Which Estate

[Belle427]

I have been looking at interesting estates for the last 18 months but for various reasons have not been in a position to buy.
I`m hoping that I can start looking again now and hopefully in a few weeks will ready.
I have been looking at the following, budget is £20k.
Ideally cant be too ruinous to run, I do lean toward comfort these days but can bend a bit for something semi interesting. I do around 8000 miles a year and mostly short 13 miles each way journeys to work with a run now and again.
Boot size does not need to be best in class.

Seat Leon Cupra 300, front runner really as it offers decent running costs and decent performance. Discounted the Golf R as I fancy the DCC suspension which I believe is standard on the Seat.

Jaguar XF, petrol versions a bit unsure of and the V6 is probably a bit too expensive on fuel.

BMW 330/335d, don`t really need diesel with all the associated problems with the emissions gubbins, probably best left alone but seem to be a great all rounder but expensive.

Merc C43, again maybe a bit heavy on fuel costs.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Matt_T]

Mazda 6? Lovely interior if you get a high spec.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20515571

[Doesitdrive]

You seem concerned about fuel consumption so Deisel is looking good lol.

Run diesel since the mid eighties, cars vans and big trucks. Never had the issues with emissions gubbins lol.

Currently doing a 6 mile commute in a dpf equipped 2007 c220 cdi, have done for more than a year now, zero issues, when I hit heavy traffic it regens if it needs too.

Keep the tank topped up regularly, it won't regen unless you do, keep adblue topped up if it has it and you shouldn't have issues.

Most are self inflicted from not doing the above, not knowing what the car needs to do its thing.

Putting just enough fuel for your weeks use doesn't make any sense with a diesel.

[SlowV6]

I've been pondering the same search for a couple of years too!

I have arrived at:
BMW F31 340i/335d/330d.
Leon ST 300 4-drive. Ideally a Lux.

Due to the refusal of the above to depreciate at all in that time I have also considered going up a size to include:
F11 530d/535d (no AdBlue, but ageing diesel)
G31 530d/540i. (x-Drive, ageing diesel for the 30d, is a looooonngg car for parking)

Other things have come in and out during that time including EVs like the Model Y and Kia EV6. Also Audi S4 B9 3.0T V6. X3 G01.....

I have basically just confused myself over time and on different days reach different conclusions!

I think the correct answer is 340i as this avoids x-Drive complexity and diesel gubbins and you get the B58. However F31 340is are both rare and expensive - £20K buys a 2016/17 car with 100k miles - and there are some dubious offerings or frustrating/crap specs.

I wish you luck

[Zetec-S]

Focus ST estate? Nice to drive and not unreasonable on fuel/running costs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606123...

For a bit more you can get one in a more shouty colour

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607013...

[Belle427]

I would say mpg wise low 30s would be where I would want to be really, into the 20s would see me twitching a bit!
I have thought about the Focus as it looks lovely but how does it handle its power through the front wheels?

Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 8th July 10:45

[Chris_i8]

MINI Clubman JCW?

CLA35AMG shooting brake?

Over and above the Cupra opton that you've already mentioned...

I found the Cupra competent but boring, I'd level the same at the F31 335d that I owned when I drove the Cupra and for your low mileage and journey profile I really can't see the point of a diesel.

Happy shopping.

Chris

[Belle427]

That`s why Im looking at the Cupra really, doesn`t have to be that exciting to be honest i just thought it looked the best all rounder.`

[Zetec-S]

Belle427 said:

I would say mpg wise low 30s would be where I would want to be really, into the 20s would see me twitching a bit!
I have thought about the Focus as it looks lovely but how does it handle its power through the front wheels?

Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 8th July 10:45

Focus would be fine for low-mid 30's unless you rag it everywhere. Can even do 40 taking it easy on a longer run.

Handling is fine, I never felt like mine lacked any grip. A decent set of tyres helps - PS4's were always my preferred choice.

[Belle427]

Guess the 2.3 engine is sorted by now as its a similar lump to the Focus RS?

[Belle427]

SlowV6 said:

I've been pondering the same search for a couple of years too!

I have arrived at:
BMW F31 340i/335d/330d.
Leon ST 300 4-drive. Ideally a Lux.

Due to the refusal of the above to depreciate at all in that time I have also considered going up a size to include:
F11 530d/535d (no AdBlue, but ageing diesel)
G31 530d/540i. (x-Drive, ageing diesel for the 30d, is a looooonngg car for parking)

Other things have come in and out during that time including EVs like the Model Y and Kia EV6. Also Audi S4 B9 3.0T V6. X3 G01.....

I have basically just confused myself over time and on different days reach different conclusions!

I think the correct answer is 340i as this avoids x-Drive complexity and diesel gubbins and you get the B58. However F31 340is are both rare and expensive - £20K buys a 2016/17 car with 100k miles - and there are some dubious offerings or frustrating/crap specs.

I wish you luck

Your right about the prices, the 330i seems a better buy really.
That's why the Seat appeals really, seems a nice car for the money.
Octavia Vrs look good too.

[Raddors]

Any opportunity to bang the Volvo V60 T8 drum....
Do your daily duties in electric mode which will cost you pence.
Put it in sport (or polestar) and you've got a comfy 390-400hp wagon.

£20kish will get you an early one before they put the 112mph limiter on and took away the paddles.

[SlowV6]

Belle427 said:

SlowV6 said:

I've been pondering the same search for a couple of years too!

I have arrived at:
BMW F31 340i/335d/330d.
Leon ST 300 4-drive. Ideally a Lux.

Due to the refusal of the above to depreciate at all in that time I have also considered going up a size to include:
F11 530d/535d (no AdBlue, but ageing diesel)
G31 530d/540i. (x-Drive, ageing diesel for the 30d, is a looooonngg car for parking)

Other things have come in and out during that time including EVs like the Model Y and Kia EV6. Also Audi S4 B9 3.0T V6. X3 G01.....

I have basically just confused myself over time and on different days reach different conclusions!

I think the correct answer is 340i as this avoids x-Drive complexity and diesel gubbins and you get the B58. However F31 340is are both rare and expensive - £20K buys a 2016/17 car with 100k miles - and there are some dubious offerings or frustrating/crap specs.

I wish you luck

Your right about the prices, the 330i seems a better buy really.
That's why the Seat appeals really, seems a nice car for the money.
Octavia Vrs look good too.

Yes but I'd want the 340i for my £20k rather than something nice but not possessing the B58! Octavia's have never done it for me oddly but I recognise they are a strong candidate.

The ad has just disappeared from AutoTrader so I guess it was sold, but sitting just 10% above budget was a Cupra R estate from Sytner Select. It looked a good price to be fair, albeit much less of a sleeper than a normal ST 300 4-Drive. Guess someone snapped it up.

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

Raddors said:

Any opportunity to bang the Volvo V60 T8 drum....
Do your daily duties in electric mode which will cost you pence.
Put it in sport (or polestar) and you've got a comfy 390-400hp wagon.

£20kish will get you an early one before they put the 112mph limiter on and took away the paddles.

I had a T5 V60 with a Polestar map and a T8 XC60. Great cars, but not sure I'd want to be running an older one out of warranty with the Supercharger, Turbo, Petrol Engine, Electric motor and AWD coupling as well as all the other toys that could go wrong as they're generally pretty well specced.

[ziggy328]

As a leftfield choice, Subaru Levorg. We bought a 2021 model in Feb this year and very very happy with it. Hard to find though, but worth a look maybe?

Apart from the colour, this is like ours


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605082...

Edited by ziggy328 on Wednesday 8th July 17:50

[Belle427]

SlowV6 said:

Belle427 said:

SlowV6 said:

I've been pondering the same search for a couple of years too!

I have arrived at:
BMW F31 340i/335d/330d.
Leon ST 300 4-drive. Ideally a Lux.

Due to the refusal of the above to depreciate at all in that time I have also considered going up a size to include:
F11 530d/535d (no AdBlue, but ageing diesel)
G31 530d/540i. (x-Drive, ageing diesel for the 30d, is a looooonngg car for parking)

Other things have come in and out during that time including EVs like the Model Y and Kia EV6. Also Audi S4 B9 3.0T V6. X3 G01.....

I have basically just confused myself over time and on different days reach different conclusions!

I think the correct answer is 340i as this avoids x-Drive complexity and diesel gubbins and you get the B58. However F31 340is are both rare and expensive - £20K buys a 2016/17 car with 100k miles - and there are some dubious offerings or frustrating/crap specs.

I wish you luck

Your right about the prices, the 330i seems a better buy really.
That's why the Seat appeals really, seems a nice car for the money.
Octavia Vrs look good too.

Yes but I'd want the 340i for my £20k rather than something nice but not possessing the B58! Octavia's have never done it for me oddly but I recognise they are a strong candidate.

The ad has just disappeared from AutoTrader so I guess it was sold, but sitting just 10% above budget was a Cupra R estate from Sytner Select. It looked a good price to be fair, albeit much less of a sleeper than a normal ST 300 4-Drive. Guess someone snapped it up.

Over budget but this looks a very nice example.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

[chip*]

Zetec-S said:

Focus ST estate? Nice to drive and not unreasonable on fuel/running costs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606123...

For a bit more you can get one in a more shouty colour

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607013...

Probably not suited for the badge snobs, but I like the ST and this shouty colour!

Previously checked out the Focus ST, and it wasn't possible to fit a towbar due to the twin exhaust exiting the middle of the rear bumper, but I notice this later model (per above) has a towbar. Seems like Ford realised their design mistake!