Big sedans, Swedish or German?
We are going to treat ourselves to a youngtimer in this used car search! When they are fifteen years old, cars driven for business have a favorable additional tax rate: as an entrepreneur you only pay 35 percent of the current value, which is of course much lower than the new value. You do pay 1.5 percent VAT on the list value, usually as part of your fourth quarter sales tax return. Last year we portrayed three business cars from 2008, now it’s time for a trio from 2009. Three wonderful youngtimers, two German-made, one Swedish.
The fact that used car prices have risen considerably is evident from the fact that last year we showed three sturdy sedans (Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Saab 9-5) that had run less than 130,000 kilometers, the Hyundai Sonata 3.3i-V6 as alternative even had less than 75,000 kilometers on the odometer. That won’t be possible this year: we are happy that the bells have not gone around twice yet. And which cars?
The typical dashboard of the BMW 5-series E60.
BMW 520i Business Line auto. – 2009 – 166,800 kilometers – €9,750
Criticism abounded when BMW released the 7-series (E65) designed by Chris Bangle at the beginning of this century, followed a few years later by the current 5-series. However, if you see what BMW has in the showroom these days, an E60 almost looks modest in comparison! This BMW 5-Series is also relatively modest: it is the four-cylinder 520i, in the case of the 14-JLS-7 (July 2009, so just be patient!), linked to a six-speed sequential automatic transmission. The first owner (this Fünfer had two) opted for the Business Line version and that, together with some separate options, provides a business sedan that is equipped with quite a few conveniences (including climate control, cruise control, alloy wheels, a navigation system, parking sensors). all around and a rain sensor), but not everything.
No leather upholstery
For example, leather upholstery is conspicuous by its absence, but that is not a problem. The 5 is the ultimate driver’s car among business sedans, so smooth leather only bothers you when cornering smoothly. Is such a lightly motorized 520i (although 170 hp is really not possible…) also somewhat sporty to drive? Pretty. There is a nice balance between sporty and comfort: you can drive this Fünfer actively (direct steering, shift gears yourself if desired, rear-wheel drive), but the comfort does not suffer in any way. You will notice that the chassis can handle significantly more power. For those who are sensitive to this, we recommend a more expensive, older or more experienced 530i in terms of mileage.
There is enough space in the front and back for four adults (five is also possible, but the passenger may be less comfortable due to the high cardan tunnel), the luggage compartment fits 520 liters (but the rear seat cannot be folded down) and a tow bar may be used. 1,800 kilos of brakes. Neat! The overall condition is neat, although the upholstery appears to be somewhat stained. Delivery package(s) and warranty are available at an additional cost.
Signaling
Brand BMW
Type 520i Business Line auto.
Construction year July 2009
Mileage 166,800
Asking price €9,750
Where to buy? Carteam Auto Verdel, Roelofarendsveen
Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,995 cc
Max. assets 125 kW/170 hp at 6,700 rpm
Max. couple 210 Nm at 4,250 rpm
Luggage compartment 520 l
Max. trailer braked 1,800 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 14.5
0-100 km/h 9.6 sec
Top speed 224 km/h
Advantage of driving an Audi A6: the appearance does not age so quickly.
Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Pro Line aut. – 2009 – 166,489 kilometers – €8,995
If the aforementioned BMW is still a bit too expressive (or too sporty) for you, then you can go to fellow countryman Audi for an A6 of the beautiful C6 generation. This Audi A6 can be compared well with the Bavarian in terms of age, mileage and engine power, although the GD-414-K is slightly cheaper and also more luxurious. We find, among other things, leather upholstery, xenon lighting, heated front seats, heated windshield washers and a tow bar (which can hold 1,500 kilos of braking), all things that the 520i lacks.
