Help me buy a nice used big engine car for under 4k (UK)

[Bluejmc2005]

so, my very boring story in short; I have previously had some lovely BMWs, love the 3 and 5 series, most recently I had a 2011 Jaguar XF 3.0d which was wonderful, but due to financial issues related to covid (wife lost job, i had less coming in) I had to sell it, bank some money and bought myself 2008 VW EOS 2litre GSI auto in its place. Lovely car, fab condition, spent money having cam belt etc all done, but I really am not enjoying it - its just not me, I like a big engine, big car. I bought it as it really is a lovely example, was less than 3k and I needed something in a hurry. I wonder, is it possible to find a nice example (petrol 2.5/3/4l or diesel) for under 4k? I'm based in Gloucester so needs to be reasonably close what with covid rules. Auto best - wife has auto only license - but not a deal breaker, she has her own car.

any help, or advice, or straight talking advice appreciated!

[_Mac_]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/46516468...
Currently at £1,700...

I'm looking at a similar sort of cars as yourself; take a look at old Jags (XJ and S-Types), American imports (especially pickups, you can get a 5.7l V8 truck for £3k LINK)

Happy hunting!
Mac

[Bluejmc2005]

_Mac_ said:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/46516468...
Currently at £1,700...

I'm looking at a similar sort of cars as yourself; take a look at old Jags (XJ and S-Types), American imports (especially pickups, you can get a 5.7l V8 truck for £3k LINK)

Happy hunting!
Mac

fab thanks pal you too

[andburg]

Fill your boots..

Bargain Barges under £5000 thread

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[fflump]

It depends how old you are prepared to go.
S-Type, Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300C, Lexus GS300, Honda Legend worth considering?
Even early XFs are cheap as chips currently.

[Bluejmc2005]

andburg said:

Fill your boots..

Bargain Barges under £5000 thread

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

awesome thank you!

[Bluejmc2005]

fflump said:

It depends how old you are prepared to go.
S-Type, Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300C, Lexus GS300, Honda Legend worth considering?
Even early XFs are cheap as chips currently.

Loved my XF, would not mind another, will have a look. Age wise id prefer newer as it will be a daily etc but rule nothing out. thanks for the suggestions :-)

[Bluejmc2005]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009234...

very cheap, might do the job?

[Scootersp]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-GS-300-3-0-SE-CVT...

Heated and ventilated(cooled) seats a nice wafter....

[fflump]

Bluejmc2005 said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009234...

very cheap, might do the job?

You wanted newer, around £4k and that's what you came up with?
If you've got 4k I advise you spend it-you may get luck with a 15 yr old 133,000 Diesel S-Type, but you may not.

Also diesel engine technology has improved massively over the past 10+ years, led by the German brands, so it might sound like an underserviced taxi.

[Bluejmc2005]

Just saw it and thought worth mentioning...but yes point taken

[Bluejmc2005]

Scootersp said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-GS-300-3-0-SE-CVT...

Heated and ventilated(cooled) seats a nice wafter....

Ooh very nice. Thank you!

[Bluejmc2005]

seems a little pricey and over budget but I do like this...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353398304552?mkevt=1&am...

[J1990]

Bluejmc2005 said:

seems a little pricey and over budget but I do like this...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353398304552?mkevt=1&am...

Personally, I wouldn't be stretching my budget for that particular car.
It had 130bhp/tonne when new, it's the povery/entry spec car if that makes a difference to you and the sales pitch is a little full on - 'Breath taking', claiming it has a panoramic roof (That's a sunroof, not a panoramic roof).

Also, one for those with more knowledge than me, did the E92 SE come with xenons as standard? I can't seem to confirm when searching.

[Pegscratch]

Volvo C70 T5 if you like the convertible but miss the poke, but then you can venture into the truly ruinous barges too.

[ZX10R NIN]

E320 Elegance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201909202...

280

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101037...

320cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202005229...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102199...

CLS 320cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102189...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

CLS500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101168...

V6 S Type

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...

4.2R S Type

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

GS300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103049...

GS430

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-GS-430-IN-BLACK-W...

Honda Legend

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

[Bluejmc2005]

Thank you all - going to see a couple Saturday, the poverty spec 325 is among them as i do love an e90 and it looks a very nice example!

[Bluejmc2005]

bought the 325i Saturday - fell it love with it, and couldn't walk away! however, had an issue this morning and yesterday morning. Start the car, and its very very rough/shaky for 3-4 minutes, almost like its going to cut out, then after about 3-4 minutes the engine light goes off and runs perfectly. I'm thinking maybe coils or spark plug? any ideas folks? it came with 3 month warranty so covered. Otherwise a fab car that I am very pleased with!

[QuartzDad]

My son bought an 08 325i late last year. Rough running for the first few minutes after starting turned out to be 6 new injectors and £1700.

[andburg]

agree, coils is probably where I would start.

grab yourself a cheap OBD reader, always handy to have.