|
clockworks
Original Poster
725 posts
15 months
|
Should have added that, when I was contracting for 3 years, I ran a succession of "banger barges" - 3 Granadas and two Carltons. I bought them cheap, with well over 120k on the clock, and put another 20 or 30k on each in the space of 6 months. The only problem I had with any of them was a broken clutch cable in a Granada, and an annoying clonk from the driver's door on a Carlton.
My company cars all notched up 110 to 130k during the 3 year lease period, again with very few problems. The Fords were faultless, the Vauxhalls and Mazda had the odd niggle.
With all their fancy electronics, can the mid-sized Germans match this reliability?
I've read about Mercedes having a few quality issues, but are they bad compared to other Germans, or just not as good as earlier M-Bs?
|
|
|
Emeye
4,179 posts
93 months
|
OP, have you been inside a Legacy 3.0R? My mate had one and the quality was miles ahead of an impreza. He had a huge Lexus before that and reckoned the Legacy quality was up there with it. On higher mileage BMWs it's the suspension and cooling systems that can cause issues. I've just bought my first Merc and I'm loving it, but other than the late 90s early 00s rust issues I can't help ya I'm afraid. Mine is a 2000 c230k saloon and has for a tiny amount of rust threatening to come through. A similar year w202 c-class estate would be a very nice and inexpensive option if you can find a rust free one that has been very well looked after like mine.  Get over to the bargain barge thread and you will see a very nice 530iSE touring has been posted up. Might be a bit large for you mind....
|
|
|
nottyash
3,734 posts
65 months
|
BMW 335d touring m sport fits the bill perfectly. I would save a bit more.
|
|
|
MC Bodge
4,028 posts
45 months
|
clockworks said: The only Alfa that I'd consider owning would be a Brera - quite possibly the sexiest affordable car ever built Again, having driven one, not as good as it looks.
|
|
|
Matt UK
7,594 posts
70 months
|
OP, at your budget I would find the nicest e39 530i Touring auto you can find and pocket a couple of grand change to put towards keeping it fresh.
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
gaz1234
1,970 posts
89 months
|
kentmotorcompany said: Not sure a 3.0tdi Allroad exists for £6k.
OP, with your low miles why do you want a diesel?
A similar age/mileage petrol model will be cheaper, more reliable and only slightly more per year on fuel. You could save the money to spend on future fuel, or buy a younger/lower mileage car.
Keep in mind also modern diesels don't like short journeys. agree.
|
|
|
GreatGranny
4,340 posts
96 months
|
|
|
jack01825
1,518 posts
28 months
|
GreatGranny said: volvo is such a satisfying car
|
|
|
McHaggis
8,263 posts
25 months
|
Going back to some of the earlier comments; don't bother with something like an A6 3.0tdi for short runs - it won't get to temp, it won't be that efficient. I have one.. great on a long run.
|
|
|
Monty Python
895 posts
67 months
|
clockworks said: OK
Done a few sums, and running a 40mpg diesel (which may be optimistic on short journeys) instead of a 30mpg petrol will save me about £200 a year. With the risk of DPF problems on a diesel, there's probably nothing in it. If the equivalent petrol-engined car is cheaper, it probably makes sense to avoid diesel.
I'm not keen on Japanese cars. They still seem to be built to a price. My last company car was a Mazda 6 TS2 estate. A very competent car, but the interior wasn't as good as the Vectra that it replaced. Same with the MX-5 NC that I had until April - a bit flimsy.
I probably am becoming a "badge snob", as I do get a kick out of having the "best car" in the car park. Getting out of the 911 in my Sainsbury's uniform makes me feel good! A nice counterpoint to all the customers that treat us like rubbish.
Since nearly all the cars that have been sold in the last 10 years do a perfectly acceptable job, it all comes down to perceived quality/image, and how well a car stands up the rigours of everyday life.
Audi styling doesn't do it for me - VW in a fancy frock, plus they all look the same, and have done for many years.
I can't see any alternative to a BMW or Mercedes. How does a C-class compare to a 3-series? Any sort of "performance diesel" will struggle - my 335d is great on the motorway, where high thirties are possible, but go anywhere near the loud pedal and it'll easily drop below 30. On top of that, servicing is more expensive and insurance tends to be more expensive, plus there's more to go (expensively) wrong (DPF- over a grand). For 6000 miles a year, you're better off with a petrol engine.
|
|
|
smegma
32 posts
20 months
|
Matt UK said: OP, at your budget I would find the nicest e39 530i Touring auto you can find and pocket a couple of grand change to put towards keeping it fresh. Absolutely agree.
|
|
|
clockworks
Original Poster
725 posts
15 months
|
What's the advantage of getting an E39 over an E60 (apart from price)?
5 series is now top of the list - they aren't that much bigger than the cars I used to drive, and you get more for your money than with a 3 series.
|
|
|
Fox-
10,038 posts
116 months
|
clockworks said: What's the advantage of getting an E39 over an E60 (apart from price)? Better build quality, less wacky styling on the interior/exterior, less technically complex (Though the engines in the E60's in your budget are not troublesome and infact the earlier ones have the same engines as the E39 anyway), better standard spec (yes really - dual zone climate control is standard, as are projector headlights, LED rear lights etc are all standard on a decent E39 yet were optional or not available on the E60 pre facelift). More likely to get an absolute minter for £6k - £6k is the bottom of the E60 market but affords you the very best in the E39 market, perhaps with change. Downside? It's an older car and it looks it. The neighbours won't be quite as impressed. It doesn't have iDrive, which IMHO is one of the nice things about the E60.
|
|
|
gaz1234
1,970 posts
89 months
|
|
|
clockworks
Original Poster
725 posts
15 months
|
Going to look at a '57 525 "M Sport" auto estate with 94k on the clock. Looks perfect in the dealer's pics. What should one of these be selling for?
I'm convinced that most cars are more expensive in Cornwall!
|
|
|
MC Bodge
4,028 posts
45 months
|
clockworks said: Going to look at a '57 525 "M Sport" auto estate with 94k on the clock. Looks perfect in the dealer's pics. What should one of these be selling for?
I'm convinced that most cars are more expensive in Cornwall! is M Sport suspension ideal for the roads of Cornwall?
|
|
|
clockworks
Original Poster
725 posts
15 months
|
No idea - hope to find out on the test drive.
My 964 is fine, but my Fiat Qubo is a bit harsh.
|
|
|
Emeye
4,179 posts
93 months
|
If it is you could always swap the run flats for real tyres.
|
|
|
dba7108
120 posts
38 months
|
worked in the trade and driven lots or pricey stuff, Mondeo ST TDCI still one of my favorite cars.
|
|
|
clockworks
Original Poster
725 posts
15 months
|
Test drove the "57" 525 E60 yesterday - very impressive. Did a mix of dual carriageway and country lanes. The ride was fine. Enough power to make good progress, but not enough to get into trouble.
The car has a totally clean history, and main dealer FSH (last service 3k ago). The place selling the car, which I took to be an average secondhand car dealer, is actually part of the local BMW main dealer group. They sell the cars that are too old to go on the BMW forecourt.
I could only find 2 faults with the car - scuffed alloys, and worn paint on the steering wheel spokes. They will get the wheels refinished for me (in my choice of colour), but I'll have to pay for the steering wheel parts. Got more than I expected for the Fiat, so did the deal.
Significantly over budget of course, but I think that this will be the end of my car buying for quite a few years.
|
|
