Choosing the ultimate all-rounder
Discussion
I call upon the wisdom of the forum collective to see if anyone can answer this conundrum.
I am looking to replace my slightly leggy BMW 335d x-Drive Touring, but I'm not sure what with. I seem to have a fairly specific set of 'likes, wants and needs' but many of them conflict with each other. I suspect this happens to a lot of people so I thought it might be interesting to see what ideas other people had. (For reasons which we won't discuss here, EV is not an option, so please don't go there).
Anyway, here's the list:
• I like the higher driving position of an SUV, but don’t like the squeeze around 1960’s multi-storey car parks.
• I like the power and noise of something V8-ish, but don’t like the fuel economy
• I like something that's quick enough to give a thrill, but isn’t ‘on it’ all the time
• I like something that rides well; handles bumps smoothly and quietly but won’t turn into a blancmange in a series of flowing bends
• I hardly ever take rear seat passengers, but when I do they’re elderly and inflexible.
• Occasionally need to carry big long things (photo gear), but not very often
• I like something that looks a bit premium, but not too flash (customers don't like it)
Budget £50k - £70k
Ideally less than 3 years old, less than 25k miles.
I thought it wouldn't be that hard but I am (as with everything) overthinking it and going round in circles.
Any thoughts or suggestions, however off the wall, will be gratefully received!
Over to you...!
I am looking to replace my slightly leggy BMW 335d x-Drive Touring, but I'm not sure what with. I seem to have a fairly specific set of 'likes, wants and needs' but many of them conflict with each other. I suspect this happens to a lot of people so I thought it might be interesting to see what ideas other people had. (For reasons which we won't discuss here, EV is not an option, so please don't go there).
Anyway, here's the list:
• I like the higher driving position of an SUV, but don’t like the squeeze around 1960’s multi-storey car parks.
• I like the power and noise of something V8-ish, but don’t like the fuel economy
• I like something that's quick enough to give a thrill, but isn’t ‘on it’ all the time
• I like something that rides well; handles bumps smoothly and quietly but won’t turn into a blancmange in a series of flowing bends
• I hardly ever take rear seat passengers, but when I do they’re elderly and inflexible.
• Occasionally need to carry big long things (photo gear), but not very often
• I like something that looks a bit premium, but not too flash (customers don't like it)
Budget £50k - £70k
Ideally less than 3 years old, less than 25k miles.
I thought it wouldn't be that hard but I am (as with everything) overthinking it and going round in circles.
Any thoughts or suggestions, however off the wall, will be gratefully received!
Over to you...!
If you're happy with the size of your F31, and happy to stay with an estate, sounds like one of these usual suspects may fit the bill -
G81 M3 - pricey but a few coming toward your price range. Won't be economical to run either as the B58 (I6) is quite thirsty.
G21 M340i - could get a new one in your price range. I have one and its a brilliant all rounder, plenty power/fun for UK roads with the benefit of the B58 (I6) engine being reasonably economical on a longer run (near 40 mpg). The M340d obviously even more frugal if you wanted to stick with diesel.
Alpina B3 / D3 - your budget may get a decent used one under 3 years old but they are few and far between. New price is close on 100k with zero discounts.
Audi RS4 Avant - V6. A bit long in the tooth now but I'd seriously consider it. Only drove the previous generation (B8) and tbh honest found it quite boring, almost too planted. All reviews suggest the B9 and B9.5 are a much more engaging drive.
Audi RS6 Avant - The only V8 on this list. Some 2021 models slipping into the 60-70k bracket now. Nearly 600 bhp but wouldn't fancy the running costs!
With your budget sounds like this will be a fun search
G81 M3 - pricey but a few coming toward your price range. Won't be economical to run either as the B58 (I6) is quite thirsty.
G21 M340i - could get a new one in your price range. I have one and its a brilliant all rounder, plenty power/fun for UK roads with the benefit of the B58 (I6) engine being reasonably economical on a longer run (near 40 mpg). The M340d obviously even more frugal if you wanted to stick with diesel.
Alpina B3 / D3 - your budget may get a decent used one under 3 years old but they are few and far between. New price is close on 100k with zero discounts.
