4k comfy estate

[redandwhite]

Looking for an estate to fit the requirements below, feel like i have broadly considered all options, but would appreciate the PH input;

Budget: 4k
Annual mileage: 12k

Needs to give 30 mpg and offer a comfy ride (probably a given with estates but worth mentioning)

Nice to have:

• Pan roof or sunroof
• Heated seats

Both manual / auto considered

Currently considering :

• V70 (owned V50/XC90 previously)
• BMW E61
• Renault Megane Sports Tourer - Non PH option, but the good value for money (12/13 plate) and low/free VED is appealing

Appreciate input on the above, plus anyone who owns anything different (Mercedes, Ford etc) will consider all suggestions

[Martyn76]

Citroen C5? Only seem to be diesel though, 1.6 or 2.0, depends if you're fussed by what noise it makes.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mondeo is the pick but you won't get a Sunroof but you will get an Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Insignia SRI

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

Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Laguna 2 Dynamique S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

508 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

407 GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[KomodoWagon]

Saab 9-5 springs to mind

[redandwhite]

Thanks all

[JJ55]

V70
Saab 9-3 or 9-5
Mondo

Owned all 3 still have the Volvo but the Saab was a lovely thing too.

[redandwhite]

JJ55 said:

V70
Saab 9-3 or 9-5
Mondo

Owned all 3 still have the Volvo but the Saab was a lovely thing too.

Which engine/spec did you have in the V70?

[Rowe]

Could get a fairly tidy E61 for 4k
Just have to be weary as some of them are proper peasant spec

[JJ55]

redandwhite said:

JJ55 said:

V70
Saab 9-3 or 9-5
Mondo

Owned all 3 still have the Volvo but the Saab was a lovely thing too.

Which engine/spec did you have in the V70?

I’ve got the 2.5t petrol. Thirsty, but smooth with good power when needed. My 9-5 aero was a more exiting drive of the 2.

[redandwhite]

Rowe said:

Could get a fairly tidy E61 for 4k
Just have to be weary as some of them are proper peasant spec

i find the E61 a bit of a minefield, M-Sport look much better but seem to carry a decent premium. The post March 22nd 2006 3.0i have a VED sting in the tail with £565 VED.

What engine/spec is yours? Looks nice

[jagfan2]

Mazda 6 sport is what i ended up with
heated leather, auto most stuff, bose stereo, look ok, practical and drive as well as anything in the class

just getting bottom end (lower spec or leggy) of the new ones at that price too

Diesel 2.0/2.2 be wary of timing chain and DPF issues, but decent service history and you may be ok. I wasn't but i paid less for one with less history knowing the risk

[ZX10R NIN]

The above is a good shout as long as you're aware of the potential risk involved with a 2.2d.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Rowe]

redandwhite said:

i find the E61 a bit of a minefield, M-Sport look much better but seem to carry a decent premium. The post March 22nd 2006 3.0i have a VED sting in the tail with £565 VED.

What engine/spec is yours? Looks nice

Apologies, I never considered you’d be looking for a petrol. My tax is around 300 a year.

It’s the 30d engine.
Spec is pretty basic, only has the ‘half’ electric adjustable leather seats (which aren’t heated), and no auxiliary input (which can be easily installed with some coding magic)
It has got the business idrive, Bluetooth, and climate control though. Granted the idrive is certainly showing it’s age nowadays - it’s much easier doing a route on my phone, even with the latest map updates

I’d of spent my money on mondeo given the toys they generally have in them, but I wanted rwd and a decent sized engine for towing my track car around.

[redandwhite]

jagfan2 said:

Mazda 6 sport is what i ended up with
heated leather, auto most stuff, bose stereo, look ok, practical and drive as well as anything in the class

just getting bottom end (lower spec or leggy) of the new ones at that price too

Diesel 2.0/2.2 be wary of timing chain and DPF issues, but decent service history and you may be ok. I wasn't but i paid less for one with less history knowing the risk

ZX10R NIN said:

The above is a good shout as long as you're aware of the potential risk involved with a 2.2d.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Wasnt really aware of these thanks, my friend then piped up with a story about his mates that went through 3 engines due to various issues.

Rowe said:

Apologies, I never considered you’d be looking for a petrol. My tax is around 300 a year.

It’s the 30d engine.
Spec is pretty basic, only has the ‘half’ electric adjustable leather seats (which aren’t heated), and no auxiliary input (which can be easily installed with some coding magic)
It has got the business idrive, Bluetooth, and climate control though. Granted the idrive is certainly showing it’s age nowadays - it’s much easier doing a route on my phone, even with the latest map updates

I’d of spent my money on mondeo given the toys they generally have in them, but I wanted rwd and a decent sized engine for towing my track car around.

I do like the look of the E61, RWD combined with the 500l boot space is appealing. If auto - how is yours? Any issues?

[PushedDover]

Skoda Superb Elegance with a Pano roof must be in the mix shirley ?

[Dan_1981]

Late SAAB 9-3 - Comfiest seats ever.

Will easily do the required MPG.

Alternative would be the Mazda 6.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look the E Class if you want a big boot & sensible mileage:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Rowe]

redandwhite said:

I do like the look of the E61, RWD combined with the 500l boot space is appealing. If auto - how is yours? Any issues?

It’s a 15 year old auto, so you need to set your expectations to the take that into account.

That being said, it is pretty good and you can actually get the boxes reflashed to quicken them up even more.
I did an oil and filter change on the box when I first bought it which made the changes much more crisp too.

For a large lazy car which I use daily and for towing, I think an auto is more of a necessity (especially for the diesel) to be honest.

[JJ55]

Another option is the Honda Accord

[stevemcs]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-MONDEO-2-0TDCi-130...

Not got xenons though .... but does have a sunroof.