Another What car..... 3k motorway muncher.....
Another What car..... 3k motorway muncher.....
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Discussion

Dan_1981

Original Poster:

18,100 posts

229 months

Sunday 18th July 2010
quotequote all
I know I know, its yet another what car thread......well not so much a what car but more of a "Tell me what I need to know about these" thread.....

From the following - is there anything major I need to know, any massive failings? or just any info you can provide for them....

And also how realistic am I expecting to get into any of these for the 3k price point?

I'd be wanting some toys, leather and hopefully about 30mpg.

E39 5 series - must be either a 523, or a 528.

E46 3 Series touring - again 325 or 330. (Not sure i'll manage at this price level?)

Octavia VRS - diesel or petrol.

MG ZTT Touring thingy ma bobby - not sure which engine I need here? Suggestions?

SAAB - 95 - Aero Hot thingy.

Cheers

Dan

Edited by Dan_1981 on Sunday 18th July 12:28

beebs90

169 posts

213 months

Sunday 18th July 2010
quotequote all
Id personaly say an MG ZTT 190 2.5 v6, dont worry about the engine its strong and reliable, make surre the cambelt change is done as very big job, at 6 years old or 90,000 miles. There very good cars will do all you want and are in opinon the most car for the money you should be able to get a ver good 2003 model for that price. My friend from work had one and loved it said iit was perfect for the motorway and very good in every other situation he could get around 35mpg average on th motorway. and they sound and look great.

appolagies for any spelling mistakes

Edited by beebs90 on Sunday 18th July 12:32


Edited by beebs90 on Sunday 18th July 12:33

y2blade

56,321 posts

245 months

Sunday 18th July 2010
quotequote all
Octavia Diesel

chrisispringles

893 posts

195 months

Monday 19th July 2010
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Mercedes E300TD/E320 CDI. Both very economical and far better mile munchers than any BMW.

Dan_1981

Original Poster:

18,100 posts

229 months

Monday 19th July 2010
quotequote all
Hmm not a big fan of the merc to be honest and at 3k wouldn't I be looking at the 'rusty' era?

JeS10

375 posts

196 months

Monday 19th July 2010
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Just make sure that whatever you do, you steer well clear of the 9-5. The LPT versions are bad enough, but the 220BHP Aero HOT just takes the proverbial biscuit.

Dan_1981

Original Poster:

18,100 posts

229 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
JeS10 said:
Just make sure that whatever you do, you steer well clear of the 9-5. The LPT versions are bad enough, but the 220BHP Aero HOT just takes the proverbial biscuit.
really? I'd heard good things about the Saab?

Matt UK

18,084 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
E39 528 everyday from that list, it's a different league.

It's an older car so will cost money to run, but they are very solid. Just watch the cooling system.

This looks nice:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1866708.htm

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

247 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
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See if you can find an Accord 2.4 Executive Touring. Better equipped and less reliability worries than the MG, 190bhp and no worse a steer. Only issue might be finding one at that price point.

WildCards

4,061 posts

247 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
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JeS10 said:
Just make sure that whatever you do, you steer well clear of the 9-5. The LPT versions are bad enough, but the 220BHP Aero HOT just takes the proverbial biscuit.
I've got 9-5 Aero estate, it's brilliant on the motorway, returns 35-38mpg, is comfy, quiet and has a huge amount of shove in any gear. I'd be choosing between that and the E39 5er if it was my choice.

davidjpowell

18,691 posts

214 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
Dan_1981 said:
JeS10 said:
Just make sure that whatever you do, you steer well clear of the 9-5. The LPT versions are bad enough, but the 220BHP Aero HOT just takes the proverbial biscuit.
really? I'd heard good things about the Saab?
Me too. I have the one. The Turbo on the LPT is a bit weaker than the one on the Aero.

Mine is the LPT, a 2001 model with 125k bought for £1,400. In the last year the only non-service cost has been a Throttle Body (known to go at this mileage and a easy DIY) - £350 for new one, and a 20p clip.

Car is comfy, well equipped and gets close to 40mpg on the Motorway, providing I keep to 70ish. Personally I thought much better value for money than Mercs or BMW at this price range.

BadgerBill

274 posts

269 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
JeS10 said:
Just make sure that whatever you do, you steer well clear of the 9-5. The LPT versions are bad enough, but the 220BHP Aero HOT just takes the proverbial biscuit.
Very odd, do you speak from personal experience?

The 2 estates that I have are fine, although one is the 2.2 TiD and the other is the 250bhp Aero.

Only needed usual maintenance with the exception of a ball joint on the Aero that I replaced myself at massive cost of £19 from a dealer via carpartsconnexion.com (or co.uk, I'm not sure)

Diesel gets 42mpg average, Aero gets 30 avg, 36 on a steady m-way run.

BB

matt21

4,395 posts

234 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
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why 528i or 523i. id go 530i

Sir_Dave

1,506 posts

240 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
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My 328i Sport averaged 35mpg over 16.5k & 7 months.

Cost bugger all to run as well, so that would be my suggestion:





Edited by Sir_Dave on Tuesday 20th July 12:09

BoRED S2upid

21,058 posts

270 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
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I find myself in a very similar situation but instead of 30mpg I need upwards of 50 so am looking at 325, 328 (and converting to LPG) or 320d with high miles.

davemac250

4,499 posts

235 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
davidjpowell said:
Dan_1981 said:
JeS10 said:
Just make sure that whatever you do, you steer well clear of the 9-5. The LPT versions are bad enough, but the 220BHP Aero HOT just takes the proverbial biscuit.
really? I'd heard good things about the Saab?
Me too. I have the one. The Turbo on the LPT is a bit weaker than the one on the Aero.

Mine is the LPT, a 2001 model with 125k bought for £1,400. In the last year the only non-service cost has been a Throttle Body (known to go at this mileage and a easy DIY) - £350 for new one, and a 20p clip.

Car is comfy, well equipped and gets close to 40mpg on the Motorway, providing I keep to 70ish. Personally I thought much better value for money than Mercs or BMW at this price range.
And another vote.

My 9-5 Aero gets hauled across Europe on a regular (every 2-3 weeks) and has been superb.

I average 28mpg have seen the GPS indicating 150 (okay it was a bit downhill and took ages to get there) and it is always getting used for load carrying duties.

Good enough to raise a smile on a (not too) twisty route and comfortable as anything on the autobahns.

You get an awful lot of car for the money.

ITP

2,725 posts

227 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
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I do 700 miles every week in my 02 Aero, in two 350 mile chunks. It is v.comfy and has been trouble free. Always does 28-30mpg (based on filling tank, not the computer), this is at 85-90 though.
I must try doing the trip at 70 one day to try and get this high 30's mpg that people claim!

All speeds quoted are in kph, officer.............

SWH

1,261 posts

232 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
Another vote for the 9-5 here, our 04 plate LPT auto estate gets low 30's to the gallon if used steadily on my commute, and managed 26mpg when returning at, err, a fair pace, from Devon with a cement mixer and a garden table and chair set on board. The load rails in the back allow for everything to be strapped down quite well too.

Dan_1981

Original Poster:

18,100 posts

229 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for all the info and suggestions...

to answer a couple of queries....

Matt - 528 would be my pick of the bunch at the moment - but it does seem difficult to find a decent one - the one you've linked to has been written off!

Looking at at 528 and 523 but no reason I wouldn't consider a 530.... unless MPG was significantly worse?

Good to see the SAAB getting some praise - i'm tempted - mainly by the huge spec and impressive performance.

The 328 doesn't do it for me - especially not in E36 guise, in e46 i'd be wanting a touring and don't think I can stretch to one?

Matt UK

18,084 posts

230 months

Tuesday 20th July 2010
quotequote all
Dan_1981 said:
Matt - 528 would be my pick of the bunch at the moment - but it does seem difficult to find a decent one - the one you've linked to has been written off!

Looking at at 528 and 523 but no reason I wouldn't consider a 530.... unless MPG was significantly worse?
So it is! They buried that in the ad!

530i will be no more thirsty vs 528, it may come down to budget though. The 530i was the replacement so the cars are newer and more expensive.

530i - high miles, but looks tidy and within budget
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1839976.htm

530i - lower miles but SE and wood spec
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1842087.htm

528i - Tidy looking for the miles, non-leather if that matter to you
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1865456.htm