Stumped deciding on next car.
Discussion
Hi Pistonheads
I've been driving for around 24yrs now and had many cars over the years. I've always known what I've wanted, saved up money and moved onto the next one. Always ran petrol cars as don't really do the mileage to warrant a diesel. for a bit of history and context, here are a few cars I've owned over the years,
Started off in a cavalier 1.6 then various other variants including SRI's, EG Honda Civics of many variants, Honda Integra type r, Honda s2000, BMW 328ci, BMW 330i M sport, BMW 530i M sport (e60), BMW e46 M3.
As you can see I do like a high revving naturally aspirated engine. My last proper car was the M3 which I sold just before the boom due to lack of use and to free up funds for a house renovation ( massive regret now). I bought a civic 1.8 at the same time as the M3 as my daily and its served me well but its far too small now for a family of 5 (which includes two teenagers).
The problem I have is large petrol cars are very scarce and overpriced in comparison to their diesel counterparts. I need a big spacious family car to do around 6k miles a year. Petrol with reasonable economy and fun to drive. Budget, I would prefer something under 10k but could push to 15k if it really got me excited haha. All my research is pointing to a BMW F10 528i/535i or similar. is there anything else I should consider ?. Is it wise to be looking at a straight 6 petrol in the current economic climate ?
Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.
I've been driving for around 24yrs now and had many cars over the years. I've always known what I've wanted, saved up money and moved onto the next one. Always ran petrol cars as don't really do the mileage to warrant a diesel. for a bit of history and context, here are a few cars I've owned over the years,
Started off in a cavalier 1.6 then various other variants including SRI's, EG Honda Civics of many variants, Honda Integra type r, Honda s2000, BMW 328ci, BMW 330i M sport, BMW 530i M sport (e60), BMW e46 M3.
As you can see I do like a high revving naturally aspirated engine. My last proper car was the M3 which I sold just before the boom due to lack of use and to free up funds for a house renovation ( massive regret now). I bought a civic 1.8 at the same time as the M3 as my daily and its served me well but its far too small now for a family of 5 (which includes two teenagers).
The problem I have is large petrol cars are very scarce and overpriced in comparison to their diesel counterparts. I need a big spacious family car to do around 6k miles a year. Petrol with reasonable economy and fun to drive. Budget, I would prefer something under 10k but could push to 15k if it really got me excited haha. All my research is pointing to a BMW F10 528i/535i or similar. is there anything else I should consider ?. Is it wise to be looking at a straight 6 petrol in the current economic climate ?
Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.
Leftfield options.
G37 Saloon:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...
3.6 Passat CC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109257...
S60 T6 may be to small for your needs:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203314...
S80:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
Jaguar XF 5.0 very good drivers cars as well as a good family car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202232...
3.0 Portfolio I think this is the better choice than the 5.0 above but you said you prefer N/A
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202232...
Now my personal choices at your price points would be as follows:
G37 mentioned above & XF 5.0 Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...
Honda Legend:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...
Personally it would be out of these two:
E350 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205065...
E500 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...
They're at the higher end of you budget but that's where I'd be looking.
G37 Saloon:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...
3.6 Passat CC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109257...
S60 T6 may be to small for your needs:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203314...
S80:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203284...
Jaguar XF 5.0 very good drivers cars as well as a good family car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202232...
3.0 Portfolio I think this is the better choice than the 5.0 above but you said you prefer N/A
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202232...
Now my personal choices at your price points would be as follows:
G37 mentioned above & XF 5.0 Portfolio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...
Honda Legend:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...
Personally it would be out of these two:
E350 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205065...
E500 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...
They're at the higher end of you budget but that's where I'd be looking.
It's always wise to be looking at big 6 cylinder petrol cars. At the moment petrol is a fair bit cheaper than diesel, so even if the MPG was a bit lower (which is debatable in urban driving) it isn't apples for apples anyway.
I've done this search over and over for years because it's my preferred kind of car.
The only answers I have ever come up with despite doing the most contorted searches on Autotrader are Mercedes E-class and BMW 5 series. In the end I've always ended up buying E-Class. Weirdly though, the last two we've had have been diesels.
I was dead against having a diesel but I was having a "don't care" moment one day and just went ahead and bought a diesel E350. I've been very impressed with the performance and refinement of the E350 diesel, it's not that bad.
But to be clear to any manufactures reading this (Jaguar, Volvo, Ford, Vauxhall) can we have some more 6-pot full size estate cars as it can't just be down to Mercedes and BMW to be the only marques offering them!
