Estate car choices, advice required.
Discussion
Evening,
I currently drive an E46 M3, my wife and I have just had a baby and space is soon to become an issue. We will have all the baby gear and our stuff to transport along with my kitesurfing stuff when we go away this summer. I only just managed to get my stuff in without baby, pushchair etc.
I have narrowed my search down but am still not sure which way to go. I am thinking diesel but this is not essential. It would be nice to see over 30mpg especially when being driven normally. The M3 is pretty poor however it's driven. I suppose what I mean is I want decent economy when doing motorway miles but don't really car how thirsty it is when giving it some stick.
My thoughts so far are;
Alfa 159 sportwagon 2.4ti
Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)
Budget between 12k and 17k, and ideally want something 06 or newer.
I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.
I know my list is not huge hence my reason for asking for inspiration on here.
Cheers,
Ed.
I currently drive an E46 M3, my wife and I have just had a baby and space is soon to become an issue. We will have all the baby gear and our stuff to transport along with my kitesurfing stuff when we go away this summer. I only just managed to get my stuff in without baby, pushchair etc.
I have narrowed my search down but am still not sure which way to go. I am thinking diesel but this is not essential. It would be nice to see over 30mpg especially when being driven normally. The M3 is pretty poor however it's driven. I suppose what I mean is I want decent economy when doing motorway miles but don't really car how thirsty it is when giving it some stick.
My thoughts so far are;
Alfa 159 sportwagon 2.4ti
Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)
Budget between 12k and 17k, and ideally want something 06 or newer.
I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.
I know my list is not huge hence my reason for asking for inspiration on here.
Cheers,
Ed.
What about a Volvo V70, I know that they're a bit grandpa-ish, but they are very good cars, especially the faster ones. Have a look at these:
2007 T5
2004 R AWD
2008 D5
Edited because of my fat fingers.
2007 T5
2004 R AWD
2008 D5
Edited because of my fat fingers.
Edited by chrisispringles on Friday 14th January 21:21
Ed FM said:
Alfa 159 sportwagon 2.4ti
Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)
I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.
I would think the Legacy (3.0) would be the more likely choice than the Impreza in your case? Alternatively have you considered the dreaded SUV or winter tyre solutions?Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)
I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.
Ed FM said:
When I get closer to 40 than 30 I may change my view but at the moment I don't think I could be happy driving a Volvo. Just can't ignore the pipe and slippers image.
Ironic considering your current vehicle. It's a bit mid-life crisis, isn't it?Maybe a diesel Scenic or Picasso would be appropriate, or do you need more than one kid and hair in your ears before qualifying for those?
HellDiver said:
Ed FM said:
When I get closer to 40 than 30 I may change my view but at the moment I don't think I could be happy driving a Volvo. Just can't ignore the pipe and slippers image.
Ironic considering your current vehicle. It's a bit mid-life crisis, isn't it?Maybe a diesel Scenic or Picasso would be appropriate, or do you need more than one kid and hair in your ears before qualifying for those?
chrisispringles said:
What about a Volvo V70, I know that they're a bit grandpa-ish, but they are very good cars, especially the faster ones. Have a look at these:
2007 T5
2004 R AWD
2008 D5
Edited because of my fat fingers.
+1 for Volvo2007 T5
2004 R AWD
2008 D5
Edited because of my fat fingers.
Edited by chrisispringles on Friday 14th January 21:21
the only option for Estate cars, and everyone knows it
they just won't admit it 
Ed FM said:
Jimboka said:
What about Skoda Octavia Vrs estate?. I'm very happy with mine!
Certainly worth a look, out of interest what mpg do you get, also having never owned an estate car how much gear can you get in the back of one compared to say a freelander x5 type vehicle?I have never owned X5 etc before so cant really comment on that. But I can easily throw a bike in the back of the Skoda with the seats folded & its acting as a van at the moment as I'm doing some serious DIY, can fit a good deal of stuff in the back. Some say the estate is no bigger than saloon, but it feels it & ease of access, even putting the weeks shopping in the back, is a great benefit. Its my 1st Estate car & I cant really see me getting a saloon in the future!. I purchased it when it had 5000 miles on the clock (ex-Skoda), now done 25000. The only fault was the roof aerial amplifier went & was changed under warranty. Pretty good going!
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 14th January 22:23
Ed FM said:
Evening,
I currently drive an E46 M3, my wife and I have just had a baby and space is soon to become an issue. We will have all the baby gear and our stuff to transport along with my kitesurfing stuff when we go away this summer. I only just managed to get my stuff in without baby, pushchair etc.
I have narrowed my search down but am still not sure which way to go. I am thinking diesel but this is not essential. It would be nice to see over 30mpg especially when being driven normally. The M3 is pretty poor however it's driven. I suppose what I mean is I want decent economy when doing motorway miles but don't really car how thirsty it is when giving it some stick.
My thoughts so far are;
Alfa 159 sportwagon 2.4ti
Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)
Budget between 12k and 17k, and ideally want something 06 or newer.
I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.
I know my list is not huge hence my reason for asking for inspiration on here.
Cheers,
Ed.
Be realistic. A baby doesn't require an estate car. Space won't be an issue unless you are emigrating. Keep the M3, decent baby seat and the nappies in the boot along with the daddy kit. The alternative is a korean 4x4 and a slow death.I currently drive an E46 M3, my wife and I have just had a baby and space is soon to become an issue. We will have all the baby gear and our stuff to transport along with my kitesurfing stuff when we go away this summer. I only just managed to get my stuff in without baby, pushchair etc.
I have narrowed my search down but am still not sure which way to go. I am thinking diesel but this is not essential. It would be nice to see over 30mpg especially when being driven normally. The M3 is pretty poor however it's driven. I suppose what I mean is I want decent economy when doing motorway miles but don't really car how thirsty it is when giving it some stick.
My thoughts so far are;
Alfa 159 sportwagon 2.4ti
Audi A4 2.7/3.0
Impreza 2.5 WRX (still not 100% on this one)
Budget between 12k and 17k, and ideally want something 06 or newer.
I was thinking BMW estates but have had bad winter experiences and don't want another RWD car to rely on.
I know my list is not huge hence my reason for asking for inspiration on here.
Cheers,
Ed.
Alfa GTV said:
BMW E61 530d and snow tyres
I agree... BMW sell an awful lot of RWD estates used (on the correct tyres) in snowy regions. Bavaria, for example 
If you want lots of extra luggage space, and with kids you will need it, I'd say a BMW 5 Series Touring (E61), A6 Avant, or if you want to supersize a Merc Estate. If mid-size is ok, Subaru Legacy or Audi A4 Quattro (2.0 petrol's quite quick).
Nice as they are, Alfa & 3-series estates are tiny inside, you'd be better of putting a Thule box on top of your M3.
I think Volvo's are expensive for what they are, but your Grandad will like it.
So I'd say Subaru Legacy, or E61 if you need more space.
I had a similar issue when our first was due. I had a Civic Type-R but due to the ride and way I liked to drive it I decided that a family car was needed. I bought an A4 Avant 2.0T as I saw it as an acceptable compromise between my previous hot hatches and a family car. The truth is it was just that - a compromise. It wasn't that practical nor did it drive that well. I did like it but in hindsite I would not have bought it. When our second arrived we swapped it for a diesel auto CR-V. This is slow enough that you don't bother driving quick and has all the space we need (like).
It is true that you can get by without the need for a dedicated family car - a good friend of mine survived with a 206 for a family of 4 and had no problem. However to fit in a weekly shop and a buggy can be tricky, not to mention the rest of the baby paraphernalia. If you do want the space I'm not sure any of your options will work that well. Perhaps an A6 or 5 series would be better.
It is true that you can get by without the need for a dedicated family car - a good friend of mine survived with a 206 for a family of 4 and had no problem. However to fit in a weekly shop and a buggy can be tricky, not to mention the rest of the baby paraphernalia. If you do want the space I'm not sure any of your options will work that well. Perhaps an A6 or 5 series would be better.
I've heard that the Alfa wagons dont actually fit all that more than their saloon counterparts? So its basically the ease which you can get the buggy ect in which is the benefit from there.
I'm with many here, Subaru Forester or Legacy is a good, solid Estate and would probably tick every box you've given us. And as with others, Volvo is probably the king of Estates. I'm 21 and I'd love a nice new Volvo, maybe I've just grown up in an era where their "old man" image doesn't really bother me.
The Ford Mondeo Estates have been quite highly rated, and voted estate of the year IIRC?
I'm with many here, Subaru Forester or Legacy is a good, solid Estate and would probably tick every box you've given us. And as with others, Volvo is probably the king of Estates. I'm 21 and I'd love a nice new Volvo, maybe I've just grown up in an era where their "old man" image doesn't really bother me.
The Ford Mondeo Estates have been quite highly rated, and voted estate of the year IIRC?
Ed FM said:
having never owned an estate car how much gear can you get in the back of one compared to say a freelander x5 type vehicle?
In the case of the octavia compared to an x5, the boot is bigger in the octavia estate, as is the case with many estate cars vs SUV/4x4s, don't be fooled, big outside doesn't necessarily mean huge bootspace.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff