£18-20K budget bored of my car but it does everything i need

[liam quigley 21]

Currently drive a F10 520se manual but getting bored of it.
Used occasionally for family but mainly myself for work. Do between 18-20K miles a year. 80% motorway driving
wife has a 7 seat fiat 500MPW so I don't need a overly practical car just 4 seats ( 2 kids )

I want good MPG, fun to drive/ easy on the motorway plus looks good. Currently top of my list is the 420D Gran coupe Auto Msport as it seems to cover all boxes. Price to jump up to 430D doesn't seem too much so could be tempted. I have never had a car that powerful so don't know if it would be wasted (extra fuel/insurance) or too tempting to use.

Also looking at the 4 series convertible same engines as could be fun with the kids ( 4 and 2 ) in summer, but heard back seats in a convertible are freezing so would just have extra complaining/ kids throwing toys etc out the car. open to other suggestions

would like :
Automatic ( never had one but been advised to get one )
Good MPG ( most likely diesel )
ULEZ compliant (can see it coming to other places soon)


other ideas
Bmw X4 2.0D Msport ( wife loves it )
Merc C250 C class ( Amg line )
Merc E220 E class ( Ang line )
Skoda Octavia VRS ( not sure about image )

Thanks

[CaptainSensib1e]

What is boring you about your car? To be honest none of what you have suggested sound like the type of car to set the pulse racing. Suspect whatever you got out of that list would see you bored again before long.

Would you consider keeping your current car and getting something silly/impractical as a weekend toy?

[Xcore]

Your short list sounds equally boring.

[Stuart70]

Golf R dsg
HTH

[liam quigley 21]

true, had 14 cars in 10 years all kind of similar moving up slowly, from saxo to focus to astra then 3 series others inbetween. last 4 cars have all been beemers so stuck in my ways maybe. its the commute to work that's killing it (20K miles) was tempted to shed it and have a toy but would rather an all rounder. seen fiesta STs have good MPG plus a lot cheaper than a 430D second hand don't know if that's, more the route I should be going ? but an hour long drive after night shift I just want to cruise home. As said don't want to change only to be bored 5 months later

[underphil]

you mostly like your 5 series?

Why not spend ~15K on a F20 535i and then you have plenty left to spend on petrol

Or a 528i with the 3.0 engine could be a great option for about £12K

[Court_S]

Not sure how many boxes the vRS ticks. I have one (company car) and it’s great at what it does (brisk, roomy, Ok spec etc) but it doesn’t really tickle my funny bits. It’s easy to live with, it doesn’t annoy me but I’m not going to miss it as such when it goes back.

What about an M135/40? Capable of sensible MPG etc but also least there’s a little something to entertain you.

[S54Love]

Upping your budget slightly more would get you in a 640D GC

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

Not sure if it's overkill for your needs though

Otherwise CLS' come into budget as well
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by S54Love on Thursday 21st March 21:10

[rsbmw]

You're bored of your best in class 2 litre diesel saloon, and want to spend 20k on a slightly worse 2 litre diesel saloon? I expect you'll be disappointed.

[Chestrockwell]

Go for a 530d! With the mileage you’re going to be doing, the difference in fuel will be minimal!

My 430d can use a lot of fuel in town driving and rarely sees more than 35 unless you’re extremely gentle on the throttle, but on motorways etc it can easily see above 50.

I say get a 530d and not a 430d because I’ve driven my friends F10 520d M sport and the 5 rides so much better, has a much nicer spacious interior and is a lot quieter.

A 4 series looks the part and you feel more connected to the road compared to the 5 series but I don’t think you’ll be able to forgive the step down in comfort.



Actually get a 430d GC, any excuse to post mine, I love it

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say that I think you'll get bored with 2.0d sooner or later despite every car on your list being a very capable steer, I'd say you need to look at other alternatives, if you don't need as big a car as the 5 Series then maybe look for something a bit smaller maybe petrol options that will average 35mpg.



Leftfield Option if fuel economy is a big factor:

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

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

535i Hybrid

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