The M3 downgrade

[ekulluke]

Morning - I’m currently running a 2017 M3 which I like very much indeed, but I’ve got a dog and a 1y/o so we mainly use the shed (a 2012 Freelander).

I’ve made a decision to downgrade the M3 so I can free up some money for an extension and garden office.

This leaves me with the need for a replacement meeting the following criteria:
- Auto
- Estate or SUV
- 2012 onwards
- “Nice place to be”
- under £15k

We can (and will) run off one car. I could keep the freelander but we only do about 12k a year and most of the driving we do is about 20/30 minutes each way with a monthly “long” drive. Not sure a diesel makes sense?

Looked at a 330d which is perfect but I don’t know if I could run a diesel.

Also - I’m 26 at the end of the day so do still want a half nice car. I’m not into a Peugeot/Vauxhall/Kia/Hyundai or a Ford.

Ideas please before my screen time on Autotrader becomes embarrassing…!

[Elysium]

If this is one car to replace both, then then a BMW touring will be an enjoyable drive AND practical.

Any straight six petrol will do it.

[ekulluke]

Elysium said:

If this is one car to replace both, then then a BMW touring will be an enjoyable drive AND practical.

Any straight six petrol will do it.

Thanks Elysium, but I’m not sure I can get a 3.0 in the F81 shape? Assume I’d be limited to a E91?

Edited by ekulluke on Monday 20th February 07:49

[Elysium]

ekulluke said:

Elysium said:

If this is one car to replace both, then then a BMW touring will be an enjoyable drive AND practical.

Any straight six petrol will do it.

Thanks Elysium, but I’m not sure I can get a 3.0 in the F81 shape? Assume I’d be limited to a E91?

Looks like it. I think you are near the bottom of the market with that budget. The E91 is a lovely car, but they all look a bit leggy.

Maybe the compromise is a 2.0 litre engine and a slightly smaller extension?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

[SWoll]

The Mercedes CLS Estate is a lovely place to spend time and you should be able to pick up a 2015 350 petrol AMG model around budget with a bit of haggling.

[greenace]

I've had an F31 330d M Sport Touring from new 8 years ago and it's pretty much the perfect car. Don't get too hung up on the diesel thing - it gives such smooth, effortless pace and that big slug of torque is addictive. Throw in 50mpg+ on a run and a surprisingly pleasing soundtrack and it's really tough to look elsewhere.

[ekulluke]

greenace said:

I've had an F31 330d M Sport Touring from new 8 years ago and it's pretty much the perfect car. Don't get too hung up on the diesel thing - it gives such smooth, effortless pace and that big slug of torque is addictive. Throw in 50mpg+ on a run and a surprisingly pleasing soundtrack and it's really tough to look elsewhere.

Thanks Greenacre. Have you used it on short journeys? Or exclusively on along distances? I’ll probably do a long trip in it every few weeks…?

[troika]

If it were me I’d flog the M3, keep the LR and see how you go for a while.

[Bobupndown]

Freelander 2 is a great all round, all purpose vehicle, granted its not an M3 but a high spec late model SD4 is a nice place to be.

[iwantagta]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...


BMW 335i - just over budget but looks lovely.

[anonymous-user]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301253...

[greenace]

Use it for various stuff. Mix of pottering round town, day trips, university trips a few times a year and south of France family trips. It’s never let me down and does everything I need. Not brilliant in snow, obvs, but I can live with that. Only things I’d change are the run-flats and add more USBs for the kids.

I was toying with selling it fairly recently and figured I’d ask around the £15k you’re budgeting. Lots of car for that money…

[ilikejam]

In with the customary Infiniti shout - great value and they're always much nicer to sit in than the photos might suggest I feel.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

[06andiano]

Might be nice to sit in but that thing looks hideous! There's a reason why they don't bring them here anymore

[SpanishTony]

I liked it when I test drove one (problem was with the laggy acceleration). Does feel disconnected though to the road in terms of visibility, probably because we'd come from a normal car to the showroom though.

[Fastdruid]

iwantagta said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...


BMW 335i - just over budget but looks lovely.

3-series Touring has a bloody ridiculously small boot for what it is though. Had one turn up as our uber to go to the airport last year and was a struggle to fit two cases and hand luggage in the boot (as in, we couldn't and had to have half the hand luggage in the cabin with us). Genuinely think there's more boot space in a Mustang than one of them!

Properly a shame as otherwise the 3-touring ticks a lot of boxes but with baby and dog I think you'll struggle.

I would go take a look at the boot space in one first and see if it'll work for you before you seriously consider it.

Edited by Fastdruid on Tuesday 21st February 20:10

[ilikejam]

06andiano said:

Might be nice to sit in but that thing looks hideous! There's a reason why they don't bring them here anymore

I think they look great! Would be boring if we all thought the same I suppose. I'd maybe black out at least some of the grille though

[Jeenyus161]

How about this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301193...

[njw1]

I've nothing useful to add except to say that I went from running a 540i and previously an M5 alongside a van to now just running a 530d touring and I haven't looked back. A six cylinder diesel BMW estate is pretty much all the car you'll ever need I've found.

[ekulluke]

troika said:

If it were me I’d flog the M3, keep the LR and see how you go for a while.

Hmm. I hadn’t really thought of this, but is a sound suggestion. Thanks…