Im going into sensible mode as im becoming a father next year. As i wont be able to afford to skid much at all im selling the old e30 and going to get myself some comfort in my life. im looking at diesel e39's or c class mercs. Ive got 5k to play with. Anybody got any experience with either of them cars? looking for realistic mpg figures and general problems or just to be told how amazing they are. But im open other ideas aswell, will probabaly be an auto aswell, as i wont be skiding it so i may aswell be lazy and comfortable
530d or 530i sport fantastic car very rare in manual most are autos im not a merc lover dont no much about them
i`d look at getting an audi a6. much better on fuel. you`d be looking at 35mpg with the 530d, not sure on merc. the audi 6 speed will give 50mpg.
first off congratulations mate, my dad had a 530d sport auto, fucking awsome car but once one thing went wrong it started a huge chain of issues, lucky it was under warranty for the first issue and they linked them all together, but something to bare in mind with expensive cars is the expensive parts and the general complexity of them.
can easily get a E39 530d and get it chipped and a few other bits for 5k. I love my E39 530d, quick in standard form. if you do get one and its got the swirlflaps rip them out ASAP, as failure can lunch the engine.
mick, you should have brought my old merc c class on bags, defo pimping +4 doors + leather ect ect. someone on here has it
few options BMW : BMW 530i Sport BMW : bmw m3 3.0 BMW : BMW M3 EVO 96 Bourne and Thomas : 320 CLK Elegance
=| hey mate, new to the forum - in kind of the same boat as you needing a sensible car these days for daily driving. i wouldnt suggest a merc to be honest great cars and good tech and build, but just abit too soft to keep the drivers interest, audi front wheel drives im not much of a fan of either. if you want a sensible car thats got driving appeal - bmw is the only german name that comes to mind. e39 520d if the fuel budget is loww.. lpg converted bmws? still get the comfort and looks but also fun to drive. My mate gets 40/45mpg out his 320d. and doesnt complain that its a slug. Peace =)
BMW : Mint Condition BMW 528i SE suggestion for project, lights and wheels are naff but car looks clean. with sum genuine bmw/alpina/a.c. schnitzer/bbs.. and genuine headlamps this can look killer
I know its not on your list but I'd go for a E46 330D. Better MPG and more for your money than the 5 series. Loads of sport autos about too
QFT, you can get an E46 330D for that sort of money. Mileage will be high but they are good for it. My daily is an E46 330D Touring now and I love it. Bags of torque, 50MPG and a huge boot!
Saab 9-5 Aero Estate. Bullet proof, 2.3turbo, 250BHP (300 easily available with very few mods), I average 27mpg in mine (50% town 50% motorway, never below 90 lol). On a run you can see 40mpg if you are that way inclined. Comfort wise, I have driven A6's, 5 series, Volvo V70's, the 9-5 beats them all. Will tow no problems so (if like me) when the kids get older you want to return to skidding, you have a perfect tow vehicle. Just another option..... -=F=-
BMW Diesel estate All the car you could need 3 series, 5 series, doesnt really matter. If you want a slightly leftfield choice then I still would fancy James's old E36 M3 Touring which went back up for sale a while back, it just looked so right. Diesel A6 Audis dont get anywhere near the fuel consumption thats been mentioned in this thread, at least mine didnt in 2 years and 80k miles anyway !!! They are horrendously expensive on service costs if done at delaers, but at the price you are buying you wouldn't get caught in that trap anyway. Same for BMW's and frankly modern Mercs are just too boring unless you get one with a nuclear warhead for an engine !! J.
see mick exactly what i said on the phone, e46/39 diesel fact 5k will prob reach a sport model aswell
i will look at e46 330d's what kind of realist mpg can i expect from it, mix of town driving and a bit of dualcarriage way/ motorway driving. As for it being quick, thats not really a problem as i drive like a grandad 90% of the time anyway, only real shit i give my car is skiding, which mi giving up for a while. if the fun factor isnt there i wont be able to act the cock and rape fuel.
what are these swirl flaps you speak of? quick edit just to give an idea of the kind of thing im looking at mercedes wise http://pistonheads.com/sales/2221504.htm
I dont like small Mercs, And I certainly dont like early 2000's C-class with 130k miles on them - they just dont last like the old ones did and have only been getting better made the last 3 or 4 years. 33od Sport should see you around the 40mpg mark realistically taking in all types of driving. Dont believe the figures you read or on car sites as they are just not realistic - my other halfs 120d Msport is meant to do 60+mpg average but doesnt get anywhere near it no matter how well you drive !! Personally I prefer 5-series for the extra room and comfort....here ya go, dont fuck around, just get it bought !!! 2002 BMW 5 SERIES 530d Sport 5dr Auto Diesel Touring
Any volvo with a D5 engine. Not owned any for a long period of time but the ones I've driven (800 miles in one go in an S60 D5) have been quick enough for a daily, don't use any fuel and are pretty comfortable.
