Downgrading car. What to go for?
Discussion
Hello,
Looking at downgrading my car to free up some cash for a house move. Currently drive a 2015 BMW 330d.
Just looking for some ideas for its replacement.
So, the criteria is as follows:
£3k max.
40mpg as a minimum.
Work commute is around 40 miles each way, consisting of mainly motorway driving.
I would prefer an automatic.
Leather would be nice to have.
Reliable.
Thinking something like an LCI e60 520d would tick the boxes for me. Seen some just in budget, any other ideas would be great.
Thanks
Looking at downgrading my car to free up some cash for a house move. Currently drive a 2015 BMW 330d.
Just looking for some ideas for its replacement.
So, the criteria is as follows:
£3k max.
40mpg as a minimum.
Work commute is around 40 miles each way, consisting of mainly motorway driving.
I would prefer an automatic.
Leather would be nice to have.
Reliable.
Thinking something like an LCI e60 520d would tick the boxes for me. Seen some just in budget, any other ideas would be great.
Thanks
RSTurboPaul said:
An older 330d? lol
(Can you get those for the budget requirements? I know some of the larger engine Beemers do get surprisingly low in price.)
It crossed my mind. Not much in the way of choice given my budget. (Can you get those for the budget requirements? I know some of the larger engine Beemers do get surprisingly low in price.)
Truth be told, I’m happy enough dropping engine size and accepting less power.
Good suggestion though.
Sounds ripe for a mondeo, or older lexus (if you can stomach a little extra in fuel, but a lower initial purchase cost)
ETA - a GS450h is in budget - should be reliable and hit the MPG target given the hybrid system
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-07-LEXUS-GS-3-5-45...
ETA - a GS450h is in budget - should be reliable and hit the MPG target given the hybrid system
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-07-LEXUS-GS-3-5-45...
Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 25th June 09:20
Having downgraded in the past myself, really
Important there is some joy in the choice, or it can feel a bit miserable.
The good news is unlike lots of these posts, your criterion lend themselves to being entered on PH buying or AutoTrader. If add in <80k miles and 4 doors (of that’s what you want) chucks out: Merc C-class, Merc E-class, Audi A6 & Jag X-Type.
The Jag looks very good value actually, and for that money you’re looking at 2008-9 (vs 2003-6 for the others).
eg this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Good luck!
Important there is some joy in the choice, or it can feel a bit miserable.
The good news is unlike lots of these posts, your criterion lend themselves to being entered on PH buying or AutoTrader. If add in <80k miles and 4 doors (of that’s what you want) chucks out: Merc C-class, Merc E-class, Audi A6 & Jag X-Type.
The Jag looks very good value actually, and for that money you’re looking at 2008-9 (vs 2003-6 for the others).
eg this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Good luck!
Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 25th June 07:46
I'd probably be wary of an E60 if they are just coming into your budget because I would think that the lower end ones may have some issues which could quickly eat up any savings you are making from the downgrade.
I'd sugest either a Mondeo as previously mentioned, Mazda 6 or Insignia which will all be plentiful at the 3k mark so you can be picky on which you choose
I'd sugest either a Mondeo as previously mentioned, Mazda 6 or Insignia which will all be plentiful at the 3k mark so you can be picky on which you choose
I’m guessing divorce being the reason?
Reason I ask/point that out is a person who I know in the office earns £65k + £8k car allowance. Then I look at the car park and yes he had a VW Up he does 2-3000 business miles a month. It’s utterly reliable he bought it extremely cheap (huge miles on it already apparently) but due to the big D he had to get rid of his previous type of car which apparently was a 350 Merc estate.
To my surprise he thinks it’s actually a fun car to drive - woeful power but that’s where the fun comes maintaining speed. It’s clearly used mainly on he M way and has no issue holding the 70mph speed.
Recession white and it has no options and the lowest spec possible to get one.
Reason I ask/point that out is a person who I know in the office earns £65k + £8k car allowance. Then I look at the car park and yes he had a VW Up he does 2-3000 business miles a month. It’s utterly reliable he bought it extremely cheap (huge miles on it already apparently) but due to the big D he had to get rid of his previous type of car which apparently was a 350 Merc estate.