Audi RS4 Avant - V6. A bit long in the tooth now but I'd seriously consider it. Only drove the previous generation (B8) and tbh honest found it quite boring, almost too planted. All reviews suggest the B9 and B9.5 are a much more engaging drive.
Audi RS6 Avant - The only V8 on this list. Some 2021 models slipping into the 60-70k bracket now. Nearly 600 bhp but wouldn't fancy the running costs!
With your budget sounds like this will be a fun search
3 year old X5M Comps coming into your budget -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312044...
Or nearly new X3M -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309272...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312044...
Or nearly new X3M -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309272...
Edited by Bianchi Dave on Friday 16th February 21:54
Another vote here for Panamera Sport Turismo. You'll be looking at OPS approved used for that budget, so 24 mth warranty too and Porsche warranty is deffo worth it.
I had a saloon 4S a few years ago with the air suspension. Was great when pressing on in sport/sport+ mode, but extremely comfortable when cruising. Elderly (75 ish) parents went in back sometimes and said it was the most comfortable car they'd been in (and I've had BMW 7 series, Audi A8 and BIL has had various Lexus in which they've also been).
I had a saloon 4S a few years ago with the air suspension. Was great when pressing on in sport/sport+ mode, but extremely comfortable when cruising. Elderly (75 ish) parents went in back sometimes and said it was the most comfortable car they'd been in (and I've had BMW 7 series, Audi A8 and BIL has had various Lexus in which they've also been).
Edited by Ezra on Saturday 17th February 11:18
FlyingPanda said:
I’ve been looking at the Alpinas (thanks to the suggestions here) and they do tick a lot of boxes, but - despite seeming to sit on dealers’ forecourts for a long time - never seem to get discounted. Is that just an Alpina thing to protect residuals?
Was watching a video last night about a guy buying a Bentley and he mentioned that Alpina's can be expensive to finance because they can't work out their residual values or something along those lines. Not sure how accurate it is, but thought it worth a mention. SQ5 sprang to mind as a good all rounder, unless petrol is a no go.
I was looking for something similar, although I’m not an SUV fan - the mrs already has one.
My eyes were on a G80 M3 or M340i touring, but switched at the last minute to an RS4. My first Audi and I couldn’t be happier. Need to spend some more time to draw a thorough conclusion, but so far it’s really hit the mark - plenty of space, will do 35mpg on a run, fantastic road manners, fruity engine, and every option I could possibly need (Vorsprung edition).
I’ve had BMWs with dynamic suspension, but Audi’s dynamic ride control is on another planet, it uses some kind of magic to smooth out the roads. It’s not as raucous as the C63 and less focused than the M3, but it just his the mark perfectly as a daily.
The Alpina B3 also interested me but there’s very little choice in the used market. It’s also pretty thirsty.
My eyes were on a G80 M3 or M340i touring, but switched at the last minute to an RS4. My first Audi and I couldn’t be happier. Need to spend some more time to draw a thorough conclusion, but so far it’s really hit the mark - plenty of space, will do 35mpg on a run, fantastic road manners, fruity engine, and every option I could possibly need (Vorsprung edition).
I’ve had BMWs with dynamic suspension, but Audi’s dynamic ride control is on another planet, it uses some kind of magic to smooth out the roads. It’s not as raucous as the C63 and less focused than the M3, but it just his the mark perfectly as a daily.
The Alpina B3 also interested me but there’s very little choice in the used market. It’s also pretty thirsty.
Edited by JAMSXR on Monday 19th February 21:02
FlyingPanda said:
I’ve been looking at the Alpinas (thanks to the suggestions here) and they do tick a lot of boxes, but - despite seeming to sit on dealers’ forecourts for a long time - never seem to get discounted. Is that just an Alpina thing to protect residuals?
I'd be a little cautious about Alpinas. I lusted after one for ages, saw a gorgeous D5 in a v well known top end dealer and bought it. It was lovely, but I change cars regularly so, after about 9 mths, fancied a change. Could I get a decent PX bid? Could I buggery. None of the usual suspect franchised dealers wanted to get involved. Nothing wrong with the car, just a v limited market. Ultimately did find an Audi dealership and traded it for an S7 but I took a right bath on that so decided, even though they're really lovely cars, I think I'm staying clear.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff