Estate car choices, advice required.

[Ed FM]

Thanks for all the replies, I understand that most people could get by with a saloon but it is the kiteboarding gear that makes it impossible. Appreciate the comments on the Alfa possibly still being too small, I will look into the 5 series possibility. I have just been so put of by the performance of the M3 in the bad weather but do understand that a set of winter tyres would make a huge difference. How did people on here get on in the bad weather with BMW's?

[uk_vette]

Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Titanium X estate.

200Ps, aint to shabby.
Certainly quick enough.

Some thing like this

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...


http://www.lawesgarage.co.uk/used-cars/ford-mondeo...


'vette

Edited by uk_vette on Saturday 15th January 16:15

Edited by uk_vette on Saturday 15th January 16:17

[ChrisRS]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2353485.htm

Should be able to get a great example for your budget

[ewenm]

eldar said:

Ed FM said:

Evening,

I currently drive an E46 M3, my wife and I have just had a baby and space is soon to become an issue. We will have all the baby gear and our stuff to transport along with my kitesurfing stuff when we go away this summer. I only just managed to get my stuff in without baby, pushchair etc.
I have narrowed my search down but am still not sure which way to go. I am thinking diesel but this is not essential. It would be nice to see over 30mpg especially when being driven normally. The M3 is pretty poor however it's driven. I suppose what I mean is I want decent economy when doing motorway miles but don't really car how thirsty it is when giving it some stick.
My thoughts so far are;

Alfa 159 sportwagon 2.4ti
Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)

Budget between 12k and 17k, and ideally want something 06 or newer.

I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.

I know my list is not huge hence my reason for asking for inspiration on here.

Cheers,

Ed.

Be realistic. A baby doesn't require an estate car. Space won't be an issue unless you are emigrating. Keep the M3, decent baby seat and the nappies in the boot along with the daddy kit. The alternative is a korean 4x4 and a slow death.

Eh? Keep the M3 and where do you put the kitesurfing gear? Assuming you don't want a 4x4 then the alternative is a fast estate of some sort, seems a good compromise to me.

[Ed FM]

I could live with something like this and perhaps a set of winter wheels/tyres to go with it.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

I just think I need convincing that a 5 series with winter tyres would be usable on our snow covered roads.

Ed.

[ChrisRS]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2323462.htm

[anonymous-user]

have you considered a Honda Accord Tourer?

[blueg33]

GravelBen said:

Ed FM said:

I'm not sure I would want a Legacy or Forrester.

Why is that? Legacies are fantastic things.

You are right they are very good. We have a 2007 3.0 Legacy Outback and it never shows more than 25mpg, but I find it great for windsurfing and surfing kit.

[danyeates]

Nothing else comes close for the money IMO and I think the best looking estate available.



http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...

You'd be able to pick up a 2010 car with low miles with the new 170hp CR TDI engine, maybe even DSG for £17k. Last year Skoda were paying the VAT on all new ones ordered, you'd have been able to buy a new one for £17k, and they're very well spec'd from standard.

Alternatively, the 2.0 FSI petrol VRS will still return 35mpg on a run.

Edited by danyeates on Sunday 16th January 10:21

[GravelBen]

blueg33 said:

You are right they are very good. We have a 2007 3.0 Legacy Outback and it never shows more than 25mpg, but I find it great for windsurfing and surfing kit.

Surprised it doesn't do a bit better than that, my 2002 Legacy GTB (280bhp twin-turbo) will do 30-33mpg on the open road easily enough and usually averages around 26ish in mixed use.

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 16th January 10:56

[Hell27]

Alfa GTV said:

BMW E61 530d ad snow tyres

+1

535d if you can afford it. Job done.

[Hell27]

Ed FM said:

Thanks for all the replies, I understand that most people could get by with a saloon but it is the kiteboarding gear that makes it impossible. Appreciate the comments on the Alfa possibly still being too small, I will look into the 5 series possibility. I have just been so put of by the performance of the M3 in the bad weather but do understand that a set of winter tyres would make a huge difference. How did people on here get on in the bad weather with BMW's?

With a set of avon ice touring ST's it felt more grippy than a 4wd. No joke.

Got it all set up for £474.00 including alloys.

[worsy]

A B7 S4 Avant will be starting to touch the top end of your budhget I'd hazard. This one is not far off:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2257262.htm

[vxrandy]

MonkeyMatt said:

have you considered a Honda Accord Tourer?

These always get overlooked in threads like this, but ours has been trouble free in 5 years.

[danyeates]

worsy said:

A B7 S4 Avant will be starting to touch the top end of your budhget I'd hazard. This one is not far off:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2257262.htm

A lot of car for the money (if you don't mind the fuel consumption and running costs!)

[danyeates]

vxrandy said:

MonkeyMatt said:

have you considered a Honda Accord Tourer?

These always get overlooked in threads like this, but ours has been trouble free in 5 years.

Nice car, I was convinced I wanted one, but had a sit in one and really didn't like it. Just didn't feel like it had the quality of my old Audi and I didn't like the way it felt very plasticy inside. Nor did I like the look of the estate variant, although the saloon looks great. I didn't like the boom sound it made when you shut the door either! Went for the Skoda as it felt more "German" in construction.

[duckson]

Impreza GB270 Wagon?
Maybe slightly biased as my immaculate low mileage 57 plate is for sale.
(not on PH yet mind)

[excel monkey]

danyeates said:

You'd be able to pick up a 2010 car with low miles with the new 170hp CR TDI engine, maybe even DSG for £17k. Last year Skoda were paying the VAT on all new ones ordered, you'd have been able to buy a new one for £17k, and they're very well spec'd from standard.

Brand new ones available for £18k
http://www.broadspeed.com/new_cars/Skoda/Octavia_E...

[Bill]

None of the examples in the OP are particularly big. Personally I'd keep the M3 and get a roofbox. It also has the advantage of keeping all the wet sandy crap out of the car.

[y2blade]

danyeates said:

Nothing else comes close for the money IMO and I think the best looking estate available.



http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...

You'd be able to pick up a 2010 car with low miles with the new 170hp CR TDI engine, maybe even DSG for £17k. Last year Skoda were paying the VAT on all new ones ordered, you'd have been able to buy a new one for £17k, and they're very well spec'd from standard.

Alternatively, the 2.0 FSI petrol VRS will still return 35mpg on a run.

Edited by danyeates on Sunday 16th January 10:21

I like idea of the Diesel one