£25k, 25k pa, What the hell do I buy?

[ScoobyChris]

My M140 is now over 4 years old and no issues at all (guaranteed to make it break now ).

Chris

[jjr1]

AndrewO said:

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

Send me a link instead

[Mouse Rat]

The Octavia VRS Tdi Estate is a practical choice. They are good cars, fun to drive and sure footed and you will average 50mpg like I did over 2 years ownership with mixed driving (50% motorway)
However it wasn't very exciting, and I don't miss it.

My colleague had the Alfa Gulia 2.0T 280. Sexy car, fantastic to drive, better than a 3 series and on par with an XE. Small ish inside and never registered over 30mpg.

330d is a great shout in estate form as others have said.

However, E350cdi coupes are great value at the moment. You can pick up a low mileage 66 plate with premium pack for late teens. Well built, reliable, solid and will return 45mpg. I'm averaging 42mpg so far and if you was to run a car for a while this would be my choice as these are much more interesting than most others mentioned. You will need to stick a towbar on for bike racks.

Also a MK7.5 Golf GTI would be fun and reasonably practice. I bike rack (halfords type) straps on well and doesn't effect MPG too much (unlike a saloon / coupe) due to the flat hatchback design.

Edited by Mouse Rat on Sunday 20th June 09:00

[Don Phil]

What about an electric car? Tesla model s might creep into budget.

Or some newer models with decent range might creep into budget too?

[D_T_W]

Sorry gents, been working all weekend

ZX10R NIN said:

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.

I've looked at and been in the Q70, it's a nice thing but doesn't float my boat. In saying that, nobody mentioned you could get a Q50 with 400bhp! https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093...

And I know I need to use the bike more, but I work 6.5 days a week and with lockdown and all the other crap that's happened it's just sat in the garage with a dust sheet over it. It also needs a new battery and probably a service, I will make time at the end of summer for it, I promise!

braddo said:

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.

I looked at them briefly but had written it off because it's Italian, an Alfa and those two things historically meant unreliability. Having not paid much attention to them I assume things have improved drastically?

Fusion777 said:

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.

I'm not too fussed about petrol or diesel, it was mainly from the viewpoint that if I'm keeping it long term petrol may be more socially acceptable in 5 years, and the resultant fuel costs would be kept lower than compared to a diesel. I love the 6cyl diesels that BMW make, it's just all the stuff around them that worries me!

drgoatboy said:

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.

Problem with the Type R is not many people do lots of miles in them, so getting a proper figure for running costs isn't easy when everybody seems to be doing 5k a year in them. I think it's probably one of the more expensive cars I've considered to run, and as much as I'd like one it's still something I have to consider

ahenners said:

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.

Forgive my ignorance, my ability to keep up with the BMW model numbers expired around the E34. Which one is the G31?

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

No, just no The only Porsche I'm ever buying is a GT2 RS, and that'll be with a lottery win!

AndrewO said:

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.

Got your PM, thank you, it'll be a few weeks before I get the chance to go looking at stuff as but if it's not sold I may well be in touch!

Mouse Rat said:

The Octavia VRS Tdi Estate is a practical choice. They are good cars, fun to drive and sure footed and you will average 50mpg like I did over 2 years ownership with mixed driving (50% motorway)
However it wasn't very exciting, and I don't miss it.

My colleague had the Alfa Gulia 2.0T 280. Sexy car, fantastic to drive, better than a 3 series and on par with an XE. Small ish inside and never registered over 30mpg.

330d is a great shout in estate form as others have said.

However, E350cdi coupes are great value at the moment. You can pick up a low mileage 66 plate with premium pack for late teens. Well built, reliable, solid and will return 45mpg. I'm averaging 42mpg so far and if you was to run a car for a while this would be my choice as these are much more interesting than most others mentioned. You will need to stick a towbar on for bike racks.

Also a MK7.5 Golf GTI would be fun and reasonably practice. I bike rack (halfords type) straps on well and doesn't effect MPG too much (unlike a saloon / coupe) due to the flat hatchback design.

If I was going for the Merc it would be the saloon, I never liked the look of the coupe and the newer shape estates I think lost some of the sharper lines from the previous model. It's still in the running though as despite the slightly old man image its a lovely looking thing and nice place to spend my time.

The only worry about the Golf is transmission, finding a non-DSG car with a decent spec is difficult

Don Phil said:

What about an electric car? Tesla model s might creep into budget.

Or some newer models with decent range might creep into budget too?

I've no means to charge an electric car. I live in a 2nd floor flat, and my workplace have already confirmed they don't plan on fitting chargers until they're forced into it so that's out the window I'm afraid

Edited by D_T_W on Monday 21st June 05:36

[actionslax]

What about a Volvo V60 2018 T6 POLESTAR AWD 2.0. Surely ticks a lot of the boxes. Ok fuel might be a small issue but fun factor, comfort, oomph, space, uniqueness all trump all these other options. I'd like one anyway.

Nice Volvo



0 - 60 mph: 4.5 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph
Engine power: 362 bhp
Engine torque: 347 lbs/ft

Pushing your budget a little.

Edited by actionslax on Monday 21st June 09:35

[ahenners]

OP - I won't quote the post as it was massive but G31 is the current shape 5 series estate from 2017 onwards. This was the example I referenced. May be possible to negotiate 2 years approved used warranty on it.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021061438...

[mat205125]

Used Macan diesel

[Masiv]

Lovely car and will be warranted till 100,000k/10 years. Lexus used approved, fantastic kit and the best aftercare in the market.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103220...

[Wagonwheel555]

Masiv said:

Lovely car and will be warranted till 100,000k/10 years. Lexus used approved, fantastic kit and the best aftercare in the market.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103220...

That is a weird dash they have going on.

The dials look modern but all the buttons on the console look like they are about 25 years old.

[james6546]

Giulia would be my choice tbh, they are lovely cars and reliability ranks as good if not better than other choices. The dealers can be hit and miss though.

I've had a couple of F31s in a row and I wouldn't rate them as a fun car. The 330d is an insanely capable do anything car, but fun it is not. That said I didn't have any issues with either of them in terms of reliability.

[boyse7en]

Reliability for executive cars aged up to five years old
Rank Make and model Score
1. Tesla Model 3 2019-on 99.4%
2. Skoda Superb petrol 2016-on 98.3%
3. Mazda 6 2013-on 98.0%
4. Vauxhall Insignia 2008-2017 97.8%
5. BMW 3 Series petrol 2012-2019 97.3%
6. Ford Mondeo 2014-on 97.0%
7. Kia Optima 2016-on 96.7%
8. Audi A3 Saloon 2013-2020 96.3%
9. Volvo V60 2013-on 95.1%
10. BMW 3 Series diesel 2012-2019 95.0%
11. Jaguar XE 2015-on 94.7%
12. BMW 3 Series 2019-on 94.4%
13. Audi A4 petrol 2015-on 93.5%
14. Alfa Romeo Giulia 2016-on 93.1%
15. Skoda Superb diesel 2016-on 93.0%
16. Volkswagen Passat 2015-on 92.1%
17. Audi A4 diesel 2015-on 89.8%

[TheAlastair34]

BMW 640D?

5 door one you will get bikes in if you want, quick enough and a nice place to spend time in

[Masiv]

boyse7en said:

Reliability for executive cars aged up to five years old
Rank Make and model Score
1. Tesla Model 3 2019-on 99.4%
2. Skoda Superb petrol 2016-on 98.3%
3. Mazda 6 2013-on 98.0%
4. Vauxhall Insignia 2008-2017 97.8%
5. BMW 3 Series petrol 2012-2019 97.3%
6. Ford Mondeo 2014-on 97.0%
7. Kia Optima 2016-on 96.7%
8. Audi A3 Saloon 2013-2020 96.3%
9. Volvo V60 2013-on 95.1%
10. BMW 3 Series diesel 2012-2019 95.0%
11. Jaguar XE 2015-on 94.7%
12. BMW 3 Series 2019-on 94.4%
13. Audi A4 petrol 2015-on 93.5%
14. Alfa Romeo Giulia 2016-on 93.1%
15. Skoda Superb diesel 2016-on 93.0%
16. Volkswagen Passat 2015-on 92.1%
17. Audi A4 diesel 2015-on 89.8%

Bloody hell, there are quite a few on that list which I wouldn't class as 'executive'.

[ZX10R NIN]

OP do you have something resembling a shortlist?

[D_T_W]

ZX10R NIN said:

OP do you have something resembling a shortlist?

Yup

D_T_W said:

I should add, my current list of candidates was this

Mercedes E350d
335D Touring
340i Touring
M140i
Golf R Estate
Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40
Skoda Octavia VRS 245 Estate
Skoda Superb 280 Estate
Hyundai I30 N Performance
Volvo S/V60 T5
Passat BiTDi Estate
Honda Civic Type R

Plus some random SUV/4x4 stuff that I probably wouldn't buy but Ive looked at anyway.

Though it's changed a little now

[Masiv]

Other than the Lexus, this would be my other choice. Kia Stinger 3.3 T-GDi GT S Great car with 3 to 4 years left on the warranty doing your mileage. I'd certainly look back at it when walking away. My personal favourite is the red. There are smaller petrol engines that give decent power, and even a diesel.

Red:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105243...

Yellow: https://www.motors.co.uk/car-59739326/?i=3&m=s...

Black: https://www.motors.co.uk/car-60045656/?i=2&m=s...


Red: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11705485

Red: https://www.theaa.com/used-cars/cardetails/73-6112...

[quinny100]

D_T_W said:

I really want an FK8 Civic Type R but the running costs make me wince for the mileage I do.

A colleague ran an FK2 doing a fair bit of business mileage and was always banging on about how cheap it was to run. Reckoned it would do 40MPG on a long run, dealer servicing at Honda was far cheaper than he was was used to paying at BMW, and Michelin tyres lasted reasonably well.

I thought it was a hateful thing for driving around for work personally - far too harsh and noisy - but each to their own.