£13k - what car? DS5 vs 320d vs c220 vs Insig biturbo etc
Discussion
Hi there, looking around at the moment for a new (to me) car. Planning on buying by around September this year.
Want a diesel - I have a job where I travel quite a lot - potentially up to 20k per year. Not interested in petrol for this having run a Seat Leon Tdi 140 for the last 18 months and really liked it. Bad points about it are that the engine really is very agricultural sounding inside and the interior is very 'plasticky'. Good points are reasonable economy, great seats (it has the sports pack with quite heavily bolstered seats), fairly punchy performance and it looks nice (although the wife hates it for some reason).
So a new car has to be at least as fast, needs to have sat nav built in, needs to be a manual gearbox and look ok. It also needs to be able to carry a reasonable load / be capable of carrying stuff in it. I'm not worried if it is a hatch, estate or saloon - as long as it has split folding rear seats.
The short list I've come up with is below - I don't want anything older than 2010 or with more than 50k miles on it.
I appreciate they are slightly diverse - the Citroen would be the slowest / less sporting but I just like the interior and how it looks. The Insignia would have the most standard equipment I'd think. The BMW / Merc would likely have to be an estate as the split folding rear seats on these models was an optional extra, and I haven't seen too many cars with it specced on it.
Cars I have ruled out:
Want a diesel - I have a job where I travel quite a lot - potentially up to 20k per year. Not interested in petrol for this having run a Seat Leon Tdi 140 for the last 18 months and really liked it. Bad points about it are that the engine really is very agricultural sounding inside and the interior is very 'plasticky'. Good points are reasonable economy, great seats (it has the sports pack with quite heavily bolstered seats), fairly punchy performance and it looks nice (although the wife hates it for some reason).
So a new car has to be at least as fast, needs to have sat nav built in, needs to be a manual gearbox and look ok. It also needs to be able to carry a reasonable load / be capable of carrying stuff in it. I'm not worried if it is a hatch, estate or saloon - as long as it has split folding rear seats.
The short list I've come up with is below - I don't want anything older than 2010 or with more than 50k miles on it.
- BMW 320d M Sport
- Merc C220 / C250 CDI Sport
- Citroen DS5 2 litre diesel (not the hybrid)
- Insignia Biturbo diesel
I appreciate they are slightly diverse - the Citroen would be the slowest / less sporting but I just like the interior and how it looks. The Insignia would have the most standard equipment I'd think. The BMW / Merc would likely have to be an estate as the split folding rear seats on these models was an optional extra, and I haven't seen too many cars with it specced on it.
Cars I have ruled out:
- Lexus IS220d - no estate or split folding seats
- Ford Mondeo - I just don't like them and neither does the wife.
- Mazda 6 2.2d sport - read too many bad things about the engine and corrosion, plus mazda wheels don't last well.
Edited by Joebristolgym on Tuesday 24th March 16:16
No replies to my first post - maybe got lost, or maybe no opinions?
After looking around for a bit longer I think the BMW and Merc in the right spec won't be achievable for the money I have to spend.....and looking like the same may well be the case with the Insignia.
The more I think about it, the more I like that the DS5 is a different option compared to a lot of cars on the road. PLus I work for a bank and there are a lot of 3 / 5 series or c class mercs in the carpark so it would be nice to stand out.
I appreciate the DS5 is probably going to be the least sporting drive, but the interior is just so nice (I sat in one on the weekend). Thinking maybe with a superchips remap to the engine it will do quite a good job both for work driving and as a family car going forward.
The days of me driving unpractical (but fun) cars are gone for the time being.
After looking around for a bit longer I think the BMW and Merc in the right spec won't be achievable for the money I have to spend.....and looking like the same may well be the case with the Insignia.
The more I think about it, the more I like that the DS5 is a different option compared to a lot of cars on the road. PLus I work for a bank and there are a lot of 3 / 5 series or c class mercs in the carpark so it would be nice to stand out.
I appreciate the DS5 is probably going to be the least sporting drive, but the interior is just so nice (I sat in one on the weekend). Thinking maybe with a superchips remap to the engine it will do quite a good job both for work driving and as a family car going forward.
The days of me driving unpractical (but fun) cars are gone for the time being.
I appreciate my list isn't awe inspiring - I've had my fun with daft cars whilst younger - I now have a job where I spend a fair amount of time in the car and need something reasonably economical (without being too slow). Also trying for kids so may well have baby cr*p to cart round at some point.
The ds5 to me is just more stylish inside and out than the others. I've yet to drive one though. Would want a sport as that has the best interior trim. If I could find a 320d msport with nav and leather, whilst being either a touring or having split folding seats I'd be tempted though. No issue with the image of bow or Mercedes - I work for a bank so everyone hates us anyway - plus that's the standard type of car in the carpark!
I like the c250 and c220 cdi merc in the sport trim, but at my budget the split rear seats, the nav and leather seem beyond reach.
I don't like the interior of the Saabs that have been suggested unfortunately. Shame really as they do a pokey diesel bi turbo engine like the ones in the Insignia (where the bi turbo is outside of my budget).
I couldn't bring myself to spend more than £13k of my own money on a Vauxhall too, yet bizarrely I'm ok with it on a ds5 (where depreciation is still going to be more of an issue than the bow or merc). I sat in a top spec ds5 recently and just love the interior. Just so different to anything else on the market at that price. I'm just worried the drive is going to be disappointing.
The ds5 to me is just more stylish inside and out than the others. I've yet to drive one though. Would want a sport as that has the best interior trim. If I could find a 320d msport with nav and leather, whilst being either a touring or having split folding seats I'd be tempted though. No issue with the image of bow or Mercedes - I work for a bank so everyone hates us anyway - plus that's the standard type of car in the carpark!
I like the c250 and c220 cdi merc in the sport trim, but at my budget the split rear seats, the nav and leather seem beyond reach.
I don't like the interior of the Saabs that have been suggested unfortunately. Shame really as they do a pokey diesel bi turbo engine like the ones in the Insignia (where the bi turbo is outside of my budget).
I couldn't bring myself to spend more than £13k of my own money on a Vauxhall too, yet bizarrely I'm ok with it on a ds5 (where depreciation is still going to be more of an issue than the bow or merc). I sat in a top spec ds5 recently and just love the interior. Just so different to anything else on the market at that price. I'm just worried the drive is going to be disappointing.
Still been looking at the above list - no new options have jumped out at me. Wifey suggested a Kia Sportage (I think not).
Found a suitable ds5 and tempted to test drive it - especially as a mate of a mate has just asked if I want to sell my Leon. Difficult to put a price on it easily but gone back to suggest a ballpark finure and see what they say!
Found a suitable ds5 and tempted to test drive it - especially as a mate of a mate has just asked if I want to sell my Leon. Difficult to put a price on it easily but gone back to suggest a ballpark finure and see what they say!
Still been looking at the above list - no new options have jumped out at me. Wifey suggested a Kia Sportage (I think not).
Found a suitable ds5 and tempted to test drive it - especially as a mate of a mate has just asked if I want to sell my Leon. Difficult to put a price on it easily but gone back to suggest a ballpark finure and see what they say!
Found a suitable ds5 and tempted to test drive it - especially as a mate of a mate has just asked if I want to sell my Leon. Difficult to put a price on it easily but gone back to suggest a ballpark finure and see what they say!
I'd love a C250 - in either white or black in sport spec. Split folding rear seats, sat nag and leather aren't a combination anywhere I've found though - certainly not in budget.
I hate auto gearboxes - had a go in a few cars with them and they always feel like they're in the wrong gear, then kick down too dramatically. I've had a go in a BMW 330i with one and a c180 c class. They were better than the vajxhall equivalent, or the cvt boxes in Toyota hybrids, but not by a lot.
Take on board the point about the 'looking back'factor. I think the merc and the ds5 would give me that, but the BMW and insignia wouldn't.
I hate auto gearboxes - had a go in a few cars with them and they always feel like they're in the wrong gear, then kick down too dramatically. I've had a go in a BMW 330i with one and a c180 c class. They were better than the vajxhall equivalent, or the cvt boxes in Toyota hybrids, but not by a lot.
Take on board the point about the 'looking back'factor. I think the merc and the ds5 would give me that, but the BMW and insignia wouldn't.
I think the 5 series is too big for me at this moment in time. A guy at work has a 520d touring(62 plate) and it's enormous. Defo want a manual car, not an auto.
Will check out the volvo options - prob a d4 rather than d5. Whilst the d5 is a nice 5 cylinder, it doesn't seem to have much more performance for the worse fuel economy (on paper) ?
Will check out the volvo options - prob a d4 rather than d5. Whilst the d5 is a nice 5 cylinder, it doesn't seem to have much more performance for the worse fuel economy (on paper) ?
Wouldn't the s80 be enormous? Same with the v70. Maybe a bit too old an image for me (I'm 34).
The passatt cc's I've seen in my price range have only had 2 back seats, not 3, which is a deal breaker. Not many have had a nice leather interior either - which is a shame as the exterior has a really premium image (someone on my road has a lovely looking white one).
The passatt cc's I've seen in my price range have only had 2 back seats, not 3, which is a deal breaker. Not many have had a nice leather interior either - which is a shame as the exterior has a really premium image (someone on my road has a lovely looking white one).
The budget definitely won't stretch any further unfortunately - I wish it could. The 335d/330d would be brilliant, but as well as the initial outlay I'm thinking about potential for increased servicing costs / increased fuel consumption / increased potential repair costs in the event of disaster.
I guess the same could be said in terms of potential for disaster with the twin turbo 4 cylinder engined cars in the list.
One thing I've always wondered about is why BMW didn't put the 123d engine in the 3 series? More power than the 320d motor, but less weight than the 6 cylinder. Yet Alpine stuck something similar in their 3 series based car (Which is out of my price range).
I guess the same could be said in terms of potential for disaster with the twin turbo 4 cylinder engined cars in the list.
One thing I've always wondered about is why BMW didn't put the 123d engine in the 3 series? More power than the 320d motor, but less weight than the 6 cylinder. Yet Alpine stuck something similar in their 3 series based car (Which is out of my price range).
Fair points well made. I'll check out the Volvo options - think it would need to be the sporty kit ones for the looks to be ok. I actually think the smaller estates loom better than the saloons.
Will be test driving the DS5 and looking out for a c class - although it does need leather and nav.
Will be test driving the DS5 and looking out for a c class - although it does need leather and nav.
Some good suggestions and links above, thanks for spending the time posting them. Love the look of the c class mercs but can't see they have split folding rear seats - 1 of them is only half leather / fake leather I think. The Lexus has the split folding rear seat issue unfortunately. Not keen on the mazda, read too many bad things about their diesel engines.
Saab has an old looking interior as does the alfa.
Defo written off the insignia I think now, and on the verge of doing the same on the bmws. The ones above are 318s not 320d - would want a 320d.
So still looking for C classes that meet the bill and the ds5 I think. Although the Audi a4 above does tick all the boxes, including the split folding seats. Any idea how well they drive vs the merc and the ds5?
Saab has an old looking interior as does the alfa.
Defo written off the insignia I think now, and on the verge of doing the same on the bmws. The ones above are 318s not 320d - would want a 320d.
So still looking for C classes that meet the bill and the ds5 I think. Although the Audi a4 above does tick all the boxes, including the split folding seats. Any idea how well they drive vs the merc and the ds5?
Definitely coming down in favour of the DS5 now. Got one lined up to view if my Keen sills this weekend. Doubt it's the best car objectively out of all the suggestions, but there's just something about it I like. Imagine the BMW would be the best drive, whilst the Merc looks very premium. No-one had anything good to sat about Insignias.
If I drive the d's and don't like it then ill look at volvo. I can always drive the wife's mini countryman Cooper s for a few weeks if necessary. Although apart from the straight line pace I don't like the way it drives. Very crashy (like the 18" wheels are too big for the suspension to control) and the gearbox is a bit clunky.
If I drive the d's and don't like it then ill look at volvo. I can always drive the wife's mini countryman Cooper s for a few weeks if necessary. Although apart from the straight line pace I don't like the way it drives. Very crashy (like the 18" wheels are too big for the suspension to control) and the gearbox is a bit clunky.
Just looked up the facelift ds5 - the front end is horrific! Doesn't look like it belongs to that car. Not impressed.
Testdrove a ds5 today - loved it. Higher up than I thought it would be, but still ok. The ride seemed ok to me - better than my sport suspension equipped seat Leon, and better than an msport 320d BMW. All the reviews suggest the ride is awful - can't see that myself. If the Leon sells today then I'll be putting a deposit down on a DS5.
Testdrove a ds5 today - loved it. Higher up than I thought it would be, but still ok. The ride seemed ok to me - better than my sport suspension equipped seat Leon, and better than an msport 320d BMW. All the reviews suggest the ride is awful - can't see that myself. If the Leon sells today then I'll be putting a deposit down on a DS5.
Agree on the interior of the c class. It's very 'ordinary' unless you get a really specced up version. You need the expensive leather option, not the cheap stuff and the sat nav screen. a colleague at work has an msport 320d on a 64 plate and the interior is really nice. But he paid a lot for the leather he optioned in - although bizarrely he was too tight to spec any cup holders. BMW are so right nor providing them as standard!
With my budget I just can't find anything I like BMW and merc related without getting an older car than I want.
Checked out Volvo - I like the V70 - but could only get the 1.6 diesel with a valid spec. Not two keen on the other models.
Think its ds5 and a cheeky remap to close to 200bhp and ill be happy.
With my budget I just can't find anything I like BMW and merc related without getting an older car than I want.
Checked out Volvo - I like the V70 - but could only get the 1.6 diesel with a valid spec. Not two keen on the other models.
Think its ds5 and a cheeky remap to close to 200bhp and ill be happy.
Hi yes, I bought a grey DS5 2 litre Hdi Dstyle. Although it has the upgrade dsport leather / electric seats in it, and front parking sensors. All I'm missing from the top spec is xenon headlights that turn as you go round corners and the head up display. I did sit in a car with the HUD and it looked gimmicky to me, so not worried about it. Would have liiked the xenons though.
The car is epic so far - the interior is amazing - way better then the BMW and Mercs that some friends / colleagues have got. Everyone comments on how good the seats are, and how cool the glass roof with electric blinds is. The bluetooth hands free for the phone works immaculately annd the ipod connectivity is great.
In terms of the drive it's no sports car for sure, but equally it isn't wallowy, or too stiff the other way. You're aware it's a sizeable car, but it will go round corners quite well (although I've not been over 7/10ths in it yet) and the engine is very smooth/ quiet. I would say it has a bit more lag on the initial pickup than my Seat Leon 140 tdi, but I put that down to the weighht of the car. When it picks up it goes pretty well. Would like it remapped, but not convinced it's necessarty / will make that much difference.
It's the surprise and delight bits that I love about it - I didn't know it would have puddle lights under the electric folding wing mirrors, and the drivers massage seat is great on long journeys. Also love the DRLs.
So far I've not found much to dislike. Just fingers crossed it doesn't do the French things and get loads of faults......
The car is epic so far - the interior is amazing - way better then the BMW and Mercs that some friends / colleagues have got. Everyone comments on how good the seats are, and how cool the glass roof with electric blinds is. The bluetooth hands free for the phone works immaculately annd the ipod connectivity is great.
In terms of the drive it's no sports car for sure, but equally it isn't wallowy, or too stiff the other way. You're aware it's a sizeable car, but it will go round corners quite well (although I've not been over 7/10ths in it yet) and the engine is very smooth/ quiet. I would say it has a bit more lag on the initial pickup than my Seat Leon 140 tdi, but I put that down to the weighht of the car. When it picks up it goes pretty well. Would like it remapped, but not convinced it's necessarty / will make that much difference.
It's the surprise and delight bits that I love about it - I didn't know it would have puddle lights under the electric folding wing mirrors, and the drivers massage seat is great on long journeys. Also love the DRLs.
So far I've not found much to dislike. Just fingers crossed it doesn't do the French things and get loads of faults......
Oh yes, additionally it's the quiestest diesel I've ever been in - massively better than the Leon, or my sister in laws new astra. Also quieter by some margin than a work colleagues 64 plate 320d.
It seems to attract quite a lott of attention too - lots of people have commented they haven't seen one before and are surprised to hear it's a citroen.
It seems to attract quite a lott of attention too - lots of people have commented they haven't seen one before and are surprised to hear it's a citroen.
Couldn't resist the allure of the DS5, what can I say? May lose more in depreciation than with a bmw or merc, but would have struggled for the spec I wanted, and I do like to have something that feels special with cars. Haven't had that since I got rid of my Tiger R6 kit car a few years back. The Ds5 somehow does practicality and special at the same time. Helps that it's a rare sight on the roads.
Sadly my DS5 has been in an accident and has been written off :-( What's worse is it was my fault....never had an accident like it before and can't really explain how it happened.
So now the insurance money is due and I have up to £13k for a new car. Need to buy it within a week as I use it for work sometimes.
Still finding the 320d / C220 cdi are too expensive for the spec you get. Want leather / satnav / bluetooth handsfree / ipod connectivity. Need 5 doors, or a 4 door with split folding rear seats, or an estate. Still agree that the Insignia is a bit dull so not looking for one of those.
Loved the DS5 so that's still top of the list - but I am wondering petrol or diesel? Petrols are rare, but I've found 1 in budget, and found 1 diesel also in budget.
I don't know how many miles a year I do still as my job is up and down and been doing some miles privately too.
Assuming I do 20k per annum w 4 days a week I drive to and from work (via my wife's work to drop her off) which is about 8 miles of stop / start traffic, with 1 day where I do maybe 200 miles on a round trip. There will be some additional trips in there that will bump up the mileage a bit more - hence 20k assumption.
My diesel DS5 was averaging 39mpg over a 2 month period (on the motorway at about 70mpg it was doing 50 ish mpg). Not sure what the petrol would do - although it's the same 1.6 turbo as in my wife's mini Countryman. That's doing 32 mpg ish in traffic and managed 41 mpg on a motorway run last week.
At the moment petrol is more expensive on tax (although not much) - but this seems likely to change with the current government's noises on vo2 pollution from tax. Unusually diesel is cheaper than petrol at the moment, but don't know if that's here to stay or not
What are people's thoughts?
So now the insurance money is due and I have up to £13k for a new car. Need to buy it within a week as I use it for work sometimes.
Still finding the 320d / C220 cdi are too expensive for the spec you get. Want leather / satnav / bluetooth handsfree / ipod connectivity. Need 5 doors, or a 4 door with split folding rear seats, or an estate. Still agree that the Insignia is a bit dull so not looking for one of those.
Loved the DS5 so that's still top of the list - but I am wondering petrol or diesel? Petrols are rare, but I've found 1 in budget, and found 1 diesel also in budget.
I don't know how many miles a year I do still as my job is up and down and been doing some miles privately too.
Assuming I do 20k per annum w 4 days a week I drive to and from work (via my wife's work to drop her off) which is about 8 miles of stop / start traffic, with 1 day where I do maybe 200 miles on a round trip. There will be some additional trips in there that will bump up the mileage a bit more - hence 20k assumption.
My diesel DS5 was averaging 39mpg over a 2 month period (on the motorway at about 70mpg it was doing 50 ish mpg). Not sure what the petrol would do - although it's the same 1.6 turbo as in my wife's mini Countryman. That's doing 32 mpg ish in traffic and managed 41 mpg on a motorway run last week.
At the moment petrol is more expensive on tax (although not much) - but this seems likely to change with the current government's noises on vo2 pollution from tax. Unusually diesel is cheaper than petrol at the moment, but don't know if that's here to stay or not
What are people's thoughts?
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