Mway barge - e36? e39 or A.N Other?

[Dan_1981]

Evening all,

The 30 mile each way all motorway jaunt is becoming a little too much for the poor old mx5.

And to be honest I don't enjoy the loud exhaust, the hard suspension or the lack of comfort either - and thats in the summer - in thw window its 6x worse.

So what i'd like is one of the following.... budget would be 3k absolute max - I would prefer it to be 2k.

I'm considering.....

E39 5 series - don't seem to be able to afford diesel so petrol will have to do!

I'm thinking 523 or 528 saloon not touring - would like leather and toys etc - what do I need to be aware of? What years does the Nikasil problems effect? Cruising at 70 /80 what sort of MPG can I expect?

Next on the list is a late e36 (Purely as i don't think i can stretch to an e46) - however this would have to be touring as I don't like the non touring version. With this i'm thinking again either 328 or 330? Again toys and leather would be nice. Any major problems? And again MPG?

And then the wild cards? - Anythign else to suggest? Maybe a SAAB? - the decent volvos seem to like petrol too much - same with anythign legacy like.

Don't really like Omegas so they're out......

So help and advice please folks........

[reggie82]

If you want a motorway barge then e39 over e36 every day of the week. My 328 is ok on the motorway, but nothing special. My cousins 525 is super comfy and quiet!

You can't get an e36 330 by the way.

[davidjpowell]

Have a look at Saab 9-5.

I have a 2001 9-5 2.3 LPT. Car has all the toys, including ventilated memory seats, good stereo - and is virtualy impossible for non-Saab freaks to date.

Been to London and back, not taking it easy. 38 MPG. Quiet refined and comfy.

Car cost £1,400 115k at the time, FSH, oil changed every 6k etc....

Saabs are also excellent vfm...

[matt21]

You can get a facelifted 530i SE for £2k-£2.5k.

I would go for an SE, its cheaper and a far nicer ride, although the car doesn't quite look so good.

I do a daily 60mile commute, and bought my E39 with 142k on the clock; a year and 23k later so glad I did, so bloody comfy.

At 70-80mpg will be early 30s. You will struggle to average 30mpg out of an auto, a manual you may average 30s.

[SVX]

davidjpowell said:

Have a look at Saab 9-5.

I have a 2001 9-5 2.3 LPT. Car has all the toys, including ventilated memory seats, good stereo - and is virtualy impossible for non-Saab freaks to date.

Been to London and back, not taking it easy. 38 MPG. Quiet refined and comfy.

Car cost £1,400 115k at the time, FSH, oil changed every 6k etc....

Saabs are also excellent vfm...

Ooh good call - my standard response is usually Subaru Legacy or Mercedes E-Class.

[rottie102]

FFS 3 series is NOT a barge. Even 5 barely qualifies, do it properly and get a 7 series!

Edited by rottie102 on Monday 5th July 21:29

[NiceCupOfTea]

If you get a 9-5 do it properly and get an Aero. Better specced and less chance of the sump oil strainer issue occurring. BMW will be more fun to drive but can't really beat the Saab on value for money.