Comfy but not bad to drive for 10k - Page 1 - Car Buying

smiley_boy2501

Original Poster

215 posts

118 months

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Tuesday 29th January 2019

I live in Manchester with a short commute, stop/start and nothing interesting in terms of driving roads. Hot hatches have been my thing but I'm getting tired of using a clutch and stiff suspension on crap roads.

I fancy trying to run 2 cars and the first will be the daily.

I want auto, less than 8 seconds and comfort. Mod cons can be added (bluetooth etc).

However I regularly travel to Whitby which has motorway and a nice section of A roads. So I'd like something that won't make me sad when I have the opportunity to link up a few corners.
But the motorway sections make me miss cruise control. Long journeys have become a bit of a pain for my right lower back.

For reference I currently have a Mk2 Focus ST and I like it. However a bit too crashy, it's a manual and there's no cruise.

I plan to run an mx-5 or similar for fun and to get into track days.

Edit: Max budget 10k but less than 8 would be nice

Edited by smiley_boy2501 on Tuesday 29th January 23:49

anonymous-user

75 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

10k's worth of E class, petrol, auto. Should be lovely.

mercedeslimos

1,834 posts

190 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

W211 E500. Avantgarde spec for ultimate sleeper. Well within budget. 350+ horses.

Strong Horse

94 posts

84 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

My friend bought a BMW 330D for 10K and he is very happy with the car. Fast and economical for the speed. I assume most will have cruise control.

Andy665

4,031 posts

249 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

10k will get a very decent BMW E63 coupe (either 630 or 650) - pretty much bulletproof apart from the well known and easily sorted valve stem issue on the V8

Jamescrs

5,749 posts

86 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

I'm in a similar kind of situation to yourself OP

I own an MX-5 for fun driving and track days and sunny days

I needed a car for the daily commute, family duties and I drive across Leeds Centre in stop start traffic, my solution was a Volvo V60 (Mine is a manual though). It's not particularly exciting as a drive but for the daily use and family trips it's ideal really, mine is a petrol T4 and comes with all the mod cons, including adaptive cruise control which I would not be without now on long motorway trips and has possibly the best seats I've ever had in a car.
Mine cost a shade under 9k on a 61 plate with 63k miles.

I'm not saying you need a V60 exactly but looking at the Volvo range generally may yield something suitable

smiley_boy2501

Original Poster

215 posts

118 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

Thanks everyone.

Tbh my ideas had focused around e90, merc e class or some volvos. I think I need to have a test drive of a few.

The other one that comes up within search criteria is the superb 3.6 V6. Very cheap comparatively. Seems a lot of kit for the money.

In today's traffic I think there's little point in having something fun and maybe I should focus on refinement and add something for weekend fun.

SWoll

21,620 posts

279 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

F10 5 series a much nicer car than either the 3 series or E Class of that generation and i've spent time in all 3.

530D SE would be my suggestion. Great engine, great gearbox, very comfy and still good to drive on a decent road.

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

Avoid M-Sport suspension and seats for comfort and change the tyres from run flats if still fitted as helps ride quality massively.

cerb4.5lee

40,732 posts

201 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

I can highly recommend the E90 330d, also had a E90 330i if you prefer petrol. Both are lovely motorway cars, they are not that much fun in fairness but they are both brilliant at cruising at high speed with ease.

smiley_boy2501

Original Poster

215 posts

118 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

I would love an F10 but I refuse to buy a diesel. I don't do the mileage to require one (10k a year) and they are horrible dirty things that sound awful (imo). Therefore F10 stretches the budget too far unfortunately as I think that would be absolutely perfect.

SWoll

21,620 posts

279 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

smiley_boy2501 said:

I would love an F10 but I refuse to buy a diesel. I don't do the mileage to require one (10k a year) and they are horrible dirty things that sound awful (imo). Therefore F10 stretches the budget too far unfortunately as I think that would be absolutely perfect.

I would say though that the 3.0D engine is as good an example as you would find though. Sounds pretty good, masses of torque that works really well with the ZF8 autobox and feels quicker than the 530i as doesn't need to be pushed so hard.

A very different proposition to the 2.0D.

TurboHatchback

4,228 posts

174 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

smiley_boy2501 said:

Thanks everyone.

Tbh my ideas had focused around e90, merc e class or some volvos. I think I need to have a test drive of a few.

The other one that comes up within search criteria is the superb 3.6 V6. Very cheap comparatively. Seems a lot of kit for the money.

In today's traffic I think there's little point in having something fun and maybe I should focus on refinement and add something for weekend fun.

I have a Superb 3.6. For comfort you will struggle to beat it and the performance within legal speeds is very good, DSG + AWD makes for excellent all weather progress. Sports cars they are not however, that's not to say that they don't go round corners or aren't fun but the suspension is definitely tuned for comfort and it best rewards a very smooth style. I'd definitely recommend giving one a go, it may or may not be what you're after.

cerb4.5lee

40,732 posts

201 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

smiley_boy2501 said:

I would love an F10 but I refuse to buy a diesel. I don't do the mileage to require one (10k a year) and they are horrible dirty things that sound awful (imo).

I agree and at that mileage I wouldn't go diesel either. I thought my 330d was a better overall car than the 330i though, the 330d felt much quicker and it offered loads better economy. The diesel does sound a little ropey when compared to the petrol for sure though, but the petrol needs to be near its red line to actually feel quick.

The 330i put me off N/A engines and now I much prefer a turbo petrol or diesel engine.

cerb4.5lee

40,732 posts

201 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

TurboHatchback said:

I have a Superb 3.6. For comfort you will struggle to beat it and the performance within legal speeds is very good, DSG + AWD makes for excellent all weather progress.

I bet that is a lovely thing to waft around in for sure.

ZX10R NIN

29,866 posts

146 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

davidkellighan

24 posts

115 months

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Wednesday 30th January 2019

I know it's a little over budget but this S500 looks like incredible value:

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

smiley_boy2501

Original Poster

215 posts

118 months

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Thursday 31st January 2019

Thanks to everyone, especially ZX10R as always.

That S500 looks absolutely sublime but possibly a bit too much for my needs.

The infiniti would be a great shout if it wasn't so uneconomical. I think 20 mpg but get a bit annoying. Especially since most of the time I won't be enjoying the engine enough.

Top choices currently are:

Superb V6 - just an amazing spec for 5-6k
Merc E350 - an E500 might be too uneconomical again
BMW 330i

Forgot to mention that folding rear seats would be hugely useful as I regularly cart my bike around/enjoy a bit of DIY so the superb is top trumps currently given the other 2 are folding options.

Dapster

8,631 posts

201 months

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Thursday 31st January 2019

DO NOT IGNORE THE MONDEO!! Excellent to drive, well put together and strong engines. Also, it's an unloved mainstream brand so ridiculous value compared to the German premium brigade. Also a bit calmer on the running costs than a tired 5 series or E class.

ZX10R NIN

29,866 posts

146 months

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Thursday 31st January 2019

smiley_boy2501 said:

Thanks to everyone, especially ZX10R as always.

That S500 looks absolutely sublime but possibly a bit too much for my needs.

The infiniti would be a great shout if it wasn't so uneconomical. I think 20 mpg but get a bit annoying. Especially since most of the time I won't be enjoying the engine enough.

Top choices currently are:

Superb V6 - just an amazing spec for 5-6k
Merc E350 - an E500 might be too uneconomical again
BMW 330i

Forgot to mention that folding rear seats would be hugely useful as I regularly cart my bike around/enjoy a bit of DIY so the superb is top trumps currently given the other 2 are folding options.

The Superb really isn't that much better on fuel than the Q70, also get the chain checked on the Skoda as they're known for stretching.

Superb Q70 E350

19 vs 18 vs 20 Town

38 vs 34 vs 39 Motorway

28 vs 26 vs 29 Average

All three are good cars but don't let fuel be the deciding factor.

TurboHatchback

4,228 posts

174 months

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Friday 1st February 2019

On the Mercedes M272 and M273 engines I believe those made before September 2009 are prone to expensive problems with balance shafts. There is a site where you can enter the engine serial number to check whether it will have this problem, worth bearing in mind if looking at an E350.