Rapid Family Estate/SUV for 25k miles pa?

[Spudmaster]

Hello all,

Due to move on from my highly specced ex-demo Volvo V90 Cross Country D5 after 3 years and nearly 70k miles in the next 3 months.
Absolutely love the Volvo - great styling, cavernous interior, very well kitted out, supremely comfortable way of getting from A to B, not exactly slow - but really dull to drive, (and surprisingly unreliable).

My mileage is not likely to drop, I need space for family, (1x child, labrador, bikes & stuff), a decent stereo and most importantly something with the ability to put a smile on my face when the right road and conditions come round. 4wd would be handy, a decent stereo (was spoiled by £3k of B&W in Volvo), and ideally a sunroof.

My one definite is to go 6 cylinder whilst we still can- probably diesel due to mileage.. Will be shopping around for best 3 or 4yr deal PCP either new or nearly new. (Please note that this is not a thread to provoke debate on wrongs and rights of finance - I know what i am doing and am more than capable of securing the best deal for myself).

So far, I have the following shortlist: -
BMW 330D XDrive
BMW X3 M40D
Audi S4 (had a cracking quote from Drive the Deal)

Two main questions: -
Does anybody have real world experience of any of these - MPG, tyre wear, service costs etc. My average MPG in the Volvo has been 36.
Have I missed anything off the list?

My other option is to go for something more sedate as family wagon and chop the wife's 120D in for a hot-hatch, (I30N, 135 etc) - but that will probably be another thread...

Thanks in Advance!

Spud

[ZX10R NIN]

I've driven the new S4 & that engine is a peach just effortless & the fuel economy was good to, I have to collect another one from Edinburgh on Monday, I will say having had a V90 an S6 will be more suited to your needs.

Also take a look at the E400d:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Spudmaster]

Good shout on the Merc ZX10!