Two new cars, need help choosing - BMW vs Audi vs Volvo

MoRT489

MoRT489

MoRT489

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Joined
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Hello motorers!

I'm soon to be relocating with my family and we need to buy two cars - a family fun car and a proper family car. I'm considering either a BMW 3 series convertible or Audi A5 convertible (as both have a back seat - a must with a toddler) for the fun one and either a BMW X3 or Volvo XC60 for the family one. If anyone has any opinions one way or the other please let me know!

I'll be looking 3-5 years old due to pricing but if there is a particular date when the more recent "facelift" model of any of these was released that will also be a consideration.

Budget: We've got a combined budget of £30-45k depending on spec, age, mileage, extras but of course anything we don't spend on the cars can be allocated to other expenses of the move.
Uses: Cabriolet will be my everyday commute car and weekend run around for the family (wife + toddler). The 4x4 will be my wife's car and will be used for piling in the shopping, pram, bikes, road trips, etc.

Thanks a lot :)
 
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An all-new X3 was released in mid 2011. The older model is absolutely not worth purchasing at what I imagine your budget is.

By contrast the 3 Series Cab has only just been replaced so all you gain by buying a much newer one is paying more money, so buy a 5 year old not a 3 year old one.
 
Some ideas of budget and your needs for both cars would be helpful. Does the family car have to be a soft-roader or would an estate do? etc.

First thought, anything but an X3 ;)
 
Edited the first post to include. Not considering an estate as we'd prefer the extra height of the 4x4 as it will be easier to get our son in and out. We've been using a Mini Cooper S up until now and all I can say is thank god for isofix, but now he also needs a bigger seat so we'll have to strap him in inside the car each time instead of just reaching in with the clip in baby car seat.
 
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MoRT489 said:
all I can say is thank god for isofix, but now he also needs a bigger seat so we'll have to strap him in inside the car each time instead of just reaching in with the baby car seat.
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Not related to the car choices but relevant I think - We bought one of these for our son, absolute genius of an idea and its done wonders for my dodgy back.

http://www.maxi-cosi.com/products/car-seats/toddler/axiss.aspx

Swivel the seat to face you, pop the little 'un in then strap him in securely. Swivel seat back into position. Job done. :D
 
Have to say, that I wouldn't do the cabby idea with a little one.
Rear seats tend to still get rather blustery (which they might object to), you end up with very restricted room for kids bits (e.g. pram), they're lousy for keeping UV off your little on etc etc.
I'd be inclined to suggest a hot hatch of some type for fun and to compliment the 4x4 idea.
 
Disco 4 for the wife. B8 S4 for you. Job done.

Both have 4 wheel drive, both will be big enough for family duties. The S4 might not be the last word in entertaining driving, but then with a cheeky remap will be hugely fast.

Neither will be particularly economical, but then you never mentioned that as a requirement either.

They will both be on the older end of the 3-5 years you specify, but they will both be a LOT nicer than anything else you could pick up with that requirement anyway. Try to aim for HSE spec with the Disco if you can, for all the goodies, and the S4 can be as devoid of spec as you like, as that's not really it's purpose (although Nav and speakers are usually nice things to have).
 
Has to be a convertible for me, driving whilst being outside is an unbeatable feeling regardless of the car type. I've had convertibles in the past and nothing beats it even at low speed, so evening if when the little chap is on board the roof is up it'll be worth it for the 5 days a week when it's down.

Loving the DB9 + Scooby idea :D
 
MoRT489 said:
it'll be worth it for the 5 days a year when it's down.

Loving the DB9 + Scooby idea :D
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Edited for a more accurate representation of our weather.

DB9 + Scooby would also be a decent shout though. Neither of which will come close to your age requirements though.

But you could still just about swing the S5 vert (with TFSI, wouldn't personally go V8 in this car) + Disco 4 in budget.
 
[TW]Fox;27759942 said:
Completely wrong though, it's dry more days than it's raining so therefore the majority of the time you can have the roof down.
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Only just. Depends on if you live on the West or East sides of the country to a large degree.

On average (between 1981 and 2010), Glasgow has 170 days a year where it rains. Almost half the year. That's not to say it's actually dry when it doesn't rain either, as there could well be plenty spray kicking about, wouldn't want to be driving with the top down then. Or snow can take several days to melt then clear, all without it raining. So you are wrong to arbitrarily suggest it's DRY more days than it's RAINING. You would have been correct in suggesting it rains less days than it does not though. Not the same, at all, as being dry more than wet.

Then there is more than just the rain. Probably not too keen on taking the hood down when it is -10 either.

Granted though, you can have the roof down more than 5 days a year.
 
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Even living in Glasgow where it's horrid far more often than not (like you say not necessarily through rain) I quite happily had the roof down on many of my journeys when I had the mr2, which isn't the best in terms of keeping you warm.

If you can make a convertible work as one of the cars then go for it
 
xs2man said:
Only just. Depends on if you live on the West or East sides of the country to a large degree.

On average (between 1981 and 2010), Glasgow has 170 days a year where it rains. Almost half the year. That's not to say it's actually dry when it doesn't rain either, as there could well be plenty spray kicking about, wouldn't want to be driving with the top down then. Or snow can take several days to melt then clear, all without it raining. So you are wrong to arbitrarily suggest it's DRY more days than it's RAINING. You would have been correct in suggesting it rains less days than it does not though. Not the same, at all, as being dry more than wet.

Then there is more than just the rain. Probably not too keen on taking the hood down when it is -10 either.

Granted though, you can have the roof down more than 5 days a year.
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You're assuming you get wet when you have the roof down. In the Z4 for example, once you're going over 25-30mph (can't remember the exact figure) rain will no longer fall in the cabin due to the windscreen design. The same obviously applies to spray, which isn't a problem at low speeds anyway so you can definitely start taking the top down on the days when it's not raining.

Combine that with being able to open and close the roof at the push of a button when at low speeds and it's a win-win :p
 
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The OP did clearly state that the vert was for commuting. Now, he COULD commute at over 25-30 mph in London, but I would imagine it would be slower than that.
 
It's funny how off track this thread has gone. I didn't say London, or even UK ;) Rest assured the roof will be down even in winter when I shall counter the cold by wearing a hat :p Dry day, roof comes down.

Discovery 4 seems to be out of the price range. Commuting speed will never exceed 40 mph.
 
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miniyazz said:
You're assuming you get wet when you have the roof down. In the Z4 for example, once you're going over 25-30mph (can't remember the exact figure) rain will no longer fall in the cabin due to the windscreen design. The same obviously applies to spray, which isn't a problem at low speeds anyway so you can definitely start taking the top down on the days when it's not raining.

Combine that with being able to open and close the roof at the push of a button when at low speeds and it's a win-win :p
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Agreed, if you were talking about the idea of a 2 seater, but I believe the OP wants a 4 seater. Rear seats are far less protected by the front screen and will receive a lot more wind, sun and potentially rain.
Whilst I get the OP wanting to be selfish, his kid(s) might not be quite so enthusiastic....
 
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