5k daily work horse for the brother.

[stedaley]

The brother is due back from his trips away to be looking at a newer car!

5k to spend,
Mileage will be 30miles each way per day x5
= 300 miles per week min
3dr or 5dr can be had.
Mpg vs enjoyment vs reliability, can be said that the car has to be reliable, with enjoyment second and mpg wanting to be 30-35mpg.
Heated seats are a must for those cold winter days! And cruise control as he does various trips!

Only started looking for him today but wondered what you guys would suggest,

130i?
Hard engine to break, cheap to buy, good fun. Has alot of bells and whistles

Let me know!

[MissChief]

Golf GTD?

[JP18]

MK5 golf? Should be a lot in GT spec with heated seats and cruise

[stedaley]

Forgot to say he's wanting petrol!

I had mentioned golf's to him before but he's had various issues in his company car and that was a 2.0tdi vag!

[MissChief]

Mondeo Titanium X. Like this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Mr Tidy]

A 130i must be a hoot, but they aren't getting cheap sadly. Still cruise was standard, so he'll just need to find one with the optional heated seats!

A few weeks ago I bought a manual E90 330i with the same engine as a 130i for a shade over two/thirds of that budget, and I love it! Plus it's got the (rare) split/fold rear seat option, electric sunroof, power folding mirrors and a DAB tuner.

Strangely enough it replaced a manual E91 325i that had heated seats and Bluetooth - but the extra 500cc makes a huge difference IME.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd be looking at these if it's a big engine your brothers looking for.

CLK280 Sport

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

CLK Avantgarde Sport this is a rare model, basically it has all the Sport spec but without the bodykit, people don't realise what they are so you can normally get one for very sensible money.

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

330i SE Coupe you can get a high mileage 130i or a 330i coupe that handles just as well but you get one with sensible miles.

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

M Sport Saloon

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

3.2 A3 Sport

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

If he wants something a bit newer that pretty much ticks all the boxes then it's hard to look past the Alfa Giulietta as these are a reliable a good steer (as are most modern cars) & very nicely spec'd.

Veloce 170

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

Megane GT 180

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

Or the slightly easier to find 1.6T 180 Astra GTC SRI

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

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

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

If your brother can live with a real world 27mpg average then I'd be going for the Focus in ST-3 spec they have a great chassis the engine is well proven (unless you go silly on the tuning) & they have sensible running costs.

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

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

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

Lexus IS 250 these are good cars with decent handling with the only potential bork issue being the water pump & spark plug change, but go for the one's with Nav as they get the nice stereo.

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

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

[Sc0tchland]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd be looking at these if it's a big engine your brothers looking for.

CLK280 Sport

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

CLK Avantgarde Sport this is a rare model, basically it has all the Sport spec but without the bodykit, people don't realise what they are so you can normally get one for very sensible money.

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

Same link there twice ZX10R

[ZX10R NIN]

Sc0tchland said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd be looking at these if it's a big engine your brothers looking for.

CLK280 Sport

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

CLK Avantgarde Sport this is a rare model, basically it has all the Sport spec but without the bodykit, people don't realise what they are so you can normally get one for very sensible money.

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

Same link there twice ZX10R

Sorted thanks for letting me know:

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

[Sc0tchland]

ZX10R NIN said:

Sc0tchland said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd be looking at these if it's a big engine your brothers looking for.

CLK280 Sport

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

CLK Avantgarde Sport this is a rare model, basically it has all the Sport spec but without the bodykit, people don't realise what they are so you can normally get one for very sensible money.

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

Same link there twice ZX10R

Sorted thanks for letting me know:

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

the £555 tax makes me want to cry

[ZX10R NIN]

Sc0tchland said:

the £555 tax makes me want to cry

I know but when you view it against other cars being considered at best it's an extra £20 per month at worst £25 per month.

[Sc0tchland]

ZX10R NIN said:

Sc0tchland said:

the £555 tax makes me want to cry

I know but when you view it against other cars being considered at best it's an extra £20 per month at worst £25 per month.

All your car suggestions are fantastic, I can never fault them.

[stedaley]

ZX10R NIN said:

I know but when you view it against other cars being considered at best it's an extra £20 per month at worst £25 per month.

What makes you prefer the Mercedes to the bmw engine?

I'm not really into Mercedes engines,, but I know of the reliability of the bmw 3.0l units, are they comparable? What's the things to look out for on the 3.2 v6 mercs? Any 7 speed issues?

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

stedaley said:

What makes you prefer the Mercedes to the bmw engine?

I'm not really into Mercedes engines,, but I know of the reliability of the bmw 3.0l units, are they comparable? What's the things to look out for on the 3.2 v6 mercs? Any 7 speed issues?

Thanks

Very comparable the Mercedes engines are bulletproof, the only real expense on the 3.2 vs the 3.0 is the spark plug change as the 3.2 has 12 of them but it's not a major expense.

Gearbox wise Mercedes recommend a fluid & filter change every 40k on both the 5 & 7 speed boxes BMW say there gearbox is sealed for life but believe that & you be shelling out to have it rebuilt most Indy's recommend a similar service schedule for the Mercedes.

If you test drive a Mercedes make sure it's in sport otherwise it's default setting is to pull away in 2nd (for a smoother pull away) which can make them feel a bit lethargic.