The two grand estate dilemma
Discussion
I'm a bit stuck on two cars for commute/ park anywhere and not worry duties. Has to be an estate for ease of use, and that usage will be a real mix of stop/start towns, and little hops onto motorways.
Doesn't have to have massive driver involvement ( have a Noble for that, never selling) or the ultimate cruiser ( I have a X350 4.2 for that, never selling).
Having looked for a while, suddenly two have pooped up and I'm struggling to choose. Both have excellent maintenance/service/MOT histories, private sales, seem like decent sellers, both appeal in different ways, both circa 2 grand plus a bit of wriggle room. I'm happy with the provenance of both, especially at the price point, mpg not too much of an an issue, and I'll be doing circa 15,000 miles a year in it. Both are the right colours inside (neither are too close to the XJ inside as I want that to always feel special).
Option 1:2002 E46 BMW 330i SE Petrol Touring Auto.120K miles. Plus points are I've never done German, lovely engine, decent spec,size means it's easy to park,( the sort of places I go this matters a bit) decent ones becoming rare. Downsides are non sports seats which might mean it's not great at the comfort thing ( I'm tall), might even be a tad small overall for what I need, but something is really appealing about it.
Option2: 2006 Volvo V70 SE 2.4 Diesel Auto,140K miles. Plus points are I've never done Swedish, decent spec,size is (probably)better for what I need, won't attract knobs, very comfy chairs no doubt. Downsides are every morning I'll hear that bloody diesel clatter on start up which will annoy me, I've already got a big car in the XJ and the size might be a pain sometimes.
I've always though this era was the sweet spot for cars, with the right balance between gadgets ( cruise/ heated stuff etc) compared with the ridiculous kit in the modern stuff.
I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, although as both are popular cars I shouldn't have any trouble selling either if I get it wrong.In essence, I know there's petrol version of the V70 and diesel on the BMW having looked for some time, it will be one of these two cars only.
Cheers in advance for any thoughts from anyone?
Doesn't have to have massive driver involvement ( have a Noble for that, never selling) or the ultimate cruiser ( I have a X350 4.2 for that, never selling).
Having looked for a while, suddenly two have pooped up and I'm struggling to choose. Both have excellent maintenance/service/MOT histories, private sales, seem like decent sellers, both appeal in different ways, both circa 2 grand plus a bit of wriggle room. I'm happy with the provenance of both, especially at the price point, mpg not too much of an an issue, and I'll be doing circa 15,000 miles a year in it. Both are the right colours inside (neither are too close to the XJ inside as I want that to always feel special).
Option 1:2002 E46 BMW 330i SE Petrol Touring Auto.120K miles. Plus points are I've never done German, lovely engine, decent spec,size means it's easy to park,( the sort of places I go this matters a bit) decent ones becoming rare. Downsides are non sports seats which might mean it's not great at the comfort thing ( I'm tall), might even be a tad small overall for what I need, but something is really appealing about it.
Option2: 2006 Volvo V70 SE 2.4 Diesel Auto,140K miles. Plus points are I've never done Swedish, decent spec,size is (probably)better for what I need, won't attract knobs, very comfy chairs no doubt. Downsides are every morning I'll hear that bloody diesel clatter on start up which will annoy me, I've already got a big car in the XJ and the size might be a pain sometimes.
I've always though this era was the sweet spot for cars, with the right balance between gadgets ( cruise/ heated stuff etc) compared with the ridiculous kit in the modern stuff.
I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, although as both are popular cars I shouldn't have any trouble selling either if I get it wrong.In essence, I know there's petrol version of the V70 and diesel on the BMW having looked for some time, it will be one of these two cars only.
Cheers in advance for any thoughts from anyone?
E46 - spend a few quid buying a sport-seated interior that tickles your fancy, as they're really comfy. As you've already said, the engine is a peach, and they drive so well for what they are. Parts are cheap as chips, reliability decent.
Volvo - Very comfy cars, usually pretty reliable. I would want a petrol though, even though the D5 is a great engine. And the turning circle is crap.
Volvo - Very comfy cars, usually pretty reliable. I would want a petrol though, even though the D5 is a great engine. And the turning circle is crap.
I would be in a similar dilemma I think.
If you can stomach the extra cost of 15,000 miles of petrol vs 15,000 miles of diesel I'd be tempted towards the BMW though.
But really, its a no-lose situation. Volvo seats aren't as comfy as I was led to expect but I don;t think you can acually really complain compared to some things out there. You really can fit a load more in the back of one than you can in a 3 series estate, thanks to the flat profile of the boot compared to the angled BMW tailgate.
If you can stomach the extra cost of 15,000 miles of petrol vs 15,000 miles of diesel I'd be tempted towards the BMW though.
But really, its a no-lose situation. Volvo seats aren't as comfy as I was led to expect but I don;t think you can acually really complain compared to some things out there. You really can fit a load more in the back of one than you can in a 3 series estate, thanks to the flat profile of the boot compared to the angled BMW tailgate.
Absolutely the BMW. V70 huge and the seats are the only redeeming feature of one of that era. The worst steering I've ever encountered... no feel at all, oh... and yes that turning circle (admittedly the one I had, had quite big wheels), 3 point turn just to drive into a standard parking space at work. I bought it intending to keep it as family shed wagon for ages... but stopped using it after 3 months and sold it after 6.
Some other options:
Mondeo 2.5 Ghia X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2.4 Accord Type S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
9-3 Vector Sport/Aero
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C240 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C270 Avantgarde SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mondeo 2.5 Ghia X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2.4 Accord Type S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
9-3 Vector Sport/Aero
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C240 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C270 Avantgarde SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Some good alternatives there, but if it has to be a choice between the BMW and the Volvo I'd go BMW every time - especially as it's a petrol rather than a diesel.
I had an E46 325ti Compact with the M-Sport seats for a few years and loved it, but replaced it with an E91 325i Touring with the standard seats last year and to be honest never found them uncomfortable (but then I'm only 5' 10" tall). I just wouldn't want the standard ones in my Z4 though!
I had an E46 325ti Compact with the M-Sport seats for a few years and loved it, but replaced it with an E91 325i Touring with the standard seats last year and to be honest never found them uncomfortable (but then I'm only 5' 10" tall). I just wouldn't want the standard ones in my Z4 though!
sjc said:
blade7 said:
Does the E46 Touring have the same rear floor pan cracking issue as the saloon/coupe?
From my homework, it appears to mainly have affected pre-facelift 2001 cars anyway.ZX10R NIN said:
Way overpriced. Got £300 scrap value for the one I sold. Yes that one is on 108k miles but it also has a dent in the boot and rust coming through on the rear arches. danlightbulb said:
ZX10R NIN said:
Way overpriced. Got £300 scrap value for the one I sold. Yes that one is on 108k miles but it also has a dent in the boot and rust coming through on the rear arches. 3 days later there’ll be a callback with a story about lots of new cars coming in etc... and yes, the boss says it’s a deal.
Chaps I’ve done all the options. It’s a 3 series 6 cyl petrol or a V70 5 cyl.
Accord plain ugly.
Any 4 cyl diesel or petrol doesn’t appeal.
C-class doesn’t appeal
Outsiders might be an E-class 6cyl or a high spec 508SW /C5.
I drove a 100K mile 2004 full MDSH 530D on Sunday. Thought it was utterly horrific.
Accord plain ugly.
Any 4 cyl diesel or petrol doesn’t appeal.
C-class doesn’t appeal
Outsiders might be an E-class 6cyl or a high spec 508SW /C5.
I drove a 100K mile 2004 full MDSH 530D on Sunday. Thought it was utterly horrific.
I don't get the love-in for the D5, or the V70 overall come to that. I drove one (an XC70) 2000 miles across Australia last year, it was utterly ordinary and quite thirsty, IMHO. The car itself was nothing like as comfortable for me as a SAAB 9-5 estate I used to have. A cramped cabin in comparison, with a horribly low roof line at the front. My sister bought V70s nearly new three times, each one shat a major component (e.g. gearbox) spectacularly in the 100-150k mile zone, all had perfect service histories.
Fair shout, I do think the XCs are significantly more thirsty... mine is acceptable 40-45mpg on a run, auto saps a lot I think, and since mine is an 07 it benefits from a DPF and higher VEL
Fingers crossed mines at 240k and going strong, owned for nearly 3 years and only major expense has been steering rack. Not bad for £1200!
Fingers crossed mines at 240k and going strong, owned for nearly 3 years and only major expense has been steering rack. Not bad for £1200!
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