On the other hand, this A6 is an import car that has had three Dutch owners since 2015. Because warranty is not discussed and the first generation of T(F)SI engines are sensitive, this could explain the more-for-less aspect. Too bad, because the two-liter four-cylinder engine, which also produces 170 hp, does so in a more subdued way due to the installation of a turbo. The low speeds at which maximum power and torque are achieved speak volumes. It makes the A6 a bit smoother to handle, but the 5 is more economical. A big difference is that this used car has front-wheel drive. Now 170 horses on the front wheels is quite doable (the front wheels of the S80 below have to keep 200 horses in check), but it does not make this chic sedan a cornering knight.
No, the A6 is more of a spacious travel car, in which there is more than enough living space for all occupants (a fifth passenger is better off in the front-wheel drive Audi than in the rear-wheel drive BMW) and the trunk is also large, but there is also no folding rear seat here. . The interior has excellent build quality and is made of beautiful materials that, judging by the photos, have stood the test of time better than those of the 520i. Recommended? Well, everything depends on the state of the technology, because if something is wrong, this used car will be expensive. And no matter how attractive it may be from a business perspective, if all turnover goes to maintenance, you still get little benefit from it.
Signaling
Brand Audi
Type A6 2.0 TFSI Pro Line aut.
Construction year June 2009
Mileage 166,489
Asking price €8,995
Where to buy? Auto Gort, Winschoten
Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,984 cc, turbo
Max. assets 125 kW/170 hp at 4,300 rpm
Max. couple 280 Nm at 1,800 rpm
Luggage compartment 546 l
Max. trailer braked 1,500 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 13.0
0-100 km/h 8.5 sec
Top speed 224 km/h
Volvo S80 2.5T Momentum aut. – 2009 – 177,840 kilometers – €11,400
If the understated nature of the Audi appeals to you, a large Volvo could also be an option. Everyone prefers a dynamic S60 or the spacious V70, so that the used car prices remain unchanged. The large S80 is less on the radar, but can be compared well with the two Germans. And we don’t know whether it is that our former queen also drove an S80 (or allowed herself to be driven), but the fact is that Volvo’s former largest are not sold for bargain prices either. Take this Volvo S80: the most driven and yet clearly the most expensive. It is not more luxurious than the Audi, so that cannot be the reason.
Then what? Well, for example, that the 65-JPR-2 comes from the first owner and has always been maintained by the dealer, that it comes with a warranty – albeit only three months – and that it has such a delightful five-cylinder engine on board. It is good for 200 hp, more than the used cars above. It ensures the best performance of this trio, but also by far the greatest thirst: in the city even 1 in 6.6 and that is outdated. Fortunately, this travel stroller comes into its own on long journeys. The Volvo furniture is famous (although the leather of the driver’s seat is noticeably crackled), the interior is beautifully constructed and attractively designed; we mention again the ‘waterfall center console’. And here there is a split-folding rear seat. Great, because the trunk is a size smaller. However, occupants have nothing to complain about. A fifth person will not be bothered by a high cardan tunnel, because this S80 dumps all its 200 horses on the front wheels. So don’t accelerate too abruptly, because wheel spin is lurking. But hey, with such an exuberant thirst you naturally take it easy.
Signaling
Brand Volvo
Type S80 2.5T Momentum aut.
Construction year July 2009
Mileage 177,840
Asking price €11,400
Where to buy? Auto Krook, Soest
Technical data
Engine 5 cyl. in-line, 2,521 cc, turbo
Max. assets 147 kW/200 hp at 4,800 rpm
Max. couple 300 Nm at 1,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 480 l
Max. trailer braked 1,800 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 9.8
0-100 km/h 8.0 s
Top speed 230 km/h
Which youngtimer do you think is the most responsible from a business perspective?
Strange actually: the BMW 5 Series of the E60 generation has aged beautifully. We think he is the most outspoken of this trio. A more powerful engine would make it even more attractive. The A6 has a less sporty, more chic appearance overalls scores high points. It is the reliability that creates doubt. You won’t offend anyone with a Volvo S80, especially not the gas station attendant! What would your choice be?
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl