help choosing a sporty estate | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Thu 5 Nov 2015 06:51

help choosing a sporty estate - bustabust

I've finally saved up enough (i think!?) cash to buy a nice sporty estate, having recently sold the old but trusty modeo. I've got around 13/14k to spend on a used estate and I'm currently torn between:

- BMW 3 series gran tourer (example in link below)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510067545195?postcode=b756tx&price-to=14000&sort=default&maximum-age=up_to_4_years_old&maximum-mileage=up_to_30000_miles&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&make=bmw&body-type=estate&model=3_series&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&page=1&logcode=p

- skoda octavia svt

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509146895473?page=1&sort=pricedesc&postcode=b756tx&make=skoda&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&maximum-age=up_to_4_years_old&model=octavia&radius=1500&body-type=estate&maximum-mileage=up_to_30000_miles&price-to=13000&search-target=usedcars&logcode=p

I'm tempted by the BMW although I'm being warned of the expensive repair costs associated with the BMW. This is the first nice car that I've ever bought and I cant really afford to make the wrong decision.

I've read that the Sokda's are fab cars but I dont feel very excited about buying one!

Could you guys please give me some advice as to which I should go for and why?

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 09:03

help choosing a sporty estate - Eddy56

neither example linked is what the manufacturer would consider the sporty model. However the BMW is a strong engine and certainly goes well. I test drove one a while back and was impressed. The M-sport varients have much firmer suspension and often larger wheels which make for a choppy and noisier ride, I found the SE on standard springs still very dymnamic to drive but also more refined and comfortable. The Skoda, I have not driven, doubt you could consider the 1.6 diesel sporty, but should think the 2.0 VAG diesel goes well. Also I read good things about the VAG petrol TSI engines. My father has a Jetta with the 1.4 and it goes really well indeed and driven sedately is very good on fuel. If you dont want or need diesel then the VAG TSI engines would be a good option, I think.

Others to consider would be a Merc C-class. I believe the diesel engine is an older design and less refined but proven and considered pretty reliable.

Your budget would also bring the newer Mazda 6 into consideration. It apears their woes with diesel engines are gone in the late model and HJ rates it highly.

Dare I say another Mondeo? Your budget would get more Mondeo than any of the above.

Edited by Eddy56 on 05/11/2015 at 09:05

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 09:21

help choosing a sporty estate - bustabust

thanks for the repsonse Eddy. The mondeo was great but the minor mid-age crisis is oushing me towards the BMW. The Merecdes C-class sounds like a decent option too. When i meant 'sporty', i guess i was comparing to the mondeo which is anything but!

Forgive me ignorance, but what is the difference between the SE, and other variants of the BMW 3 series estate? Also, any thoughts on the reliability and costs for repairs?

I'm just worried that i will spend 14k on a used one and then be unable to afford the maintenance costs.

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 09:35

help choosing a sporty estate - elekie&a/c doctor

If you need an estate for the space,then the Bmw has very little.The money you are looking to spend would buy a Focus st estate.Now that is quick and sporty.

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 09:54

help choosing a sporty estate - bustabust

i didnt realise the BMW was so low on space. My dilemma is that it's possible to get a nice BMW estate for around 14k with around 25,000m on the clock. Although the focus st estate sounds like a good option, I dont feel that I would be as proud to own it...........i guess what I'm trying to say is, whats the fanciest estate i can buy that isnt a ford (already had a mondeo!). I've got nothing against Ford but i feel i need to move up in the world of car brands! :)

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 10:14

help choosing a sporty estate - RobJP

Firstly, as to 'sporty' ...

With BMW, for example, buying 'Sport' or MSport' spec means having harder suspension setup, larger wheels (so lower profile tyres, with less 'give), seats with larger side squabs, and different bumpers (which look more 'sporty'). Basically, the stiffer suspension and larger wheels destroy most of the ride comfort. Get up to the really large wheels that are sometimes fitted (19" or so), and the car tramlines continuously, and you've got to make constant steering corrections.

Oh, and this isn't coming from a BMW hater. I've got a 2013 325d touring, which I've had for nearly 2 years (that's the latest 'F31' type, whereas the car you're looking at is the old 'E91' model).

Furthermore, yes, the 3 series certainly isn't the largest car for rear legroom. And the boot isn't as huge as you might expect. However, that's not to say it's tiny either, or that you've got to chop the legs off rear seat passengers.

However, your last post seems to say it all : you want the badge for the prestige of having the badge. Keeping up with the Joneses. Before you buy, just remember that the 3 series is one of the UK's biggest sellers, regularly being in the top 10. As such, they aren't really 'exclusive' as much as you might think !

If you really want luxury, comfort and a huge estate car, go buy a Skoda Superb Estate. You may need to take a ball of string to find your way out of it, it's that huge. If you want 'image' then yes, go buy an Aldi, BMW or Merc. But you'll get less car for your money.

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 10:21

help choosing a sporty estate - bustabust

Thats really useful to know Rob. A few people have mentioned the Skoda Superb but i'm struggling to pry my eyes away from the more 'upmarket' brands. You are right though, the BMW isnt as excusive as I may think it is, although I still feel quite excited about the prospect of buying one.

Is there a significant difference between the older E91 models and the latest F31 shaped ones? Again, apologies for my lack of knowledge in this department!

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 10:53

help choosing a sporty estate - catsdad

Have you considered the Octavia VRS, seems a logical contender. I'd agree with others comments to date but would add Audi if internal ambience is important to you. Among a dozen or so company cars I had over the years my 2002 BMW 2.0 petrol was one of the most disappointing cars I had. It was a saloon but it was uncomfortable to drive due to short seat base and pedal position. I soon grew tired of it but more recent and more powerful models may be different. Sorry to say but the car I most went back to was the dreaded Mondeo and had three over the years petrol/v6/diesel. Best car I ever had however was a Honda Accord and these are now available at good prices as they are on run-out in UK. I know they are not seen as sporty but Top Gear outran an Etype in one! Worth a look maybe?

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 10:54

help choosing a sporty estate - Eddy56

m-sport is a higher level of trim than the SE, so comes with more kit as standard and is also sytled differently to give a more sporty look. But the key difference is the m-sport has much firmer suspension and larger alloys to give a sporty ride. Personally, I found the m-sport uncomfortably firm and there was more road noise from lower profile tyres on 18 inch wheels. The m-sport I drove was a 330d which went like the clappers (I'm a motorcyclist as well and so typically dont think of cars as fast, but this had me pinned to me seat and laughing out loud). But the 320d SE I drove was still very fast and much quieter and softer riding, though still engaging and fun.

There is an endless of options on a BMW, so you'd have to familiarise yourself with the standard kit by reading reviews online. An SE could still have m-sport suspension and big wheels, if whoever bought it took that option. Likewise, on the m-sport trim there is an option to delete the m-sport suspension and have the sport styling and other kit but on standard suspension and the softer ride. Confusing, isnt it!

All I can do is steer you to the excellent HJ reviews section, especially the "good/bad" to give you an idea of what could go wrong. Any diesel can go wrong and expensively, especially a premium marque where parts and labour are much higher for repairs. I typically buy new or very old, so dont have much experience of buying 2 or 3 year old cars. All I would say is be prepared to invest time to go and look at lots of cars and drive them and dont buy anything on the spot, take time to think it over. It's a lot of money you're spending and you'll have a lot to choose from so can afford to be picky.

Edited by Eddy56 on 05/11/2015 at 10:58

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 11:01

help choosing a sporty estate - bustabust

thats really useful to know. i doubt i will be able to afford the m-class, so a standard SE would probably be ok.

The Octavia VRS sounds like a good option too as it has that sporty feel. They dont look quite as nice as the bimma but the VRS is definately smart.

If it came down to it would you fellas go for the Skoda VRS or the BMW 3 series SE if the price age and mileage was around the same?

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 11:14

help choosing a sporty estate - Eddy56

I would say make a short list of cars you like and by all means use views here as a guide but the most important thing is to go and try them. I cannot stress enough that my experience of buying cars is that time spent on the forecourt and behind the wheel on test drives is what gets you to know what you really want.

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 11:15

help choosing a sporty estate - RobJP

They're rather different cars.

The Skoda VRS is the 'sporty version'. A bit hard-riding, good performance. However, do bear in mind that it will, if a diesel, be due for the VAG recall next year. If an auto, it will be a DSG gearbox, which require relatively frequent (and expensive) fluid and filter changes).

