large powerful auto estate for 5k
Discussion
Hi all.
I desire a big powerful estate car but its got to be used, reliable and £5-£6k max to last me 5 years ideally.
I dont mind diesel or petrol, but the 3 litre v6 diesels are really floating my boat due to the low down power they have. I have a revvy Honda VTEC at the moment and I hate having to work it so hard to get any power out of it. I want to be lazy, put my foot down and effortlessly and quietly be at 80mph before i even realise it.
Im also desiring an automatic because i have to sit in alot of stop start traffic jams and am fed up of being on and off the clutch pedal every 20 seconds.
The 3 or 5 series tourer 3 litre diesel auto should on paper be an ideal car for my needs/wants. But even a 12-13 year old car is not cheap (can be got for £5-£6k), is only 3 years newer than what i have now, and I am worried that I could end up regretting it if I start to get some big bills.
Would appreciate any views on what risk I am taking here if i was to go ahead.
here is an example of what would be available to me:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
thanks.
I desire a big powerful estate car but its got to be used, reliable and £5-£6k max to last me 5 years ideally.
I dont mind diesel or petrol, but the 3 litre v6 diesels are really floating my boat due to the low down power they have. I have a revvy Honda VTEC at the moment and I hate having to work it so hard to get any power out of it. I want to be lazy, put my foot down and effortlessly and quietly be at 80mph before i even realise it.
Im also desiring an automatic because i have to sit in alot of stop start traffic jams and am fed up of being on and off the clutch pedal every 20 seconds.
The 3 or 5 series tourer 3 litre diesel auto should on paper be an ideal car for my needs/wants. But even a 12-13 year old car is not cheap (can be got for £5-£6k), is only 3 years newer than what i have now, and I am worried that I could end up regretting it if I start to get some big bills.
Would appreciate any views on what risk I am taking here if i was to go ahead.
here is an example of what would be available to me:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
thanks.
Edited by danlightbulb on Saturday 17th March 01:15
I’ve been on the hunt for a 5 series e61 also. Way bigger inside and boot that. 3. You can get a good one in your budget. And possibly lci (post facelift) they had a different gearbox that was meant to be better, and a dpf that should last a lifetime.
That said pre lci ones are good. The dpf replacement is less now can be done for £500ish, but iDrive will tell you how long till it needs doing.
Worth checking the hidden temperatures gauges to check engine is getting up to 90deg, as otherwise dpf won’t be able to regen and will block.
You’ll be able to afford a good condition one on resonable miles. Just make sure it’s got a good service history. See if gearbox oil has been changed, if not so it. And get one bought. 535d is a shout too. Twin turbo.
Plenty up for sale with 200+ miles, they are workhorses, with a few we’ll know and easy to solve issues, by all accounts.
Edit: to say not sure how many miles you do a year. I’ll do 10k, but all long trips. So won’t add much mileage. If you’re doing 40k then perhaps a newer car (lower spec) might be better. Also the Volvo should below is good. The v70 are amazingly comfortable.
That said pre lci ones are good. The dpf replacement is less now can be done for £500ish, but iDrive will tell you how long till it needs doing.
Worth checking the hidden temperatures gauges to check engine is getting up to 90deg, as otherwise dpf won’t be able to regen and will block.
You’ll be able to afford a good condition one on resonable miles. Just make sure it’s got a good service history. See if gearbox oil has been changed, if not so it. And get one bought. 535d is a shout too. Twin turbo.
Plenty up for sale with 200+ miles, they are workhorses, with a few we’ll know and easy to solve issues, by all accounts.
Edit: to say not sure how many miles you do a year. I’ll do 10k, but all long trips. So won’t add much mileage. If you’re doing 40k then perhaps a newer car (lower spec) might be better. Also the Volvo should below is good. The v70 are amazingly comfortable.
Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Saturday 17th March 08:58
Not suggested by anyone else yet so getting in there, Subaru Legacy ticks all your boxes and will definitely last you 5 years!!!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
V70 is also a good shout -
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Si
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
V70 is also a good shout -
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Si
Thanks for replies.
Whilst the V70 R and probably also the Subaru are great cars, two things do put me off. First the 3 litre diesels do still get 30+ mpg and whilst I don't do mega miles, once cars deliver 25mpg or less then fuel costs do start to get exponentially larger. The second reason is the revving - I really dont like revving cars to high rpms and with diesels being lower revvers than petrols this does appeal.
The first reply seemed to suggest that high mileage wasnt a big problem for the 5 series diesels. Engine maybe, but am I going to get stung on ancilliary stuff like suspension, steering components etc? What about the DPF, how much of a risk is that? Id give the car a long run often enough.
Whilst the V70 R and probably also the Subaru are great cars, two things do put me off. First the 3 litre diesels do still get 30+ mpg and whilst I don't do mega miles, once cars deliver 25mpg or less then fuel costs do start to get exponentially larger. The second reason is the revving - I really dont like revving cars to high rpms and with diesels being lower revvers than petrols this does appeal.
