Family estate. £4k budget.

[LGriffiths88]

Looking to get a bigger and more fuel efficient car than my e39 530i auto. Although I still love the car it’s just ideal now.

Been itching for an estate for a while now, so going to finally take the plunge after owning one of my Always Wanted cars. Estate gonna be handy for lugging the kids bikes around.

Been looking at
BMW 5 series e61
A6 (avoid the CVT I believe?)
E class?

Not keen on the looks of the V70.

What other suggestions are there?

Understand they’ll be higher mileage cars, but before committing I’ll get a mechanic buddy to check them over.

- decent sized boot
- decently economical, but not slow. Gotta have some poke.
- good to drive

Cheers!

[ahas]

Wildcard entry, If I was in the market for one I'd be trying to find an Alfa 159 Sportswagon. Ideally the TI spec. 1.9JTDm is decent engine. Pick one up for around £3k and save the rest for maintenance.

People will hear Alfa and run a mile!

There was a readers car or something section a fews ago and the love of an Alfa 159 estate was talked about in depth.

We've got a 508 SW - economical and can carry loads! But that's about it, no poke and not so fun to drive, unless of course you love understeer and copious amounts of body roll.

I totally understand why you'd want an economical car also. My e46 330 shares the same M54 engine to your e39, as lovely as it is, it's not so kind to the wallet!

Edited by ahas on Monday 27th July 12:10

[AJB88]

As above 159 Sportwagon.

[LGriffiths88]

I did look at the 159 in previous years, before getting the 5 series I have. The styling is great. And holds up well.

Is the boot big enough?

[ahas]

LGriffiths88 said:

I did look at the 159 in previous years, before getting the 5 series I have. The styling is great. And holds up well.

Is the boot big enough?

I don't own one. I was overruled when looking to buy by the Mrs - 4 years later still a bit sore about that.
But the boot is not class leading, probably akin to a 3 series more than a 5 series or a Volvo.
Depends largely on what you're looking to carry etc.
Would have been enough for kids pushchair and shopping. Probably not the best for swallowing bikes (don't think there's many estates that could do so without flattening the rear seats? ) or regular family road trips. But again I could be wrong.

https://youtu.be/11DpsT8VYn4
3:30 is a boot video.

Edited by ahas on Monday 27th July 13:23

[Quickmoose]

Practicality wise the 159 is style over substance... I've just got one....because I only need a little substance and I like a bit of style on the drive...

[Quickmoose]

Saab 9-5?

[GreatGranny]

This isn't a millions miles from you if you could stretch/negotiate on price.

Not sure on the remap but looks like it's been well looked after.

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

[SpeckledJim]

GreatGranny said:

This isn't a millions miles from you if you could stretch/negotiate on price.

Not sure on the remap but looks like it's been well looked after.

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

I think this is on the right lines. If you want something bigger than an E39, and still nice to drive, I think this is your best option.

Or at a slight reach, an F11 5-Series which is just about in price range now.

[LGriffiths88]

ahas said:

I don't own one. I was overruled when looking to buy by the Mrs - 4 years later still a bit sore about that.
But the boot is not class leading, probably akin to a 3 series more than a 5 series or a Volvo.
Depends largely on what you're looking to carry etc.
Would have been enough for kids pushchair and shopping. Probably not the best for swallowing bikes (don't think there's many estates that could do so without flattening the rear seats? ) or regular family road trips. But again I could be wrong.

https://youtu.be/11DpsT8VYn4
3:30 is a boot video.

Edited by ahas on Monday 27th July 13:23

Yeah the mrs has a XC60 and we can put the bikes in upright in there with some room to spare. Think the boot capacity is like 650 litres. So as long as I can fit bikes in would be handy. Don’t carry much in boot these days.

[LGriffiths88]

GreatGranny said:

This isn't a millions miles from you if you could stretch/negotiate on price.

Not sure on the remap but looks like it's been well looked after.

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

Nice car. A lot of car for the money too. And boots are cavernous too. If that was a 7 seater version it would be even better for when he have no bikes. Daughter wants to try sitting in the boot for a car 🤣

[LGriffiths88]

SpeckledJim said:

I think this is on the right lines. If you want something bigger than an E39, and still nice to drive, I think this is your best option.

Or at a slight reach, an F11 5-Series which is just about in price range now.

Have seen a few dropping I’d be picky and want an m sport variant. Although they don’t look to bad in SE trim (One of very few BMW’s that do look okay in SE IMO).

[ahas]

SpeckledJim said:

GreatGranny said:

This isn't a millions miles from you if you could stretch/negotiate on price.

Not sure on the remap but looks like it's been well looked after.

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

I think this is on the right lines. If you want something bigger than an E39, and still nice to drive, I think this is your best option.

Or at a slight reach, an F11 5-Series which is just about in price range now.

Great shout on that E320. A lot of car for the money and mileage is low for a solid engine.

The F11's I think the 520d's can be a bit troublesome. My uncle had one and he sunk probably £3k into it with turbo and timing chain issues. The car was on the ramps more than it was on the road. Shame was a beaut.

[Fastchas]

I had a B6 Audi A6 and looked at a 159 estate. The boot was tiny, there was hardly any foot space behind the front seats for rear passengers and the quality was down on the older Audi.
None of this matters if you're set on buying the Alfa but in the end I bought a C6 A6 - didn't regret it.

[SpeckledJim]

Given the spec was for a load-carrier 'bigger than an E39', it would be meagre rations for a fortnight for anyone who came home with a 159.

[LGriffiths88]

Yeah I doubt I’d get a 159, as good looking as they are. Too small.

An 09 sline a4 can be had for 5k petrol too Doesn’t seem to bad. It seems it’s boot is 10 litres smaller than an e61 5 series. Which doesn’t seem a lot?

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

Like ideally I’d want a petrol, as don’t warrant the miles for a diesel.

[markirl]

GreatGranny said:

This isn't a millions miles from you if you could stretch/negotiate on price.

Not sure on the remap but looks like it's been well looked after.

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

Great shout, had one identical to that after a 530i and the main downside is the diesel dagdagdag but it's in all diesels!

I'd also recommend an LCI e61 if you can find a decent one locally, great cars.

[LGriffiths88]

markirl said:

Great shout, had one identical to that after a 530i and the main downside is the diesel dagdagdag but it's in all diesels!

I'd also recommend an LCI e61 if you can find a decent one locally, great cars.

Ive always got a soft spot for the 5 series. Do like the better iDrive in the lci model. Is there many differences between pre-lci and lci?

[stevemcs]

I enquired about that e320 last week.

[LGriffiths88]

stevemcs said:

I enquired about that e320 last week.

Heard back from him?

You won’t be having any competition from me haha. Don’t think I’ll be able to flog my e39 that quick.