I've done this search over and over for years because it's my preferred kind of car.
The only answers I have ever come up with despite doing the most contorted searches on Autotrader are Mercedes E-class and BMW 5 series. In the end I've always ended up buying E-Class. Weirdly though, the last two we've had have been diesels.
I was dead against having a diesel but I was having a "don't care" moment one day and just went ahead and bought a diesel E350. I've been very impressed with the performance and refinement of the E350 diesel, it's not that bad.
But to be clear to any manufactures reading this (Jaguar, Volvo, Ford, Vauxhall) can we have some more 6-pot full size estate cars as it can't just be down to Mercedes and BMW to be the only marques offering them!
ingenieur said:
But to be clear to any manufactures reading this (Jaguar, Volvo, Ford, Vauxhall) can we have some more 6-pot full size estate cars as it can't just be down to Mercedes and BMW to be the only marques offering them!
Audi do them as well, but I do agree that more would be good. I was always very disappointed that the UK never got the XF Sportbrake with the 3.0v6 petrol, yet America did. The bloody thing is designed and built here, we should get all of the models. ninjag said:
ingenieur said:
But to be clear to any manufactures reading this (Jaguar, Volvo, Ford, Vauxhall) can we have some more 6-pot full size estate cars as it can't just be down to Mercedes and BMW to be the only marques offering them!
Audi do them as well, but I do agree that more would be good. I was always very disappointed that the UK never got the XF Sportbrake with the 3.0v6 petrol, yet America did. The bloody thing is designed and built here, we should get all of the models. I see you mentioned Audi but (and I'll probably be told I'm wrong) their estates aren't really up there amongst the greatest. Even the 5-series is a touch undersized. The E-class just about does it all. Fast, reliable, good to look at, massive cargo space, big engine and the diesels have good MPG, even competitive with cars half the size (due to the 9-speed box)
As you well know, most manufacturers have been downsizing their engines for some time now, so you'll struggle to find large, naturally aspirated cars these days.
Since you like BMWs, what about a 3 series? I reckon an F30 will be plenty big enough, they are large cars these days. Neither of these are 6 cylinder motors though.
BMW 330i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
A BMW 330e makes an interesting choice, same power as a 330i, plenty of torque, really good fuel economy, 400 bhp power potential! You'll need to be able to plug it in at home though if you want maximum benefit from it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203093...
Another plug-in hybrid option is a Passat GTE estate, might not be the last word dynamically though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...
Alternatively, there are FHEV options in the form of these from Infiniti, that have the VQ35 V6 that is a large 6 cylinder naturally aspirated unit, but paired with an e-motor
Q50
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204064...
M35h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204194...
Finally, here is one with an acutal large NA V6 - Mercedes C350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204214...
Since you like BMWs, what about a 3 series? I reckon an F30 will be plenty big enough, they are large cars these days. Neither of these are 6 cylinder motors though.
BMW 330i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
A BMW 330e makes an interesting choice, same power as a 330i, plenty of torque, really good fuel economy, 400 bhp power potential! You'll need to be able to plug it in at home though if you want maximum benefit from it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203093...
Another plug-in hybrid option is a Passat GTE estate, might not be the last word dynamically though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...
Alternatively, there are FHEV options in the form of these from Infiniti, that have the VQ35 V6 that is a large 6 cylinder naturally aspirated unit, but paired with an e-motor
Q50
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204064...
M35h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204194...
Finally, here is one with an acutal large NA V6 - Mercedes C350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204214...
ingenieur said:
ninjag said:
ingenieur said:
But to be clear to any manufactures reading this (Jaguar, Volvo, Ford, Vauxhall) can we have some more 6-pot full size estate cars as it can't just be down to Mercedes and BMW to be the only marques offering them!
Audi do them as well, but I do agree that more would be good. I was always very disappointed that the UK never got the XF Sportbrake with the 3.0v6 petrol, yet America did. The bloody thing is designed and built here, we should get all of the models. I see you mentioned Audi but (and I'll probably be told I'm wrong) their estates aren't really up there amongst the greatest. Even the 5-series is a touch undersized. The E-class just about does it all. Fast, reliable, good to look at, massive cargo space, big engine and the diesels have good MPG, even competitive with cars half the size (due to the 9-speed box)
Thought I would have a look at some previous gen estates and their boot space:
Audi A4 Avant 490 litres
BMW 3 Series Touring 495 litres
C-Class Estate 485 litres
Audi A6 Avant 565 litres
BMW 5 Series Touring 560 litres
E-Class Estate 600 litres
x250 Jag XF Sportbrake 510 litres
Not sure why you feel Audi is somewhat worse as it seems to outperform although all pretty similar, with the exception of the E-Class - but it is renowned for its boot size. I was surprised at the XF though.
