Pics of your Fast Estate...

[PomBstard]

WindyCommon said:

Rather the iron fist in the velvet glove that eats miles and tasks without drawing attention to itself.

I think I know what you mean….

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

With the added bonus of not being a German marque and therefore any obvious expectations of swiftness.

However, I did also really enjoy my previous car, a Liberty GT wagon as it was spacious, comfortable and reliable, and probably a bit inconspicuous, but would demolish a wet B road in a manner most unlike many others of its type. And would be enjoyable to do so. Not a sports car, perhaps, but one of sporting ability.

[WindyCommon]

Yes, perfect.

[Phugoid]

WindyCommon said:

In winter mode.

Nice, a rare thing in the UK I imagine?

Had mine for 2 years. Non M-Sport but fully specced otherwise, really nice car. Here it is on winter wheels...

[RicksAlfas]

Great to see the more subtle cars. I once had a 540iGT saved as a favourite on Auto-Trader. It was an SE in burgundy with a full Werthers interior. Clear glass all round and silver 18" wheels but plenty of interior options. Was a real oddball but it got snapped up very quickly so other people obviously appreciated it!

[MDMA .]

MattOz said:

My Alpina D3S. Its a lovely place to do some miles in.

Very nice. Have you just sold an F31 B3? Name looks familiar for one that was on the Alpina site.

[MattOz]

MDMA . said:

Very nice. Have you just sold an F31 B3? Name looks familiar for one that was on the Alpina site.

I have. Or at least I've taken a deposit on it.

[bolidemichael]

AC43 said:

Now one of the offspring is at uni, there's more space if my wife spots a bargain. Here it is picking up a cheap trunk on a weekend away in Malvern.



Bought this lot for peanuts at a car boot sale in Normandy.

Good work, team AC!

[BigR]

This is a very timely 6+ year old thread. I've persuaded the good lady (that's my wife for the avoidance of doubt) that we should consider moving on from the SUV. I'm on my second Levante, both great, this one is the Trofeo and is very thirsty. She also won't really drive it as 'it's too big', so I've suggested we look at an estate - which she also found reason to be dismissive of, but I pointed out that there wasn't a lot of ground to be covered inbetween. Having trawled through many pages, I'm not sure that I have many original ideas, so I'm reaching out to the collective brain of PH.

Criteria:
- budget £50-90k
- upto 18mths old
- reasonable economy (starting with a 3!) - petrol / hybrid
- big enough for the odd Christmas tree and ferrying elderly parents around on occasion

I've narrowed it down to a 330 / 340 estate, possibly a 5-series estate (but she'll say its about 10cm longer so too big, most likely). Audi appear to have nothing between a wheezy A4 estate and an RS4, Merc estates look like a hearse these days... So show me the pics of what I should be buying fellow PHers!

• yes, I know this is diverting the thread, but surely no better place than when trying to find a decent estate!

[bolidemichael]

Perhaps read through the thread and take inspiration? Crazy, I know!

[McGee_22]

BigR said:

This is a very timely 6+ year old thread. I've persuaded the good lady (that's my wife for the avoidance of doubt) that we should consider moving on from the SUV. I'm on my second Levante, both great, this one is the Trofeo and is very thirsty. She also won't really drive it as 'it's too big', so I've suggested we look at an estate - which she also found reason to be dismissive of, but I pointed out that there wasn't a lot of ground to be covered inbetween. Having trawled through many pages, I'm not sure that I have many original ideas, so I'm reaching out to the collective brain of PH.

Criteria:
- budget £50-90k
- upto 18mths old
- reasonable economy (starting with a 3!) - petrol / hybrid
- big enough for the odd Christmas tree and ferrying elderly parents around on occasion

I've narrowed it down to a 330 / 340 estate, possibly a 5-series estate (but she'll say its about 10cm longer so too big, most likely). Audi appear to have nothing between a wheezy A4 estate and an RS4, Merc estates look like a hearse these days... So show me the pics of what I should be buying fellow PHers!

• yes, I know this is diverting the thread, but surely no better place than when trying to find a decent estate!

Alpina B3 Touring.

You're welcome.

[WindyCommon]

"Back in the day", choosing an Alpina was the definitely the best way to get to a lux spec fast estate, but I don't think that is the case today now that BMW offer so many options for interiors etc. I looked at the idea of buying another Alpina before deciding instead just to be courageous with the BMW options list. If you start with the right base model (ie big engine, not the M) and choose your options carefully I think you can get more for less. If you want to pay a premium for the rarity of the Alpina badge that's fine, but recognise it for what it is.

[MDMA .]

MattOz said:

MDMA . said:

Very nice. Have you just sold an F31 B3? Name looks familiar for one that was on the Alpina site.

I have. Or at least I've taken a deposit on it.

How’s the D3 against the old B3?

[Bianchi Dave]

Mine currently. Just a few subtle mods which I think is enough tbh -

Edited by Bianchi Dave on Wednesday 7th February 18:32

[dunc69]

C43 with factory Performance Exhaust.
Only had it a few weeks. Loving it and so good to be back into a small estate with some go! 385bhp.

Edited by dunc69 on Thursday 8th February 09:37

[MattOz]

MDMA . said:

MattOz said:

MDMA . said:

Very nice. Have you just sold an F31 B3? Name looks familiar for one that was on the Alpina site.

I have. Or at least I've taken a deposit on it.

How’s the D3 against the old B3?

The D3 is physically bigger in all areas. It's about 200kg heavier too. You don't feel that on the move mind you. Naturally the B3 is aurally more exciting. Performance wise, they're very similar, but the B3 is marginally quicker. I'm only a week in to the D3, but it's just a great place to sit and do some miles in.

[MDMA .]

MattOz said:

MDMA . said:

MattOz said:

MDMA . said:

Very nice. Have you just sold an F31 B3? Name looks familiar for one that was on the Alpina site.

I have. Or at least I've taken a deposit on it.

How’s the D3 against the old B3?

The D3 is physically bigger in all areas. It's about 200kg heavier too. You don't feel that on the move mind you. Naturally the B3 is aurally more exciting. Performance wise, they're very similar, but the B3 is marginally quicker. I'm only a week in to the D3, but it's just a great place to sit and do some miles in.

It looks great. Enjoy.

[EBRANDON1]

BigR said:

This is a very timely 6+ year old thread. I've persuaded the good lady (that's my wife for the avoidance of doubt) that we should consider moving on from the SUV. I'm on my second Levante, both great, this one is the Trofeo and is very thirsty. She also won't really drive it as 'it's too big', so I've suggested we look at an estate - which she also found reason to be dismissive of, but I pointed out that there wasn't a lot of ground to be covered inbetween. Having trawled through many pages, I'm not sure that I have many original ideas, so I'm reaching out to the collective brain of PH.

Criteria:
- budget £50-90k
- upto 18mths old
- reasonable economy (starting with a 3!) - petrol / hybrid
- big enough for the odd Christmas tree and ferrying elderly parents around on occasion

I've narrowed it down to a 330 / 340 estate, possibly a 5-series estate (but she'll say its about 10cm longer so too big, most likely). Audi appear to have nothing between a wheezy A4 estate and an RS4, Merc estates look like a hearse these days... So show me the pics of what I should be buying fellow PHers!

• yes, I know this is diverting the thread, but surely no better place than when trying to find a decent estate!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401165595397

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024020161...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023120445...


OR.....
(this option requires two parts)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023070392...

&

https://gttowing.co.uk/product/ifor-williams-bv84g...

[WindyCommon]

dunc69 said:

C43 with factory Performance Exhaust.
Only had it a few weeks. Loving it and so good to be back into a small estate with some go! 385bhp.

Edited by dunc69 on Thursday 8th February 09:37

V nice! Unusual for a contemporary M-B not to feature ludicrous pumped-up body “styling” as preferred by S Manc drug dealers. Yours looks far from that; nicely understated.

[dunc69]

WindyCommon said:

dunc69 said:

C43 with factory Performance Exhaust.
Only had it a few weeks. Loving it and so good to be back into a small estate with some go! 385bhp.

Edited by dunc69 on Thursday 8th February 09:37

V nice! Unusual for a contemporary M-B not to feature ludicrous pumped-up body “styling” as preferred by S Manc drug dealers. Yours looks far from that; nicely understated.

Thanks, appreciate the thoughts! Yep, a touch Q. Doesn’t look too much.
Sounds epic though!

[Harry Flashman]

Suspicious_user said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

Instead of packing the car so well, you could (like many) have a half empty boot and a hideous enormous roof box that makes a lot of noise and zaps performance and economy

It’s bizarre how many people do this! Although I’ll probably be replacing the E43 with a SQ7. (As I want more space)

Heh. I used to frequent this thread, and replaced my CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake with an SQ7 and rightly exiled myself.

And I am off to Selva Val Gardena this morning. With a roofbox.

How the mighty have fallen.