What car - will be bought in the next week

[schmalex]

Right, pissed off with my S4 so want rid of it. Budget is whatever I can get for it on a trade in (56 plate, manual cab, 80k miles, nav, yadda, yadda - I reckon about 8.5 - 9k) plus £1k tops.

New car must:

Have 4 seats
Be an auto
Return over 30 on the m'way
Be reasonable fun to drive (either wafty fun or sporty fun, I don't mind)
Petrol or diesel is irrelevant
Be reasonably new (2006 onwards)

What shall I get?

Edited by schmalex on Friday 22 March 22:27

[wemorgan]

Merc C280/350
BMW 330/335

Edited by wemorgan on Saturday 23 March 07:10

[Digger]

Doesnt fit your friteria but a TVR Chimaera!

[Sixpackpert]

Jag XF.

[schmalex]

For £10k?

[Pints]

schmalex said:

For £10k?

XF available from £9k on AT (private sellers)

[Deerfoot]

Might bend your criteria in some respects but you'll get a nice 130i for your budget.

[Sixpackpert]

Pints said:

XF available from £9k on AT (private sellers)

Yep, get it bought.

[schmalex]

Sixpackpert said:

Pints said:

XF available from £9k on AT (private sellers)

Yep, get it bought.

I've not driven one. Are they good?

Sadly a 130i is a little small for me, otherwise I'd be there in a flash.

A Chim would be lovely, but misses out pretty much every criteria!

[Sixpackpert]

schmalex said:

I've not driven one. Are they good?

Very good, but I am a bit biased.

Great auto box and good fun to chuck around when you feel the need.

[schmalex]

Is that the 3.0i, 2.7d or 3.0d? I don't fancy any of the v8's as I want a semblance of fuel economy this time

[Sixpackpert]

schmalex said:

Is that the 3.0i, 2.7d or 3.0d? I don't fancy any of the v8's as I want a semblance of fuel economy this time

Mine is the new 2.2d that replaced the 2.7d. Had a 3.0d as a courtesy car and it was fantastic. Quiet and always eager to pull.

[bp1000]

E92 335i or d

[stormy22]

Oh god! Another bloody thread full of people saying "Buy a BMW!" ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[LC23]

stormy22 said:

Oh god! Another bloody thread full of people saying "Buy a BMW!" ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Perhaps because they fit the criteria the OP is looking at so well? I freely admit to being a fan as you can see from the garage in my profile.

Could you suggest some alternatives as others have done, for example I can see why someone would mention the XF, that the OP could consider?

[schmalex]

I like the idea of a 335

I've seen an E320cdi that looks to be in budget. What do I need to look for in those?

[wemorgan]

Automatics are the bread and butter of the premium sector. So it stands to reason that BMW amongst other OEM will be mentioned.

[*Al*]

Have you considered a BMW?

[stormy22]

wemorgan said:

Automatics are the bread and butter of the premium sector. So it stands to reason that BMW amongst other OEM will be mentioned.

I understand and admit, they are good cars. It just seems, every 'what car' thread is full of BMW's. My older brother has an M3 convertible. My younger brother has a 330coupe....I've only had one BMW and that was a 1981 735i...which was great. I just hate cars that are too popular I guess. I prefer individuality and not the lemming thing.
If you like BMW's it is probably the best buy too....but I just feel there are more options out there. Would you go the diesel SUV route?

Your money would get you an '06 Mitsubishi Pajero
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

or an '06 Nissan Pathfinder
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...

Edited by stormy22 on Saturday 23 March 09:39

[schmalex]

I already have a diesel SUV - Touareg. Fantastic car.

I think I'm in the market for a BMW, Merc or Jag. My current S4 has put me off Audi's for life