Budget motorway cruiser under £3k
Discussion
Hi,
My journey each week is around 1200 miles p/m, all motorways. I'm after a comfy, reliable motorway cruiser that's good on fuel.
I'e considered Audi A3 TDI or BMW e90 320D, but worried that my budget of £3k is going to get a high miler with problems.
Any advice on what you would get for this low budget in mind? I'd love an Alfa GT or 159ti, but again examples at under £3k will more than likely have problems down the line.
My journey each week is around 1200 miles p/m, all motorways. I'm after a comfy, reliable motorway cruiser that's good on fuel.
I'e considered Audi A3 TDI or BMW e90 320D, but worried that my budget of £3k is going to get a high miler with problems.
Any advice on what you would get for this low budget in mind? I'd love an Alfa GT or 159ti, but again examples at under £3k will more than likely have problems down the line.
I'd say go for a Mercedes CLK270cdi I had one sold it with 170k on the clock I added 120k of those miles it doesn't have a DPF to worry about it will see low to mid 40's install a K&N Panel filter as well as a map on one & that will see you with not only more go but also better mpg.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
or if you need four doors:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
or if you need four doors:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Do not buy a 4 cylinder diesel BMW from after Spring 2006 when the N47 was introduced, without reading up on the potential for / likelihood of catastrophic engine failure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpQIi7gI_U&t=...
The previous engine, the M47, is strong and has no DPF either. A £3000 budget would buy you a good M47 engined 320d.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpQIi7gI_U&t=...
The previous engine, the M47, is strong and has no DPF either. A £3000 budget would buy you a good M47 engined 320d.
Not convinced the A3 fits the bill as a great motorway cruiser and the BMW will probably be a bag of bolts at that price. They're not actually that great at comfort either unless have millions of options.
You're probably better off with something which has no image so you'll get newer / lower miles for your money.
Maybe something along the lines of:
Any old VAG car using the old 1.9TDI lump - Skoda Octavia/Superb etc. Avoid 2.0TDI.
Petrol Avensis, Mazda 6 or maybe Accord (all reliable, comfortable and not bad on fuel).
Citroen C5 (criminally underrated car which is a fabulous motorway tool)
Mondeo Mk 4 in Titanium X Spec (big, comfy, good toys).
Some sort of Volvo with D5 lump with leather and top spec stereo.
Renault Laguna (*)
etc.
(*) Yes, I know some will think me mad for suggesting this but the 2008 on model is very well built, reliable as anything else, comfy and well equipped and can be had for the price of a bag of chips.
You're probably better off with something which has no image so you'll get newer / lower miles for your money.
Maybe something along the lines of:
Any old VAG car using the old 1.9TDI lump - Skoda Octavia/Superb etc. Avoid 2.0TDI.
Petrol Avensis, Mazda 6 or maybe Accord (all reliable, comfortable and not bad on fuel).
Citroen C5 (criminally underrated car which is a fabulous motorway tool)
Mondeo Mk 4 in Titanium X Spec (big, comfy, good toys).
Some sort of Volvo with D5 lump with leather and top spec stereo.
Renault Laguna (*)
etc.
(*) Yes, I know some will think me mad for suggesting this but the 2008 on model is very well built, reliable as anything else, comfy and well equipped and can be had for the price of a bag of chips.
confused_buyer said:
Renault Laguna (*)
etc.
(*) Yes, I know some will think me mad for suggesting this but the 2008 on model is very well built, reliable as anything else, comfy and well equipped and can be had for the price of a bag of chips.
I was going to say this. Coupe even looks good too. I had the 3.0 v6 diesel coupe and was immense on the motorway although a Tad thirstyetc.
(*) Yes, I know some will think me mad for suggesting this but the 2008 on model is very well built, reliable as anything else, comfy and well equipped and can be had for the price of a bag of chips.
confused_buyer said:
Not convinced the A3 fits the bill as a great motorway cruiser and the BMW will probably be a bag of bolts at that price. They're not actually that great at comfort either unless have millions of options.
You're probably better off with something which has no image so you'll get newer / lower miles for your money.
Maybe something along the lines of:
Some sort of Volvo with D5 lump with leather and top spec stereo.
Edited for conciseness. Either S80 or S60-shaped is the answer.You're probably better off with something which has no image so you'll get newer / lower miles for your money.
Maybe something along the lines of:
Some sort of Volvo with D5 lump with leather and top spec stereo.
drgoatboy said:
confused_buyer said:
Renault Laguna (*)
etc.
(*) Yes, I know some will think me mad for suggesting this but the 2008 on model is very well built, reliable as anything else, comfy and well equipped and can be had for the price of a bag of chips.
I was going to say this. Coupe even looks good too. I had the 3.0 v6 diesel coupe and was immense on the motorway although a Tad thirstyetc.
(*) Yes, I know some will think me mad for suggesting this but the 2008 on model is very well built, reliable as anything else, comfy and well equipped and can be had for the price of a bag of chips.
I think a Volvo S60 D5 is the answer to the OP's quest.
Clivey said:
You'll probably turn your nose up but...Rover 75 (or MG ZT) with the 2.0 CDTI (BMW) engine. For £3k, you can get a top-spec one with less than 70k on the clock...which is much less likely to give you problems than a 120k mile Audi / BMW / Merc.
Indeed. This looks lovely:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
confused_buyer said:
Not convinced the A3 fits the bill as a great motorway cruiser s.
I used an a3 for my 100 mile commute. Was perfectly fine. However I rushed into buying it as I needed a car ASAP. Reading about things now I would possibly go for something a bit bigger (or something not as boring) But it did the job got it at 68k just ticked over 100k and it still drives exactly the same. Some say that there is nothing more comfortable for jogging up the motorway than a big Citroen, magic carpet ride and all that.
~
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
~
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
My GT jtdm for £1550 has been gleaming. 55-60mpg at ~70mph all day long, no issues to report with it so far. A much nicer interior will be difficult to find for the money too, seats are superb. My only complaint is that the clutch is quite heavy, but if like me you're not doing much town driving that's soon forgotten. Something to turn around and gaze at when you walk away too, much more so than an A3 or BMW.
But I'll also vouch for the VAG 1.9TDI engine, and also the 1.6TDI which was pretty much bob on in every car I've experienced it in before.
But I'll also vouch for the VAG 1.9TDI engine, and also the 1.6TDI which was pretty much bob on in every car I've experienced it in before.
Edited by CanoeSniffer on Wednesday 24th January 03:36
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