Fun family car
Author
Discussion

K-Fed

Original Poster:

11 posts

98 months

Sunday 16th February 2020
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The recent arrival of a new baby has quickly made me realise I need a car with a much bigger boot. I need to be able to fit a Labrador, a pram and luggage in it.

I’m looking to run one car so would like something that does everything, I.e. load lugger and fun to drive.

I think I’ve narrowed it down to a 540i touring, E43 estate or F-Pace 3.0 S V6. Looking around two years old.

My initial thoughts are head says bmw but it’s not the nicest looking car. I went to look at E class estates today and thought they look very hearse like, nice interior though. F-pace keeps the mrs happy (she prefers the high driving position and thinks estates are old man cars) but by far the worst interior/build quality.

If it was your choice what would you go for? S6 is out for being diesel.

Shiv_P

3,033 posts

134 months

Sunday 16th February 2020
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A6 55TFSI

Baldchap

9,623 posts

121 months

Sunday 16th February 2020
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RS4?

K-Fed

Original Poster:

11 posts

98 months

Sunday 16th February 2020
quotequote all
Baldchap said:
RS4?
Unfortunately too small, 3 series and C class are out for the same reason. Which is a shame as I think they’re all better looking than the A6/5 series/E class.

AdamD

501 posts

249 months

Sunday 16th February 2020
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We recently bought an F pace 3.0 v6 supercharged - my usual toy is a Z4M and I’m loving it’s effortless grunt and growl and it rides well considering the 22” wheels. Plenty of space for adult rear passengers and luggage too smile

Well worth a test drive but make sure you get one with pano roof, 360 cameras, the larger sat nav/full digital dash instrument display and adaptive cruise as I would miss those features (the cameras are invaluable for tight parking spaces).

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K-Fed

Original Poster:

11 posts

98 months

Monday 17th February 2020
quotequote all
AdamD said:
We recently bought an F pace 3.0 v6 supercharged - my usual toy is a Z4M and I’m loving it’s effortless grunt and growl and it rides well considering the 22” wheels. Plenty of space for adult rear passengers and luggage too smile

Well worth a test drive but make sure you get one with pano roof, 360 cameras, the larger sat nav/full digital dash instrument display and adaptive cruise as I would miss those features (the cameras are invaluable for tight parking spaces).

Ad
Thanks for the tip on the options, will definitely give one a test drive.

How are you finding the interior quality?

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

31,986 posts

264 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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Ford Ranger. That'll do the job. (Although the instructions do say don't put people under, or on, the roller shutter...presume this includes babies)

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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S Max ST-Line 240bhp Max if you go petrol but it’s a slug cheaper than what your looking at and I’ll wager Mrs OP will be wanting a brother or sister and more for the new arrival smile

K-Fed

Original Poster:

11 posts

98 months

Tuesday 18th February 2020
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Ranger, S-Max and Jeep are all out. Maserati tempting as it's a bit different but I think I'd still put the F-Pace before it.

No one a fan of the 5 series touring or E class estate?


jdizz

403 posts

233 months

Tuesday 18th February 2020
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Leon Cupra Estate 300?

sinbaddio

2,834 posts

205 months

Tuesday 18th February 2020
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Shiv_P

3,033 posts

134 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
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Shiv_P said:
A6 55TFSI
?

K-Fed

Original Poster:

11 posts

98 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
quotequote all
Shiv_P said:
Shiv_P said:
A6 55TFSI
?
It’s not a bad shout, slightly better looking than the merc and bmw and a nice interior. Just not convinced it will be exciting enough to drive? If only the S wasn’t diesel...

Shiv_P

3,033 posts

134 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
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K-Fed said:
Shiv_P said:
Shiv_P said:
A6 55TFSI
?
It’s not a bad shout, slightly better looking than the merc and bmw and a nice interior. Just not convinced it will be exciting enough to drive? If only the S wasn’t diesel...
I have driven one, it's not bad at all for such a size vehicle. The BMW probably is more engaging yes but interior knocks it out of the park and road noise, comfort etc is also better

I doubt the S is much different to drive over a regular A6

drgoatboy

2,027 posts

236 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
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How about a fast Skoda superb? Pistonheads raved about theirs. Cheaper option and bigger inside than its rivals...

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

219 months

Thursday 20th February 2020
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K-Fed said:
If it was your choice what would you go for? S6 is out for being diesel.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Going to be practical and arguably the most fun to drive. Just a different kind of fun.

New Defender might be worth a shout. No idea ok your budget though. Plus likely a waiting list on the Defender.

If you are wanting something less 4x4 like. I’d look at importing a Ford Flex. 3.5 twin turbo V6 and AWD.

Mr Tidy

31,211 posts

156 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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K-Fed said:
My initial thoughts are head says bmw but it’s not the nicest looking car. I went to look at E class estates today and thought they look very hearse like, nice interior though. F-pace keeps the mrs happy (she prefers the high driving position and thinks estates are old man cars) but by far the worst interior/build quality.

If it was your choice what would you go for? S6 is out for being diesel.
Whose car is it going to be, yours or hers?

If it will be yours, why would you want a high-up pensioner wagon like an F-Pace - unless you play football and your OH has an orange face!

Shifter1

1,081 posts

120 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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You lost me when you said it needs to be fun to drive and then list a F-Pace.

But I would have thought one of the bonker AMG estates would be the ticket, if you don't mind autos.

To me personally since I despise autos it would be a tall order finding something with a big boot and fun to drive. They normally don't go together, at least from my concept of fun to drive.

Rick-fgpe0

112 posts

133 months

Friday 21st February 2020
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K-Fed said:
No one a fan of the 5 series touring or E class estate?
I like the 5 series. Similar issue to you in that the 3 series/a4 (and so Q5)/e class are all too small. The f pace isn’t particularly big either though - id guess that the 5 series/a6 are actually wider internally when it comes to putting actual people in them (because of the way the bolsters/seats are positioned - the middle seat is really narrow in an f pace compared to the flat back row in the 5).

I ordered a brand new factory build 5 series this week. I think you and I have different performance/economy requirements (I went 530d) but from every article ever, the 5 is the best exec estate car on sale today. Maybe take the 540 with adaptive air suspension and m sport plus pack?

First hit on when adding search term “plus” on autotrader...

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

Edited by Rick-fgpe0 on Friday 21st February 08:54


Edited by Rick-fgpe0 on Friday 21st February 08:57