What to buy

[markirl]

I did a similar thread same time last year which resulted in me selling my e92 335i and bought a GS450h. I still have this but not currently using it due to a number of factors (got a few car with tax to use for 6 months then got offered another car relatively cheap that I was interested in - a CLK 270cdi. This has been very reliable and enjoyable to own in some ways but I fancy a change for a few reasons: it's a boaty to drive (as is the GS450h), I miss 4 doors, it's a bit tired and I miss the refinement of a petrol (I'd consider a super refined diesel I guess).

My favourite cars I've owned have been the two e39s I had - 530i and 530d but it appears to be pretty much impossible to find a good one now and I really didn't like the e60 523i I test drove. I also loved the 335i in so many ways, the presence it had, how it sounded, the power etc.

My requirements are - Auto, nothing older than 2006, 4/5 doors, ideally RWD/4wd but good FWD in with a shout, no 4 cylinder diesels, decent reliability, low cabin noise at speed & enjoyable to drive. 30mpg+ mixed would be nice. Budget is £5k. Typical mileage varies but has decreased recently, a 250 mile return motorway trip each a month, I commute through traffic 2 days a week and it'd be used for general domestic use, holidays to the continent etc.

The short list I currently have:
06-08 Lexus IS250 SE-L - Look like a bit of a bargain and reliability is attractive and I've read is surprisingly good to drive.
06-08 BMW e90/91 325i - Really not a fan of the looks of the saloon/estate 3 series in this generation
06-08 BMW e60 525i/525d M Sport - My love for BMWs forces me to have this on a list but I#m not sure how much I like the e60
06-08 Audi A6/A8 3.0tdi - I drove a remapped A6 years ago and it was very quick and handled well but I'm not gone on the looks & expensive tax.
VW Golf MkV GTI - much smaller than the above but a great all-rounder. Seem expensive for what they are though and I have a mk2 golf gti as a 2nd car..

Desire to have an automatic kills a lot of the default choices here such as Mondeo etc and my driving doesn't really warrant a 4 cylinder diesel. Appreciate the above isn't the most exciting list on PH but appreciate any other suggestions! In many ways I feel that the e60 is the right choice, albeit with slightly crashy suspension? Alternative is obviously to tax & use the GS450h but for some reason I never quite clicked with it..

[Gunk]

A Mk V Golf GTi DSG should fit the bill, great car!

[bearman68]

Wondering if a Volvo would suit. Nice and comfy and quiet. Engine is not as smooth as a BMW 6 pot, but not too bad.

[markirl]

I've always thought the S60/V70 are good cars but they aren't exactly drivers cars are they? The CLK understeers and has a fair bit of body lean (which I'd forgive to a certain extent if it was a magic carpet ride but it isn't).

Are DSG issues now fairly cheap to resolve or still horrendously expensive? This is the main thing holding me back from the Golf, as well as the fact that at the end of the day it's a lot of money for an 11 year old hatch!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say test drive a E350 petrol they're hard to find but well worth seeking out, you get the magic carpet ride as well as brisk performance.


E350
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[markirl]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say test drive a E350 petrol they're hard to find but well worth seeking out, you get the magic carpet ride as well as brisk performance.

E350
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Tax absolutely kills them as an option in Ireland, either €1809 or €2350 per year. Golf GTI is €710 for comparison.

I deliberately left out the W211 (E200 is the only one that makes sense here) as I'm looking for something that is a little more involving to drive but still comfortable, but now you've said it they do look great in Sport guise.... I think I need to test drive an IS250 to see if they're decent to drive, an e60 525i M Sport to see how firm the suspension really is (if it's like my e92 I don't think it's an option as the roads aren't great around here) and go from there.

Edited by markirl on Tuesday 21st March 10:24

[ZX10R NIN]

markirl said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say test drive a E350 petrol they're hard to find but well worth seeking out, you get the magic carpet ride as well as brisk performance.

E350
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Tax absolutely kills them as an option in Ireland, either €1809 or €2350 per year. Golf GTI is €710 for comparison.

I deliberately left out the W211 (E200 is the only one that makes sense here) as I'm looking for something that is a little more involving to drive but still comfortable. I think I need to test drive an IS250 to see if they're decent to drive, an e60 525i M Sport to see how firm the suspension really is (if it's like my e92 I don't think it's an option as the roads aren't great around here) and go from there.

What if you get a 2005 model does that make a difference tax wise? As it makes it £205 cheaper in the UK.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[MorganP104]

markirl said:

Are DSG issues now fairly cheap to resolve or still horrendously expensive? This is the main thing holding me back from the Golf, as well as the fact that at the end of the day it's a lot of money for an 11 year old hatch!

DSG boxes are hardy if serviced correctly, and at the right intervals. I would walk away from an otherwise mint car if the owner could not produce evidence of DSG services undertaken.

Having owned the diesel version of the MkV GTi (the GT TDi), I can tell you it's a great drive.

[markirl]

ZX10R NIN said:

What if you get a 2005 model does that make a difference tax wise? As it makes it £205 cheaper in the UK.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Nah, pre 2008 models are €1809 and 2008-on is €2350. For comparison, pre-08 E200 is €636/year and 08-on is €1200/year. Mad tax system over here which rewards diesels only after 2008.

[ZX10R NIN]

Wow that's some savage road tax I'll never bh about my CLK63 being £500

[markirl]

Ireland is an absolute disaster for a petrolhead, it's started to erode my love for cars!

Thanks for contributions so far. I've added E200 Sport onto my test drive shortlist.

[ZX10R NIN]

Get a Motorbike

[markirl]

I've dived into this a bit more and a Golf GTI is nearly uninsurable in Ireland now. Looks like it'll come down to an 06/07 525i or IS250 - any opinions?

[ZX10R NIN]

Both are good cars it'll come down to spec

[markirl]

I'll find a good example of each and go for test drives I guess. I was tempted by a 2008 CLS 350 but the insurance quote of €4500 killed it - Ireland is a nightmare

[A500leroy]

Some form of Alfa?

[markirl]

Do Alfa do decent autos?

[markirl]

If anyone's interested in how this closed out I ended up buying a 2007 manual LCI 530i so a car that wasn't on my list

The reason... well it was pretty much the best car I saw, and I looked at a lot of options. It probably makes the least sense financially but it's a 1 owner, honest, genuine car which I'm sure will break my heart with maintenance over the next few years.

I was wrong about the e60, in LCI it's a brilliant car and I was too quick to judge based on my previous experience with earlier cars. Jury is still out on the manual gearbox. It's pretty notchy and not the smoothest, so either I've lost my driving ability or it's badly in need of a fluid change and possibly a short shift kit/shift rebuild. If I can improve the gearshift I will be happy with manual, if not I will probably look for the same car in auto. Drives, smells and looks like nearly new so it'll be a challenge to match condition...

Anyone want to come to Dublin to collect a cheap CLK270?

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP