~£11k estate... I'm picky - Page 1 - Car Buying

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RapidRob

Original Poster

159 posts

153 months

Monday 25th November 2019

Currently got a polo gti 1.4, ( the one with the dodgy engine!), and am looking for a long term replacement in the form of an estate. I do around 12k miles a year, work is 5 miles away, but I do the occasional jaunt up to scotland so comfort and cruising abilities are nice to have. Looking at mk3 octavia VRS's, the diesel was slightly underwhelming. Petrol would be nice, but tend to be more pricey. Would like to find something under 60k on the clock, was veering towards diesel as that has tended to be the popular choice for estates, but diesel is going out of fashion, especially for a long term purchase.

A4 avant, 3 series and Passat have also been on the radar, but not sure what would give the right blend of fun and practicality.... 0-60 in less than 8 is what I'm looking at. I want something understated ish so no focus st's etc.
So I guess it comes down to diesel vs petrol, and what German to go for?!
11k is budget, it its not totally firm.

alfabeat

1,475 posts

141 months

Monday 25th November 2019

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

Lovely cars to look at, excellent engine and something a little different from the normal German offerings.

Mr Tidy

31,221 posts

156 months

Monday 25th November 2019

When you are deciding between petrol or diesel don't forget to take into account the sort of mileage you do. Lots of short trips in a diesel fitted with a dpf often leads to problems!

And if you live anywhere near London the diesels probably won't comply with the ULEZ.

Stuart70

4,152 posts

212 months

Monday 25th November 2019

alfabeat said:

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

Lovely cars to look at, excellent engine and something a little different from the normal German offerings.

Nine and a half grand for a 9 year old Alfa.

You have a right giraffe mate!!

RapidRob

Original Poster

159 posts

153 months

Monday 25th November 2019

That alfa looks tasty I must admit!
I am aware of the issues with diesels - dpfs etc, but I tend to cycle to work at least some of the time, and do enough longer runs at the moment that I thought it would be ok ish in that respect?

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 25th November 2019

Stuart70 said:

alfabeat said:

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

Lovely cars to look at, excellent engine and something a little different from the normal German offerings.

Nine and a half grand for a 9 year old Alfa.

You have a right giraffe mate!!

Ordinarily I'd agree with you. But, that is the unicorn in 159s! You try and find another, with that spec and mileage. You could wait well over a year - or longer - to find one..and then they get snapped up. Trust me, that's why they're priced higher.

OP what about a BMW Alpina D3 Touring? Again, if you can find one!
Ok, check for timing chain issues, but if you keep on top of oil changes it should be ok..

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

290 months

Monday 25th November 2019

Have you considered an Insignia? Or a Hyundai i40 Touring? We have a Hyundai as a taxi, great car, lots of toys, very capable and economical. Or I guess the obvious choice is a Skoda Superb estate.

alfabeat

1,475 posts

141 months

Monday 25th November 2019

Stuart70 said:

Nine and a half grand for a 9 year old Alfa.

You have a right giraffe mate!!

I'd much rather have that 159 parked on my drive than any Superb/A4/320 offering.

Summit_Detailing

2,429 posts

222 months

Monday 25th November 2019

Jaguar XF sportbrake in 3.0d form?...a couple around with 60-70k miles, not that that should be a deal breaker imo.

Cheers,

Chris

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

Monday 25th November 2019

Paddymcc

1,297 posts

220 months

Monday 25th November 2019

I just picked up an 2014 e220 SE model to get through winter and I can't really fault it apart from the low mpg around town when it's cold. Mpg on a longer journey is in the 50s. Low miles at 55k but it was slighty over your budget (1500£).

It's comfy, good radio, streams music, nice heated seats, led lights, power tailgate, acres of room with the seats down for dump runs, nippy enough when you put the gearbox into sport mode, refined over bumps but I am comparing it to a '12 C63 estate I had previously.

ninjag

1,878 posts

148 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019

RapidRob said:

I do around 12k miles a year, work is 5 miles away, but I do the occasional jaunt up to scotland

Surely petrol is the sensible choice?

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019

At 12k you can go either way depending on what you prefer & how much you want to spend on fuel.

ninjag

1,878 posts

148 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019

Was thinking about the 5 mile each way to work? Although this is only a small part of the estimated annual mileage so I guess it would depend on the rest of the trips.

Mind you, I'm only 1 mile to work with lots of local trips as well. But perhaps a combination of an average run once a week, ultimate diesel, regular top spec C1 oil changes and a tin of Achoil 6400-D seems to keep my DPF squeaky clean so I guess diesel can be fine?

twentyvalveturbo34

7 posts

82 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019

How about a BMW F31 328?
There's a 63 plate on autotrader for just under £12k, 240 bhp, should be reasonably good on fuel as it's a 2 litre, might be worth a look.

RapidRob

Original Poster

159 posts

153 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019

F31 328i is a good shout. I'm 24 and don't really fancy a jag or merc . I'm doing less and less of the 5 mile commutes, but still think petrol might be better long term for residuals? I guess the other option is 330d, any ideas/experience of long term reliability of either of these?

AshVX220

5,965 posts

219 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019

I have a C320 Cdi Saloon, 09 plate 50k on the clock.

Found this estate equivalent, would certainly deliver the 0-60 time you want, comfortable, all the toys and reliable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Obee72

264 posts

114 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019

RapidRob said:

Read into the potential timing chain issues regarding the 328i. There was a class action lawsuit brought against BMW in the US for it. Put me off tbh. I was in a similar boat and chose a Mk5 Mondeo Titanium X 240ps Petrol, 50k miles, £11k. All the toys...

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019

Obee72

264 posts

114 months

Thursday 28th November 2019

I deliberated on that 159 for ages and if it had of been closer I'd have gone but Yorkshire to the south coast was just too far. Beautiful car though.

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