Second car to the Tvr advice

Second car to the Tvr advice

Author
Discussion

oscrim

Original Poster:

32 posts

124 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
Hi guys,

So need peoples thoughts on a second car to compliment the Chimaera. Budget up to 5k, to be used for occasional towing and will be used as a daily. Don't need too much space, but definitely a 5 door. Currently thinking a BMW 130i. Nice bit of power and not too huge. Any other suggestions?

magpies

5,145 posts

189 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
Jaguar X Type V6 estate, Modeo V6 Estate or BMW 3 Series Touring

phazed

22,000 posts

211 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
I would go for the best Skoda Octavia VRs that you could get for the money.

Roomy, comfortable, can tow and a bit of a drivers car.

ATM

18,957 posts

226 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
I also suggest the 3 series estate. It's the same car basically as a 1 series but a bit bigger. A 330i estate is a rare beast but they are out there. Most are auto though. I'm presuming you want manual. If (a smaller) size is that important to you then stick to the 1. I think the 130i is expensive but it's a good car. Which ever you buy budget for some go flat tyres as they all come with run flats which are absolutely sheet. Ditch the 18 inch alloys too and go for 17. If you go for same width front and back you will find the car handles a bit less under steery ALL in my opinion obviously.

ATM

18,957 posts

226 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all

sawman

4,963 posts

237 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
4th gen legacy/ 3rd gen outback with the 3.0 flat six would complement nicely

Skyedriver

18,917 posts

289 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
Currently in the stable alongside the Chimaera

Merc SL500
Caterham 7
Volvo 940 Estate

Suzuki SX4 (wifes)

Any help?
'fraid the Chimaera is probably heading out the door once a buyer can be found

phazed

22,000 posts

211 months

Saturday 7th September 2019
quotequote all
For me.

Chimaera obviously

Mercedes ML 320, (wife's favourite transport when we are going anywhere )
Skoda Octavia VRs, (MK 1) the most used car and my fav. Remapped, fast, does everything.
Suzuki Jimni, general dogsbody
Mini convertible, wife's and horrible.......

phazed

22,000 posts

211 months

rockits

785 posts

169 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
I had a 2006/56 XC90 4.4 V8 Petrol for 3 years that was brilliant. Sold it a few months back for £5k. Drove so much better than the D5 diesel.

Moose v8

204 posts

73 months

Sunday 8th September 2019
quotequote all
Myself Mercedes-Benz as my every day smoker, the choice is endless, don't join the crap group. Citroën, Renault, alfa, Peugeot. If you had to work on them for a living cheap for a reason, only my opinion.

oscrim

Original Poster:

32 posts

124 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
Cheers for everyone's input... Liking the skoda octavia and 3 series if I decide to go down the estate route, so will look more into them, although maybe a bit big. I imagine with a 5k budget most mercs are out my budget currently. I was brought up around volvos, I like them but do very much see them as family cars, and not quite resigning myself to that yet at the age of 28.

phazed

22,000 posts

211 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
My MK1 has even been pressed into service on a track day when the Chimaera was feeling a little ill! Absolutely unburstable little bugger!




mk1fan

10,652 posts

232 months

Monday 9th September 2019
quotequote all
Towing what?

Personally, imho the 1-series BMW is an appalling car. Driving experience is very good but every other thing is hugely below that of the other cars in its class. There is more practicality in the mk2 Golf than the 1-series.

Rear access via the doors is just wrong. It feels like the door is in the wrong place. Same for the front if the seat is anything other than fully back. Boot space and access is woeful. Ride is harsh if you spec anything other than the base model size wheels. Rear vision is very poor, v chunky C pillars and small rear window.

Stereo systems are nice but the head units have a regular screen failure.

If you're towing anything chunky then 4x4 as Phazed has suggested.

rockits

785 posts

169 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
quotequote all
I have seen a Merc E55K Estate going cheap circa £6k. Fast decent car for not much money.

Jon Brown

678 posts

191 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
quotequote all
ATM said:
This has my vote, been running bmw’s As a daily’s for years and can’t fault them. There just nice places to be

ATM

18,957 posts

226 months

Tuesday 10th September 2019
quotequote all
Jon Brown said:
ATM said:
This has my vote, been running bmw’s As a daily’s for years and can’t fault them. There just nice places to be
This sold recently but with 3950 asking. It has a good spec as in the option list is huge. Also very rare in manual. It has the earlier n52 engine which is more robust and cheaper to maintain than the later n53 version. All the 130i cars are n52 I believe although I'm just getting that info from others on here. Some might think its expensive considering the age and mileage but that's because of it's rare and unique spec really. If you want an n52 330i manual you have a very limited pool to choose from.

https://picclick.co.uk/Bmw-E91-330I-M-Sport-Tourin...

Zippee

13,585 posts

241 months

Saturday 14th September 2019
quotequote all
Jon Brown said:
ATM said:
This has my vote, been running bmw’s As a daily’s for years and can’t fault them. There just nice places to be
Seconded - I ran an N52 330i touring a few years back and it truly was a lovely car. Very comfy, lots of space and quick - it was petrol so liked a drink though. Just watch the coil packs as they are almost service items every few years but regardless, it's where I'd spend my money if I was in your situation.

ATM

18,957 posts

226 months

Saturday 14th September 2019
quotequote all
Zippee said:
Jon Brown said:
ATM said:
This has my vote, been running bmw’s As a daily’s for years and can’t fault them. There just nice places to be
Seconded - I ran an N52 330i touring a few years back and it truly was a lovely car. Very comfy, lots of space and quick - it was petrol so liked a drink though. Just watch the coil packs as they are almost service items every few years but regardless, it's where I'd spend my money if I was in your situation.
This one is sold now. Well the listing has gone. You'll do well to find another 330i manual. There are not many around.

Zippee

13,585 posts

241 months

Saturday 14th September 2019
quotequote all
ATM said:
This one is sold now. Well the listing has gone. You'll do well to find another 330i manual. There are not many around.
Mine was an auto, much easier to find. Personally is never go back to manual for a daily driver.