My Focus is on it's last legs and I'm looking to replace it. I could go and get another Focus but I'm doing more miles for work and I'd like something a bit more comfortable / spacious. Budget is 4k although if I can spend less then that'd be good. I'd also have another 1k set aside for any repairs / consumables.
Speed / handling is at the bottom of my priorities, I have the Z4 for weekends / road trips / fun drives. In fact, the slower the better to some extent, makes me appreciate the Z4 even more.
What I do want is reliability (I'll be needing the car to commute to work most days) and comfort. I would like an automatic but with my budget I think this would cause more potential problems, so I'm happy to stick with manual. My Focus has cost peanuts to run, which justifys the whole 2 cars thing. For example, a years tax and insurance on the Focus costs less than a set of tyres for the Z4. I appreciate the cars below are going to cost more to keep running but if I'm having to fork out every other month it defeats the object.
Annual mileage is probably around 13,000 so petrol is probably the best bet to avoid DMF / injector worries although some of the cars on my potential list are more suited to diesel, so we'll see.
My thoughts:
Volvo S60 D5
Pre facelift for more reliable Euro 3 163bhp engine
Pros: Seem to be well regarded, excellent seats and stereo, can get a decent example for lower end of budget
Cons: Large turning circle (park in a multistory every day)
Audi A6 C6
Probably be a 2.0 TDI PD as the petrol options are thirsty / gutless unless going for the 3.2
Pros: Nice interior, still look pretty smart and modern
Cons: Possible injector and oil cooler problems? Although this engine being fitted to lots of VAG cars surely it can't be that bad? Budget wouldn't stretch to a facelift CR engine model
BMW E60
Probably a 523i as these seem unloved hence more for your money
Pros: Best drive out of the lot (although fairly irrelevant for what I'm using it for)
Cons: Heard these suffer from lots of electrical gremlins?
Ford Mondeo
Ideally a 2.0 petrol in Titanium / Titanium X spec although latter unlikely in budget
Pros: Probably the best in terms of cost to keep on the road
Cons: Not as "special" as the options above
What do you think guys?
Speed / handling is at the bottom of my priorities, I have the Z4 for weekends / road trips / fun drives. In fact, the slower the better to some extent, makes me appreciate the Z4 even more.
What I do want is reliability (I'll be needing the car to commute to work most days) and comfort. I would like an automatic but with my budget I think this would cause more potential problems, so I'm happy to stick with manual. My Focus has cost peanuts to run, which justifys the whole 2 cars thing. For example, a years tax and insurance on the Focus costs less than a set of tyres for the Z4. I appreciate the cars below are going to cost more to keep running but if I'm having to fork out every other month it defeats the object.
Annual mileage is probably around 13,000 so petrol is probably the best bet to avoid DMF / injector worries although some of the cars on my potential list are more suited to diesel, so we'll see.
My thoughts:
Volvo S60 D5
Pre facelift for more reliable Euro 3 163bhp engine
Pros: Seem to be well regarded, excellent seats and stereo, can get a decent example for lower end of budget
Cons: Large turning circle (park in a multistory every day)
Audi A6 C6
Probably be a 2.0 TDI PD as the petrol options are thirsty / gutless unless going for the 3.2
Pros: Nice interior, still look pretty smart and modern
Cons: Possible injector and oil cooler problems? Although this engine being fitted to lots of VAG cars surely it can't be that bad? Budget wouldn't stretch to a facelift CR engine model
BMW E60
Probably a 523i as these seem unloved hence more for your money
Pros: Best drive out of the lot (although fairly irrelevant for what I'm using it for)
Cons: Heard these suffer from lots of electrical gremlins?
Ford Mondeo
Ideally a 2.0 petrol in Titanium / Titanium X spec although latter unlikely in budget
Pros: Probably the best in terms of cost to keep on the road
Cons: Not as "special" as the options above
What do you think guys?