The BMW 6 Series has been a stalwart in the golf club car park for a good few years. However the big Bavarian is about to be replaced, but don't expect a radical departure.

Looks are subjective but the new 6 is a little more conservative than the last which means the previous model still looks very contemporary.

The current car's futuristic styling, splendid interior and continent crushing performance have made it the luxury coupe to have for many a retired professional.

From the brutal V8 petrol 650i to the frugal 635D the 6 series has neatly split the market between the more expensive Mercedes CL and cheaper Audi A5.

It also offers much more interior room than the Jaguar XK which is otherwise a very good match.

The new release got us thinking - why would you spend the thick end of 65 grand on a new one when you can get a well looked after early version of the current car, or one of its equally brilliant rivals, with a big petrol V8, for nearly £50,000 less.

That is rather a lot of money by any standard. Big petrol coupes lose money faster than any other type of car - so why not take advantage?

Prices for the later 635D diesel cars are still very firm but you can get a big 4.4 V8 petrol for very little money. Remember that these cars are pampered so a six year old 4.4 petrol will only have around 55,000 miles on it. So you get the BMW badge and golf club kudos for much, much less.

Pay no more than £16,500 for a well looked after six year old BMW 645i with around 55,000 miles on the clock.

The previous model Mercedes CL is a very graceful, very big coupe which offers proper seating for four and will easily swallow their luggage. The smallest engine on offer is a five-litre petrol V8. When they say ‘a lot of car for the money' this is what they mean.

A lightly used and well cared for six year old 5.0 V8 petrol can be yours for around £13,500. Mileage should be below 70,000.

The XK is a perennial big coupe from Jaguar. The current generation car holds its value well and makes a rational purchase. Interior space can be a little tight, especially in the rear but few cars at any price give such a sense of occasion. A truly brilliant drive as well.

A pampered Jaguar 4.2 V8 petrol can be yours from £25,500 at a mere five years old with less than 40,000 miles already covered.  A bargain compared to a new 6 Series.