Premium but used car for around 5K

[VRSphil]

My lease car goes back at the end of the year and I’m currently on track to have around 5K to spend on a car afterwards, or 4/4.5K plus a just in case fund.

I’ve always liked how the more premium marques drive and feel, BMW’s & Mercedes mostly, never had the chance to drive an Audi.

I’ve heard at my budget, Mercedes are more reliable, and require less ongoing maintainence than the equivalent BMW’s, but I’m not sure how true this is!

Criteria:
Decent automatic ‘box (70 miles per day round trip)
Good turn of pace, preferably 170bhp+, 200+ ideally!
Fairly reasonable running costs - don’t mind maintaining my cars properly but don’t want to constantly be in the garage or breaking down
Decent looking, subjective I know... but not too dated
35+ mpg ideally

Shortlisted so far;

Audi A3/A4 2.0TDi 170 DSG (DSG worries me a bit, perhaps I’d need a bit of a war chest aside incase it goes bang!) my mate has an A3 with this engine and mated to the DSG gearbox it actually goes surprisingly well, I struggled to keep up in my old 2.0 turbo Saab!

Mercedes CLK, one of the diesels... they are looking slightly dated now though but I think in the right trim with the right wheels could be okay

BMW 3 or 5 series, all engines considered apart from the allegedly troublesome twin turbo ones

Does anyone have any other ideas on what I could look at that would be robust and a nice place to sit for my commute? I don’t feel I’m quite old enough for a Lexus or Mondeo or Volvo just yet but won’t rule anything out completely.

[Gliese]

I think you'd be missing out to dismiss an IS250 at this kind of price range, it's where my money would go.

[culpz]

Gliese said:

I think you'd be missing out to dismiss an IS250 at this kind of price range, it's where my money would go.

Was going to be my suggestion. I'd have one over any of the German alternatives mentioned.

[2wheelsjimmy]

530i ?
Haggle.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[S54Love]

Gliese said:

I think you'd be missing out to dismiss an IS250 at this kind of price range, it's where my money would go.

Definitely a Lexus, although you could try sneak a GS in at this price range.

[steve-5snwi]

I wouldn't waste 5k on an A3 diesel with DSG, its probably the most unreliable combination, the 2.0 BMW has its own problems.

I'd be looking towards an older Merc with a solid service history and either 270 or 320 cdi engine. Or i'd spend the money on a mondeo, you will get a newer better car for your 5k

[Phil Dicky]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[nobrakes]

Phil Dicky said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

This. The end.

[CX53]

Leon FR TDI might be an idea... much newer car for the money than the A3

[ZX10R NIN]

In my very bias opinion (as the owner of a few of these) I'd say go for the CLK320cdi Sport they come with the Orthopedic Seats which always help when you're spending a decent amount of time in a car.

They're a good steer & go well as well as a nice place to spend time in, some choice mods means they can look good too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

They can look even better with a set of 19's



Or if you don't mind mapping a 220 then that's a possibility but the engine is coarser than the 3.0.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The IS250 is a decent alternative but they're not the greatest fuel wise:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...