10K for a BMW Touring - what are the best options?

[Tallerton12]

Hi All,

Currently looking at changing car. I currently drive an mk2 TT but want to move into a tourer.

To be honest I'm really not sure what I should be looking at as the best options. I do about 50 miles a day for work so I guess a diesel would be good but also thinking about changing jobs where the commute could be a lot shorter, do I just get a diesel anyway?

I think id rather go for a 3 series rather an 5 series because of the size and limited 5 series options within budget, but not sure which model or spec (m sport, se etc).


Any advice is welcome.

Thanks!

[66HFM]

It may be worth holding on until you know what your working requirements are as that may certainly feed into the petrol / diesel / hybrid debate.

For c.£10k my personal preference would be either an Octavia VRS or Seat Leon FR (ST/estate)

[Summit_Detailing]

330d, infact picked one up for my partner before christmas - perfect commuter/motorway tool.

[jamesbrady50]

If you can hold out till job change then that’s worthwhile.
For estates a 5 does have much more space than a 3. If space is your reason for an estate then would look that way. F11 4 and 6 cylinder engines have had multiple issues (timing chains and more) but I believe the later engines (B47) are much better. BMW oil change can be up to 2 years/18000 miles so one that’s had regular changes is a must

[pb8g09]

If you’re gonna do BMW touring properly, make sure it has 6 cylinders!

[ZX10R NIN]

330d Luxury:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...

530d SE:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501037...

I'd actually recommend the XF at this price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501017...

[Mr Tidy]

pb8g09 said:

If you’re gonna do BMW touring properly, make sure it has 6 cylinders!

That was my BMW Indys advice too if I didn't want to be visiting him too often!

M-Sport models have much nicer seats than SE models, but also have stiffer, lower suspension and bigger wheels which do the ride on UK potholes no favours, especially with run-flat tyres.

My old E90 330i is an SE so just 17" wheels but still has a pretty firm ride. And to be fair I've had no issues doing 200+ mile trips with the SE seats. They might have limitations if you're driving like you stole it but I have a fun car for that sort of thing.

For a 50 mile commute I'd definitely go diesel, but I chose petrol because mine only does 3-4K miles a year now I've stopped working.

[Gad-Westy]

At the risk of being one of those people that always recommends their own car... I'm very happy with our F11 535i. Really is a lovely blend of pace and comfort.

I have a bit of history with BMW Tourings having had an E46 330i, E61 525i, E91 335i and now the F11 535i plus a smattering of saloons too. I seem to always keep 5's much longer than 3's for whatever that is worth! This is really going to come down to the comfort vs dynamics trade off as all else being equal I find a 5-series a more refined/relaxing thing to drive and a 3-series generally a sharper driving experience when the mood takes. Obviously spec and engines etc can blur the boundaries a little on that.

It sounds like currently you're covering about 12k per year and that might come down so I'd say that doesn't necessarily make diesel a no-brainer but you will probably find more choice of diesels out there than petrols. Personally I'd far rather the petrol options but either way, a 6 cylinder will be well worth it.

Just had a quick skim of autotrader and both of these look like interesting cars... I realise there are many more sensible options out there but this is PH!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407121...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412217...

[pb8g09]

Also if your budget can’t find a decent M-Sport trim, look for “Modern”. It’s softer suspension and thicker tyre sidewalls but you tend to get all the extras you’d want (pro nav, heated seats, window tints, nicer seats etc).

[Before the music stops]

Can you get into a leggy Merc CLS shooting brake for that?