Petrol estate for £6k

[Stretchly]

Hi guys,

I am looking currently to replace my 2019 Fiesta ST-line X 1.0 Eco boost.

I'm getting off the PCP train by handing back and buying a car for around £6k

Must Haves:
Petrol
Auto
4/5 door - I'm mainly leaning towards estates
ULEZ compliant as I live on the outskirts of SE london
No stupid road tax

So far I have come up with a few but I would like to hear your guys opinions and alternatives:

Mercedes W204 C180 Estate Facelift (1.6T)
Audi B8 A4 avant 2.0TFSI
Volvo V60 1.6T

[stevemcs]

Audi, hmmm overly complicated suspension, engine can like a drink of oil and most likely the multitronic gear box - consider the seat Leon or Skoda Octavia, cheaper but will have the DSG box which again isn’t without issues

Merc, a little dull and underpowered, cramped too

Volvo, that’s the Ecoboost (not wet belt) but the gearbox will be the powersh*te.

[Ryan104]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023070894...

I quite like the styling on these Megane estates for your price range, albeit maybe not this high mileage but could get a fairly new model for the money because it’s not a higher end manufacturer.

I know nothing about their reliability / handling though.

[Stretchly]

I didn't know about the Volvo gearbox, that writes that one off. I knew about the engine, many moons ago I had a fiesta ST with that engine so I know its a good one.

I'm not too interested in being the fastest out there so that doesn't phase me with the merc but I assume a remap should sort some of the power issues out. I actually did my apprenticeships on that generation of C class so I know what they're like.

Audi suspension? Overly complicated as in Hydraulic or Air suspension?

[InitialDave]

I'd buy a 3-series Touring with most powerful engine in budget.

[Ryan104]

InitialDave said:

I'd buy a 3-series Touring with most powerful engine in budget.

As an owner of a 2017 3 series touring I would second this if it’s in your budget.

I have the 320d 2.0 diesel but it’s plenty go for what I need and still provides some fun when flicked into sport mode.

Best car I’ve driven when it comes to handling, decent sized boot for family holidays, pushchairs etc. It’s the perfect estate if you want something that you will enjoy driving as a petrol head but also has the practicalities for every day life.

I wouldn’t mind a 3.0 one day but while being a semi-sensible dad fuel economy remains a factor.

[Stretchly]

InitialDave said:

I'd buy a 3-series Touring with most powerful engine in budget.

I have had a look but annoyingly its all E91's without the nav screen and I just don't feel right spending that sort of money on a 2007 car with 110,000 miles.

Its frustrating the prices of cars nowadays, which is why there has been some budget creep from 4k up to 6k as there was sod all decent for that sort of money.

[Ryan104]

Stretchly said:

I have had a look but annoyingly its all E91's without the nav screen and I just don't feel right spending that sort of money on a 2007 car with 110,000 miles.

Its frustrating the prices of cars nowadays, which is why there has been some budget creep from 4k up to 6k as there was sod all decent for that sort of money.

You can get into a 3 series touring f31 model for your budget if you’re willing to tip into the 100k miles level of mileage. On a petrol engine that might be some risk though.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024111462...

[Stretchly]

Are these 3 bangers ropey at all? I understand that I’m not after fire starting performance but a 3 series with a 3 cylinder is perhaps where I draw the line.

I have seen a couple of the earlier F11 523i on autotrader with around 100k miles - should I discount these for any reasons?

going away from estates - would a Lexus GS300/IS250 be worthy?
these are a couple £k cheaper for a GS300 in the lower tax bracket or £5kish for an IS250.

Edited by Stretchly on Tuesday 10th December 22:02

[Mr Tidy]

Stretchly said:

InitialDave said:

I'd buy a 3-series Touring with most powerful engine in budget.

I have had a look but annoyingly its all E91's without the nav screen and I just don't feel right spending that sort of money on a 2007 car with 110,000 miles.

Its frustrating the prices of cars nowadays, which is why there has been some budget creep from 4k up to 6k as there was sod all decent for that sort of money.

I bought a manual 2006 E91 325i with the N52 engine and full BMWSH on 132K miles for just under £3K in 2018.

In the year I had it I did 7K miles and it only needed a new electric water pump and a new battery.

But I wanted a bit more performance so I replaced it with a manual 2005 E90 330i for a few hundred more but with lower mileage. I like it so much I still have it!

I wouldn't bother with any Nav installation that is over 10 years old though. My 2006 Z4 has it and it's like using a Sinclair ZX computer! Can't enter a postcode, have to enter the address twirling a button for each letter. In 5 years I have used it twice just for the entertainment value and to pass the time while stuck on a closed main road.

[Stretchly]

Mr Tidy said:

I bought a manual 2006 E91 325i with the N52 engine and full BMWSH on 132K miles for just under £3K in 2018.

In the year I had it I did 7K miles and it only needed a new electric water pump and a new battery.

But I wanted a bit more performance so I replaced it with a manual 2005 E90 330i for a few hundred more but with lower mileage. I like it so much I still have it!

I wouldn't bother with any Nav installation that is over 10 years old though. My 2006 Z4 has it and it's like using a Sinclair ZX computer! Can't enter a postcode, have to enter the address twirling a button for each letter. In 5 years I have used it twice just for the entertainment value and to pass the time while stuck on a closed main road.

the reason I was looking was because I think you can get a plug-in to be able to connect apple car play. I think it also modernizes the look of the interior slightly. I had an e90 330i before and it was nice to be honest, I just couldn't get along with the seats in it. being an M-sport with the Blowy-uppy seats it was rock hard and I could only do an hour or so driving before I had major lower back pain, and that was on a 23 year old.

[MattsCar]

Have a look at the Kia Optima. Estate is a handsome thing.

[rlg43p]

Volvo V70 with a 5 cylinder petrol engine.

[Stretchly]

MattsCar said:

Have a look at the Kia Optima. Estate is a handsome thing.

Good shout! just had a look and all diesel. my work journeys are very short and will not suit a diesel unfortunately, had a look at the proceed's as these look fantastic but unfortunately out of price range...

V70 T5's - would these be P2 or P3? as I think the P3 has a powershift as above and the P2? good or bad gearbox?

[Hifly130]

Ryan104 said:

Stretchly said:

I have had a look but annoyingly its all E91's without the nav screen and I just don't feel right spending that sort of money on a 2007 car with 110,000 miles.

Its frustrating the prices of cars nowadays, which is why there has been some budget creep from 4k up to 6k as there was sod all decent for that sort of money.

You can get into a 3 series touring f31 model for your budget if you’re willing to tip into the 100k miles level of mileage. On a petrol engine that might be some risk though.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024111462...

I had an F31 330i 2018 in great condition but would be outside your budget. It was a fantastic all rounder. Great handling, practical and a great looking estate. However my one concern was the Petrol 4 cylinder which will probably be the same unit as the 318i.

When I went to sell it one dealer was convinced he could hear chain rattle. Wasn’t even like the dealer was trying to get money off. He flatly refused to take. The dealer I eventually sold it to he even wanted a compression check done as he had been badly bitten by one.

I might be in same camp as the OP, looking for ULEZ estate about £6k. I stupidly bought a Renault Megane RS250 think I could tow my trackday car with it. Turns you can’t. Annoying thing is I love the Megane. Drives and looks great so big dilemma wether to change it or not.

An older BMW estate with a straight 6 or a 5 cylinder Volvo appeal to me!

[66HFM]

I have a mate who works for Honda, about 5-6 years ago he had a Civic Tourer (estate) as his company car for 6 months, he said how good a car it was and in circa 3-5 years time what an ideal used car they would make.

Not too sure where they are on the auto side.
My personal preference would be an Octavia VRS estate although the majority are diesel rather than petrol but they can be found...

[Matt_T]

Honda Accords are lovely to drive, they feel very premium compared to other mainstream cars, and the seat's are lovely to sit in as they're huge. I have a 2009 diesel with 150,000 miles and love it.

The diesels aren't ULEZ compliant but the petrols are. I know the below is a saloon but there is a Touring version too

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17624080

[Whataguy]

I had a Honda accord with that engine, they are nice and reliable.

The accord and civic estate with either a 1.8 or 2 litre petrol automatic would be a good choice. I don’t like the later turbo petrol engines and the 1 litre isn’t reliable.

If you can pickup one of the rare 2.4 litre automatic accords, they are a great car.

[fflump]

Stretchly said:

Hi guys,

I am looking currently to replace my 2019 Fiesta ST-line X 1.0 Eco boost.

I'm getting off the PCP train by handing back and buying a car for around £6k

Must Haves:
Petrol
Auto
4/5 door - I'm mainly leaning towards estates
ULEZ compliant as I live on the outskirts of SE london
No stupid road tax

So far I have come up with a few but I would like to hear your guys opinions and alternatives:

Mercedes W204 C180 Estate Facelift (1.6T)
Audi B8 A4 avant 2.0TFSI
Volvo V60 1.6T

You seem to be drawn to prestige car brands that are quite expensive for age/mileage and have higher than average running costs. Your £6k is not going to buy much of an Audi or Mercedes estate. This applies to the BMW fans in the thread too.

If you like your Fiesta EcoBoost you *could* look at a Focus estate with the same engine, or the more powerful 1.6.

[chip*]

Matt_T said:

Honda Accords are lovely to drive, they feel very premium compared to other mainstream cars, and the seat's are lovely to sit in as they're huge. I have a 2009 diesel with 150,000 miles and love it.

The diesels aren't ULEZ compliant but the petrols are. I know the below is a saloon but there is a Touring version too

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17624080

That looks a minter!!

If I was looking, I wouldn't hesitate to buy that if it's as clean as it says!
Ran a 2003 Accord Type S for a few years before gifting it to my friend's Dad, who subsequently passed it down to his grandson! Massive boot too so no worries if you want to carry load of junk.