Sub £15k Non-Default Estate Choices?

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Towards the end of this year I may be starting to look for a new car to replace my VW camper. Things I'd be looking for:
- estate
- £15k budget
- ideally automatic but may consider manual
- ideally petrol due to limited annual mileage
- something that hopefully won't depreciate too much / borderline classic status
- not have massive bork / huge bill potential

Not really had an in depth look but one thing that continually pops up on my radar is the Passat R36. I'm a bit of a VW fan and the Passat ticks a LOT of my boxes.
Other things I've thought about:
- B8 S4
- B7 RS4 (I guess running costs will rule this out and theres a limit to what I'll get past the household finance manager!)
- slightly older but seen a stunning looking Alpina B10 Touring. Very partial to a BMW, especially an Alpina.

Anything else?

[jwilco]

Might be worth adding how important performance is to the wish-list. Your bullet points don't talk about it but I assume looking at things like an R36/S4/RS4 then you're after something 300bhp plus?

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Sorry yes, I want reasonable performance but want to also get reasonable economy which is another strike against an RS4 for instance. 30mpg would be nice!

[samoht]

I'm enjoying my C55 Estate, if you want more space you could also look at the E55s. Not sure if the CLS Sportbrake is in that budget.
(Readers car thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... )

[stevemcs]

BMW 530i/535i or similar would be on my list.

[MDMA .]

I missed a really nice R36 last year -

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1232051


Maybe a Golf R estate. Must be touching 15k now privately if 16+ at dealers -

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10910636?c...

[DaveyBoyWonder]

E39 530i Touring might be an option.

R36 just keeps popping up - rare, fast(ish), not huge bork potential, massive boot, loads of toys, not massively expensive. Its weird, the Golf R estate should interest me but it just doesn't. Stupidly fast, very useful boot spaces and I'm sure I'd love the pace etc but for me its borderline white goods for people who want to have a fast car (says the person who is lusting after a Passat!).

[jason61c]

Passat R36 is a great shout.

[mbwoy84]

This and then spend a bit of the change on sensibly upgrading it

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Legacy-GTB-WR-Lt...

Far better than any Passat!

[MDMA .]

mbwoy84 said:

This and then spend a bit of the change on sensibly upgrading it

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Legacy-GTB-WR-Lt...

Far better than any Passat!

Or this -

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/wr-ltd-legacy-290121.h...

I couldn't a find a mint R36 so got this coming from Japan -

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[MiniMan64]

Octavia VRS?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

As a new owner of a slightly older, slightly cheaper model I can recommend!

[ZX10R NIN]

Does it have to be an estate because there are some slightly leftish field options if it not a must but having a large accessible boot is:

535i GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...

A7

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007241...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

328i GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010024...

428i GC less practical to the two GT's above

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...

When it comes to estates the Mondeo is the pick in either Vignale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

Or Titanium with the XPack:I'd say the Mondeo is a non default choice because people will say the Octavia/Superb etc but the best FWD steer is the Mondeo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101298...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102038...

V60 T6 SE Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

T5 SE Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

If you like the R36 then you could go for it's cousin with the same drivetrain (with it being newer it may be an easier sell to the accounts manager ) wrapped in a Skoda Superb body:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

Haggle a wheel refurb off the price as they'll look much better in the original silver.

[ZX10R NIN]

I forgot to add that if you go for a halo model (like the 63's below) although they may cost you more on fuel they'll bring that back with slower depreciation:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201904307...

There's a real world 6 mpg difference between these & an R36

[Terzo123]

How about a low mileage Japanese import Volvo 850 R



https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/20991548...

[ahenners]

Terzo123 said:

How about a low mileage Japanese import Volvo 850 R



https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/20991548...

£15k budget and the answer is a 25 year old Volvo?!

[Terzo123]

Meets budget, and non default criteria.

Its also an extremely cool car, with plenty of performance.

Only slight shame is that its an Auto.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Loads of interesting options. Had a look at older E63s but into the realms of RS4 ownership in terms of potential for massive bills.

Definitely want an estate - dog, kids, fishing gear, biking gear, holidays etc meant have always gone for an estate generally.

Definitely think the R36 is still winning although that blue Legacy looks incredible. Might need to take a closer look at one of those (albeit with a slightly more subtle exhaust!) nearer the time.

[ilikejam]

There's been some pretty random stuff thrown out there so far, so I figured I might just ignore most of the criteria and chuck one of these in the mix...




https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

[stevemcs]

If the bills from an RS4 scare the op then perhaps the Porsche would scare him more. However I wouldn’t say a v6 dsg vow would be any better. I’d rather take my chance with the E55/63

[CG2020UK]

Mazda 6.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296...

Depreciation mostly done already.
Reliable
Nice drive
Looks brilliant.
Cheap repairs.
Save yourself some money.

Negative is you will have to go manual.

All cars depreciate there is no avoiding it I think except for maybe a C63 AMG but the running costs are significant and being German halo car the repair bill would be as well.

Cheap, fast or reliable pick two will apply here.