[Z4C_luvver]

I've made the hard decision to part with my cherished car. Time to down size. It's only me who drives or travels in it, so time to get something a little smaller.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...cars?logcode=p

I thought I'd post it here just in case anyone knew of someone looking for an as-new 520D.

[martin mustang]

What car you going after, just by curiosity!

[Z4C_luvver]

Probably a 3. I haven't found anything else that really lights my fire. Problem is, I really like the 5. It's an awesome car, just perhaps too big for my needs.

[Z4C_luvver]

Bump, sorry.

Also just brought the price down to 17,250.

Offers considered...

[Gordon4499]

Shame but needs must.. Have you thought about a 1 Series? My Son has a 114 which is a bit underpowered but it's just as refined as a 3 Series and more fun to drive.

Good luck with the sale, it's a lovely Car.

[jakartakid]

The latest VW Golf looks good for a smaller car.

[Z4C_luvver]

Thanks for the replies.

Hmm, I'd probably stay in the BMW family, and maybe a 3? I'm really fussy and the car has to really grab me.

I know the Golfs are a great car, really good build quality etc.

[The Beast]

I really like the look of the 2 series, I think it's a really classy design and looks much better than the 1 series (which my wife had prior to the A Class).

However depends on whether you can get away with 2 doors...

[morellomax]

Worth at least trying a decent spec Mk7 Golf, say at least the 1.4TSI ACT with the auto box - which we have. For any journey under an hour I prefer it to my 535d. Seems to have as much room inside as the 3 series or 5 series, much easier to park/navigate supermarket car parks, official mpg is 60 combined, plenty of poke, does 40-50mpg in the real world, GT interior looks lush, especially if you go for the lighter cloth/alcantara. Some pics and more thoughts in this thread:

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...-ordered/page2

[Z4C_luvver]

Thanks Morello,

Sorry to be a numpty, whats ACT?

Scratch that, just found out.

[The Beast]

I used to love Golf's, in fact my first car was a MKII 1.8 Driver and my second car was a MKII 2.0 GTi 16v. I also bought my wife a MK5 2.0 GT TDi DSG when they first came out. This was a great car and in many ways better than the E81 1 Series that replaced it, my biggest gripe with them is that they are SO dull! I still think that's the case, it's a shame because they are great cars.

Personally I think the F20 1 Series is a little dull as well, and they have now changed the rear end to look like the Golf too. That's why I replaced my wife's F20 with the new A Class. The F20 was a better all round vehicle (mainly the infotainment system in BMW's is way ahead of the Merc) but the A Class has got a soul and pulls on the heart strings imo...

Might be worth checking out the A Class or even the CLA

[SpeedTrip]

Beast - any thoughts on the 2-series 'Active' Tourer (WTF is 'Active' all about anyway LOL)

[The Beast]

Originally Posted by SpeedTrip

Beast - any thoughts on the 2-series 'Active' Tourer (WTF is 'Active' all about anyway LOL)

Haha I take it that's not a serious question

Active stands for a front wheel drive BMW MPV, what has the world come to

But... I sat in one in the BMW showroom and the interior was kind of nice

[shiner]

MSport 135. Cracking car!

[SpeedTrip]

Originally Posted by The Beast

Haha I take it that's not a serious question

Active stands for a front wheel drive BMW MPV, what has the world come to

But... I sat in one in the BMW showroom and the interior was kind of nice

semi-serious, looks like it would cope with a 10 stone Newfoundland OK ... have heard a few reports that in its X-Drive variant its OK - and yes the interior exudes BMW .... once you get over the Front-Wheel drive bollox....

Put that 6-cyl 350+ horses egine in transversly and maybe ......

[The Beast]

Originally Posted by SpeedTrip

semi-serious, looks like it would cope with a 10 stone Newfoundland OK ... have heard a few reports that in its X-Drive variant its OK - and yes the interior exudes BMW .... once you get over the Front-Wheel drive bollox....

Put that 6-cyl 350+ horses egine in transversly and maybe ......

Oops sorry thought you were joking!

I take it that's a dog and not a Canadian province that your intending on getting in there, I had to Google it...

On a serious note many of us have a time in life where such a vehicle may prove beneficial. I bought my wife the original A Class when she was pregnant with our first child. It wasn't a very good drivers car but it was a great second car. There weren't any small suv type cars back then and the raised ride height was a real help during pregnancy and once our daughter was born. Saved a lot of backache!

It's not a style of car I would ever buy again, but it was perfect for that phase of our lives. So if you need a small compact car with good head clearance/ride height and want a premium badge then why not?

[SpeedTrip]

Ta for the insight .... yes, it may be time to do this (or spend £10K more on an F31 .... hmmmm 335i ?)

Our 'gang' includes 2 Bernese, a Saint & 3 Newfys ..... one keeps out of the way when they're on the rampage .... almost 70 stone of dogs !

Did you own an ELK in a previous life (with refn to the A-Class)

[The Beast]

Originally Posted by SpeedTrip

Ta for the insight .... yes, it may be time to do this (or spend £10K more on an F31 .... hmmmm 335i ?)

Our 'gang' includes 2 Bernese, a Saint & 3 Newfys ..... one keeps out of the way when they're on the rampage .... almost 70 stone of dogs !

Did you own an ELK in a previous life (with refn to the A-Class)

Lol, yeah my wife carried out that maneuver regularly... with baby on board

[Z4C_luvver]

Yes I agree the interior of the Active Tourer is really a credit to BMW, and I'm really fussy on interiors (one of the reasons I love my 5), but that exterior..... really, it could've been a Kia. If you took away the kidney grille, you'd be hard pressed to pick the manufacturer.

No doubt it will sell well...

[martin mustang]

Why not down size and stay with the comfort of the 5 series by going for a 6 series, the E63/E64 providing you like the design this is one of the best value coupes as a 2nd hand, you end up with cash for running costs as to getting a new car and burning a good amount on depreciation!
I believe this way you will not have any regrets! because stepping down from a 5 to a 3 or less will get to you one way or the other, the 6 will give you performance and comfort along your existing 5 series experience.

[The Beast]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

Why not down size and stay with the comfort of the 5 series by going for a 6 series, the E63/E64 providing you like the design this is one of the best value coupes as a 2nd hand, you end up with cash for running costs as to getting a new car and burning a good amount on depreciation!
I believe this way you will not have any regrets! because stepping down from a 5 to a 3 or less will get to you one way or the other, the 6 will give you performance and comfort along your existing 5 series experience.

A 6 Series is not exactly downsizing... it's the same size just less practical and more expensive to run. Although I do personally love the 6 GC, but couldn't justify the extra spend!

[martin mustang]

Originally Posted by The Beast

A 6 Series is not exactly downsizing... it's the same size just less practical and more expensive to run. Although I do personally love the 6 GC, but couldn't justify the extra spend!

Downsizing when looking at the purchase price, and the fact it will not devalue further the cash saved can be used for the running cost! because whatever way you look into it new car sold just after 3 years ago is simply a big loss, if it was purchase hire an all different position as technically you're not an own but just renting with the option to buy later on.