immediately written off by rental income plus putting money in my pocket & more property being paid off. This is the main reason for getting rid of it.
We have just found out my fiance is pregnant so that kind of put the nail in the coffin, its just not the right car at the moment and she will be using it more often. Something a bit bigger and financially friendly makes sense for a few years.

That X3 M40i is lovely, never even thought about them so will take a look.

[thegreatdogwood]

.

That X3 M40i is lovely, never even thought about them so will take a look.

I looked at the X3 M40i too and the petrol SQ5 is way nicer. I should qualify by the way that all of my previous comments were in relation to the petrol SQ5 that has been out for about 18 months now rather than the older model which is diesel. I mention it as you are working off some numbers for the diesel SQ5 and the ad link was to a diesel one too, for instance;

Road tax - has the £310 a year new car supplement for 5 years so it's £450 for the petrol. Any of the cars you are looking at will have the same issue if registered since 1/4/17
MPG - is realistically early 20's for local driving and I got 30 mpg on a 300 mile motorway trip on Friday
Tyres - You want the 21" rims with P Zeros which are £920 a set

The SQ5 diesel is very different to the petrol version. It would be a cheap car to run if you buy a 3 or 4 year old model as depreciation flattens out but the interior feels dated and it drives totally different to the petrol. That X3 40 has only been out a year too.

[GC2012]

Thanks for the info. I was working off the older model, I much prefer the newer one but in terms of PCP deals it makes sense to go for the older diesel model.

[thegreatdogwood]

Thanks for the info. I was working off the older model, I much prefer the newer one but in terms of PCP deals it makes sense to go for the older diesel model.

I would look for one with the audi drive select option which will narrow it down a fair bit.

[dickdutch]

So the time has come to start thinking about selling my B8 RS4, I absolutely love the car and its got almost every extra from new you could think of but with increased mileage at work and a baby on the way I feel we should get some thing more practical as lets be honest the RS4 is anything but that

Why on earth isn't a medium sized estate car practical? But don't rely on my opinion, I think my M5 is a practical, everyday, family car :-)

[johnnyguitar]

This means I will be on the look out for a good PCP deal on something along the lines of a.......Cayenne diesel etc.

Don’t think you can get one any more. Petrol or petrol/hybrid only now.

[GC2012]

Don’t think you can get one any more. Petrol or petrol/hybrid only now.

I would be looking at the older model, approx 2014 (hopefully facelift model).

[thieuster]

With a baby on the way, get the biggest car you can afford. 'Biggest' as in luggage space, rear seat space etc. With a new baby, you'll be hauling everything but the kitchen sink.

[ryanb741]

New X5 looks crap. Get the Velar now that they've ironed out the kinks or wait for the SVR version in a couple of months. Residuals much better than the BMW so not too scary on a PCP and just a more premium car all round

[Darkeeboy]

Hi Ryan
How’s the Velar? I’m considering the P300 HSE or X5m50d and it would be good to hear your views a year or so on...


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[Skyman]

Hi Ryan
How’s the Velar? I’m considering the P300 HSE or X5m50d and it would be good to hear your views a year or so on...


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I think he hates it from comments made during the last twelve months.

[Darkeeboy]

Ah, ok I’ll do more searching


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[ryanb741]

Ah, ok I’ll do more searching


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Ha! Actually it is a beautiful car with a superb cabin. I just don't like driving as a rule and so what sold the Velar to me was the tech - it kind of drives itself on the motorways and I specced the t*ts off it so it does all the massagey stuff to make me feel at home in a car. Super comfy and lovely place to be. HSE is the spec plus I added a load of stuff on top.

The one pitfall? It is a barsteward on the petrol (I bought the petrol version) but then it is a large-ish car. So if you want a really nice looking, comfortable car then I've not seen anything better at that size.

It did need an electronics repair within 6 months which was a surprise as Range Rovers are known for never needing fixes done;)

For that class of car I'd choose the same again. I just hardly drive so for the 900-odd quid it costs me each month (includes residential parking and insurance charges) then having done 5500 miles in 17 months the maths don't really work out.

[Darkeeboy]

Ha! Actually it is a beautiful car with a superb cabin. I just don't like driving as a rule and so what sold the Velar to me was the tech - it kind of drives itself on the motorways and I specced the t*ts off it so it does all the massagey stuff to make me feel at home in a car. Super comfy and lovely place to be. HSE is the spec plus I added a load of stuff on top.

The one pitfall? It is a barsteward on the petrol (I bought the petrol version) but then it is a large-ish car. So if you want a really nice looking, comfortable car then I've not seen anything better at that size.

It did need an electronics repair within 6 months which was a surprise as Range Rovers are known for never needing fixes done;)

For that class of car I'd choose the same again. I just hardly drive so for the 900-odd quid it costs me each month (includes residential parking and insurance charges) then having done 5500 miles in 17 months the maths don't really work out.

Thanks Ryan, really useful info to read!
Fuel isn’t an issue coming from an m5 (!) but that’s not being used at all so at least an SUV is useful for practical family runs. Reviews say the screens stay free of fingerprints for mere seconds before looking grubby, but I do like the cabin styling..


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