The 3 series in SE spec will (or should) be quieter and a bit more 'wafty', if that makes sense. You'd probably want to find one that had been specced up (or the 'Business Edition' version which came with extra kit), and BMWs have been known to have timing chain problems with the N47 2.0 diesel engines too.

At the end of the day though, it's down to you. Get on AT or motors.co.uk, find a few nearby cars, and sort out some test drives. We can say what we think forever, but you're the one who'll have to drive it every day.

Whatever you decide, good luck !

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Thu 5 Nov 2015 12:49

help choosing a sporty estate - davecooper

If it wasn't for the fact that you have probably already decided on a Beemer for its "Prestige" badge, I would have suggested a Mazda 6 Tourer was worth a look.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 00:23

help choosing a sporty estate - Avant

Only you can decide how important a badge is to you: but bear in mind that for your budget you'll get a considerably newer Skoda than you will a BMW (or Mercedes or Audi).

I'm on my third Octavia vRS: this one is a petrol manual and it's the one I'd recommend. Lots of performance (Golf GTI engine) and as much room for luggage as a Mercedes C-class.

I think the decision also depends on your annual mileage. One of our regular ciontributors, Happy Blue, is telling us in another current thread that he's just bought a 4-year-old Mercedes estate, probably for about the same price as a new Skoda. If I remember right, he does fewer miles a year than I do, and I think we've each of us made the right choice.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 08:01

help choosing a sporty estate - bazza

I actually own an Octavia Estate, a 1.9 tdi and I certainly wouldn't call it sporty. It's a good workhorse of a car and actually reasonably quick in a straight line, but it is set up as a family car and when pushed in twisties, it's a bit flabby despite its independent rear set-up. It prefers not to rush! I would imagine the VRS is set up to be a bit more agile at least.

That 1.6 TDI engine is set up to be an economy special, again, it's ok but no more. Lots of problems with it and a Skoda specialist told me they hate it in the trade. Although there might be bargains around with the VW saga ongoing --are you brave enough?

At that price you could be looking at a Focus ST estate,which is more sporty than most, a hot hatch estate. BUt as others have said, if you want the kudos, a 3 series is a very nice drive indeed-at a cost.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 11:22

help choosing a sporty estate - xtrailman

Mazda and Ford or BMW 5 series would be on my short list. But only if you want a large car.

Smaller more compact cars suit me.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 18:07

help choosing a sporty estate - Cyd

You could do a lot worse than an Octavis VRS. I will defo be replacing my Saab 9-3 Aero with one (a saloon though). Nicely tuneable too like the Saab (270 horse, goes like the clappers). Chap at work has had a couple and is very enthusiastic about them.

Only you can decide if the badge is mor eimportant than the driving enjoyment.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 18:45

help choosing a sporty estate - focussed

Getting away from VW or BMW, consider a Honda Accord Tourer Type S 2.2 diesel. There are a few about on the used market at about your budget, the last update model is well worth considering. Enough power and torque to be reasonably sporty - 178 hp - and suspension set-up is very good- fairly supple but well damped, turns in well on the throttle and goes where you point it.

Stand by to have my choice rubbished by the VW/BMW brigade........!

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 23:48

help choosing a sporty estate - Avant

Not by me! The Accord is a good car although I'd suggest you consider the petrol version, which I think is a 2.0 litre.

If you're prepared to widen the search to include Japanese estates, also look at the Mazda 6 (2.0 petrol - avoid the diesel like the plague). This i believe is a bit more 'sporty' than the Accord.

Edited by Avant on 07/11/2015 at 23:50

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Sun 8 Nov 2015 09:28

help choosing a sporty estate - catsdad

The Accord is also available as a 2.4 vtec petrol. It's 198hp, 8.3 secs to 60 and 172 lb ft. The Mazda is only a 2.0l with 165hp, 9.1 and 165lb ft.
if they are contenders the OP would need to drive them to see which meets his needs best. Personally I like the Honda vtec characteristic of liking to rev to get a move on but it's not for everybody. Mpg and tax would favour the Mazda but the aim is sportiness so maybe not key issues.

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