5k budget 530D??

[matt55man]

Hi All,

So after 9 trusty years my T4 Transporter finally gave up, a snapped cambelt, after laziness on my part as I had the new one in the back ready to fit...

Anyway, as a result i'm therefore in the market for something new, after slumming it for so long i'm looking forward to getting into something new.

Due to a house extension budget is limited to 5K max. I'd ideally like sub 8 secs 0-60, currently the front runner is a 530d as i have 3 kids to cart around so 5 seats is a must, although the wife does have an XC90....cough....

My budget allows circa 100K cars pre LCI is this sensible? Should i be saving for the later edition or looking elsewhere?

Anyadvice or alternative suggestions welcomed.

cheers
Matt

[Shiv_P]

If you want reliable motoring to save money for the house an 11+ year old diesel BMW is not the place to be looking tbh

[ST Ford]

I agree a 5k high mileage 5 series just screams money pit.
If your not a badge snob op then my money would go on a low mileage 2008 Mondeo Titanium X preferably the 2.5T. Has all the gadgets and 0-60 7.5 secs. Remap should see that down to about 7 with around 250bhp.

[Slow]

My £2500 2006 520d on 177k miles has been pretty faultless except 2 front arms being worn (£110 to buy replacements and fitted myself). Being a touring it has the air suspension on the rear which works perfect, drove from Inverness to London, put a Range cooker in the back and drove home with the rear staying up the whole time and overnight.

Put it through a Mot as well with no issues other than a slight exhaust leak which I had welded up - pin sized hole basically.

£5k sounds like enough to get a decent one if I’m honest.

[Haddock82]

I'm sure this will get moved to the car buying thread pretty sharply, however

As pointed out above....

Mondeo, dull? - Yes

Reliable - Pretty good

You'll get a better lower mileage mondeo for your money than a BMW

But then it's a BMW.... Much more fun and cooler to own

[matt55man]

Thanks for the replies so far, and apologies for starting the thread in the wrong section.

I'm not a badge snob, I'm open to suggestions, as its not the main car it probably won't do a lot of mileage to begin with. My commute is only a few miles which shouldn't change for at least another year.

I'd like something at least mildly interesting, I leant towards the BMW as I've never owned rear wheel drive, it has a few toys and was still reasonably quick.

[yajeed]

I’ve got a cheap 330d on eBay at the moment, ending tonight.

Well within budget and would fit the brief, but maybe not large enough?

[dave_s13]

If you're not doing many miles what about a creamy V8?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

[Welshbeef]

Cars last mega miles these days IF they have been serviced properly in its lifetime.

If that’s the case I’d not worry about a £5k old 530d.

Ideally I’d want he F11 530d you might get one for that sort of budget if your lucky or stretch it a bit

[matt55man]

Nice suggestion, would def tick the not yet owned a V8 box.

[creampuff]

Sold a 100,000 mile 330d recently. Was always quite reliable. One tow recovery in that 100,000 miles.

I could see £1000 coming up next MOT on various things like new battery, brake rotors, suspension dampers.

If you are strapped for cash I'd get a lower mileage Ford Mondeo or something. Still descent to drive, bit lower miles for same price and repairs a bit cheaper if they are needed.

[Shiv_P]

The 2.5T mondeo is great. Makes a cracking noise and is the best FWD car to drive in its class

[Welshbeef]

Shiv_P said:

The 2.5T mondeo is great. Makes a cracking noise and is the best FWD car to drive in its class

What about a Saab Aero?

[ZX10R NIN]

Welshbeef said:

Shiv_P said:

The 2.5T mondeo is great. Makes a cracking noise and is the best FWD car to drive in its class

What about a Saab Aero?

Mondeo is the better steer out of the two but the Saab is easier to find.

If you're not doing many miles then a diesel isn't where you should be looking in all honesty.

2.5T Mondeo

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

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

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

2.5 N/A Mazda6 (same car as the above but not as good a steer & 2.5 N/A engine)

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

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

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

BMW 530i

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

525i

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

E280 Avantgarde

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

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

Insignia 2.0T

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

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

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

2.2 Alfa 159

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

Lexus IS250

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

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

2.0/2.4 N/A Accord

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

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

Leftfield:

Vectra VXR

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

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

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

2.8T Saab (same drivetrain as the above slightly detuned)

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

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

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

3.2 Passat SEL

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

All the above will be reliable with some being better steers than others but when you factor in trying to save for a house, then form me the top 3 would be the:

2.5T Mondeo
Mazda6
Lexus IS250

[dionbee93]

I'm currently selling a 520D if that's of any interest at all to you - it's all the things you'd need.

Carbon Black, Msport trim, 95k Miles,

And after numerous recommendations was remapped at performance torque in Wolverhampton- so not too far off standard 530d power at 204bhp.

I've owned it a year and just fancy a classic car or a weekend toy as I use my van for work now!

Have a look if you fancy it (price is negotiable)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-520d-MSport-Carbon-...