4k - which estate?

[redandwhite]

Hi all,

Another 'what car' thread

I am in the process of selling my current car (Clio 197) as the need for an estate has become necessary.

I have a budget of 4k, and having previously owned a E46 330 i am being drawn back to the 330 Touring, as this will give me the space i need plus the necessary umph/6 cylinders to keep me interested (as a petrolhead)

My question is , have i overlooked any other make/model?

I feel like i have considered most other estates, I want something that will have a bit of appeal - and different from the normal bland family car, by appeal i guess i mean power.
And it must be manual, I know BMW autos have a reputation as being ok on the whole but with the mileage some of the 330ds are making, makes me uneasy.

• Manual
• Petrol or Diesel
• 4k
• 30MPG

I have considered the following;

• Mazda CX5 tasty engine in a sleeper shell, the VED puts me off as thats an immediate cost.

• Saab 9-3/9-5 also interest me (especially the Aero HOT) but still a bit boring.

• Subaru impreza wagon/forester - prices seem to be higher on these than when i sold mine 4 years ago, plus it will fall short on the MPGs.

• Mondeo ST Estate - like these, plus chain driven so no cambelt to worry about (Us Clio owners are pretty pedantic about this).

• Laguna Estate GT205 - would have one of these, but pretty rare.

• BMW X5 - Majority seem to be auto, seems only the 3.0D would give me 30MPG.

Not considered anything Audi, should i?

Edited by redandwhite on Tuesday 11th October 18:25

[redandwhite]

Thanks will have a look at the skodas

[redandwhite]

Interesting, i did think the X5s may be a bit of a money pit.

Never considered the 2.5T Titanium X, looks nice

[redandwhite]

E91s (330d/330i) are dropping into my search, also like the look of these but dont know a great deal other than the engines have more power over the equivalent E46. Any thoughts?

Looked into all the suggestions above too, thanks for those

[redandwhite]

Brilliant rallycross, thanks for the info.