BMW escaper

[newlad]

Evening all.

Just about ready to replace an f30 328i saloon stolen last March. Must be petrol and automatic
Really enjoyed that car but family reasons now dictate an estate but I cannot bring myself to spend £16K+ on a 3 series estate which is nearly four years old.
Have seen a 10 reg C250 estate at a main dealer for £10.5K with all the requirements and 200bhp.
Any advice/comments regarding reliability/servicing costs/driving pleasure etc would be greatly appreciated.
I have driven BMWs since 2003 so am very wary about going over the to the dark side but all the comparable estates viewed on the MB used website seem much better value.

[Trabi601]

They're better value as they are horrible, cheap and nasty 'plastic fantastic' things.

The 2011 facelift improved quality, but early interiors are awful. And you'll miss iDrive, too.

I really wouldn't.

[stumpage]

I went from a 2012 C Class to a 2015 5 series BMW. I think the build quality on the Merc is much much better than my rattling, squeaking trim falling off BMW. The whole car felt better put together even down to how the buttons felt when they were pushed.

[anonymous-user]

stumpage said:

I went from a 2012 C Class to a 2015 5 series BMW. I think the build quality on the Merc is much much better than my rattling, squeaking trim falling off BMW. The whole car felt better put together even down to how the buttons felt when they were pushed.

That's interesting. I have a 2014 530 and a 2015 350SLK; I think the BMW edges it in terms of build quality. No rattles or faults in 30K mile, effortless cruiser. The SLK is the one with creaks and rattles, though its obviously a firmer ride. The 7 speed MB box can't touch the 8 speed ZF in the BMW in any respect.

Must say the new E Class looks good though.

[newlad]

Thanks for the replies.
Will stick with BMW when the time comes.

[rgv250ads]

Have you thought about a Honda Accord Estate? I've had a E60 520d (LCi 2008) and currently on a 2005 SLK55. For family duties we have the 2.2 Diesel Accord Tourer and it is a brilliant car. Build and general quality as good as anything i've owned and exceptional value for money. Very well kitted out aswell, Maybe worth a look ?

Edited by rgv250ads on Friday 22 July 17:08

[newlad]

rgv250ads said:

Have you thought about a Honda Accord Estate? I've had a E60 520d (LCi 2008) and currently on a 2005 SLK55. For family duties we have the 2.2 Diesel Accord Tourer and it is a brilliant car. Build and general quality as good as anything i've owned and exceptional value for money. Very well kitted out aswell, Maybe worth a look ?

Edited by rgv250ads on Friday 22 July 17:08

Thanks for the suggestion. Saw one parked up this morning and liked the look.
Petrol essential though.

[rgv250ads]

There is a 2.4 Petrol and apparently the Auto on that motor is very very good (noted Auto in your original post).

[SwissJonese]

Well in the last month I sold my 2008 C350 Estate and bought a 2012 118i StepAuto. I wish I hadn't as having a 3.5 V6 (260BHP) was so much nicer than the 1.6 turbo (177BHP) in the BMW. The seats where more comfortable in the Merc, the interior and list of toys was much greater, apart from very reasonable service prices there was only a couple of small extra items that needed replacing (brakes, tyres, thermostat)

The Auto in the Merc always seemed to be in the right gear and power always available, in the BMW the Auto so many times seems to be in the wrong gear and completely lacking in power. No difference in insurance costs, so currently we are only saving on TAX and MPG. Even the missus is a bit fed up with the BMW already, but she is going to be doing lots of motorway miles soon so it will do for now as a cheap hack, but after that we will sell and probably get another Merc.

[Trabi601]

A 2012 118i will be the original shape 1-series, which was horrible. The F20 was a big step forward, especially in interior quality - and it gained the 8 speed ZF auto, which is the best on the market.

[SwissJonese]

Trabi601 said:

A 2012 118i will be the original shape 1-series, which was horrible. The F20 was a big step forward, especially in interior quality - and it gained the 8 speed ZF auto, which is the best on the market.

Nope it is an F20 I have with the 8 speed zf auto. It has the 177bhp 1.6 twin scroll turbo, but I think I should have gone for the 135i.

[Trabi601]

SwissJonese said:

Trabi601 said:

A 2012 118i will be the original shape 1-series, which was horrible. The F20 was a big step forward, especially in interior quality - and it gained the 8 speed ZF auto, which is the best on the market.

Nope it is an F20 I have with the 8 speed zf auto. It has the 177bhp 1.6 twin scroll turbo, but I think I should have gone for the 135i.

You confused things with StepAuto, as I can't recall it being called Steptronic in the UK.

Really surprised you found a problem with the ZF8, I think it's a masterpiece (certainly is when combined with the x20d engine - I'm on my 2nd - and F20 and now and F10)

F20s aren't the most refined cars, but the quality is there and I'd rate the engine / box combinations above what Mercedes offer.