£20k, Fast(ish), Practical, Dog-proof - MkII

[dan425]

I'm in the market for something that tickets the following boxes:

• Petrol
• Automatic
• <50k mileage
• Fast (ish) - not after a Lambo, but equally I'm not sure I want a generic 320i, or equivalent.
• Decent tech inside (Cruise, heated seats, decent stereo, etc)
• Relatively low bork potential (no old RS6s or C63s)
• Dog-suitable - Small Lurcher (think large whippet, small greyhound) - She usually sits on the back seats, so estate isn't required.

Daily commute is 7 miles of 50mph/30mph roads. Rest is longer motorway trips and misc weekend adventures. Annual mileage is <10k.

Budget is £17,500-£20,500 ish.

As much as I would love a C63/M3, etc, the potential expensive bork factor just puts me off.

Previously, having read all the glowing reviews, I thought that a VW Golf R Estate would be the right car for me. But having tested one, it didn't really live up to the hype. I like the theory of fast estate, but neither the Golf R or 340i Touring I've driven have blown me away. What other 4 door coupe/saloon options should I be considering? The fast hatches look a bit dull imho.

Edited out: Currently I can't see past a VW Golf R Estate. What other options should I be considering?

There seem to be a real lack of 3litre BMW estates out there in my budget/with my requirements. The equivalent S4's interiors seem a little dated compared to the BMW equivalents. I'm not sure I like the Skoda Octavia vRS/Cupra Estate enough. The Mondeo seems a little dull.

Edit: I named this thread MkII because I posted something similar back in Jan, but wanted to open the question out again - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by dan425 on Tuesday 28th May 07:56

Edited by dan425 on Tuesday 28th May 07:58

Edited by dan425 on Tuesday 28th May 07:59

[DoubleD]

Have some of your wants/needs changed from last time you posted this?

[S54Love]

Superb 280?

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

[Feirny]

V60 Polestar?

[Fastlane]

Seat Leon Cupra ST? https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

BMW 135/40i?

[dan425]

DoubleD said:

Have some of your wants/needs changed from last time you posted this?

Not particularly, but I thought I'd repost to get a wider variety of feedback before I made the decision.

I went with a 435i Gran Coupe back in Feb, but unfortunately it was written off. Apologies for two almost identical posts.

[ZX10R NIN]

Alternatives to the normal picks:

V60 T4

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

Mondeo Vignale

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

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

Giulia

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

XE S

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

Q50/70

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

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

[dan425]

ZX10R NIN said:

Alternatives to the normal picks:

...

Thanks. I keep seeing you recommend the Infinitis, I definitely need to check them out, as it's not something I've even looked into before.

Though the hybrid models don't have folding rear seats, is that correct?

Edited by dan425 on Saturday 25th May 15:10

[MAB85]

Golf R Wagon would cover the bases perfectly.

[Nice But Dim]

Audi A6 Allroad 3.0Tdi

[ZX10R NIN]

dan425 said:

Thanks. I keep seeing you recommend the Infinitis, I definitely need to check them out, as it's not something I've even looked into before.

Though the hybrid models don't have folding rear seats, is that correct?

Edited by dan425 on Saturday 25th May 15:10

Correct but the 2.0T Version does:

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

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

[kieranblenk]

The Golf R is very worthy, but I would look at a Mini Cooper S Clubman or Peugeot 308SW GT with the EAT8 gearbox also.

[SWoll]

XF 3.0 Supercharged

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

or if you're feeling a bit braver the XFR is also in budget.

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

Either far more interesting than a Golf R for £20k.

[ninjag]

There's also the XF Sportbrake (estate) which is good for dogs. 3.0d V6 'S' is the higher powered of the two six cylinders twin turbo models available (there's also four cylinder ones). Lots of toys including cooled seats, Meridian sound system and a decent set of vents in the boot which is good for k9 cooling on those hot days. Also has heated front screen which can be very useful in winter.

There's a 5.0 V8 petrol version but very rare and just out of your budget.

Edited by ninjag on Sunday 26th May 02:36

[kingb]

Nice But Dim said:

Audi A6 Allroad 3.0Tdi

You mean the 3.0 BiTDi

[kingb]

Focus st estate maybe? Or a Subaru waggon

[dan425]

ninjag said:

There's also the XF Sportbrake (estate) which is good for dogs. 3.0d V6 'S' is the higher powered of the two six cylinders twin turbo models available (there's also four cylinder ones). Lots of toys including cooled seats, Meridian sound system and a decent set of vents in the boot which is good for k9 cooling on those hot days. Also has heated front screen which can be very useful in winter.

There's a 5.0 V8 petrol version but very rare and just out of your budget.

Edited by ninjag on Sunday 26th May 02:36

Thanks, ninjag, but I'm after a petrol. The petrol sportsbrakes are over budget atm.

[henrycrun]

Kia Ceed (or Hyundai) GT thingy ?

[ZX10R NIN]

The 3.0 V6 S XF is a very good shout with that lovely exhaust note (once you free it up think F Type) & it's also a good steer.

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

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

Or if you can stretch the budget & haggle hard then there's the Polestar V60:

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

[dan425]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 3.0 V6 S XF is a very good shout with that lovely exhaust note (once you free it up think F Type) & it's also a good steer.

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

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

Or if you can stretch the budget & haggle hard then there's the Polestar V60:

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

I've had my eye on that Volvo for a bit actually. It's an interesting choice and alternative between the Golf R estate.

In terms of Jags, what are your thoughts on the XE V6 Supercharged S vs the XF equivalents? Similar potential for epic exhaust note? What needs to be done to "free it up"?

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

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

The XFRs (suggested by SWoll earlier) seem like they're probably in the M3/C63 territory of "ridiculously expensive to fix if something goes wrong". Would this be a correct assessment?