What "interesting" family car after an E39 530i?

[_Neal_]

Hi all

Yes, it's another "what car" thread.

I've currently got a E39 530i Sport - a lovely family car, but I fancy a change. Criteria as follows:

Budget: £3-7k (no higher)

Criteria:

- Practical - 4/5 doors, big boot and decent-sized interior
- Semi-decent fuel economy (30 ish mpg combined would be good)
- Would prefer petrol but would consider diesel
- Needs to have some toys and be comfy on a long journey - not bothered about nav but electric everything + climate would be good. Leather also good - easier to clean when 1 year-old makes mess.
- Doesn't have to be genuinely fast, but not dog slow either
- Decent to drive - composed, responsive and nice handling. Doesn't need to set my hair on fire though - I'll be keeping the Caterham.
- Reliable and relatively cheap to run
- Not that bothered about age/mileage but don't want a shed, as it needs to be used every day for the wife to commute in, so as "hassle free" as possible.
- Not an MPV

Cars I'm leaning towards are:

Octavia VRS Petrol (MK2)
Mondeo ST220 (5 door)
3-series (E46) touring - something like a 325i - concerned it may be a little small though.

Any thoughts on the above, especially compared to the E39? And have I missed anything out? I think the Focus, Leon, Golf etc will be too small, so looking at the next size up.

Thanks

Neal

[rob.kellock]

E60 5 series?

It's what I changed my E39 for 4 1/2 years ago and it's not gone wrong yet! Frankly, the best all round family/work car I have ever had.

[schmalex]

Lexus GS300 / 450h?

Merc C320?

Saab 9-3?

[74merc]

Subaru Legacy/Outback 3.0? Ok it won't do 30 mpg combined but it ticks all the other boxes.

[mattman]

How about a 9-5 estate in Aero form - nice spec, quite unusual on the road and fits majority of the requirements? On budget too

At least in silver the chrome headlight surrounds don't stand out as much as they do on darker colours.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-5-2-3T-auto-2008-...

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Have a mk2 Octavia now and had a Mondeo ST (TDCI though) before.

The Octavia is much better put together and solid feeling but there was something about that Mondeo that got under my skin - it was a great car. One of the only cars I've ever sold and missed. Not sure why as it didn't handle as well as the Octavia, didn't feel as solid and had a few 'features'. Can only imagine the same car with the 3.0 V6 would be lovely. If it wasn't for the fact the wife wants an auto next I'd be all over a last-off-the-line ST either in diesel or V6 form.

[80quattro]

I think you would be extremely disappointed with a Mondeo ST220, having said that I have only driven one, not owned one. An E39 5 series is vastly better, the Mondeo would be a definite step backwards.

I'm probably going to buy a 530i Sport manual next Spring if I sell my M535i.

[LayZ]

I'd rather have a nice 530i Sport than all the alternatives you mention. I'd venture that you have to spend a fair bit more to get a significantly better car than what you have.

[BigTom85]

LayZ said:

I'd rather have a nice 530i Sport than all the alternatives you mention. I'd venture that you have to spend a fair bit more to get a significantly better car than what you have.

I absolutely agree. I think you will regret the swap to be honest.

[_Neal_]

Thanks all, some interesting thoughts there. Lexus I hadn't thought of, but don't really like the styling or image. Saab and Merc a good call, as is an E60 (I do like how they drive) and Subaru an interesting leftfield choice - will do some research.

Definitely hard to top an E39, but I like to change cars regularly and there's been a few occasions recently where having fold-down rear seats/a hatch would have been really useful. I'm also looking at E39 Tourings!

[okie592]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...


Tops a e39. Electric everything, comfy as anything. Not the only one on AT under £7k either.

That or a jag xj

[_Neal_]

okie592 said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Tops a e39. Electric everything, comfy as anything. Not the only one on AT under £7k either.

That or a jag xj

Thanks, but as a daily commuter that's going to be too heavy on fuel, I think. Jag XJ doesn't have enough interior or boot space, and again is rather thirsty.

I'm liking the look of this though - it's near me too so may take a look

ebay 9-5

[Sir Fergie]

_Neal_ said:

Thanks all, some interesting thoughts there. Lexus I hadn't thought of, but don't really like the styling or image. Saab and Merc a good call, as is an E60 (I do like how they drive) and Subaru an interesting leftfield choice - will do some research.

Definitely hard to top an E39, but I like to change cars regularly and there's been a few occasions recently where having fold-down rear seats/a hatch would have been really useful. I'm also looking at E39 Tourings!

I know your not keen on Lexus - but id still try something like an LS 430 before ruling them out totally.

Okay handling probably isn't astonishing - but they are a genuine luxury car and a nice thing to waft around in - imo.

Should make a nice family car seeing as you have the Caterham.

Are you sure though that the Jaguar X350 doesn't have enough room though, Matt UK (I think) had a lovely one on readers cars sometime ago.

Better then any BMW surely

[CB2152]

A 9-5 Aero estate like that would be very good. Just saying. Not influenced by owning a saloon version at all

And if you want more speed, a software tweak will give 275 hp...

[_Neal_]

Sir Fergie said:

I know your not keen on Lexus - but id still try something like an LS 430 before ruling them out totally.

Okay handling probably isn't astonishing - but they are a genuine luxury car and a nice thing to waft around in - imo.

Should make a nice family car seeing as you have the Caterham.

Are you sure though that the Jaguar X350 doesn't have enough room though, Matt UK (I think) had a lovely one on readers cars sometime ago.

Better then any BMW surely

Regarding Lexus - I need to at least be able to walk back to my car in a carpark without thinking "I can't remember ageing 30 years and retiring from work, but I guess I must have..."

Nasty/dated interiors too. I can see the appeal, but definite "no" for me.

Yeah, pretty positive that the Jag will be too small - boot and interior are both smaller than the E39, and if anything I want bigger/more practical, not less. Nice cars though.

[mattman]

OP - newer model for same price as the 04?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[backwoodsman]

I would go with a Legacy, or an Accord.

[_Neal_]

backwoodsman said:

I would go with a Legacy, or an Accord.

Thanks - not thought of an Accord, but are they "interesting"?

Thanks for the link to the Saab mattman - looks like very good value, albeit lower spec than the (older) Aero and it's the not the "HOT" version. Apparently 02-04 cars are best value, as (for some reason) Saab made lots of kit standard during that period, which became a cost option during 2004.

Worth further research into the Vector I think - lots of car for the money.

[Axionknight]

How about a Volvo S60R?

[chrisw666]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... - 250bhp 9-3 Estate

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... - Its Vauxhall relative

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... - V50 T5 (Like a spongey focus ST estate)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... - Legacy Spec B.