Best estate for around 30K?
- Thread starter Minstadave
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
IMHO, don't do it. The performance is fine but there is something about the 6 cylinder smoothness and power delivery that just absolutely suits a 5 series.
I know what you mean as I can't get past the looks either. But then I don't like the G31 either so I think its more the estate that doesn't do it for me, I'm much more into saloons. But the specification of the G32 is just absolutely head and shoulders above the G31 in this country. In the UK, cars are specced for looks first which is why everything has 20 inch wheels and massive M branded brake calipers but nothing has a pan roof, radar cruise or the good lights. It's very frustrating but this is where the G32 really shines - the standard spec is good so people don't get the opportunity to ruin the ordering process
That has the crap looking lights too. The good ones look like the ones on that 6 Series you've posted.
For me, the ideal car would be a G30 M Sport with Driver Assistance Plus, Technology Package and Visibility Package.
I have never seen one specced like that (Except every time I rent one in Europe, seriously!)
I think it’s always a good idea to test drive a variety cars either way. My wife hates BMW seats which we found our during test drives which is 1 of the reasons we ended up with an Audi.
If you can look past the 'boring' tag you mentioned, you can get brand new Superb with decent spec (2L Petrol L&K edition) for under £30k brand new via a broker. Under £40k list price so you also avoid the luxury car tax that you might be hit with buying nearly-new cars from other marques.
daft question - is towing with m40i disproportionately reducing fuel consumption versus a diesel, even though you have the torque/power though, maybe your percentage use is small.
seemingly no adaptive suspension to go with the big rims and M-sport designation, maybe ideas on wanting a softer suspension option are less relevant with a higher CofG
You don't need it, the ride isn't bad really, the tyre profile is ok despite the wheel size.
If you're going to suggest a Volvo, at least go maximum sleeper with a 400bhp version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910143283008?zero-to-60=TO_5&make=VOLVO&body-type=Estate&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&sort=price-desc&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&postcode=mk22lq&page=7
Yes fuel consumption is worse, the M40i is about 25% worse than the 530d but I only tow about 1000 miles a year so it doesn't make much difference to the cost and petrol is a bit cheaper than diesel anyway. The petrol engine is far nicer than the diesel engine to drive so it was a compromise I was happy with. Adaptive suspension is well worth having too IMO. I settled for two cars without it in the past and its definitely makes for a nice drive. My other must have these days is a sunroof, that must be the most under rated option but makes such a huge difference to the interior.
Estates in that price bracket, Iv got to say it has to be a 5 series, e-class, Cls shooting brake, V90 or a XF.
Iv driven the an XF gen2 but always seemed to be lacking and noisy ( lack of sound dampening) the 1st gen XF was much better.
We have volvo’s as pool cars at work and have had the pleasure of driving a V90 across the country on a couple of occasions now. Got to say it’s a very nice place to be, very comfy and functional. Won’t set your paints on fire unless you go for the full fat. I would certainly consider buying one. So worth a short and possibly a test drive.
Have not driven the German opinions that I listed, but if I was to go on looks alone, it would the CLS shooting brake for me.
Iv driven the an XF gen2 but always seemed to be lacking and noisy ( lack of sound dampening) the 1st gen XF was much better.
We have volvo’s as pool cars at work and have had the pleasure of driving a V90 across the country on a couple of occasions now. Got to say it’s a very nice place to be, very comfy and functional. Won’t set your paints on fire unless you go for the full fat. I would certainly consider buying one. So worth a short and possibly a test drive.
Have not driven the German opinions that I listed, but if I was to go on looks alone, it would the CLS shooting brake for me.
Not if you paid me. Absolutely awful cars.
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Best value estates for me:
VW Passat R-Line TDI 190ps metallic with sunroof - this comes with absolutely everything and is criminally underrated. Ignore the list price and negotiate 22% off it to buy it for around £31k brand new. Comes just under the £40k on P11D so gets £140 RFL. Lovely seats and nav system.
Volvo V60 TDI - Crazy cheap on 0% with stock bonus' they have on them, I'd have the inscription even if it does annoyingly push it just over the £40k and mean £450 RFL
Jaguar XFS - not many around any longer but ex management cars go for around £30k and are fully loaded - totally different to the more basic XF's and a good choice if 6 cylinders are wanted/needed.
I like BMW 5 series as well and they are decent value used, all of them very good a 520D would be my choice. Mercs cost more especially if you want a 6 cylinder and it really should be premium plus so your £30k won't go as far, workshop is expensive. Audi is an expensive VW in my eyes although I do like A6 but they date very quickly, more than the Passat and despite what reviews say I don't think the infotainment and seats are as good. Don't like any of the Japanese or Korean estates. Mondeo is a bit expensive for what it is - stick to the Passat, Skoda is more expensive than the Passat after support.
Or depending on how much space is needed in the rear you could go fastback which opens up Arteon & Q7.
VW Passat R-Line TDI 190ps metallic with sunroof - this comes with absolutely everything and is criminally underrated. Ignore the list price and negotiate 22% off it to buy it for around £31k brand new. Comes just under the £40k on P11D so gets £140 RFL. Lovely seats and nav system.
Volvo V60 TDI - Crazy cheap on 0% with stock bonus' they have on them, I'd have the inscription even if it does annoyingly push it just over the £40k and mean £450 RFL
Jaguar XFS - not many around any longer but ex management cars go for around £30k and are fully loaded - totally different to the more basic XF's and a good choice if 6 cylinders are wanted/needed.
I like BMW 5 series as well and they are decent value used, all of them very good a 520D would be my choice. Mercs cost more especially if you want a 6 cylinder and it really should be premium plus so your £30k won't go as far, workshop is expensive. Audi is an expensive VW in my eyes although I do like A6 but they date very quickly, more than the Passat and despite what reviews say I don't think the infotainment and seats are as good. Don't like any of the Japanese or Korean estates. Mondeo is a bit expensive for what it is - stick to the Passat, Skoda is more expensive than the Passat after support.
Or depending on how much space is needed in the rear you could go fastback which opens up Arteon & Q7.
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I considered all the german choices. But ended up buying my girlfriend a Volvo V60 Cross Country, which has the AWD.
Lots of choice for that sort of money in V60s and V90s. Great looking cars. More reliable than Audi/BMW/Merc too. Perhaps just not as exciting to drive as some.
Lots of choice for that sort of money in V60s and V90s. Great looking cars. More reliable than Audi/BMW/Merc too. Perhaps just not as exciting to drive as some.
In what sense is it an awful car? A well spec'd v6 300BHP diesel which is quick comfortable and drives well I really don't understand what makes it awful?
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They are great but they are not as reliable than the German brands, they have more electrical and mechanical issues which isn't a massive surprise given they are far smaller. I personally prefer the interior trim but clearly Merc/BMW/Jag are proper rear wheel drive cars so more expensive to make and ride better as a result. Audi is overrated.
It has the sort of interior you'd be impressed with if it was a Kia. It's like they outsourced all the interfaces to the people who do those nav units on eBay.
I rented one for 10 days and absolutely hated it. It's not even close to the competition. Probably the most disappointing car I've ever driven, in terms of failure to meet expectations.
It even had iGo Primo as the sat nav - the same software that was on the eBay unit I fitted to my E39 8 years ago.
I rented one for 10 days and absolutely hated it. It's not even close to the competition. Probably the most disappointing car I've ever driven, in terms of failure to meet expectations.
It even had iGo Primo as the sat nav - the same software that was on the eBay unit I fitted to my E39 8 years ago.
So that was lower spec, none updated car then. The interior on the XFS is much higher spec and a lot have the full digital dash. The sat-nav interface has been totally re-written and now has very little in common with the original which shipped with the car. The head unit was also unlikely to be the ITPro version from what you've described. Whilst its not comparable to the G series BMW systems its no where near as bad as you have described.
It was a Portfolio, which I believe was the top spec model.
It should be comparable to the G series BMW systems because it competes directly with them. It isn't.
Now Mercedes have out MBUX on the E Class it's even further down the class.
It should be comparable to the G series BMW systems because it competes directly with them. It isn't.
Now Mercedes have out MBUX on the E Class it's even further down the class.
If you're going to suggest a Volvo, at least go maximum sleeper with a 400bhp version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201910143283008?zero-to-60=TO_5&make=VOLVO&body-type=Estate&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&sort=price-desc&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&postcode=mk22lq&page=7
I had one of these as a hire car a while back. It was awesome. I’m not a seasoned premium car expert like Fox so I don’t have an awful lot to compare it with, but I thought it was brilliant at what it did.