E91 as a reliable family wagon on a budget?
Discussion
Hi all, am at the age where unfortunately I have to grow up and have a sensible family car for the weekends (alongside a less a sensible daily driver).
We're on a tight budget of £4k tops, although at that price i'd like to spend less and have some aside for any issues. Reliability is a must, plenty of room and a large boot important and sensible running costs would be nice. I'm looking at 10-15 year old Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s, but am wondering if a 3 series touring could deliver similar results in a more attractive and enjoyable to drive package at this price point.
In short, if I were to buy an E91 under £4k, what should I go for. It's like to be used for a mixture of short trips for shopping and longer runs, so diesel isn't out of the question, but potential dmf/egr/dpf issues are not something I'm keen to risk. I'm reading the 4 pot petrols are less reliable than the 6s, but while the performance of a 325i is attractive, the fuel economy isn't. I've seen a 08 320i (the 170bhp version) which looks good on paper, but are these capable of doing north of 100k miles without too many problems?
Any pointers much appreciated.
We're on a tight budget of £4k tops, although at that price i'd like to spend less and have some aside for any issues. Reliability is a must, plenty of room and a large boot important and sensible running costs would be nice. I'm looking at 10-15 year old Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s, but am wondering if a 3 series touring could deliver similar results in a more attractive and enjoyable to drive package at this price point.
In short, if I were to buy an E91 under £4k, what should I go for. It's like to be used for a mixture of short trips for shopping and longer runs, so diesel isn't out of the question, but potential dmf/egr/dpf issues are not something I'm keen to risk. I'm reading the 4 pot petrols are less reliable than the 6s, but while the performance of a 325i is attractive, the fuel economy isn't. I've seen a 08 320i (the 170bhp version) which looks good on paper, but are these capable of doing north of 100k miles without too many problems?
Any pointers much appreciated.
d_a_n1979 said:
Agree with this; but have you thought about an E39 525/530D touring or maybe a 525/530i petrol touring?
They're out there and as long as they've been looked after and maintained properly; you'd get a good car for £4k and under IMO. You just need to make sure that they're not rusty or if they have some (the UK cars ALWAYS do); that it's simple to fix and not full sills/jacking points/rear arches work etc...
The better your budget, the better the car and the E39 tourings have plenty of space
How about the E60 523i? Don't fancy the economy on the 525/530 much.They're out there and as long as they've been looked after and maintained properly; you'd get a good car for £4k and under IMO. You just need to make sure that they're not rusty or if they have some (the UK cars ALWAYS do); that it's simple to fix and not full sills/jacking points/rear arches work etc...
The better your budget, the better the car and the E39 tourings have plenty of space
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mileage is low but consistent on the MOT history and as it's petrol, "should" be fine...
At the moment I'm headed for a Pug 3008 or a Qashqai, so anything to save me from that fate.
Edited by SouperJim on Friday 14th June 09:45
Sardonicus said:
Seriously reliability ? ........................ buy jap otherwise you will only be disappointed 
I work on both and there is no comparison and there never was 
I own a BMW for my daily but am ex Honda from the 80/90's and I get to repair mine for free kind of 
Would jump at an 8th gen accord touring, but it seems I'd have to double my budget to buy the petrol version... now nosing around at whether the diesel would be a sensible purchase. I work on both and there is no comparison and there never was I own a BMW for my daily but am ex Honda from the 80/90's and I get to repair mine for free kind of Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff