Bangernomics Estate car, advice needed please.

Tobster86

Late '90s E39 BMW 5-series can be had very cheaply now; although the engines start at 2.2l.

The old M52 6-cylinder petrols are virtually indestructible (520i, 525i & 528i).

Comfortable, reliable cars that deliver a lot for the money; although estates and diesels seem to carry a premium (like any other car).

Marktheshark

forgotmyname wrote: »

MK3 Mondeo, go for the 2L petrol. Dont buy the 1.8 and only get a diesel if you really need to and the clutch/DMF has been done or you save enough to do it.

A 2.5 V6 petrol is reliable also, but your going to be getting less than 20mpg around town.

The 2.5 v6 Mondeo is the worst of all worlds, its only as fast or powerful as the 2.0 and it sups the petrol of a the V6 3l which is what it is with bore liners.
The 2.0 petrol is just shy of 150 BHP and is quite quick for a 2.0 auto car.
Get a Ghia X and you have Luxury car ride and gadgets only found in things like Jags and high end BMW , it's smooth and powerful and fast away yet not unduly greedy for an Auto.
Its also has a timing chain so none of that Timing belt rubbish to deal with if the chain is quiet.
Probably the pick of the Bangernomics estate Auto bunch.

forgotmyname

A well looked after 2.5V6 is a good compromise, 25bhp + 30Nm torque extra over the 2L, Over a second faster to 60mph, without the insurance hike of the 3L for most people.

On the MK3 it has quite a good reputation. But most people will exclude it because its a 2.5 and will use lots of fuel, thats a bonus when buying as you can get good car for less money, although it will probably be approx 8mpg less.

Around town it will suffer, on decent runs the gap will be closer to the 2L.

Marktheshark

forgotmyname wrote: »

A well looked after 2.5V6 is a good compromise, 25bhp + 30Nm torque extra over the 2L, Over a second faster to 60mph, without the insurance hike of the 3L for most people.

On the MK3 it has quite a good reputation. But most people will exclude it because its a 2.5 and will use lots of fuel, thats a bonus when buying as you can get good car for less money, although it will probably be approx 8mpg less.

Around town it will suffer, on decent runs the gap will be closer to the 2L.

Pre-march 2006 or its £500 a year car tax :eek:

Herzlos

Marktheshark wrote: »

Pre-march 2006 or its £500 a year car tax :eek:

£750 budget...

Though there's a reason my car is a 2005

forgotmyname

2.5 only went upto late 2004/early 2005 didn't it?

ST220 on a 2007 plate is only £290 tax? The DVLA website used to show the correct details but it seems to have made it obscure now?

Lists after 2001 and then after 2010, where is the after 2006 info?

UsernameAlreadyExists

I had an ST220 (3.0 V6) estate on a 52 plate for a couple of years. I sold it about a year ago for £2200. I only sold it because it's not type approved for a towbar (which I needed), otherwise was an EPIC car albeit quite thirsty but with cheap tax. I doubt you'll get a decent one of these in budget, and if you do it'll be a dog.

forgotmyname

I must admit i was tempted, But i would have gone for the 3L
Ghia instead. I prefer to stay under the radar and prefer a car that
looks fairly basic but with the bigger engine in the range.

Or a tweaked one that surprises a few boy racers every now and then.

UsernameAlreadyExists

I had fully intended to get a 3.0 Ghia to replace my 220. It's only about 20bhp less (from memory) but I needed a towbar NOW! so I bought the closest and cheapest car with one.
Mondeo estates are pretty good.
I had a 'P' plate 2.0 Ghia Mk3 estate a while back. 2 years motoring for £750 + MOTs and a few minor repairs - before the head gasket blew at 143K miles rendering it not worth repair.
I would buy another without a doubt.

cybervic

OK, so mondeo ghia is also on the list although I probably won't go for anything bigger than 2.0, seem too big for our need.

Yesterday I saw couple of cars that seems to fit the bill and has full service history too, however, it's from used car dealer and they were selling them same price or even slightly cheaper than private seller. Should I avoid trader no matter what?