Estate advice £10k-£15k - Page 1 - Car Buying

Friday 27th July 2018

Just after a bit of advice. I’ve been out of the country for 8 years, and just returning to the UK and will need a car – well actually two but the first one will be required in a hurry.

Looking for a family car, an estate with reasonable performance (at least 9.5 secs to 60) with a budget of about £10k although can stretch to £15k if needed. I have noticed that extra £5k can make a real difference. I’ve Just sold my Mazda 6 Wagon (2.5l petrol 185bhp auto), and that was fine. Probably prefer manual, although auto isn’t an issue if likely to be a reliable transmission. Petrol or diesel.

I have been looking at the following, but don’t know if I’m missing anything as I’m not familiar with the UK car market;

Seat Leon ST FR or Xcellence
Skoda Octavia
Renault Megane (new shape) but not many for the money

-Something better but a bit older for the money
Merc C220 C230
BMW 3 series 330d

Any ideas appreciated.

Also, has much changed in the past 8 years that would make a difference in what to buy? Tax, Insurance etc?

Welsh_Meat

49 posts

92 months

Friday 27th July 2018

Hello and welcome back !! :P

I have a bmw 535d e61 and love it... great on fuel and the performance is amazing !! easy to tune to.
You can buy from around 4k... all the way to 10k

it is an auto but what you get for the money is great.
heated leather seats, large screen idrive, sat nav, bluetooth, self leveling rear suspension.. for your larger passengers, auto wipers / lights, rear dvd player, straight 6, biturbo. very smooth and reliable. Has never let me down.

Had mine for 3 years,
P

29,749 posts

145 months

Friday 27th July 2018

Mondeo Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Insignia VXR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.0T Elite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes C350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

V70 2.5T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

6,509 posts

199 months

Friday 27th July 2018

I'm currently pottering in a Volvo XC70 3.2 petrol auto Lux. Absolutely love it, but it's 10 years old, does 16mpg and costs almost £50pcm in tax. I suspect a post 2012 D5 would be awesome and am currently trying my wife to get one so I can get a 997 911 or M235i.

The Volvo has every single toy known to man and a huge boot and has been totally reliable so far. It's the first big car I've owned and it's great - my wife always runs the family car.

dan425

44 posts

169 months

Tuesday 31st July 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

Mercedes C350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Are petrol C350s particularly rare? Or just a slump in numbers on AT just now? There's only one at the moment.

anonymous-user

74 months

Tuesday 31st July 2018

Extremely rare, especially the facelift w204. Highly recommended. Although, rear passenger space is less than you would think. There is a good thread about a c350 saloon by djdest in readers cars.

WonkeyDonkey

2,531 posts

123 months

Tuesday 31st July 2018

Jaguar XF Sportbrake?

29,749 posts

145 months

Tuesday 31st July 2018

dan425 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Mercedes C350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Are petrol C350s particularly rare? Or just a slump in numbers on AT just now? There's only one at the moment.

They're very hard to find they just didn't sell many especially estates.

philipbrown123

406 posts

137 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018

How about a Subaru. A bit different to the norm. Very well built and reliable.

29,749 posts

145 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018

I don't think the OP's interested.

dan425

44 posts

169 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018

I'm following this thread with interest, OP's criteria are similar to mine.

Off to look at an Insignia VXR this weekend.

Shame the Merc is so far away, might go and see if I can head over to look at it too.

29,749 posts

145 months

Friday 3rd August 2018

Let us know how you get on.

EENL

Original Poster

3 posts

89 months

Sunday 5th August 2018

Some suggestions here I hadn’t thought about. Have been looking on autotrader at some of the suggestions.

Suppose I have to decide whether buying a Euro6 diesel is sensible idea or to stay with petrol.

I do quite like the Jag. Going to have quite a bit of test driving to do in a few weeks time.

29,749 posts

145 months

Sunday 5th August 2018

EENL

Original Poster

3 posts

89 months

Sunday 5th August 2018

Some nice options. Hope some are still there in a couple weeks.
I'll do about 15k a year ago diesel is fine milage wise.

Would love another Mazda 6 but the diesel engines are prone to oil dilution and the petrols lack torque.

29,749 posts

145 months

Sunday 5th August 2018

I can personally vouch for Mondeo I have a Vignale in 210 form & it's very good car, the other one is the 508 (same drivetrain and just as well built) the Peugeot name counts against it & 3rd choice would be the 3.0d XF mainly because it's a 3.0d.

200Plus Club

12,543 posts

298 months

Sunday 5th August 2018

I recently drove a Skoda superb 2.0 diesel estate with dsg box and lots of toys. Have to say it was very good in all aspects. I'd have one tomorrow.

dhutch

17,386 posts

217 months

Monday 6th August 2018

The Peugeot 508 SW Estate looks really quite nice doesnt it, first time I've see that to notice. They had a few rough cars, but I really enjoyed my 1.8 Merdian spec 306 back in the day, very comfortable for the class, looked great and went well.

The 520 and E220 are tempting too. My budget is less than half the OP's at more like £3k but I am enjoying the 'older but nicer' option of an X-reg 330ci, while also keeping an eye on this thread as I do think an Estate wil be next.

OP; do you have any requirements in terms of MPG, total annual mileage?

Daniel

Ryan-nunm9

207 posts

91 months

Monday 6th August 2018

My brother has an Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro Le mans edition for about £10k. Lovely car

Daaaveee

915 posts

243 months