The first reply seemed to suggest that high mileage wasnt a big problem for the 5 series diesels. Engine maybe, but am I going to get stung on ancilliary stuff like suspension, steering components etc? What about the DPF, how much of a risk is that? Id give the car a long run often enough.
Personally having just sold a diesel X5 of E70 generation I won’t be rushing to buy another diesel, they are so problematic and I dare say the cost of owning them is likely to increase as the gov puts the squeeze on (fuel, tax, MOT regs) over the coming years to get everyone into petrol/hybrid?
Certainly not going to happen overnight but I think it’s coming. Relation just hadxmassive issues with a 335d in which the thermostats has failed so engine wasn’t reaching high enough temp to regen the DPF. As a result DPF was blocked the result - a £1500 bill and that was an independent with a bit of mates rates involved!!!!
I like the Sub’s and have a real thing for the Forester STi but that’s for another thread. Guy at work has an ‘08 all be it a diesel Legacy by its a manual, however having driven it a few times it’s really quite a nice thing plus added benefit of AWD.
Si
Certainly not going to happen overnight but I think it’s coming. Relation just hadxmassive issues with a 335d in which the thermostats has failed so engine wasn’t reaching high enough temp to regen the DPF. As a result DPF was blocked the result - a £1500 bill and that was an independent with a bit of mates rates involved!!!!
I like the Sub’s and have a real thing for the Forester STi but that’s for another thread. Guy at work has an ‘08 all be it a diesel Legacy by its a manual, however having driven it a few times it’s really quite a nice thing plus added benefit of AWD.
Si
Hmm. Just thought I'd get a speculative car insurance quote. Current car Honda Accord 2.4, is currently insured with Greenlight Insurance. SPoke to them just now with a BMW 5 series 530d reg number to see what it would be - they don't cover any BMWs at all. Very odd to me, and wonder if this bodes poorly for increased insurance cost from what I pay now (£450 a year).
If Im spending £6k I can easily get a V70 D5 auto with circa 100k miles for that money. This is probably more sensible than going for a 3 litre BMW diesel, but those V6 diesels really appeal.
Is there any issues with the D5 and the auto box in the V70?
I seem to be able to insure a petrol V70 'R' for about £500 which is pretty good, but I think the 26mpg is just a bit too low for me. BMW 530d was coming in at closer to £700 on insurance. The one on AT that was mentioned above is manual though.
Additionally, 3l petrol BMW 5 series 2006 reg appears to be max tax. Not paying max tax.
Is there any issues with the D5 and the auto box in the V70?
I seem to be able to insure a petrol V70 'R' for about £500 which is pretty good, but I think the 26mpg is just a bit too low for me. BMW 530d was coming in at closer to £700 on insurance. The one on AT that was mentioned above is manual though.
Additionally, 3l petrol BMW 5 series 2006 reg appears to be max tax. Not paying max tax.
Edited by danlightbulb on Saturday 17th March 11:49
danlightbulb said:
If Im spending £6k I can easily get a V70 D5 auto with circa 100k miles for that money. This is probably more sensible than going for a 3 litre BMW diesel, but those V6 diesels really appeal.
Is there any issues with the D5 and the auto box in the V70?
I seem to be able to insure a petrol V70 'R' for about £500 which is pretty good, but I think the 26mpg is just a bit too low for me. BMW 530d was coming in at closer to £700 on insurance. The one on AT that was mentioned above is manual though.
I has a V70R.
A great car, but had a habit of emptying my wallet at each service.
New shock absorber £500
New headlight £1500
Haldex service
Angle gear.
Etc...
Would have another on, if manual and receipts to prove repairs of items such as above.
Is there any issues with the D5 and the auto box in the V70?
I seem to be able to insure a petrol V70 'R' for about £500 which is pretty good, but I think the 26mpg is just a bit too low for me. BMW 530d was coming in at closer to £700 on insurance. The one on AT that was mentioned above is manual though.
I has a V70R.
A great car, but had a habit of emptying my wallet at each service.
New shock absorber £500
New headlight £1500
Haldex service
Angle gear.
Etc...
Would have another on, if manual and receipts to prove repairs of items such as above.
Back from the car supermarket and can type properly now hands have warmed up!
Absolutely tonnes of cars there, hundreds, 99.9% of them tiny cars.
A few estates, a handful (one hand) of the type of premium estates Im looking at.
Of the BMW 5 series, all 2 litre diesels in manual. I didn't see a single 3 litre either petrol or diesel.
They had some Vauxhall Insignia's which are big enough, but 2l diesels in manual, nothing special about them at all. Surprisingly no Mondeo estates.
