Large Estate, Nice Interior, Reasonably Economical and Fun ?

[redgriff500]

The above were my criteria and I bought an E46 328 Touring.

I hate it, its dull, dull, dull, yet I quite liked my E36 coupe.

So what should I have bought ?

It must be at least as big, a nice interiour (so the cheap plastic mondeo is out) manual, 30mpg would be nice but 25 is acceptable (so Impreza / Legacy Turbos are out) up to £5k as its a third car.

A quick look through A trader suggests:

A6 1.8T
Saab 9-5
Mazda 6
Passat 1.8T

Do any of them drive better than the E46 ?

Thanks

[redgriff500]

Surely the Skoda isn't better than the Audi ?

Are the Jag X type estates any good ?

[redgriff500]

Matt UK said:

If you think the 328i is dull, I'm not sure what you are looking for in the other 4 you have picked. None of which steer or sound better than a 328i.

Maybe you could expand on your definition of 'dull'? Are you talking performance? Interior/exterior looks?

Well there is no engine noise, I fitted a Schnitzer back box and I still can't hear much at all.

The engine power is linear and doesn't feel like it wants to rev.

The steering transmits no information to me, nothing about the car makes you want to drive it quickly. Given the choice of an A road or Motorway, I'd choice the Motorway in it and thats not good.

My other car is a modified MX5 but my wife's XC90 is about as much fun as the BMW and I'd suggest her A6 Diesel was too. Her (04) Mondeo was definately a sportier drive but the interior plastics were horrid.

I'd think that there was something wrong with it but it all seems fine.

Edited by redgriff500 on Tuesday 14th July 14:33

[redgriff500]

Cheers...

I don't like the look of the Volvos, in or out and drove a V70R the other day and wasn't impressed. I had a Legnum for a couple of weeks and thought that was plasticy and dull as well.

It may be that I'm expecting too much and that no car will suit as it seems to be that with very few exceptions manufacturers seem to think that when you need an Estate you've given up on enjoyment.

I think the 156 will be too small (2 baby seats and an 11 yr old to fit in the back) but I'll go and have a try.

I'll have a look at the VRS too.

THe interior of the E46 isn't the problem, its the way it drives, I'm guessing the 5 series is as heavy as the E46 and think that contributes to the problem, the E36 was much lighter but whilst I like the other E36's I think the Touring looks terrible.

Or maybe I should cover my eyes, open my wallet and buy the Impreza.

Edited by redgriff500 on Wednesday 15th July 11:25

Edited by redgriff500 on Wednesday 15th July 11:27

[redgriff500]

s3fella said:

MONDEO.
Cheap as chips, HUGE and ALL of them are fun to drive, Nice interiors and great kit, (ghia x or st), the ST220 has some poke and a nice noise to go with the great handling.

My wife had the Ghia and that still had the awful dash that changes from one type of indented diamond shape shape to another halfway across tha dash and door cards that appear to be made from recycled keyboards.

Was the ST different ?

Edit - this pic suggests not and who on earth would want that nasty wheel in front of them ?

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_030...

Edited by redgriff500 on Wednesday 15th July 13:23