Best estate car for 5-7k?

[Cwgt93]

I've had a search of the forums and found similar topics, but nothing in the last few years. It would be good to get present day opinions, especially with the direction car manufacturing is headed.

I'm after an estate, diesel preferably. Not sure it's the best idea though. Can see them being taxed off the roads in the next 5 years or so? Petrol would be fine also.

No preference on auto or manual.

Must be north of 250bhp mark with or without a remap. Quicker the better!

Currently I'm looking at BMW 530D/330D M Sport touring's, 07-10 plate era. They seem to have a good balance of comfort and power, and respond well to mapping from a quick Google.

Considered cars such as Chrysler 300C, Volvo V70 D5/T5/R, Alfa 159 estates, Subaru Legacy/Outback, Mondeo, Accord, Skoda... Nothing stands out really.

Not a fan of Audi.

I'm a Saab man so they're an option. 9-3 Turbo X estate would be nice if I could find one, bit more money admittedly.

Currently driving car number 19 for me which is a 2007 Saab 9-5 dealer supplied Hirsch edition.

Can't fault it, just feel I'll need more room with child number 2 on the horizon!

Any comments appreciated

Edited by Cwgt93 on Tuesday 3rd August 11:39

[SlowV6]

There is a similar thread to this currently running that might interest you.

LCI M57 engined 530D would be my pick with a bit of a slush fund for replacing thermostats, glow plug controller and also blanking the swirl flaps off. I believe the 5 series have air suspension at the rear. I am unsure how often or expensive it is to deal with that. The really late ones also got the newer 7-button iDrive if you keep your eyes peeled.

TBH a Mondeo Mk4.5 Titanium X 2.0TDCi does everything an E61 does, except meet the performance criteria and you would get a newer car for less money. That's what I plumped for recently. It does lack the shove of our E91 330D, but in every other way the Ford is a better family car. Appreciate a Mondeo can't be the answer to every "What £5k estate" thread of course.

[Cwgt93]

SlowV6 said:

There is a similar thread to this currently running that might interest you.

LCI M57 engined 530D would be my pick with a bit of a slush fund for replacing thermostats, glow plug controller and also blanking the swirl flaps off. I believe the 5 series have air suspension at the rear. I am unsure how often or expensive it is to deal with that. The really late ones also got the newer 7-button iDrive if you keep your eyes peeled.

TBH a Mondeo Mk4.5 Titanium X 2.0TDCi does everything an E61 does, except meet the performance criteria and you would get a newer car for less money. That's what I plumped for recently. It does lack the shove of our E91 330D, but in every other way the Ford is a better family car. Appreciate a Mondeo can't be the answer to every "What £5k estate" thread of course.

Cheers, not sure how I missed that!

I'll have to look into BMW's more. I'm well clued up on most other brands, but never really had to look into the specifics of BMW. iDrive sounds interesting too.

Mondeo is always a safe bet. I had an ST220 last year, brilliant car.

At 28 I don't think I can stomach having a Diesel Mondeo on my drive just yet

Legnum VR4 or a Stagea would be nice too!

[Ian Geary]

Cwgt93 said:

Currently I'm looking at BMW 530D/330D M Sport touring's, 07-10 plate era.

Currently driving car number 19 for me which is a 2007 Saab 9-5 dealer supplied Hirsch edition.

Can't fault it, just feel I'll need more room with child number 2 on the horizon!

Any comments appreciated

Edited by Cwgt93 on Tuesday 3rd August 11:39

I drive a 59 plate 5 series touring. Space wise, I doubt you'll see any improvement on the 9-5, and will probably have less space in the boot. It's smaller capacity wise than a similar era Mondeo estate or insignia estate too.

But is refined /quiet etc.

Ian

[Ntv]

Maybe an E Class?

They are massive and well made.

Not much to be said against them tbh.

[otolith]

Ntv said:

Maybe an E Class?

They are massive and well made.

They are.

Ntv said:

Not much to be said against them tbh.

Apart from them not being that reliable and being expensive to fix.

[Cwgt93]

Want this!

Shame about the mileage though. Potential problems.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072955...

Or these...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021070145...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072353...

[SlowV6]

Cwgt93 said:

Want this!

Shame about the mileage though. Potential problems.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072955...

Or these...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021070145...


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072353...

143K is nothing to worry about on an M57 assuming it is serviced properly and some/all of the things mentioned previously have been attended to. The 335i I suspect will cost more to keep running. Personally, the fact both of those have been modded would put me off. But then I am 48 not 28!

Going back to your original post you stated this about your 9-5: "Can't fault it, just feel I'll need more room with child number 2 on the horizon!"

We have an E91 and they are pathetic inside, like a reverse tardis. Great to drive but quite rubbish as a family do-it-all lugger. If you have a 9-5 already and have a 2nd child on the way an E91 is not the right purchase. To be honest, I would keep the Saab in your situation. Is it a manual Aero estate?

One other consideration, starting to appear right at the top of your budget, would be an 530D F11. (N57 engine).

[ZX10R NIN]

If you feel you need more room than a Saab 9-5 has to offer then forget the 3 series/C Class/9-3 etc as they won't have enough room.

E350cdi Sport 265 quick spacious & a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108025...

2.0T Mondeo Titanium X Sport 240 quick nice steer & nice inside:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106153...

Stretch the budget/haggle hard & a Insignia VXR 320 would tick every box:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

The 508 SW GT 204 is another nice smart swift car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...

3.6 Skoda Superb 260

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...

530d M Sport 235 good cars but I'd take the E Class everytime:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010215...

[ninjag]

Cwgt93 said:

I've had a search of the forums and found similar topics, but nothing in the last few years. It would be good to get present day opinions, especially with the direction car manufacturing is headed.

I'm after an estate, diesel preferably. Not sure it's the best idea though. Can see them being taxed off the roads in the next 5 years or so? Petrol would be fine also.

No preference on auto or manual.

Must be north of 250bhp mark with or without a remap. Quicker the better!

Currently I'm looking at BMW 530D/330D M Sport touring's, 07-10 plate era. They seem to have a good balance of comfort and power, and respond well to mapping from a quick Google.

Considered cars such as Chrysler 300C, Volvo V70 D5/T5/R, Alfa 159 estates, Subaru Legacy/Outback, Mondeo, Accord, Skoda... Nothing stands out really.

Not a fan of Audi.

I'm a Saab man so they're an option. 9-3 Turbo X estate would be nice if I could find one, bit more money admittedly.

Currently driving car number 19 for me which is a 2007 Saab 9-5 dealer supplied Hirsch edition.

Can't fault it, just feel I'll need more room with child number 2 on the horizon!

Any comments appreciated

Edited by Cwgt93 on Tuesday 3rd August 11:39

Jaguar XF Sportbrake x250 3.0 V6 diesel 'S', so long as it's been well looked after it should be fairly reliable and parts are reasonably priced. Good power, excellent handling (rear air suspension for heavy load handling) and massive boot. Meridian Surround is an excellent sound system as well.

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

[Cwgt93]

Cheers for the replies so far. Should have been more specific apologies, my current Saab is a saloon

[SlowV6]

Cwgt93 said:

Cheers for the replies so far. Should have been more specific apologies, my current Saab is a saloon

I also had a 9-5 Aero saloon and the boot in that was still better than our E91 99.9% of the time except on rare occasions where the tailgate opening plus seats down (e.g. for a MTB) would win. Interior space also better in the 9-5. ZX10RNIN is right. E91s and similar are not going to give you the space you want.

I was a tight ar5e recently so spent £4.5K on the Mondeo TitX estate to replace our dead CMax. The Mondeo is a 62 plate and has optional leather, SatNav and reversing camera along with standard heated & cooled seats and xenons. It really a great car, very well equipped, quiet, comfy good to drive and massive - so the perfect family car for not much money. BUT, I still can't stop looking at E350CDis on AutoTrader. If a decent one pops up locally at £7.5k I would be tempted to swap. I think it is the big diesel + auto box effortlessness of our 330d I miss when driving the Ford.

W212s are that bit more modern than E61s for not any more money (particularly 535ds). So even though I oddly failed to suggest them earlier I think that would be my pick. Deffo keep a slush fund ready though. You have to pay more to travel 1st class and all that...

[Cwgt93]

E46 or E90 330D are on the cards I think. Reliably informed the E90 doesn't suffer from timing chain issues a later model possibly would. Now to do a bit more reading find out what on earth LCI means

[clockworks]

Cwgt93 said:

E46 or E90 330D are on the cards I think. Reliably informed the E90 doesn't suffer from timing chain issues a later model possibly would. Now to do a bit more reading find out what on earth LCI means

LCI = Life Cycle Impulse.

In other words - facelift

[Cwgt93]

clockworks said:

Cwgt93 said:

E46 or E90 330D are on the cards I think. Reliably informed the E90 doesn't suffer from timing chain issues a later model possibly would. Now to do a bit more reading find out what on earth LCI means

LCI = Life Cycle Impulse.

In other words - facelift

Cheers

[ZX10R NIN]

If the 330d is on the cards then I'd be looking for a C350 or if you actually want to waft then the E350 is the pick.

C350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107185...

E350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

[Cwgt93]

ZX10R NIN said:

If the 330d is on the cards then I'd be looking for a C350 or if you actually want to waft then the E350 is the pick.

C350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107185...

E350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

Cheers, not considered those. Would possibly fit the bill in estate form. What would make you pick these over the BMW's out of interest?

[ZX10R NIN]

Cwgt93 said:

Cheers, not considered those. Would possibly fit the bill in estate form. What would make you pick these over the BMW's out of interest?

The BMW's will be the better steers if that's a priority then maybe they're the car for you, for me the Mercedes are effortless BMW's for me feel more busy, the Mercedes also have the nicer ride & interior.

Both are good reliability wise but the Mercedes will have less issues in the long run & I think they look better but that's subjective.

The E Class is the pick it's a clear step up in quality from the C Class & from what you say the C Class will be to small.

[georgeyboy12345]

If you are planning on remapping old leggy diesels that already have a load of torque, it might be an idea to go for torque converter autos to save them lunching the clutch/flywheel.

Can't believe nobody has posted this lovely low mileage 2.4 5-pot Alfa 159 Sportwagon yet - you can get 240 bhp with a stage 1 remap, 260 with the DPF removed
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107285...


Another 5 pot in the form of a V50 D5 with not too many miles on it. A remap will get you to 260 bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...


Mercedes C250 CDI with FSH and you should see 250 bhp from a remap
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108025...

Not too keen on any other Germans, such as Audi A4 3.0 TDIs and BMW 330d's, they all seem a bit old/leggy/nasty at this price

[nobrakes]

2009 E320 cdi 87k miles £7k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...

Or one with 129k for a grand less

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106274...

Not as fast or modern as a 212 350, but a fraction cheaper to buy and run, lower miles, and as a last model of the series they have had most of the gremlins sorted.

Once rolling, they shift surprisingly ok for their size, but again can easily be mildly upgraded with well proven chips.