What car - £3,000 with a few requirements

[LosingGrip]

My current car, a E46 330d is showing signs of a complete break down. I'm unsure if I want to spend money on it at the moment or cut my losses and find something else. I've had the car since March.

If I do change, I'm wondering what is out there.

Budget of £3,000. I don't want to increase it.

Five doors is a must.
40MPG+ on a run ideally.
Comfy - this is a must. I do a lot of driving for fun, it needs to be comfy.
Big - I'm 6ft 4 so needs to be roomy.

I've had two E39s and now a E46. I do like BMWs, but considering most things.

Power wise I'm not too fussed, something that has power when needed would be nice. Also not fussed about petrol or diesel. Doesn't matter if it's auto or manual. I'm leaning more towards auto at the moment.

Any ideas would be great. On the list so far is a Volvo V70. Another BMW 330D or a Skoda Octavia.

Thanks .

[Josho]

What's wrong with the 330d for starters?

[HenryHippo]

Honda Accord iCDTI

[LosingGrip]

Josho said:

What's wrong with the 330d for starters?

Clutch and flywheel are making a strange sound. Still works at the moment and now it's pissing out white smoke all the time.

Popping to the garage during the week to see how much it's going to cost.

Thanks for the Accord suggestion.

[kieranblenk]

Something unloved like a high spec Mondeo, Citroen C5, Renault Vel Satis or Vauxhall Signum might be worth a look as you can get decent examples for the money due to poor residuals.

I would also look at the Saab 9-5, Mazda 6, Nissan Primera and VW Passat but my money when all is said and done would go on a Rover 75 or MG ZT. With the BMW diesel and auto box you should get 40mpg easily and they're available comfortably in budget.

[LosingGrip]

Good shout with the Mondeo. Loads near by as well. Quite like the Saab 9-5, but tax (£540 a year) is a little off putting.

[kurt535]

3k? Ill sound a stuck record; buy Jap only

[ZX10R NIN]

Titanium X 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...

2.0T Insignia SRI

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

2.0d SRI make sure you have a flush put through at every other service.

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

Mercedes C270 (these are nigh on bulletproof)

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

E280

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

Volvo S60

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

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

2.4d Alfa 159

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

[LosingGrip]

Thanks for the suggestions, most of them are above my budget though but something to consider.

[ZX10R NIN]

Yea I realise that but you should be able to haggle most of those down to 3k.

[Mr Tidy]

I bought my E91 325i just within your budget in March, but it had done 132K miles!

Still it's now on 135K and going strong! Plus it has heated seats so comfy when it's cold.

It may not do 40 mpg, but given that I don't commute anymore the OBC is showing 34.8mpg which works for me!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Tuesday 14th August 00:34

[Parisien]

HenryHippo said:

Honda Accord iCDTI

Great car, spoke to one owner recently whose had one 9 years, taken it from 80 k to 190k, only real expenditure was a clutch, very costly it was to repair though.

P

[Parisien]

Not sure about 40mpg on a run, but what the heck, slight haggle required, but great car.

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


P

[LosingGrip]

Parisien said:

Not sure about 40mpg on a run, but what the heck, slight haggle required, but great car.

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


P

I do like them. We had one at work. And it was st as a police car (but crashed very well when someone rear ended it at 50). But as a every day car I could love it.

MPG isn't a must, just be nice.

[LosingGrip]

I'm back!

Budget is having to be reduced slightly to £2,500. I'm 95% sure I want a Mondeo, but not sure if I can find a Titanium X in that price that isn't too far away (I'm in Dorset, no more than a hour/hour and a half away ideally).

Saab-9-3s...

I often hear how comfy they are on here, along with Volvos.

Are they fun to drive? Reviews seem to be down the middle. I've had a car I hated (Corsa...don't ask!) and I hated getting into the car each time, so boring.