They can get capacity up to make the figures look a certain way if that's what they want to do. If you lower the whole boot floor by a centimetre in the Audi (for instance) that would add 20 litres to the capacity figure... but would you really notice it? The maturity of the overall package is important as well.
ingenieur said:
They can get capacity up to make the figures look a certain way if that's what they want to do. If you lower the whole boot floor by a centimetre in the Audi (for instance) that would add 20 litres to the capacity figure... but would you really notice it? The maturity of the overall package is important as well.
How about 2cm, would you notice that?Hi Guys, thanks for all your reply's
I'm definitely not against turbo's and probably need to get with the times as mentioned, large NA engines are becoming a thing of the past. So just some thoughts :-
- I didn't realize how quick those Skoda superb 280's are, as suggested by loskie. Will definitely be looking out for these now ( possibly estate version).
- Merc E350, always liked the look of these ( especially coupe and convertible). Having driven both C class and E class diesels in the past, I found the gearbox in them to be a bit slow and not very exiting. Might have to take a petrol one for a drive and see if its any differrent as I really do like the looks.
- BMW 330E is another contender. I did look at the 530E but way out of budget. Hadn't really considered the 330E so will go out and see what the space is like in these.
cheers for all your input
I'm definitely not against turbo's and probably need to get with the times as mentioned, large NA engines are becoming a thing of the past. So just some thoughts :-
- I didn't realize how quick those Skoda superb 280's are, as suggested by loskie. Will definitely be looking out for these now ( possibly estate version).
- Merc E350, always liked the look of these ( especially coupe and convertible). Having driven both C class and E class diesels in the past, I found the gearbox in them to be a bit slow and not very exiting. Might have to take a petrol one for a drive and see if its any differrent as I really do like the looks.
- BMW 330E is another contender. I did look at the 530E but way out of budget. Hadn't really considered the 330E so will go out and see what the space is like in these.
cheers for all your input
inline6 said:
Hi Guys, thanks for all your reply's
I'm definitely not against turbo's and probably need to get with the times as mentioned, large NA engines are becoming a thing of the past. So just some thoughts :-
- I didn't realize how quick those Skoda superb 280's are, as suggested by loskie. Will definitely be looking out for these now ( possibly estate version).
- Merc E350, always liked the look of these ( especially coupe and convertible). Having driven both C class and E class diesels in the past, I found the gearbox in them to be a bit slow and not very exiting. Might have to take a petrol one for a drive and see if its any differrent as I really do like the looks.
- BMW 330E is another contender. I did look at the 530E but way out of budget. Hadn't really considered the 330E so will go out and see what the space is like in these.
cheers for all your input
The superb is a very good car. The 280 gives it the performance most of the other variants are lacking in that range, but, you'll be looking to find an estate in budget. A few 16k saloons exist with higher than average mileage (though that wouldn't put me off). Having recently been looking at the few, you'd need to be nearer £20K+ to get the estate. I'm definitely not against turbo's and probably need to get with the times as mentioned, large NA engines are becoming a thing of the past. So just some thoughts :-
- I didn't realize how quick those Skoda superb 280's are, as suggested by loskie. Will definitely be looking out for these now ( possibly estate version).
- Merc E350, always liked the look of these ( especially coupe and convertible). Having driven both C class and E class diesels in the past, I found the gearbox in them to be a bit slow and not very exiting. Might have to take a petrol one for a drive and see if its any differrent as I really do like the looks.
- BMW 330E is another contender. I did look at the 530E but way out of budget. Hadn't really considered the 330E so will go out and see what the space is like in these.
cheers for all your input
But, you could certainly get the Octavia VRS in budget and you'd be surprised how big that feels inside. It's very spacious. Not as powerful granted, but in terms of real world driving, i'm unsure you'd notice all that much difference. It certainly is going to be fun to drive when the spirit takes you, they are quite a bit of fun when being "chucked" around. And far more engaging than i thought an estate had a right to be.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205205...
If you wanted to go "different" - you won't see many people in one of the r36 passats. The wagon is by far the better looking and it ticks every box. It's well kitted, good to drive, makes a great noise, its rare and will always get a nod from anyone that "knows". Without screaming "look at me".
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204084...
If you aren't 100% convinced, a tunnel run clip of the r36 noise. It's addictive - as such your mpg may suffer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8oEIpKwl78
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