What car would you recommend?

Patch123

De brother has a 520i auto 2005 that he's looking to offload because of fuel costs and tax.

He does about 20k km per year of mostly urban driving with the odd longer journey thrown in.

He's been offered a 2012 316d current model manual as a replacement for approx 25K ish including his own car trade in for openers.

I was thinking that while the new 3 series is a great car, the 16d looks basic and comparatively slow. Also, given his type of driving, switching back to a manual seems inadvisable and that a diesel driven mostly in an urban environment may have issues down the road.

Let's pretend that spending thousands to save a few hundred a year is not up for discussion, and that the main requirements are low running costs, something near or better to the performance he has; as well as something comfortable enough and auto, with good resale in 3-5 years time.

What would you recommend - or do you think the 316d is the way to go - but maybe with an auto box? What about something like a new Golf 140hp petrol highline DSG instead? Am I right about potential trouble with diesel with this type of usage or would it apply as much to that Golf petrol?

He's open minded-ish on car brand and type, and will consider second hand if that helps.

glic83

Why does he need an automatic?

colm_mcm

Maybe he likes and wants an automatic?

glic83

Its not that Colm its just in the op's post he says "Also, given his type of driving, switching back to a manual seems inadvisable and that a diesel driven mostly in an urban environment may have issues down the road. "

I was only wondering why?

colm_mcm

He's doing urban driving, which i believe isn't great for a dual mass flywheel assuming there's a lot of stopping and starting

Eric Cartman

If the majority of his driving is urban then the DPF issues may rear their head ,

the new 320i does around 45mpg and is 280 a year to tax afair , it would be a performance gain and no dpf issues, hes at the borderline for diesel becoming an option but considering its mostly urban travel a petrol car may still be a better option.

Patch123

glic83 wrote: »

Its not that Colm its just in the op's post he says "Also, given his type of driving, switching back to a manual seems inadvisable and that a diesel driven mostly in an urban environment may have issues down the road. "

I was only wondering why?

Well, given most of his driving is in town, and he's been driving the auto I think it'd be too much of a bummer to go back to manual with all the gear changing. Trying to minimise the effects of his downsizing!

colm_mcm wrote: »

He's doing urban driving, which i believe isn't great for a dual mass flywheel assuming there's a lot of stopping and starting

This kind of what I was thinking - doesn't DMF issue apply to diesels, so petrol would be a better option for him?

Patch123

Eric Cartman wrote: »

If the majority of his driving is urban then the DPF issues may rear their head ,

the new 320i does around 45mpg and is 280 a year to tax afair , it would be a performance gain and no dpf issues, hes at the borderline for diesel becoming an option but considering its mostly urban travel a petrol car may still be a better option.

Thanks for that. The 320i sounds like a good option in theory, but I don't think he could stretch to a new one, and I would think it difficult to find a new-shape one in budget second hand, or at all. Could be wrong though.

Seweryn

Patch123 wrote: »

De brother has a 520i auto 2005 that he's looking to offload because of fuel costs and tax.

He does about 20k km per year of mostly urban driving with the odd longer journey thrown in.

He's been offered a 2012 316d current model manual as a replacement for approx 25K ish including his own car trade in for openers.

I would keep the 520i and would drive in style.

In fairness, with 25k that he hasn't spent on the downgrade to a 316d, would buy him a lot of petrol and tax.

Patch123

Seweryn wrote: »

I would keep the 520i and would drive in style.

In fairness, with 25k that he hasn't spent on the downgrade to a 316d, would buy him a lot of petrol and tax.

I agree with you and I had that talk with him, but he still wants to change.

colm_mcm

In all seriousness a Lexus CT200h would be worth considering

i am awsome

I think a volkswagen golf would be awesome, reasons: comfortable, good size engine diesel/petrol, and a good resale price as well. My opinion anyway

Eric Cartman

colm_mcm wrote: »

In all seriousness a Lexus CT200h would be worth considering

actually considering the price bracket , you could get an 08-09 GS450h for low/mid 20s that would be a big upgrade, not sure how the tax worked out on these but id say its less than 800 a year , which is cheap considering the power in them

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Lexus/GS450H/SPORT-M%23/201306212318470/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

Had actually thought of suggesting a GS450 when I came to the conclusion that yer man waouldnt spend €750 on tax

Eric Cartman

colm_mcm wrote: »

Had actually thought of suggesting a GS450 when I came to the conclusion that yer man waouldnt spend €750 on tax

750 in tax is a small burden to pay for that kind of car , same size and luxury as the 5 series with bundles more power and its still a luxury marque, but your probably right.

Patch123

Thanks for the responses. He's not really a petrol head, and is looking to save money on running costs primarily, rather than have a better car then he has but with similar running costs. So, while I'd love a GS450h, I don't think he'd go for it. The ct200h - on paper sounds like a good option, but I think it'd be too much of a performance drop compared to what he has. By all accounts doesn't it seem to be a dismal thing too?

I've noticed a few other threads with the 140bhp golf mk VII petrol I suggested in the OP - it seems to get a good write up - quick enough (possibly quicker than what he has), good torque, economical, possibly good resale. Is the market starting to turn towards petrol? The Audi a3 equivalent is more expensive and doesn't seem to be listed with that newer version of the 1.4 turbo engine (it has 125hp / v 140 for the Golf).

Thanks again for the responses, I'm still open to suggestions.

bridgepeople

Patch123 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. He's not really a petrol head, and is looking to save money on running costs primarily, rather than have a better car then he has but with similar running costs. So, while I'd love a GS450h, I don't think he'd go for it. The ct200h - on paper sounds like a good option, but I think it'd be too much of a performance drop compared to what he has. By all accounts doesn't it seem to be a dismal thing too?

I've noticed a few other threads with the 140bhp golf mk VII petrol I suggested in the OP - it seems to get a good write up - quick enough (possibly quicker than what he has), good torque, economical, possibly good resale. Is the market starting to turn towards petrol? The Audi a3 equivalent is more expensive and doesn't seem to be listed with that newer version of the 1.4 turbo engine (it has 125hp / v 140 for the Golf).

Thanks again for the responses, I'm still open to suggestions.

Would a switch to a Golf not be a big drop in comfort levels from a 5 series though? The CT200h/A3 class seems like a good compromise if he doesn't mind losing a bit of space from the 5 series.