Interesting Commuters under £7k and auto?

[irfan1712]

Firstly happy new year to all!

My commuter car, a 57 plate e92 320d M sport, is getting boring very fast in my dreary 70mile round trip a day to work on dual and motorway, which is a mix of stop start congestion and a nice cruise on the M4..once i finally get on it. i think this is because i find the manual box tiresome and annoying because the traffic is that bad. It does however feel like it runs on thin air compared to my C63, which is my toy. Its a low mileage car too so i wouldn't consider using it as a regular commuter irrespective of the cost.

So im considering to sell or part ex the 320d for something more comfortable, and it must be auto. Im not too bothered on age of the replacement (as long as its reliable) but i keep looking at D3 A8s (3.0tdi), A6s in 2.0 and 3.0tdis, and E60 520d and 530d's. Did look briefly at E65 730d's too. These are all generally 100k + motors. Must haves for me is Auto and Xenons, and ideally leather. i understand these cars wont save me a massive amount in running them as commuters as there are plenty to go wrong, but im happy to sacrifice a few ££ for sheer comfort. id rather take a car with 160k miles and a full comprehensive history over a 90k miler thats been serviced at a backstreet garage with noting to show!

worse comes to worse i will sell my car and look for a 320d in auto guise but i thought id take advantage of changing the 320d to something more... 'interesting' or 'bargey'.

What, inside my budget (using mycar as part ex) would you also consider looking at? none of the volvo D5s do it for me before they are recommended, as older threads)

thanks

[anonymous-user]

If you're finding your BMW boring then my advice is to avoid Audis - you'll fall asleep! Seriously, I talk from experience..

Mercs are comfy and have an amazing autobox - you can get pick of E-Class models for budget although obviously the older version. Also, what about a Jaguar XJ 2.7 TD V6?

[kurt535]

Lexus IS's '04 upwards? I took the plunge and sold my 535d buying a very low mile IS300 Sport Cross. Petrol consumption is not the best..27mpg....but as it only cost 4.5k I'm not that worried. Overall impression? The Lexus is better screwed together than the far newer BMW was! Reliability? i'm not in the slightest bit concerned.

[ZX10R NIN]

2005 E320 67k FSH (this one has the straight 6 & no DPF) a remap sees these comfortably with around 270bhp & MPG in the mid to high 40's on a run.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

E320 53k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

CLK320 Sport FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

E320 93k FSH With the Brabus D6 Map already fitted

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[otolith]

I very much like my E320 CDI, it's a genuinely nice car. Very comfortable, quiet, smooth, refined, decent bit of poke. Very relaxing to drive, and decently economical. No fun at all, but a very pleasant way to travel.