Family Saloon Suggestions £18k

[barmyllama]

The sensible choice is probably a BMW 3 or 5 series, Mercedes C or E class. Maybe a VAG group.

However, you see loads of those on the road and so I've been looking at the Jaguar XE and XF. I really like the look of them compared to the German equivalents. But all the reviews basically suggest you're better off in the long run with a BMW.

I've also looked at the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Maserati Ghibli, both of which look the part, but reviews and mainly reliability are a bit off putting.

My Auto Trader search criteria are:

From 2016
Up to £18k
3.0 litre
diesel
automatic
5 seats

Diesel isn't set in stone because I'm unlikely to do anymore than 6000 miles a year in it. But equally I don't want a 5 litre V8 and teen mpg.

I wouldn't mind getting people's thoughts and suggestions. But be gentle with me, I don't venture in to this sub forum very often.

 

[barmyllama]

'I don't want a really good car because other people have it, so instead I'd like something that was sufficiently worse that nobody else bothered to buy one'

This is essentially what you are saying I think, so I'd be careful here. You're buying cars designed to sell in as high a volume as possible - they are not expensive and rare sports cars, so picking the one that sold the least will likely result in you finding out just why there are so many more BMW 5 Series than Jaguar XF on the road.

I totally get what you're saying and for the most part I agree. But is the XE or XF that much worse than a BMW, Mercedes or Audi? Depending on which customer satisfaction survey you read or believe there doesn't seem to be.

Is having a 3.0 litre engine really important to you? Are you after a car with good performance?

3.0 litre isn't set in stone at all, but yes something with a bit of get up and go.

Most of the 2.0 litre diesel German cars are probably fast enough. It's not like I currently drive anything flash or fast. (2008, 2.2 litre diesel Civic)

 

[barmyllama]

Just watched a few video reviews of the BMW 5 series and as expected, it's almost impossible for it not to be the right choice. That or a 6 series Grand Coupé or an Audi A7.

 

[barmyllama]

Can you really get a decent example of a G30 530d (or 535d/540i I suppose) for £18k?

No. I'd probably have to up my budget to at least £20k

Some points to remember.

The 5 Series at this money will likely be a 2017-2024 generation car. By contrast, a 6 Series will be the version based on the previous 5 Series and an A7 is simply a previous generation (2012-2018) A6 hatchback (and therefore not worth the inflated prices they seem to attract over an Audi A6).

So, really, with the possible exception of the 6 Series (because although its an older car it does have a genuinelly more luxurious and improved interior over the 5 Series on which it was based), you'll probably want to focus on a newer 5 Series. It'll be a more modern car. This might make a 3 litre one more difficult to get, but £18k really is too much to be spending on a 530d from the previous generation. I sold mine for loads less than that and it was about as perfect an example as you could hope to still find given they are getting older.

This is actually quite a difficult budget for this sort of car. Too much to spend on the older cars, not quite enough for a really great example of the newer ones...

I'm probably more inclined to spend less and go for the previous generation. Although the more time I spend looking, the more indecisive I get.

And let's face it, almost anything I buy from what's been mentioned, will be a massive upgrade on a 2008 Honda Civic.

 

[barmyllama]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.

I don't know if I've come to a concrete decision yet.

Every time I think I have, I then go and watch or read something and my interest gets piqued elsewhere or the doubting Thomas appears on my shoulder.

For example.

I decided on a BMW 5 series 3.0 diesel. Not that many on Auto Trader in my price range (upped to £20k) Even then there's on 7 cars under 60k miles.

So then I look at 3 Series with same engine. Then I watch and read reviews. Then I think if, I'm going to get the 3 series, I may as well go for the 2.0 petrol. Then I get in to BMW's seemingly low reliability and customer satisfaction ratings. Then I watch more videos, that don't seem to really address or even worry about reliability as such and just say what a great cars they are.

Then I watch comparison videos and other related stuff and now, of all things, I'm looking at E class Mercedes estates.

I'm driving my wife nuts with all the different cars I keep showing her. I'm driving my self nuts with all the chopping and changing. At this rate I'll just say "screw it" and buy nothing.

At least I think I've narrowed it down to a reasonably small choice. Maybe

 

[barmyllama]

Got some insurance quotes today and a Jaguar XF and XJ are definitely out.

All I can say is they must be a high profile cars for thieves or involved in a lot of accidents.

Other 3.0 V6 diesels were only a few hundred pounds, at most, above our current car.

The Jaguars were the best part of £700 more.

A 2018 BMW 320i was only £80 a year more.

 

[barmyllama]

I've decided that the G20 3 series is a bit of a stretch both budget and specification wise.

Any thoughts on the following.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

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Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[barmyllama]

If you're happy with a 2.0 engine, the G30 is probably achievable still and whilst the purists will tell you that such a car is absolutely wasted without a big 6 or 8 cylinder engine, if it's not something you're used to having, you won't necessarily miss it and a 180-190bhp 520i/520d will feel fine (a little quicker than your Civic still) - though here arguably the power delivery of the diesel might suit the car better, a 520i will probably need a few revs - a 530i would alleviate that a bit but may again push the budget.

Whilst a 6cyl G30 would be nice, a 4cyl G30 is still going to be nicer than a 4cyl F3X. I think if he had to choose between a 4cyl G30 or any F3X model (4cyl or 6cyl), even Fox would go 4cyl G30

I'm assuming these are the opinions of seasoned BMW drivers, whom all have driven plenty of different models over the years?

As of yet, I've never driven one. In fact my entire car history is generally very poor, considering my 35 years with a full license, also quite short.

800cc Mini
1.0 Austin Metro

First marriage with young family cars

1.6 Vauxhall Cavalier (2 of them)
1.9 D Citroen Xantia
2.0 Ford Mondeo

She cheated and divorced me car

2.5 V6 Ford Cougar

Second marriage (fuel costs to work in a 2.5 V6 too high and so I agree to get rid of it)

All these were from new

1.0 Citroen C1 (2 of them)
1.0 Peugeot 208
1.0 Skoda Citigo

Our Civic is the most highly spec'd I've ever owned and my short 2 miles commute to work is done in a Skoda Citigo. The only highlights are the Cougar and maybe the Mondeo at a push.

So bearing that in mind and you're own experiences, would the advice still be the same?