New Family Car 16-18k

SpeedFreak

SpeedFreak

SpeedFreak

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So our lease on the current car expires in Feb so it is probably about time to consider the replacement. We currently have a Qashqai+2 which has been perfectly adequate as a family vehicle, however unless I can find another good lease deal I will buy this time round.

We have three young kids and my preference is a 5 seater with a wide back row of seats. We have only used the third row in the Qashqai two or three times in the last two years and these were for local trips.

Must haves are:

Navigation
Xenons
Decent Engine (Petrol or Diesel)
Under 60k
Under 5 Years old

My thoughts so far are the 5 Series Touring and A6 Avant but Skoda Superb Estate and E Class are also possibilities.


Examples:

520d M Sport

Not sold on the 520d, would prefer a 525d or 530d but these are out of budget in all likelihood. Is the M Sport worth a premium over the SE?

530d SE

A6 3.0 S Line

Also, what are the thoughts on the the pop up Nav on the 12 plate A6s. I'm not sure if I could live with that.

I'm undecided at the moment and need to get out an look around in the next few weeks. Any thoughts between the Audi and BMW? A colleague has a Superb and while I really like it my wife is illogically adverse to Skodas.
 
Do not buy a 520d M Sport over a 530d SE. Taking the slower, clattery and unrefined engine because it has a sporty bodykit over the proper version just seems a bit naff - I couldnt bring myself to do it.

Of those cars the 530d SE looks ideal. The spec is excellent and the mileage is JUST low enough to get you onto the lower rate BMW warranty. This is what I'd do - buy that one (Provided its a good one) and then get it on a monthly rolling Comprehensive policy with £100 excess at about 70ish quid a month. That car has the sports seats, sports wheel, black headlining and 19 inch wheels so really all you are missing over an M Sport is the front and rear bumpers, sideskirts and different wheels (on and the suspension but half the F11 is air suspension anyway!).

It even has Surround View that car! Very nice spec.

Note that the 520d also lacks the proper climate control the 6 cylinder cars have.

IMHO this is the best compromise between performance, luxury, quality and hassle free ownership at this pricepoint.

Don't go anywhere near that A6 - it's the old 2004 model that competed with the E60. It is in another league to the F11. If you want one of those A6's they can be purchased for 6 grand not 17!!!
 
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Thanks for the input. I think my ideal scenario is a 530d with warranty. The skoda is a no no with my wife. I beat her at rock scissors paper for an estate over an SUV, I doubt I'll get away with a Skoda on top :D

So the 530d I posted above, do these come up frequently or are they like hen's teeth?
 
No they do not - the market is overwhelmingly biased in favour of 520d's and good high specification sensible mileage 530d's are comparatively rare. It took me a good few months to find mine.

Cars with over 60k on cost about 50% more to get the warranty for, bear that in mind.
 
As above, I bought a 2010 A6 Avant because my budget only got me a high mileage F11s.

If you can find one in your budget with <60k miles, an F11 530d SE is your best bet here :)
Or a Skoda Superb, but the BMW is a better car. Superb is very good and much bigger, but depends if you need that extra space.

-edit. Superbs are way under this budget, so no point spending nearly £20k on one.
 
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[TW]Fox;28875003 said:
Much bigger?!

Skoda Superb Estate:

4.83m long
2.09m wide

BMW 5 Series Touring:

4.91m long
2.1m wide

:confused:
Click to expand...

It may be space utilisation. The Superb seems enormous at the back, in saying that I have never sat in the back of a 5 series.
 
You do also get a lot of sound insulation and thicker materials/padding in a BMW 5 series and A6 which uses space. I noticed this when moving up to a more expensive car but the result is a far quieter drive.

I've not driven a Superb but maybe that's a factor in it looking roomier and not just good design. I am quite happy to trade a little space for a more refined drive.
 
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[TW]Fox;28875003 said:
Much bigger?!

Skoda Superb Estate:

4.83m long
2.09m wide

BMW 5 Series Touring:

4.91m long
2.1m wide

:confused:
Click to expand...

More relevant to quote body width rather than mirror.

North south RWD is space hungry over the Skoda!
 
[TW]Fox;28875003 said:
Much bigger?!

Skoda Superb Estate:

4.83m long
2.09m wide

BMW 5 Series Touring:

4.91m long
2.1m wide

:confused:
Click to expand...
Inside.

Rear legroom is better than a stretched limo and the boot is bigger than a 747-Cargo.
 
It's not bigger, it's smaller - it's just packaged differently inside so more of the space is available as rear boot space and rear passenger space.

If they are so wonderful where is yours? I'd probably pick one over that Audi ;)

The 5 Series offers a superior drivetrain layout, better gearbox, better engines and a better interior over the Superb (As it should, you can almost get a brand new Superb for the price of a 4-5 year old 5 Series). Not sure what the A6 offers - same engines, same gearboxes, more dated interior as it comes from 2004 rather than 2008 with the Superb....
 
[TW]Fox;28874761 said:
No they do not - the market is overwhelmingly biased in favour of 520d's and good high specification sensible mileage 530d's are comparatively rare. It took me a good few months to find mine.

Cars with over 60k on cost about 50% more to get the warranty for, bear that in mind.
Click to expand...

With BMW, for the warranty must it be AUC? Whats the condition of being able to get the warranty, e.g. must it already be rolling on the car you are about to purchase? Need FBMWSH?

Tempted by AutoTrader prices, but worried warranty won't be honoured unless its AUC?
 
Gangster said:
With BMW, for the warranty must it be AUC? Whats the condition of being able to get the warranty, e.g. must it already be rolling on the car you are about to purchase? Need FBMWSH?

Tempted by AutoTrader prices, but worried warranty won't be honoured unless its AUC?
Click to expand...

Nope, you can purchase the warranty separately. Infact the prices quoted are for new policies - renewals are slightly cheaper.

I would imagine it needs FSH, yes.
 
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