Fun estate £12k max

[six port]

Got the itch again!

Currently have a Japanese import 525i sport touring which I love but miss my old R32 for its snarl and handling /VR noise combo
The E39 is a great car but it’s auto and not chuckable on a b road.

I have however got used to its practicality.

This leads me to a few options

-Passat R36 Japanese import, bigger R32 albeit not available manual which I quite fancy after the slow slush box currently but these seem quite lively

-Search a 5 door manual R32 out and hope it’s practical enough for 2 young kids and their stuff, also had 2 already! Not an estate I know

-Go modern and get a MK7 GTi or Skoda Octavia VRS

-Find a B8 S4 wagon manual

- Regret selling the cleanest E39 sport touring I could find, maybe a manual swap and nice suspension set up and keep it

[the-norseman]

SAAB 9-3 Turbo X (2.8 V6) Sportwagon? they are quite rare though to be honest especially in sportwagon.

I had the FWD version which was a 9-3 Aero sportwagon.

[Pablo16v]

F11 535i Touring? I have a 2012 one and it handles well and goes well too, and for not a lot of money you can get an MHD remap to 365bhp. It's an auto though, unless you can find an extremely rare manual in budget, but it I think a great auto box (8 speed), and in sports mode you can drive the pants off it with the paddles. Has a nice muted gruff sound to it too.

[pb8g09]

Insignia VXR and then chip it to improve its power curve.

[Simon_GH]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410285...

You don’t see many Seat Leon Cupra estates on the road. Looks good value to me.

[M.F.D]

I think the Cupra estate is probably the best at this price point. Decent dynamics, reliable, modern and choice of manual/DSG. Easily 350bhp + for little outlay too.

E39 540i Touring manual? I'll assume these are rare....

E91 330i with birds package, should get an absolute minter for the budget and the N52 is epic.

Passat would be decent, but forget the R32. Sounds nice, but slow and other options mentioned way better IMO.

[the-norseman]

M.F.D said:

Passat would be decent, but forget the R32. Sounds nice, but slow and other options mentioned way better IMO.

Its a 3.6 300ps not the 3.2

[M.F.D]

the-norseman said:

Its a 3.6 300ps not the 3.2

six port said:

-Search a 5 door manual R32 out and hope it’s practical enough for 2 young kids and their stuff, also had 2 already! Not an estate I know

Yeah I know, hence why I said it (Passat R36) would be decent. The OP mentioned a 5dr R32 and I was pointing out that I think there are far better options mentioned.

[zorba_the_greek]

S4 B8.5

[the-norseman]

M.F.D said:

Yeah I know, hence why I said it (Passat R36) would be decent. The OP mentioned a 5dr R32 and I was pointing out that I think there are far better options mentioned.

Ah sorry, yeh I miss read that.

[Type R Tom]

If you don't mind an import, I got a V60 T6 AWD from these guys

https://euro.j-pn.co.uk/find/uk/

They put a digital dash in and do all the settings changes. Mine came with Polestar remap, so it was about 330 bhp. It was quick, but thirsty.

[six port]

Great suggestions, thanks some stuff I hadn’t considered, F11 touring likely to be as boaty as the E39 but much faster?
I think I’d miss the 6 cylinders going down to a 2.0 4 pot but then I’ve not really driven any to give them a chance!

[BUG4LIFE]

Subaru Legacy.

[MDMA .]

I’ve been looking at a few JDM A6 Allroads with the 3.0 V6 Supercharged engine. Nice bit of kit. Decent set of OEM wheels would really set one off.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you can live with an R32 then the Insignia VXR is a very good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501027...

They did come in estate form but these are rare.

[Belle427]

The Leon Cupra estate would be a great car especially if you can.creep into the 4 drive.
Octavia Vrs is another good option.

[Latifisnc]

Had a 4drive seat on lease over lockdown - if prices hadn't jumped up so much I would've bought it. Cracking car. Wouldn't recommend the one linked above - purely on the basis of that particular dealer.

[six port]

I’ve made a provisional deal with a local dealer to part ex my e39 for nearly what I paid for it towards to the purchase of a 2015 B8.5 S4 Avant.
1 owner Dubai royal family but no paperwork!
Phoned the Kensington garage who have their sticker in the window who say it’s had anything done it needs but can’t confirm or deny any timing chain or s tronic work!

Drove it and seems an honest car drive spot on but am a bit paranoid about massive bills now and may pull out and go for a low mile Japan import with better spec

[andyb28]

As mentioned above, Passat R36. Looks like they have come down loads since I had mine and within your budget.

They are quick and NA, so just raw power and nothing major to go wrong.

[six port]

MDMA . said:

I’ve been looking at a few JDM A6 Allroads with the 3.0 V6 Supercharged engine. Nice bit of kit. Decent set of OEM wheels would really set one off.

These are very cool! Didn’t know they existed