looking for a family car (saloon), up to 5k to spend. was thinking of a new shape mondeo but the other half doesn't like them :rant: now thinking of a 5series (e39). Any opinions or other recommendations eg A4??

 

not looking for performance, needs to be 30mpg+

MK2 Mercedes E-Class Turbo Diesel.

 

I never used to be a great fan of these, but my best mate bought one as a daily driver in between jobs. I drove it a few times and was really impressed. It was an auto and was such a lovely drive. Powerful 3.0 turbo diesel, but returned impressive MPG. Easy to drive, smooth, very very comfortable.

 

IMO, a 5-series is a great choice, with the following caveats:

 

I've currently got an E-34 525tds as a family/workhorse. It's a great car, if you can live with the languid performance. It does return between 40-50 mpg, which is great!

 

However, I think you'll struggle to get a nice diesel E39 for that budget, maybe only an early tds (still with the 143bhp mine's got). The newer 525d and 530d are much better options, but still command good money (prolly 6k upwards).

 

Any other E39 and I think you'll struggle to achieve that sort of mpg, other than on a long run. For motorway work it'll do it no probs - my mate's 740iL gets nearly 30 when we're on a long run for business! :D Perhaps a 520, but they're a little underpowered.

 

As Si says, I think the E-Class is also a good choice, but overall is bettered by the E39 IMO.

 

HTH.

 

CheerZ,

JB.`

As much as my Laguna is fine for me and I have no problems with it and won't be selling it for at least a year, I should really have bought an E34 TDS. So affordable. Might look at getting an E39 in a year or two as a replacement DD for my Laguna.

Ay, great value for money it's been too - first beemer I've owned and it's totally converted me to the joys of Bavarian engineering (for family cars only, you understand :smw: )... I'd really like to replace it with a common rail type E39, but they're still a bit pricey - may be tempted for a petrol one for now; it's mostly motorway miles I use it for anyhow.

 

In fact, just about to start looking for an E39 myself... Anyone got one out there, they're thinking of getting rid of?

What sort of condition is your 525 out of interest? Is it totally standard?

What sort of condition is your 525 out of interest? Is it totally standard?

 

Yep - totally standard - dark blue, 95 'N', Auto.

 

It's in good nick generally, polishes up very nicely, but it has done 160k so it's no spring chicken, mind you, having said that they do seem to carry on in the 200s fairly easily.

 

The only down sides it has are a) it's not got air-con fitted, only "manual" climate control (as the bloke who sold it to me said) - which means it's go degrees C printed round the heater knob! And b) if you boot it suddenly after pottering along for a while the person behind gets "sooted"...

 

She doesn't burn any oil or have any other problems I'm aware of.

 

Apologies to Jaffa for thread hijack!

 

CheerZ,

JB.

Any idea on price?

 

It's a shame that that era of BMW have limited spec. A/C was one thing I wanted.

thanks guys. 'Normal' merc's do nothing for me so looks like I'll start looking for a nice e39 :) Currently running a Ka so I'll probably sell that now and replace with a cheap Vectra than get the beemer at the end of the year.

Any idea on price?

 

It's a shame that that era of BMW have limited spec. A/C was one thing I wanted.

 

Si, won't be selling just yet - but I'm guessing around 1200 quid when it comes to it. They seem to vary up to about 2.5k from a dealer... Happy to drop you a note when ready to sell, if you're interested.

 

CheerZ,

JB.

Yup, please do. :)

 

/end of thread hijack!

 

;)

mitsubushi galant 2.5 v6 now i would buy 10 of them

 

the seats are so comfortable 4doors/nimble/space/reliable/toys

 

audi a4?

 

bmw e46 3 series owned one and was the most comfortable/quit car to drive

 

just some options.

An MG ZS, good performer, 2.5, still get around 30 mpg, good looking car, 4 doors, good boot and you would get one about 4 years old for that sort of money...

C70 T5 GT will do 40 mpg on a long run, has 250 or 260 bhp on tap (depending on year), enough torque to pull trees up, Rica Chip for £300 makes it 320 bhp and even better fuel consumption, handles well, is comfortable and well apointed, top quality 600 watt 12 speaker standard sound system, doesn't attract unwanted attention from plod, will has huge boot and safe as houses.