All of the cars were 2012 or newer. Now to be fair, a 5 year old 5 series with only 60k on the clock for £12-14k seems very reasonable on the face of it. So this being the case, a 12 year old car with 140k on the clock in my mind should not be £6-£7k, more like £3-4k. There seems to be a disparity here, in that relatively speaking the 5 year old car seems to offer better value. Its irrelevent, because I can't afford that much, but annoying because I expect to be able to get what I'm looking for for £3-£4k which lowers the risk. At £6k, the risk to me is more significant if the car does turn out to need work.
I don't seem to be able to find anywhere local that sells 8 to 12 year old cars, which is a problem because I can't go and have a proper browse, reliant on the internet where there are cars available but there are here, there and everywhere.
So coming back specifically to the 530d. Is a 2006, 100k miler, auto estate, worth £5.5-6k?
Absolutely tonnes of cars there, hundreds, 99.9% of them tiny cars.
A few estates, a handful (one hand) of the type of premium estates Im looking at.
Of the BMW 5 series, all 2 litre diesels in manual. I didn't see a single 3 litre either petrol or diesel.
They had some Vauxhall Insignia's which are big enough, but 2l diesels in manual, nothing special about them at all. Surprisingly no Mondeo estates.
All of the cars were 2012 or newer. Now to be fair, a 5 year old 5 series with only 60k on the clock for £12-14k seems very reasonable on the face of it. So this being the case, a 12 year old car with 140k on the clock in my mind should not be £6-£7k, more like £3-4k. There seems to be a disparity here, in that relatively speaking the 5 year old car seems to offer better value. Its irrelevent, because I can't afford that much, but annoying because I expect to be able to get what I'm looking for for £3-£4k which lowers the risk. At £6k, the risk to me is more significant if the car does turn out to need work.
I don't seem to be able to find anywhere local that sells 8 to 12 year old cars, which is a problem because I can't go and have a proper browse, reliant on the internet where there are cars available but there are here, there and everywhere.
So coming back specifically to the 530d. Is a 2006, 100k miler, auto estate, worth £5.5-6k?
Dan. It may not be all about diesel, but I recommend a read of this thread. Might give you some ideas, in a good way.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'd like to go and have a look at a Legacy there are just none anywhere near me.
Would probably be happy with just a shade under 30mpg (say 28ish) and the Legacy for sale for £3,250 seems very nice for the money. But its in Northumberland so thats like 200 miles away. Plus it has been modified (suspension) so insurance becomes a pain.
Would probably be happy with just a shade under 30mpg (say 28ish) and the Legacy for sale for £3,250 seems very nice for the money. But its in Northumberland so thats like 200 miles away. Plus it has been modified (suspension) so insurance becomes a pain.
Edited by danlightbulb on Saturday 17th March 15:13
In reality the 530d is probably the best option, maybe consider these though?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
danlightbulb said:
I'd like to go and have a look at a Legacy there are just none anywhere near me.
Would probably be happy with just a shade under 30mpg (say 28ish) and the Legacy for sale for £3,250 seems very nice for the money. But its in Northumberland so thats like 200 miles away. Plus it has been modified (suspension) so insurance becomes a pain.
That’s the spirit - reckon the Legacy is your answer, just need to find a local one to you. Would probably be happy with just a shade under 30mpg (say 28ish) and the Legacy for sale for £3,250 seems very nice for the money. But its in Northumberland so thats like 200 miles away. Plus it has been modified (suspension) so insurance becomes a pain.
Edited by danlightbulb on Saturday 17th March 15:13
Si
danlightbulb said:
I'd like to go and have a look at a Legacy there are just none anywhere near me.
Would probably be happy with just a shade under 30mpg (say 28ish) and the Legacy for sale for £3,250 seems very nice for the money...
We have had 2, 3 litre Subaru Outbacks during the last 10 years and neither has given any trouble at all. We have run the one in the driveway for 8 years and all it's needed (in addition to serive items) are 1 CV boot, 1 drop link & 2 cheap suspension bushes, in over 100,000miles.Would probably be happy with just a shade under 30mpg (say 28ish) and the Legacy for sale for £3,250 seems very nice for the money...
The cost of car ownership is not all about fuel, it's about fixing the pesky things too. A close friend has a 530d, also a 2006, with about 100,000 miles on the clock too. It returns about 35mpg locally and a little more (but not 40mpg) on a run. It has also cost him £thousands in essential repairs, just to keep it going: bushes, bearings, glow plugs, glow plug-ecu thing, injectors, EGR, DPF blockages (x2), thermostats, swirl flaps, clutch and dual mass flywheel, a headlight, electrical gremlins...
Our car is quick, quiet (although you can hear the lovely 32 valve flat 6 howl nicely) and super comfortable. It's also 4x4, so it's the car of choice in all weathers - unlike my BMW that stays home in white weather, because I want to get there and back!
It does about 24mpg or a tad more locally and about 30 to 32mpg on a run
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff