Quick compact estate - Page 1 - Car Buying

JackReacher

Original Poster

2,274 posts

244 months

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Monday 2nd March 2020

I'm looking to replace my m240i with a brisk estate, but nothing too big. Criteria are:-

Up to £30k
Ideally no bigger than a 3 series/a4
4wd and manual preferable (but looks unlikely)
Quickish - sub 6 second to 60mph
Half decent to drive on a B road.
MPG/tyre costs not too much of a concern as mileage will be about 5k a year.
But, dont want something that will throw up regular big bills.
I'm not tied to any brand so open to anything, but perhaps not French.
Ideally still in warranty or open to manufacturer warranty.

I can't think of anything that meets this criteria, so going the have to compromise somewhere. Current options:-

Golf R estate/Leon Cupra 300 ST are leading contenders, but DSG only and perhaps a bit boring/common.
F31 340i touring, familiar with the great engine but hear the ride quality and suspension is worse than my m240.
The B9 S4 avant falls into budget but not sure what they are like to drive.
B8 S4 avant, getting on a bit but available with a manual box although rare.

Then the outsiders, w204 c63 or B8 rs4. Presumably less depreciation to offset increased running costs, but what is the potential for big ball busting bills?

What am I missing? Volvo and skoda dont seem to offer anything. Anything interesting from Japan?

jdizz

403 posts

233 months

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Monday 2nd March 2020

Having picked one up yesterday, I'd say go witht he Leon Cupra 300 ST.

krisdelta

4,670 posts

230 months

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Monday 2nd March 2020

I've had my W204 C63 wagon for over 3 years now - in that time / 20k miles its only consumed a single sensor above routine services. Unstressed engine, v8 loveliness and £23k will pick up a late 13/14 plate with sensible miles. It's not on your "main" list but well worth a look vs an S4. My experience so far:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47...

You may not live too far from me, so welcome to pop over and poke around if so.

JackReacher

Original Poster

2,274 posts

244 months

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Monday 2nd March 2020

jdizz said:

Having picked one up yesterday, I'd say go witht he Leon Cupra 300 ST.

The Leon Cupra is a consideration, and we liked our old Leon FR. Not sure on the bronze bits but at least they are fairly limited. Think it's better looking than the golf.

JackReacher

Original Poster

2,274 posts

244 months

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Monday 2nd March 2020

krisdelta said:

I've had my W204 C63 wagon for over 3 years now - in that time / 20k miles its only consumed a single sensor above routine services. Unstressed engine, v8 loveliness and £23k will pick up a late 13/14 plate with sensible miles. It's not on your "main" list but well worth a look vs an S4. My experience so far:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47...

You may not live too far from me, so welcome to pop over and poke around if so.

Thanks, will take a good read of that, car looks great. I'm not too far from Guildford actually so might take you up on that if its something I want to look into a bit more. Of course the danger is a hear that V8 and forget about the other options!

Deerfoot

5,238 posts

213 months

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Monday 2nd March 2020

JackReacher said:

What am I missing? Volvo and skoda dont seem to offer anything.

V60 Polestar? There are a couple of 3.0 litre Polestars on AutoTrader for well under your budget if you're happy with lightly used.

JackReacher

Original Poster

2,274 posts

244 months

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Tuesday 3rd March 2020

Deerfoot said:

V60 Polestar? There are a couple of 3.0 litre Polestars on AutoTrader for well under your budget if you're happy with lightly used.

Thanks, I hadnt considered that. Objectively there is no reason why I would choose one over the Golf, but it is definitely a lot rarer.

milfordkong

1,307 posts

261 months

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Tuesday 3rd March 2020

Watching this thread with interest, pretty much my exact criteria for my next car... Sadly none of the options really interest me.

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

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Tuesday 3rd March 2020

JackReacher

Original Poster

2,274 posts

244 months

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Tuesday 3rd March 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

Thanks very much, some interesting ideas. Had not considered the CLA at all, but think that if I was going to do the AMG thing I should do it properly and get the C63. I think that might actually be my favourite option on paper, just need to do some research and give myself some comfort that its reasonably reliable. Also a final opportunity to get a V8. My daily is an i3 so I'm not going to feel guilty about having a V8 as well smile

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

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Tuesday 3rd March 2020

JackReacher said:

Thanks very much, some interesting ideas. Had not considered the CLA at all, but think that if I was going to do the AMG thing I should do it properly and get the C63. I think that might actually be my favourite option on paper, just need to do some research and give myself some comfort that its reasonably reliable. Also a final opportunity to get a V8. My daily is an i3 so I'm not going to feel guilty about having a V8 as well smile

Reliability really isn't an issue they're pretty much bulletproof my OH still misses her modified C63 & my CLK63 has never caused me any issues well apart from the stupid grin it puts on my face on start up. wink