£15k - which used 4 door saloon?

[Max...]

Bit of an open question but considering buying a 'new' (used) car. Present stable is an ex-MoD Land Rover 90, a 300Tdi 110 CSW and a 2002 Focus.

The 300Tdi is the workhorse and 'boat' car, the Ninety a much loved old thing that I cannot bear to sell so the Focus will have to go. Stupid really as it's been super reliable, cost nothing to run and whizzs about fine but I miss the old Saab 9-5 (a '99 car) I had once for long distance comfort and creature comforts.

Brand snobbery kind of comes into it - I love the 'Saab' thing and always said I would rather be shot than seen in a BMW or Merc but for some reason I find myself liking the recent 3 series models.

Has to be a petrol auto 4 door with decent performance but not a performance model as such.

Not interested in Mercs, Audis or anything French...so thinking another Saab, Volvo or yes, even the Beemer...

Any suggestions guys?

[Zippy]

Cant go wrong with beemer!

i have only had diesels for the last 10 years but my 330D was a fantastic car, very comfortable on long distances, fast and used next to no fuel when treated well! sorry to see that go but by current 530D is just as good with extra room for the dogs in the boot!!

A friend has just changed his Audi A4 3.0 quatro diesel. 56 plate with 50K miles and dealer service. he did part ex on a newer audi and they gave him 11K for it so your budget should get you something very reasonable!

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Can't go wrong with the current 3 or just departing 5 series. I just took delivery of the 320d msport plus (184bhp) with all the trimmings.

(Certainly wouldnt buy one new as the new model is out next year, but its a lease.)

However, the new 5 has been out about a year now and the 04 onwards model is a bargain. Prices have now dipped and a 530d (ensure it is the more modern 3.0d!!!) is an absolute diamond of a car. Frugal, powerful and under 15k now, just. That engine is a corker, was the best diesel engine in the world for a while!!!

There's a good few of that type of car that have been well looked after with Full BMW service history. A lot of car if you look around. For example

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...16by?logcode=p

[Max...]

Thanks for the comments guys - really looking at a petrol (and auto) though, my mileage will be relatively very low and other worries about modern diesels (dual mass flywheels, DPF issues etc) put me off.

I wouldn't have anything but diesel in the Landys' but always preferred petrol in my 'cars'.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Max...

Saab

They've filed for bankruptcy protection...spares could be a nightmare if they go belly up

[Zagato]

Blimey you sound like me

1947 BSA M20
1968 Series 11A ground up restoration - half way though!
1962 " " daily drive
2011 Defender
1962 SAAB 96 2 Stroke
2005 SAAB 9-5 estate

I would go SAAB again for saving money as they are bargains for running into the ground. My SAAB was 4 years old and cost £4200 with 67,000 on the clock It was 27K new, they're not real SAABs but perfectly decent boring hacks as most modern cars are - yawn

[HUMBER P4VWL]

530i. Get an even cleaner example for 15k as they're not as desirable. Creamy smooth 6cyl. Mmmmmmm

[Zagato]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

530i. Get an even cleaner example for 15k as they're not as desirable. Creamy smooth 6cyl. Mmmmmmm

Agreed 6 Cyl but sold it 3 months ago Jag prices went through the roof so silly not to make on it SAAB pictured behind, my wife had to follow on behind when we went anywhere as the XK only had one spare seat for one sprog!




Keep your money to keep your Defender on the road, cos you won't want the proposed new one.!!!!! They haven't a clue..groan!

[Max...]

Don't want to divert this into a Landy topic but copying/pasting the below from a post I made on a Landy forum:

Yep, my 110 Defender was the last great one - a proper 12 seater 1998 300Tdi - the proposed new one is just another monocoque, tarted up, Chelsea tractor.

Like the modern Discovery (and on decent tyres) it will do a fine job off-road but it's a million miles from the ladder chassis, 'Meccano' set, totally versatile, utility vehicle that to all intents and purposes has been largely unchanged since 1948. No-one would argue that the ladder chassis/hand built Defender could go on forever - it's way past it's sell by date in modern vehicle terms but to pretend the new version is a 'Defender' is silly - it's just another scaled down Range Rover/Discovery/Evoque.

But at the end of the day there are more than enough proper Landys around to be re-chassised for all the enthusiasts out there - the internal combustion engine will be outlawed long before they all die for good.

That old Saab is gorgeous BTW.

Please keep the saloon suggestions coming - not considered the 5 series. TBH the whole BMW recent 3 series model range/update history seems a minefield...

[Zagato]

Totally agree Max

2 stroke will go up for sale soon for £2750 ono