What fast 4x4 estate for £25k?
Discussion
Asking for advice please!
I am replacing my beloved e89 BMW Z4 coupe and need something quick, practical and comfortable. I’ve been looking at some fast estates to allow a bit of load lugging and possibly the occasional bit of towing without compromising too much on performance. 4x4 would be a major plus as, although I’m not planning to cross the arctic, I have been caught out a few times this year needing to get to work overnight in bad weather. Not interested in an SUV as I’d like to stay a bit closer to the road thanks!
With my budget I can get a 3-4yo Audi S4 avant or a 2-3yo BMW 335d xdrive. I’d also go for the 5dr grand coupe or S5. Although these seem like quite different cars they are both fast, well made (hopefully) practical German 6 cylinders.
I wonder if anyone has owned these and can give an opinion - or if there are any other good options I’m missing out on?
Thank you all in advance
I am replacing my beloved e89 BMW Z4 coupe and need something quick, practical and comfortable. I’ve been looking at some fast estates to allow a bit of load lugging and possibly the occasional bit of towing without compromising too much on performance. 4x4 would be a major plus as, although I’m not planning to cross the arctic, I have been caught out a few times this year needing to get to work overnight in bad weather. Not interested in an SUV as I’d like to stay a bit closer to the road thanks!
With my budget I can get a 3-4yo Audi S4 avant or a 2-3yo BMW 335d xdrive. I’d also go for the 5dr grand coupe or S5. Although these seem like quite different cars they are both fast, well made (hopefully) practical German 6 cylinders.
I wonder if anyone has owned these and can give an opinion - or if there are any other good options I’m missing out on?
Thank you all in advance
Here's the leftfield 4WD options that are well made, reliable & are definitely fast.
VXR Insignia Test drive one you may well be surprised (they really respond to a remap as Vauxhall strangled the midrange to make them feel more like an N/A engine) as they handle well they're practical as they're a hatch (although there are a few estate ones out there) & finally you'll have a chunk of change left.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polestar V60 very rare & definitely have lots of go
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Seat Leon Cupra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the Leon is okay size wise then I'd be looking at the RS3 (fold the seats down) the engine alone sells it the fact that it's a nice place to be just adds to it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Test drive the VXR & see what you think but the Volvo is a cracker too & you're very unlikely to see another.
VXR Insignia Test drive one you may well be surprised (they really respond to a remap as Vauxhall strangled the midrange to make them feel more like an N/A engine) as they handle well they're practical as they're a hatch (although there are a few estate ones out there) & finally you'll have a chunk of change left.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polestar V60 very rare & definitely have lots of go
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Seat Leon Cupra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the Leon is okay size wise then I'd be looking at the RS3 (fold the seats down) the engine alone sells it the fact that it's a nice place to be just adds to it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Test drive the VXR & see what you think but the Volvo is a cracker too & you're very unlikely to see another.
was8v said:
ZX10R NIN said:
this, bargain.Thank you all, some great suggestions!
Love the Polestar but lower mileage examples are much pricier
Leon is great as are the other ea888s but does not feel like it would be as plush or comfortable
I’m quite keen to keep the purchase under 4 years old and under 30k miles as I plan to run this car for a long time.
I’m sure like everyone else on here I’m very picky with car choice and my local BMW main dealer have offered me a 24h drive of a 335d touring tomorrow...which helps!
Love the Polestar but lower mileage examples are much pricier
Leon is great as are the other ea888s but does not feel like it would be as plush or comfortable
I’m quite keen to keep the purchase under 4 years old and under 30k miles as I plan to run this car for a long time.
I’m sure like everyone else on here I’m very picky with car choice and my local BMW main dealer have offered me a 24h drive of a 335d touring tomorrow...which helps!
ZX10R NIN said:
Here's the leftfield 4WD options that are well made, reliable & are definitely fast.
VXR Insignia Test drive one you may well be surprised (they really respond to a remap as Vauxhall strangled the midrange to make them feel more like an N/A engine) as they handle well they're practical as they're a hatch (although there are a few estate ones out there) & finally you'll have a chunk of change left.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polestar V60 very rare & definitely have lots of go
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Seat Leon Cupra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the Leon is okay size wise then I'd be looking at the RS3 (fold the seats down) the engine alone sells it the fact that it's a nice place to be just adds to it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Test drive the VXR & see what you think but the Volvo is a cracker too & you're very unlikely to see another.
I have always hated Vauxhalls but you have tempted me with those prices/power/performanceVXR Insignia Test drive one you may well be surprised (they really respond to a remap as Vauxhall strangled the midrange to make them feel more like an N/A engine) as they handle well they're practical as they're a hatch (although there are a few estate ones out there) & finally you'll have a chunk of change left.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polestar V60 very rare & definitely have lots of go
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Seat Leon Cupra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the Leon is okay size wise then I'd be looking at the RS3 (fold the seats down) the engine alone sells it the fact that it's a nice place to be just adds to it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Test drive the VXR & see what you think but the Volvo is a cracker too & you're very unlikely to see another.
However I’d be suspicious at how few miles some of them have done...much poorer economy than quoted??
Some great choices, I’d certainly recommend the V60 Polestar.
It’s a proper enthusiasts car, ohlins adjustable dampers, 2.5” switchable exhaust, 370mm Brembos, pilot super sports, different turbo/intercooler/mapping etc etc.
The sort of thing can do the mundane stuff all week, go on a ph run/cars and coffee at the weekend and even the odd track day.
I came from a 335i bmw, the Volvo isn’t quite as polished in a couple of areas, but as an ownership proposition there really is no comparison.
It’s a proper enthusiasts car, ohlins adjustable dampers, 2.5” switchable exhaust, 370mm Brembos, pilot super sports, different turbo/intercooler/mapping etc etc.
The sort of thing can do the mundane stuff all week, go on a ph run/cars and coffee at the weekend and even the odd track day.
I came from a 335i bmw, the Volvo isn’t quite as polished in a couple of areas, but as an ownership proposition there really is no comparison.
DRE7 said:
I have always hated Vauxhalls but you have tempted me with those prices/power/performance
However I’d be suspicious at how few miles some of them have done...much poorer economy than quoted??
Don't be suspicious of the miles the last of the line models were pre registered so they kicked around for a bit as new they weren't cheap.However I’d be suspicious at how few miles some of them have done...much poorer economy than quoted??
Economy is about 4mpg off the quoted figures but a map will see you get nigh on the quoted number (the added midrange helps) but that'll be more to do with how often you access the performance
Go & test drive one you may be surprised I've found they have the same feel as an S4 (but you'll be paying 10k more for it) obviously the interior isn't as nice but it's still a nice place to be & they can get a move on plus in the less lairy colours no one knows what it is.
The VXR did come in auto form but they're hard to find.
Just in case anyone was interested...
I test drove an insignia vxr and was impressed - but as a long term ownership proposition I wasn’t grabbed.
Went to see 2013 s4 avant, had obvious gear box problem though dealer was aggressively oblivious/didn’t care
Then saw s5 5dr and dealer wouldn’t test drive as ‘gear box problem, going back to Audi next week’
After a bit of umming and ahhing, I binned the 4x4 estate idea. I have been the proud owner of a low mileage 2016 M140i for the past month and have very much enjoyed it so far. Trips to the tip (house renovation) have been fine with seats down and I will hire a cheap pickup if I need to tow. Looking at some winter tyres in mid November.
Thank you all very much for the advice!
I test drove an insignia vxr and was impressed - but as a long term ownership proposition I wasn’t grabbed.
Went to see 2013 s4 avant, had obvious gear box problem though dealer was aggressively oblivious/didn’t care
Then saw s5 5dr and dealer wouldn’t test drive as ‘gear box problem, going back to Audi next week’
After a bit of umming and ahhing, I binned the 4x4 estate idea. I have been the proud owner of a low mileage 2016 M140i for the past month and have very much enjoyed it so far. Trips to the tip (house renovation) have been fine with seats down and I will hire a cheap pickup if I need to tow. Looking at some winter tyres in mid November.
Thank you all very much for the advice!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff