New family do-it-all car - Estate or possibly SUV

[madmatteo]

A bit of background, I am currently on my 4th estate car since 2016.

It's a leased Peugeot 508 SW GT-Line (180hp petrol). It looks great and feels nice inside. Not had any issues with it plus it's been big enough for our needs. The issue, however, is that it replaced a Mercedes E350 estate which was privately owned and was sold when we needed an injection of cash for a business venture. As such, the drop in power and torque has been significant and I find myself just thinking of it as white goods - nothing wrong with it but nothing to excite a petrol head (save for maybe its looks). Also, prior to the E350, I had Leon Cupra Estate (300hp) and Golf R Estate. Both also more interesting than the 508.

All the cars save for the E350 have been on decent lease deals which, as many will know, simply don't exist right now. The 508 is due back in just a few months so I intend to purchase outright on a used basis again.

I've been thinking about budget and know that I could probably get a decent car for about £20k. However, I would really like to get into something more interesting that I can keep for a bit longer - say 3 to 5 years. So, I am willing to stretch this budget to mid to high £30s for the right car.

Mileage has dropped in recent years so fuel economy not a major concern and why I am now only considering petrol. Also, I'm still thinking estate but could potentially be persuaded into the right performance SUV since both would work for a young family (2 children under 6yrs).

Current working list is as follows:

1. Mercedes C63 Estate (W204) - Always wanted one since my dad had a saloon in around 2010. Maybe a bit old now though? A possible.
2. Mercedes C63 Estate (W205) - Possibly the top of my list right now. Within budget up to around 2018 model. Should probably test drive.
3. BMW 540i xdrive Touring - Similar to my old E350 in size but petrol and with well-liked B58 engine. Maybe not that interesting? Potentially considering still.
4. BMW M340i Touring - Seem to be just out of budget. Otherwise almost exactly what I am looking for.
4. BMW X3 M40i - Something different to another estate. Think they look and sound good. Within budget albeit seem to be marginally more expensive than 540i albeit may retain more value given preference for SUVs on used marked. Also considering.
5. Golf R Estate - Really liked my Golf R Estate. Did everything I needed even though it was a poverty lease spec. However, not sure I would feel the same second time around? Maybe want something different.
6. Leon Cupra ST R - Think these look great and know they would work fine as family car having had the non "R" version but would potentially be quite expensive with most still being £33k to £35k. Feels a lot of money for a Seat. A maybe still.
7. Mercedes E or C43 - Not as hardcore as C63 but may be easier to live with and slightly lower running costs. Would I regret not just going for the full C63 though?
8. Audi SQ5/Mercedes GLC43 AMG - Have considered since similar to X3 M40i but for some reason neither appeal as much as the BMW. No obvious reason why. Might consider further.
9. Skoda Superb 272/280 - Probably great all rounder but worried I would get bored with it. Not sure it's right even though it would work practically and cost wise.
10. Ford Focus ST Estate - Look good, good reviews. Manual only which may become annoying perhaps (I've been in autos only for years now). Good value though and probably fun to own and drive. Low cost overall but maybe steeper depreciation.
11. Audi S4 (B9) Estate - Look good but many low spec and still quite expensive. Works practically and cost wise but not sure all that excited by one.

I have also considered E63 Estate but W212 maybe too old now and W213 too expensive still. Also, thought about B8 RS4 since they look and sound great but concerned about some of their foibles and, thus, big repair bills which may frustrate the experience. So both discounted for now.

I know there have been a few similar posts recently but genuinely interested to hear about any real world experiences from those who may have been looking through a similar list of cars and those who have owned, or currently own, some of the cars mentioned above about what their experience has been like with them. Also, any alternative suggestions which I have not mentioned are welcome.

[edc]

Have you thought about a white goods car plus something more fun for yourself?

Or what about the Porsche Macan or Cayenne for your list.

[stevemcs]

Focus ST is available as an auto too.

[madmatteo]

edc said:

Have you thought about a white goods car plus something more fun for yourself?

Or what about the Porsche Macan or Cayenne for your list.

I think the wife would veto the 2 car idea so probably not worth the argument.

As for the Macan and Cayenne. Both look good but Macan might be a tad too small (I think it's smaller inside than an X3) and Cayenne just feels like it could throw some monster bills my way. Not based on any actual experience though, just my initial thoughts.

[madmatteo]

stevemcs said:

Focus ST is available as an auto too.

Fair point. That said, I don't think I have ever seen auto ST estate. If one comes up, could be worth considering.

[Jamescrs]

I'm currently looking at similar cars myself and one that has come up that you may want to consider is the Cupra Ateca, form my understanding it is the same engine as the Golf R but with the SUV shell, they seem to be well specced and I hink fly under the radar more than the Tiguan R

[Bobupndown]

Don't need to spend mid £30k for a car to last 5 years?
You mean you want to...

[madmatteo]

Bobupndown said:

Don't need to spend mid £30k for a car to last 5 years?
You mean you want to...

Agreed, but I don't think I said I "need" to spend £30k at all. Just that buying an "interesting" car of the estate and SUV form does tend to cost that much nowadays. I totally agree I could spend a lot less and I may well choose to do just that.

[madmatteo]

Jamescrs said:

I'm currently looking at similar cars myself and one that has come up that you may want to consider is the Cupra Ateca, form my understanding it is the same engine as the Golf R but with the SUV shell, they seem to be well specced and I hink fly under the radar more than the Tiguan R

I quite like these but think these are a bit small compared with others on my list. Not necessarily a deal breaker but something to bear in mind perhaps. May keep them on the search list.

Tiguan Rs are mostly around £40k and I don't want to go that high.

[RizzoTheRat]

If you're willing to consider a PHEV and could charge it at home, Volvo take a bit of a different approach to everyone else's economical hybrids and stick a 250bhp petrol in and then add a 100bhp electric motor as well. The Polestar spec ones get quite a bit more power too.

[PushedDover]

All the car you ever need.
Audi A6 Allroad BiTDI

Something like: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302134...

[GreatGranny]

S6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302204...

V60 Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301263...

V90 Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303034...

XF

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303014...

Cayenne

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

Stelvio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303044...

E43

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

For me it would be either the S6 or E43 but I'd want a decent warranty on both.

[What The Deuces]

PushedDover said:

All the car you ever need.
Audi A6 Allroad BiTDI

Something like: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302134...

A 10 year old version of one of the worlds most unreliable cars.......


Best of luck lol


I'd just Buy another E350 Wagon and enjoy your money

[madmatteo]

What The Deuces said:

A 10 year old version of one of the worlds most unreliable cars.......


Best of luck lol


I'd just Buy another E350 Wagon and enjoy your money

If I was still doing the miles, I wouldn't think twice. It was a great car and is also the reason the E43 is in the list as well. Just not sure I need to go quite as big as an E this time since we are now out of the buggy stage with children so a C estate may suffice - maybe.

[madmatteo]

GreatGranny said:

S6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302204...

V60 Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301263...

V90 Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303034...

XF

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303014...

Cayenne

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

Stelvio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303044...

E43

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...

For me it would be either the S6 or E43 but I'd want a decent warranty on both.

Thank you for these. I've seen that S6 and it looks great in that colour. Just makes me a little hesitant for some reason though and I'm more drawn to the E43 out of your main suggestions. Will keep an eye out for a good one of those I think.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want something special then in my book that means a V8, now my first pick is a peach BUT it's at the very top of your budget & a stretch

CLS63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209260...

More sensibly priced one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302064...

5.5TT E63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...

The 5.5TT drivetrains are beasts but I do enjoy the N/A 6.2 more so I'm going to suggest the 6.2 C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

[madmatteo]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want something special then in my book that means a V8, now my first pick is a peach BUT it's at the very top of your budget & a stretch

CLS63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209260...

More sensibly priced one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302064...

5.5TT E63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...

The 5.5TT drivetrains are beasts but I do enjoy the N/A 6.2 more so I'm going to suggest the 6.2 C63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207087...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...

Thank you for this list.

Nice choices. Most already on my watch list. The CLS 63 is an interesting one though. That Edition 1 looks lovely.

Do you not rate the W205?

[nobrakes]

One of the class estates.

Yes, you’ve finished with buggies etc, but will soon start sports kit bags, bikes etc. sure, the C class etc will do, but the E will be much more comfortable for it.

I expect the E43 might be a bit cheaper to run than a 63, but the 63 might be better in the depreciation stakes so overall there may not be anything in it.

(I have no experience of any of those listed!)

[PushedDover]

What The Deuces said:

PushedDover said:

All the car you ever need.
Audi A6 Allroad BiTDI

Something like: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302134...

A 10 year old version of one of the worlds most unreliable cars.......


Best of luck lol


I'd just Buy another E350 Wagon and enjoy your money

t'was the 4wd, and raising suspension that helps it cross over to the OP's threadtitle of 'SUV'.

Also a thought OP, is 'the car of choice' compatible with a tow bar installation ?
Useful options for the future - bike racks if nothing else.

[madmatteo]

PushedDover said:

t'was the 4wd, and raising suspension that helps it cross over to the OP's threadtitle of 'SUV'.

Also a thought OP, is 'the car of choice' compatible with a tow bar installation ?
Useful options for the future - bike racks if nothing else.

Fair point albeit I have been putting bikes on the roof in recent years which seems to work fine. Perhaps worth considering with this next car though.