Family estate - 25k(ish)

[Tom_Spotley_When]

Impending arrival of a new baby means my beloved 630i needs to find a new home.

Wife has a v40, which we’ll keep whilst she’s on Mat leave, the new estate will be hers, I’ll get myself something fun with isofix seat mountings, likely a Mustang/997.2 and ignore the isofix.

Both work from home, live in the countryside, have a golden retriever. 80% of journeys are a couple of miles kicking around locally. There’s the odd longer trip to Manchester and once every month/6 weeks, a big trip to the in-laws in the Cotswolds. Two trips to France/Europe for holidays - one skiing, one summer. Just back from 3k miles round France and Italy.

I’m hugely out of my depth, shopping for estates with 4 cylinder petrol engines isn’t my forte, so figured I’d ask for help.

Petrol hybrid is probably about optimum, but I’m not keen on paying out a grand on a charger to get 19 miles range (based on a Merc C-Class 350e), so a petrol estate it is.

Priorities: comfort, speed, equipment (heated seats, pan roof, big stereo, not a boring black interior) - circa 5 years old.

Options so far;
‘17 C-Class 350e
‘17 530i
‘18 V90/v90CC/V60
‘18 A6 Avant

Anything I’m missing?

[Pistonheader101]

what about a bmw x3

[Tom_Spotley_When]

Pistonheader101 said:

what about a bmw x3

New shape is a good looking car. For the money, the spec’s awful.

The old shape looks too narrow, almost like it needs another 2 inches adding to the width, much like the Merc GLE.

It’s also not an estate.

[Pablo16v]

A Skoda Superb 2.0tsi Sportline estate would be worth adding to the list I reckon.

[Tom_Spotley_When]

Pablo16v said:

A Skoda Superb 2.0tsi Sportline estate would be worth adding to the list I reckon.

Thanks.

I’ve owned two VW’s both of which were the motoring equivalent of Warburton’s Toastie loaf; good, but mildly irritating on a daily basis. This has led to a wholly irrational dislike of most things made by them.

I appreciate that the next A6 is a VAG product but it looks pretty cool and I can imagine that I’m a captain of German industry, schnelling home from Heidelberg to Munich, Kraftwerk on the stereo, Fraulein at home, Weissbeer in hand.

The Skoda, competent car that it undoubtedly is, doesnt really conjure the same mental image.

[gashead1105]

My wife went for a mazda6 estate rather than the volvo options. Our kids are older though. We were delighted with our V70 while the kids were young, I'd get one of the last ones of them in your shoes if I could find one - the boot is a different league compared to the current models

[ninjag]

The x260 Jaguar XF Sportbrake comes in 2 litre petrol with 250ps. If you get a Portfolio version it should be fully loaded and the Meridian Surround System is fantastic.

There's also the SEAT Leon 2.0 TSI Cupra 300 although their interiors tend to be black and maybe a little small?

Edited by ninjag on Wednesday 25th May 15:29

[lornemalvo]

Tom_Spotley_When said:

Impending arrival of a new baby means my beloved 630i needs to find a new home.

Wife has a v40, which we’ll keep whilst she’s on Mat leave, the new estate will be hers, I’ll get myself something fun with isofix seat mountings, likely a Mustang/997.2 and ignore the isofix.

Both work from home, live in the countryside, have a golden retriever. 80% of journeys are a couple of miles kicking around locally. There’s the odd longer trip to Manchester and once every month/6 weeks, a big trip to the in-laws in the Cotswolds. Two trips to France/Europe for holidays - one skiing, one summer. Just back from 3k miles round France and Italy.

I’m hugely out of my depth, shopping for estates with 4 cylinder petrol engines isn’t my forte, so figured I’d ask for help.

Petrol hybrid is probably about optimum, but I’m not keen on paying out a grand on a charger to get 19 miles range (based on a Merc C-Class 350e), so a petrol estate it is.

Priorities: comfort, speed, equipment (heated seats, pan roof, big stereo, not a boring black interior) - circa 5 years old.

Options so far;
‘17 C-Class 350e
‘17 530i
‘18 V90/v90CC/V60
‘18 A6 Avant

Anything I’m missing?

You're missing a V60 CC, but I'd leave it missed, worst ride comfort I've ever experienced. I returned mine same day

[ZX10R NIN]

Mazda6 2.5 GT really good cars & well worth a look if you're considering a Superb:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203253...

E200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111249...

[loskie]

Outback: very un sporty though.

Dependable in a rural environment

[Muppet007]

V90 CC if you are quite rural.
Like a big barge on stilts

[georgeyboy12345]

Volvo V60 T5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...


Skoda Superb 2.0 TSI 4x4 280
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204234...


BMW 320i Touring xDrive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205035...


Peugeot 508 SW GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204134...


Audi A4 Avant 40 TFSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...


Mercedes C200 Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...


Kia Optima SW GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205236...


Full hybrid option - Toyota Corolla Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202072...

[Wagonwheel555]

Does it need to be 5 series size?

I would be going Octavia VRS estate personally, get something approved used with VW's 2 year warranty deals.

[ninjag]

If happy to go slightly smaller there's the S4 Avant which has crazy good AWD grip for safety when the baby in on board and lots of smiles for when you are out in it yourself.

[nick1871]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...

This has a few miles on it but it’s a great spec and priced well.

[samjlevy]

530i or 540i would be my choice.

Great cars, much prefer one to an S4.

[ninjag]

Unlikely to get a 540i at £25k, more like £30k+.

If 530i then I would try and get into a G31 rather than the earlier F11 due to rear air suspension problems.

[ALawson]

Mazda boot is pretty small isn’t it?