RE: The best fast estates to buy in 2020

[james_zy]

As others have mentioned, I think a 3 or 5 estate at around £10-£15k is quite appealing.

Diesel yes, but the 530d estate is an incredibly well rounded option. The 330d (and 335d) also, and if you must have petrol then the 535i (rare), 335i (less rare) or NA versions are great options!

Edit: not sure if others agree, but the issue with the B7 RS4 for me would be the range. With an average mpg in the high teens combined with a fuel tank at 63l, you will struggle to get over 250 miles which is irritating for a family car (perfectly acceptable for a weekender).

Edited by james_zy on Thursday 1st October 11:05

[James-m5qjf]

Whenever I see the C63 I’m a little bit sad I went for a 340i Touring instead, but then I remind myself of the mpg and calm down.

[bilo999]

kritter86 said:

Got a lot of love for this!

Thanks... just added another pic... wish I was good at taking them !

Thing about a GTA is they just sound so great...

[Iamnotkloot]

Always fancied the Audi B7 RS4, estate or saloon. Put off by costs and coking issues so went M5 and VANOS issues instead! Lovely looking thing, though.

[cerb4.5lee]

I like that list.

There are so many cars on that list that I'd be really happy with.

[DeWar]

I’ve had to make this decision over the past few months and it’s a B3 for me.

[AMGSee55]

dukebox9reg said:

Yeah, id change a few.

Sub 2500 Id still be leaning more towards a classic Volvo or even more left field a V6 Laguna with only 88k on the clock for £2300

5k, only issue with Legacy 3.0R are most are auto and really saps the performance so id probs get an A4 with a V6 or 2.0 turbo

10k, Focus looks a bit meh to me and the interior is naff, so id go left field again 159 1.8 TBi

15k id get a S4 13 plate with 70k on the clock

25k Youd be looking at a very nice range of Cupras and Gold R's. but probs go for a V60 Polestar (the 6 cylinder one)

35k I think, Id buy any of the above and spend the change on something fun.......

Agree re the Legacy's gearbox - I've only ever been a passenger in one (a manual) so cannot comment on the driving experience, but the howl from that Flat-6 was worth the admission price alone!

[benzinbob]

I actually think I’d have the Ford Focus in stealth grey

[MC Bodge]

Estate first, big boot, tow bar and roof rails,. Performance secondary.

Warm/Fast-ish(by modern standards) , with good ride quality and cross country handling.

Uber estates with monster bhp and terrible fuel consumption in the UK in 2020. Meh....

[Supersaloons]

likesachange said:

Mental not to include one of the fastest cars have produced never mind an estate - 335d > than all

+1 can't think of a replacement for my good old chipped E91 335d, packs the four of us + 2 dogs, fantastic steer, immense torque, 360hp, revs to 5.000rpm and still blows my other cars out of the water.... and that for (now) 10k ;-)

[james_zy]

DeWar said:

I’ve had to make this decision over the past few months and it’s a B3 for me.

That’s rather lovely isn’t it

[anonymous-user]

I’d love to see a garage try to change the “bound to be worn out” timing belt on a Focus ST of that age, given it’s chain driven.

[Fastdruid]

No mention of the Mondeo 2.5T?

Glorious 5 pot as shared with the Focus ST.

0-60 time in the low to mid 7s and while softer than ideal to properly press on handles very well indeed for a big FWD car....even while loaded to the gunnels with family and a full boot!

It is amusingly quick, particularly on the motorway out of roadworks when you almost inevitably have a TDI of some sort glued to your bumper for having the temerity to stick to the limit.

Unlike the Focus ST it can actually tow as well (and is quicker than the Focus STd...and Golf GTD etc).



Not to mention that it is significantly better on fuel than the Legacy (and cheaper on tax too) etc.

[Leins]

Alpina really should be on this list somewhere. E36 B8 4.6 for me please

GT3hopeful said:

No Volvos?

Yep, at the lower end would be an 850 T5-R with 7-seat option and a good tyre budget


I don’t use mine daily, but I went B5 RS4 instead of B7, but really you’re on a winner if you get a good one of either I think. Few known issues, but great build quality and rust prevention compared to some of the other German manufacturers

[ChrisCh86]

Surely the Skoda Superb 280/272 estate should be on the list?

I'm biased as I bought one second hand this year (based on the positive feedback from the PH articles).

Powertrain from the Golf R means it's fast, but loads more space and more of a Q-car. Also cheaper to insure than the Golf by a considerable margin.

[Kawasicki]

parabolica said:

GT3hopeful said:

No Volvos?

That's what I was thinking; the new V60/90 T8 Hybrid is a rapid piece of kit.

Rapid? I thought all new Volvo’s were speed limited.

[MC Bodge]

Kawasicki said:

parabolica said:

GT3hopeful said:

No Volvos?

That's what I was thinking; the new V60/90 T8 Hybrid is a rapid piece of kit.

Rapid? I thought all new Volvo’s were speed limited.

How much time do UK cars spend above 112mph in 2020?

[ddom]

DeWar said:

I’ve had to make this decision over the past few months and it’s a B3 for me.

Brilliant cars, lovely colour that one

[Hawmaws]

DeWar said:

I’ve had to make this decision over the past few months and it’s a B3 for me.

Me too

[3yardy3]

Ford Focus ST Estate "it was an absolute hooligan, capable of turning even middle-aged custodians into wheelspinning, oversteering maniacs."

Erm... It really wasn't... fairly quick and fairly practical.