I currently drive a Focus MK3 Manual with the ecotec engine which is likely to give out soon, my fault for not doing my due diligence before buying.

Anyhow, my family is growing so soon will need 2 baby seats in the back, and modern baby seats are bulky. So would need to fit 2/3 adults and 2 baby seats.

Will need to be ULEZ compliant, I don't mind diesel as I will be doing the occasional long motorway drive, but mostly driving around London.

I've narrowed down to these choices below, budget is around £9k, and looking at ULEZ compliant, Automatic cars;

Saloons

BMW 3 Series 2015+; small-ish so not daunting jumping up from a small hatchback to this. Diesel engines are good

Merc C Class 2016+; slightly more roomier in the back than the 3 series, and more bells and whistles as standard than the 3 series (i.e. reverse camera etc).

BMW 5 Series 2015+; very solid engines, much more spacious than a 3 Series or C Class. Surprisingly cheaper/more available used than the 3 Series or C/S Class. Some even cheaper than 3 Series.

Merc E Class 2016+; Probably the most luxurious feel, more roomy than the above listed. E220D supposedly solid engines, more things fitted as standard, though the most expensive out of the ones listed above.

Estates

3 Series Touring: Looks really nice, in fact the only nice estate of the versions mentioned above. But is it any roomier than the passengers than the standard 3? Harder to source so more expensive.

SUVS

I know generally frowned upon by car enthusiasts, but just thinking about putting in 2 rascals into the car without having to bend down excites me! Lol

I want to avoid Qashqai's as I've heard the ones that are available within my budget (upto 2015ish) are quite problematic.

VW Tiguan: Same reason why I am choosing to avoid Skoda's/Audi's, because gearbox issues. I've not known anyone that's managed to get these cars to high mileage without gearboxes failing or causing major issues. However happy to be proven wrong.

Audi Q5; see above.

Lexus NX: Can't find any above my budget. Boot seems a bit too small.

I am open to suggestions (you guys are the experts!).

Edited by dave321 on 06/08/2025 at 14:44