To my surprise he thinks it’s actually a fun car to drive - woeful power but that’s where the fun comes maintaining speed. It’s clearly used mainly on he M way and has no issue holding the 70mph speed.
Recession white and it has no options and the lowest spec possible to get one.
Depends on usage etc. I bought a real beater last year and absolutely love it! The feeling that you just don’t care about a car for day to day driving is liberating, Park it anywhere without concern, hear a noise and not worry about an impending failure, makes motoring easy again.
My weekend car is the opposite to this so having the contrast is superb!
My weekend car is the opposite to this so having the contrast is superb!
SAAB 9-3 twin turbo diesel. Great mpg, decent performance which can be easily improved further with a remap, great seats etc.
Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
67Dino said:
Having downgraded in the past myself, really
Important there is some joy in the choice, or it can feel a bit miserable.
The good news is unlike lots of these posts, your criterion lend themselves to being entered on PH buying or AutoTrader. If add in <80k miles and 4 doors (of that’s what you want) chucks out: Merc C-class, Merc E-class, Audi A6 & Jag X-Type.
The Jag looks very good value actually, and for that money you’re looking at 2008-9 (vs 2003-6 for the others).
eg this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Good luck!
My mind went immediately to the old shape XJ. Check out the barge thread for some great advice on sub-£5k barging.Important there is some joy in the choice, or it can feel a bit miserable.
The good news is unlike lots of these posts, your criterion lend themselves to being entered on PH buying or AutoTrader. If add in <80k miles and 4 doors (of that’s what you want) chucks out: Merc C-class, Merc E-class, Audi A6 & Jag X-Type.
The Jag looks very good value actually, and for that money you’re looking at 2008-9 (vs 2003-6 for the others).
eg this one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Good luck!
Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 25th June 07:46
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Citroen C5, many bargain because people are stupid, comfort, 2ltrs go forever, suspension is ultra-reliable (as said...many stupid people), leather is fabulous...etc etc
example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C5-Tourer-Exclu...
NOTE: Do not go for the VTR version with the "Old School Metal" springs.
example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-C5-Tourer-Exclu...
NOTE: Do not go for the VTR version with the "Old School Metal" springs.
Edited by Le Controleur Horizontal on Tuesday 25th June 10:15
Thank you for everyone’s input so far. It’s appreciated that you have taken the time to consider and post links to cars.
I can confirm that there is no divorce looming. Not that I’m aware of anyway haha.
Passat and Mondeo were in my thoughts already. Definitely worth a look into given the right spec.
I think that I do want something that still has some form of special feel to it, if that means higher mileage then so be it.
The Jag X type had crossed my mind too and is a good shout as there seems to be plenty on AT.
A big comfy barge with an auto box and leather is certainly where I’m heading I feel.
Thanks once again, any further suggestions please keep them coming.
I can confirm that there is no divorce looming. Not that I’m aware of anyway haha.
Passat and Mondeo were in my thoughts already. Definitely worth a look into given the right spec.
I think that I do want something that still has some form of special feel to it, if that means higher mileage then so be it.
The Jag X type had crossed my mind too and is a good shout as there seems to be plenty on AT.
A big comfy barge with an auto box and leather is certainly where I’m heading I feel.
Thanks once again, any further suggestions please keep them coming.
Jag XJ6
Hear me out........
Assuming a purchase price of £1,500 and 20mpg from the Jag it would take 130ish days of commuting before you even hit the £3,000 you would have shelled out on some bore box that does 40mpg.
From then it will take you 65ish commuting days until the two line graphs crossover.
It’s simple logic.
And imagine the girls.......
Hear me out........
Assuming a purchase price of £1,500 and 20mpg from the Jag it would take 130ish days of commuting before you even hit the £3,000 you would have shelled out on some bore box that does 40mpg.
From then it will take you 65ish commuting days until the two line graphs crossover.
It’s simple logic.
And imagine the girls.......
- any maths in this post could be terribly inaccurate.
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