Didn't the Discovery 3 come out in 2005 and probably costs around £19k (ish) from dealers. A bit cheaper privately.
But how can you compare a Disco 3 and Audi A4 and a BMW 5 Series Estate. Apple and Oranges. Sounds like you're not sure what you need. Unless you don't need a true 4x4. But then comparing an Audi A4 vs. BMW 5 series does not make that much sense either.
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I think Rashid that this is where you will get many differing views on each of the cars you have selected. Unlike Superbuyer (who's views I respect) I am not a VAG fan and a quick glance now and then at the Technical Issues forum is usually awash with problems on VAG cars.
Personally I would go for the 5 series - as I think these are better engineered cars than the Audis and IMO they probably pip the Audi's on reliability as well.
If you opt for a 5 series diesel it will be a much better engine than the Audi (A4 or A6).
My view is that there is only Honda that could challenge BMW with the refinement and quality of it's engines.
(The unfortunate thing with the BM is that probably no-one will let you ot of a side street in front of them).
I agree with the advice above that the Disco is not necessary and you are paying for a whole lot of functionality you will never use. Better spend your money on a car that has been designed primarily for the way you will use it - whether that is Audi or Beemer.
So my advice is BMW but as I think someone above said use the test drive to determine what you relly like.
I also agree that if you do decide Audi then go for an A6.
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To be honest, i do think that the sensible choice would be the BMW.
The problem is that i love the look / design / height, etc of the disco.
I don't need to go off road, but in all honesty what do any of us actually need?
I've pretty much discounted the audi as a choice as it is expensive for what it is (imho) unless i could get a super deal, unlikely though.
That, as pointed out does leave VW, Seat..
So do i buy the 5 series touring, and possibly not feel too passionate about it or do i go with my heart and buy the disco with all the assorted problems, MPG, Reliability, People Hatred:)
I know some of the other replies don't see the link between my choices but they're all prestige badges, spacious, and desirable. I don't spend my spare time wearing driving gloves, shades and driving for pleasure, (no offense to those that do!) but when i do drive i want (as much as is possible these days) to enjoy it.
So where people say the disco is a lump, not a drivers car etc. i think well that actually doesn't bother me, i'd rather not be encouraged to be driving at 100mph and taking twisties at speed because the car can hopefully take it. I'll have my wife and kids in the back so having a bit of a lump which is very comfortable doesn't seem like a bad idea.
Does anyone else understand that???
One last thing
I guess if i'm going to end up with a car that i don't love i shouldn't be spending £15k+
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I've owned BMWs (330 and 525) and Audis (A6 & A8). Both fantastic. My point of view -- BMWs -- real drivers cars, Rear wheel drive fun - oversensitive suspension set up though. Audis - lovely cars -- cabin quality is superb. Try and bag one that has been well specced. Option of Quattro (Audi 4WD too).
Disco, don't know much about. If I had to choose between the two cars, I tink I'd go Audi as I find the i-Drive system if the current BMWs a real headache. Good luck and enjoy.
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I find the i-Drive system if the current BMWs a real headache.
Can you tell me where I, as a typical "Joe Public", can buy a 5 series estate with i-drive for £15k please? Because I would love to buy one at that price. And I definitely do not want the 4 pot 520 diesel.
All 5 estates under £15k are the old e39 versions as far as I can find.
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I-drive wasn;t a real problem, guess its because it was designed for right handed people in LHD cars and I'm left handed.
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'Can you tell me where I, as a typical "Joe Public", can buy a 5 series estate with i-drive for £15k please?'
Well Mr Joe Public,
Firstly my original post was £15k + a PX worth about £2K+.
However you can still buy a 5 series estate, have you looked through autotrader recently?
I did today, saw quite a few.
Also Cargiant in London, very good prices, as long 8< blatant breach of site policy cut out have done your homework before hand.
Lastly, you can't beat a bit of old fashioned haggling!!!
If you don't ask, you don't get.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 01/01/2008 at 18:25
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I have just done a search on autotrader for a radius of 60 miles around London.
I put a limit of £17,000 and 5 years and 60,000miles.
None of the new 5 series "estate" or "touring" found.
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I have just done a search on autotrader for a radius of 60 miles around London. I put a limit of £17 000 and 5 years and 60 000miles. None of the new 5 series "estate" or "touring" found.
Thats because you put a daft limit of 60,000 miles. Nobody buys a 5 Series diesel touring to pop to the shops once a week, 53/04/54 plate 530d Tourings for under £17k will have over 60k on them.
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Nobody buys a 5 Series diesel touring to pop to the shops once a week,
Ah, I can see it is the experience of two decades of yoof years speaking. Old enough nowadays to rule a Country.
So are these people are "Nobody" who have done under 40k miles in the time span you have defined, and are therefore just a figment of my daft mind ?
2004 54 Reg BMW 530d 5dr 38,565 miles
2004 54 Reg BMW 530D 5 Doors, Automatic, Estate 36,000 miles
2004 04 Reg BMW 530d 5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 23,000 miles
Or does it prove that there are some "Nobody" out there who do not live by MichaelR's criteria? By the way, I don't like calling people daft or idiots because they do not fit my idea of how the world works.
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In the defence of MichaelR, he states that that its a daft limit because of the £17K budget. Cars that have low mileage are sold for a premium - no matter that these cars aren't worth the premium. I would think that the difference between a 100K and a 40K car is probably around the £5-6K mark? This is purely a guestimate...
I think what MichaelR is trying to say is that there are very few people who buy a 5series to do no mileage in.
Would you buy a 3-4 year old car with only 23K on the clock? I certainly wouldn't. In fact, I probably wouldn't touch a car of that era with less than 80K on the clock (obviously we are talking 'normal' cars!)
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>> Nobody buys a 5 Series diesel touring to pop to the shops once a >> week Ah I can see it is the experience of two decades of yoof years speaking. Old enough nowadays to rule a Country.
Really? And how many years have you spent studying the used BMW market?
So are these people are "Nobody" who have done under 40k miles in the time span you have defined and are therefore just a figment of my daft mind ? 2004 54 Reg BMW 530d 5dr 38 565 miles 2004 54 Reg BMW 530D 5 Doors Automatic Estate 36 000 miles 2004 04 Reg BMW 530d 5 Doors Manual Estate Diesel 23 000 miles
And they are all circa £15k are they?
Or does it prove that there are some "Nobody" out there who do not live by MichaelR's criteria? By the way I don't like calling people daft or idiots because they do not fit my idea of how the world works.
I didn't call anyone daft, I said the notion of expecting to find a plethora of low mileage 530d Tourings for less than £17k was daft and that it should be expected that such cars will have covered between 60 and 120,000. 'Nobody' was an exageration to prove a point.
I'll revise it to make life easier.
It can be said that approximately 85.43% of BMW 5 Series owners who purchased a diesel variant with a touring bodystyle between May 2003 and November 2005 did so becuase they wished to take advantage of the excellent fuel economy for the purposes of making long journeys. As a result of this, the number of people who bought such a car to do short trips in was comparatively small, making such cars scarcer on the used market.
Is that better?
Oh, and I am very sorry that you don't feel I'm old enough to discuss the BMW 5 Series. After all, it's a car that somebody of my age cannot possibly know a thing about, isn't it.
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