£25k, 25k pa, What the hell do I buy?

[fflump]

My F-series 330d was a fast competent, did 60 mpg on a long run, and I'd imagine you could stretch to a G series by now.
That said, it was a bit dull so I got a Ghibli V6S that does 25 mpg-not an option for you obv.

In your shoes I'd ditch the fun requirement as you have bike and go for what is a pleasant place to spend large amounts of your life in.

To my eyes the E-Class has the most special interior. The E400d would be perfect but I think they are nearer 30k than 25k so the 350d a good compromise.

[Fusion777]

5-Series Touring is a better option than the equivalent 3-Series. Much better interiors, more comfortable, more space, yet the running costs are similar.

[smashy]

Re Bmw's breaking down surely its all about luck (apart from the N47 timing chain debacle of course.).....I do 25k a year in my now from new nearly 7 year old 330d and all I have had done is the green light on the auto gearstick and that's it.

[Captain Smerc]

stevemcs said:

How about something french ?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106103...

Or something Japanese - Subaru even put manufacturers warranties on these with 100k on the clock

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201908211...

That Peugeot is a handsome thing & the interior is magnifique!

[sevensfun]

Is it worth keeping away from diesels given all the hate for them killing the planet and city centre restrictions ?

[braddo]

Surprised no-one has mentioned an Alfa Giulia. Something different from the Germans and a benchmark for handling aren’t they?

I would be looking at a petrol one and have some roof bars for the bikes.

Don’t see the point of an estate or SUV until kids are on the horizon…

[ZX10R NIN]

MiniMan64 said:

MiniMan64 said:

I’ll suggest a big Skoda diesel estate and ZX will be along shortly to suggest either a Mondeo or something Korean.

Better late than never

Sorry for my lateness in this case I'd go for the Infiniti.

[ZX10R NIN]

PH User said:

D_T_W said:

I have a motorbike if I want to go crazy, and I'm not running two cars. I don't have a garage to keep a second car in, I just need one that'll do everything

One car that will do everything doesn't exist IMO, but you have your motorbike for fun so I guess that will help.

Missed the no two cars part OP, in which case go for the Q70 Sport as it'll do your mileage with ease & cost you around 16k.

[D_T_W]

MiniMan64 said:

Better late than never

I did chuckle

PH User said:

One car that will do everything doesn't exist IMO, but you have your motorbike for fun so I guess that will help.

I've been bouncing back and forth between that since I started looking, then I realised I haven't used my bike in nearly 2 years hence the hoping for fun and frugal idea

fflump said:

My F-series 330d was a fast competent, did 60 mpg on a long run, and I'd imagine you could stretch to a G series by now.
That said, it was a bit dull so I got a Ghibli V6S that does 25 mpg-not an option for you obv.

In your shoes I'd ditch the fun requirement as you have bike and go for what is a pleasant place to spend large amounts of your life in.

To my eyes the E-Class has the most special interior. The E400d would be perfect but I think they are nearer 30k than 25k so the 350d a good compromise.

I've kinda already realised the fun part of what I'm looking for is harder to find. I love the E class shape and having been in a couple (admittedly as taxi's) they do seem a very nice space to spend time

Fusion777 said:

5-Series Touring is a better option than the equivalent 3-Series. Much better interiors, more comfortable, more space, yet the running costs are similar.

Have you tried finding one? A 540i Touring in a good spec for my budget appears to be a pipe dream

sevensfun said:

Is it worth keeping away from diesels given all the hate for them killing the planet and city centre restrictions ?

This is why I was looking at petrol's as well as diesels, given I'd like to keep it a while it's a concern for the future


I already know the best purchase is an Octavia VRS, it'll do everything I want perfectly well, it'll probably be reliable but will it make me look back at it in a car park? Probably not. I really want an FK8 Civic Type R but the running costs make me wince for the mileage I do.

Having run cheapish sheds for the last few years I had kinda drifted away from the whole car market for a while, and there's just such a baffling amount of stuff out there that I was struggling to even figure out where to begin

[stevemcs]

Lifes to short to worry about mpg, lets say over 3 years it costs you an extra £750 a year to run the Honda over the VRS, given what COVID has taught us why not buy something you want rather than whats a compromise in the VRS which will be very dull in comparison. I think what you want doesn't exist.

[BDKM]

D_T_W said:

BDKM said:

Forester XT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...

RAV 4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

Edge

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106043...

Still lacking the fun part, appreciate they're good cars but not for me

OPC100 said:

Lexus RC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106013...

And one of these.

https://www.tweekscycles.com/uk/seasucker-mini-bom...

Good reliability, it will last and if you get Premier spec, you get the Mark Levinson stereo too.

I was parked next to a blue one with the white interior, it's a lovely thing to look at in the flesh but what are they like to drive?

Belle427 said:

330/335d Touring is hard to beat.

I know, it's the most obvious solution

You should go and test drive a Forester turbo it's at 237 stock a remap can easy get it up to 280-ish as the JDM models with the same engine run that......I think you'll be surprised

Another option

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

SKODA Superb 2018 2.0 TSI 280 Sport Line 4X4 5dr DSG


Volkswagen Golf 2018 R TSI DSG 2.0 5dr 306PS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106183...



BMW 3 Series 2018 330d xDrive M Sport Shadow Edition https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106013...



And probs the most fun car in this thread:

Honda Civic 2018 2.0 VTEC TYPE R GT 5d 316 BHP https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106073...




BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 2018 3.0 435d M Sport Gran Coupe Auto xDrive https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104131...

But you can't beat the Forester for space + fun..... lower the rear seats and you can put 3 bikes in there no problem

Edited by BDKM on Saturday 19th June 16:15

[ZX10R NIN]

D_T_W said:

MiniMan64 said:

Better late than never

I did chuckle

I already know the best purchase is an Octavia VRS, it'll do everything I want perfectly well, it'll probably be reliable but will it make me look back at it in a car park? Probably not. I really want an FK8 Civic Type R but the running costs make me wince for the mileage I do.

Having run cheapish sheds for the last few years I had kinda drifted away from the whole car market for a while, and there's just such a baffling amount of stuff out there that I was struggling to even figure out where to begin

Go & look at the Infiniti Q50/70 the reliability is a given & interior wise is a step above a Mondeo/VRS/Superb & start using your motorbike!!!!

& you get to keep 10k in your pocket.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 19th June 16:56

[braddo]

2017
14k miles
0-60 in 5.7secs
40+ mpg capable
£20k

Might make you want to turn around as you walk away from it



https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11585801

Alfa do their own roof bars to suit too.

[Fusion777]

I'd be going 530/535d over the 540i, but it depends how much of a preference for petrol you have. There are quite a few of the diesels around.

£24k for the 2018 330d posted just seems a lot for a 3 year old 3-series with that interior. That particular one doesn't even have the Pro Nav.

[smashy]

That Alfa above ..nailed on !! ......Never seen a bad review.Because of londons new ULEZ my 330d euro 5 has to go and like the op I do 25k a year. and for me a new bmw 128ti on pcp or a £20k car 3 /4 years old £7k for mine plus £7k cash and I years finance then all paid off , the sensible decision but would I be buying a lemon...by the way no city seems to have a downer on Euro 6 diesels.

I just wish my have to option was not a sun roof really limits my options.

Edited by smashy on Saturday 19th June 19:09

[drgoatboy]

Civic type r for sure. Running costs won't be too crazy and better mpg than an i30n.

However I would personally drop the budget a but spend £15k and get the best vrs you can get. Or maybe a golf GTi. In 100k miles time its not going to be worth much and the difference between 3 and 5 year old cars is pretty slim nowadays... Save yourself £10k in depreciation and keep it for when you don't need to drive as. Much.

[ahenners]

G31 530d Touring. Lovely place to cover that mileage, cracking engine which is frugal but fast. There is an approved used 2017 at a BMW dealer in Leeds for £25k.

[MDL111]

A Cayman with a rood rack and borrow a car the few times a year that you need nore than 2 seats?
A 987 Gen 2 should be reliable - manual and pdk available depending on your preference

[braddo]

MDL111 said:

A Cayman with a rood rack and borrow a car the few times a year that you need nore than 2 seats?
A 987 Gen 2 should be reliable - manual and pdk available depending on your preference

5-series estate, or porsche sports car.

OP - you have plenty of time to get old. Later in life, one of the above cars might become quite a bit harder to justify owning, so make hay while the sun shines.

[AndrewO]

330d Msport Shadow Edition Estate.....will send you a link if its allowed .

Mine is 67 plate, before BMW changed things on emissions 2018 so its a euro6 but doesn't have the adblue.

Edited by AndrewO on Saturday 19th June 22:13