You can buy these bling-bling limos for €20,000

With 20 grand in our pocket, the cars shine at us: Audi A8, BMW 7-series, Jaguar After having portrayed everything, this week we will abandon all reason and look for three great used four-wheelers. Even if we don’t win anything, we will at least start the new year with an empire! For as long as that lasts…

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Prestige Plus – 2011 – 145,455 kilometers – €18,895

Everyone knows that the Mercedes-Benz S-class is pretty much the benchmark in the car world. Unfortunately, this means that older S’s often fall into the hands of people who would rather spend money on large wheels and tinted windows than on proper maintenance, which puts an experienced S in the ‘wrong’ corner. For 20 grand we therefore want a not too old and virgin S in terms of mileage that is also somewhat affordable to drive. Our choice: this Mercedes-Benz S-class, which may be manageable with less than a ton and a half on the clock and a manageable fuel thirst thanks to the hybrid drive. Warranty costs extra and with such a complex four-wheeler you always have to do that. Speaking of complex; electric motor and combustion engine are always working together. When you let off the gas, the electric motor turns into a dynamo that generates energy and stores it – for later use – in lithium-ion batteries. Although there is ‘only’ a V6 on board, you will never run out of power.

You will also not be short of anything inside the 6-TTL-51 (February 2011, in our country since May 2014 and worn by four owners since then). Naturally, the regal, leather-covered seats are electrically adjustable and heated and equipped with ventilation. There is plenty of space in the front and back. The rear seat does not fold down, but with 560 liters of luggage space there is little to complain about, nor does the braked towing capacity of 2,100 kilos. In an oasis of peace (air suspension, automatic level control, seven-speed sequential automatic transmission) and luxury, you can travel quickly to distant places, knowing that safety is in order. For an asking price for which you will not yet find a new B-segment car – with the exception of the Dacia Sandero – you drive the automotive top of a decade ago.

Mercedes-Benz S-class

Signaling

Brand Mercedes Benz
Type S400 Hybrid Prestige Plus
Construction year February 2011
Mileage 145,455
Asking price €18,895
Where to buy? Auto Totaal Twello, Twello

Technical data

Engine V6, hybrid, 3,498 cc
Max. system power 220 kW/299 hp
Max. system torque 385 Nm
Luggage compartment 560 l
Max. trailer braked 2,100 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:12.7
0-100 km/h 7.2 sec
Top speed 250 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Jaguar XJ8 4.2 Sovereign – 2008 – 128,192 kilometers – €19,945

Tastes differ, but we do not think the W221 above is the most elegant and timeless S. Unfortunately, this also applies to the ‘modern’ Jaguar XJ (2009-2015 and 2015-2021). The model before that (internal: X350) is still reminiscent of the original XJ from 1968, but as a modern interpretation. Think of the aluminum body that has been slightly ‘inflated’, so that rear passengers finally have enough living space that comes with such a top sedan.

We chose this Jaguar XJ8: originally Dutch, older than the Benz, but with fewer kilometers and equipped with a V8. Despite the light body (this invites you to a sporty game of steering! Oh well, you know that when you purchase such a luxurious salon. Speaking of salon; Inside there is a thoroughly British atmosphere: beautiful leather and wood as far as the eye can see. The dashboard, on the one hand, is sparse with only three clocks, but on the other hand it is far too busy with all those buttons on the center console surrounding a small screen. We don’t think it’s quite in style with the car.

Comfort, interior space and equipment are. The appearance too: this type of Jaguar never becomes ordinary, regardless of its age. What does correspond to the Mercedes-Benz is the driving behavior: here too, air suspension, so that you zoom to your destination in a kind of cocoon. But where the German radiates cool perfection that also comes close, the Brit is more stylish, more aristocratic – and clearly less modern when it comes to the latest state of technology at the time. However, the X350 is much more reliable than the XJ ever was – a plus, especially because maintenance can be expensive.

Signaling

Brand Jaguar
Type XJ8 4.2 Sovereign
Construction year September 2008
Mileage 128,192
Asking price €19,945
Where to buy? AutoOomen BV, Bavel

Technical data
Engine V8, 4,196 cc
Max. assets 224 kW/300 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 420 Nm at 4,100 rpm
Luggage compartment 470 l
Max. trailer braked 1,900 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:8.8
0-100 km/h 6.6 sec
Top speed 250 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Maserati Quattroporte – 2007 – 136,640 kilometers – €19,990

If it is just as stylish as the Jaguar above, but a lot spicier, then choose a version with the supercharged V8 under the hood, good for no less than 400 hp. Or look for a Maserati Quattroporte, whose 4.2 V8 also mobilizes 400 horses. We found this Quattroporte: still a year older, but with more than 136,000 kilometers still little experience. Started its life elsewhere, in our country since 2020 and is now in its fourth owner – that’s a bit less…

The model name Quattroporte (Italian for four-door) sounds down-to-earth, but this purebred sports sedan is anything but. Its high-revving, naturally aspirated 4.2 is not only lightning fast, but treats passengers and bystanders with a goosebump-inducing eight-cylinder sound. The interior is also completely warm-blooded Italian: beautifully designed, a beautiful color combination… A real feast for the eyes, and then you quickly forget the ergonomics that are not entirely flawless. Or the build quality that lags behind that of the cool Benz. Of course, there is nothing to complain about the equipment: from xenon lighting to electrically adjustable rear seats… it’s all on this used car that carries the proud trident here and there on its smoothly lined body. It turns out that all this is not for nothing: an average of 1 in 6.3, an empty weight of 1,900 kilos… Then we know the anecdote of a Quattroporte owner who had his car serviced at the official dealer. He is happy: in addition to the usual work (oil, filters, etc.), only new brake pads all around. The fact that something like this costs €1,500 indicates that you are still a long way from paying 20 grand. Maybe that’s why it has already gone through three Dutch owners in a short time? A visit to Zeewolde should provide clarity. But be warned: this ravishing Italian will wrap you up completely, and then undress you completely again…

Signaling
Brand Maserati
Type Quattroporte
Construction year November 2007
Mileage 136,640
Asking price €19,990
Where to buy? Autohuis Zeewolde, Zeewolde

Technical data
Engine V8, 4,244 cc
Max. assets 295 kW/400 hp at 7,000 rpm
Max. couple 451 Nm at 4,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 450 l
Max. trailer braked nb
Avg. consumption 1:6.3
0-100 km/h 5.2 sec
Top speed 275 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which of these top sedans would you like to enter 2024 with?

In summary: at asking prices that would make it difficult to buy a new Dacia Sandero, here are three used top-class sedans. The Mercedes-Benz S-class is the most modern and perhaps the best in terms of quality, but appearance and image score less. The XJ is British through and through – with all the pros and cons that entails. The Maserati Quattroporte is undeniably the most exclusive of this super trio, both in terms of brand name and appearance, but it is a really expensive car to own. Alternatives: the four-wheel drive Audi A8, the dynamic BMW 7-series, the almost flawless Lexus LS or the sporty Porsche Panamera. What would your choice be?