Are there any real alternatives to a 3 series touring?

[abaxas]

Also, as for abaxas' comment about having to compromise between exciting and practical - M5 Touring. The only thing not practical about it is the fuel consumption. And they're still over about £20,000 (Plus insurance) so over budget.

You can add running cost in there too. Built like a tank, but also with a tank's cost of spares.

In terms of the 320d (or variants of that engine) or infact most modern turbo diesels. They are hardly exciting, fast yes, but a really flat power curves destroy any 'sporty' feel.

I suppose it depends what you define as you 'fun'. Personally I dont like point and squirt fast cars that dont really do corners. Some love that 'kick in the back'.

What the world needs is a RWD saloon with the S2000 engine in it!

[jimborae]

What the world needs is a RWD saloon with the S2000 engine in it!

And then supercharge it like I did, so you actually have some useful torque lower down the rev range!! Below 5000rpm it's gutless.

[dave87]

What the world needs is a RWD saloon with the S2000 engine in it!

And then supercharge it like I did, so you actually have some useful torque lower down the rev range!! Below 5000rpm it's gutless.

E46 M3 is the answer to that question - 3litre, so it has some torque, revvy straight 6 with 321bhp


Oh, and can be supercharged if more power is wanted

[jimborae]

That's the conclusion I came to, unfortunately at the time I couldn't afford one so ended up with a 330ci.Now I can I can't find a decent one at the right money.

[DanceswithUnix]

Alfa 159 Sportwagon

This one has the reasonably bonkers 2.4l oil burner, quite rapid but needs the dpf filter removing to get any decent economy from that engine.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3737290.htm


There is also a 2.0l version for better economy. This one is a bit over budget but then it is a 61 plate.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3743509.htm


Audi do some pretty big oil burning engines, they must have something too.

[Guy]

Guy's your man - he's actually had a 335d and done a fair few miles in it too, so he would be able to give you the real world impression of it.

Bit late, but I missed this!

I did indeed have a 335d. I clocked up 40k on it, and didn't put a foot wrong. Only changed as the saloon didn't quite fit what I needed it for, so decided to look for a tourer.
To those who say not as fun as the petrol counterpart, I guarantee they have never been out in one/owned one.

I think pretty much every surface/road possible mine got used on. Motorway/A Road slogs, inner City stuff, right up into the Black Mountains, and 2 track days. Certainly didn't show itself up...

BUT for what you're requirements seem to be, you're looking at the wrong models.
Seriously what you want is a E91 330d M-Sport in manual form. It's pretty much the best sweet-spot for performance & economy. SO much more linear than any 4 pot derv can offer, not too bad on the ears, not to mention the increased torque. Driven with a sensible-ish foot and you will see a combined MPG of late 40's. I'm currently in an E46 330d Sport Tourer (manual) and in that I'm getting 42-44MPG, with that being the old 5 speed with a 10 year old lump in!

So yeah if you like the looks of a 3 series, ignore everyone else 330d is the one to have. Near enough 335d levels of power, with running costs closer to the 320.

E46 M3 is the answer to that question - 3litre, so it has some torque, revvy straight 6 with 321bhp

Decided to round down?

[dave87]

Decided to round down?

Depends if he's got to sell it to the missus


3.2 Litre for the pedants amongst us!

[kaillum]

I love my 2003 E46 320D Touring. Looked at changing it but the only thing that took my interest was the E91 MSport 330D. But when it came down to actually swapping, I looked at my old 320 still sitting proud and gleaming in the car dealers forecourt and I walked away.

No other mainstream tourer comes close to the 3 series in my book. I've had mine for 4 years and 40+k miles!

[Nomak]

Subaru impreza? Cant beat it for performance

[pauleden]

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2? It's a bit dull in the steering, but the auto box is solid and it'll be battleship reliable. Not nearly as quick as a 335D, but WAY cheaper to buy and run.

[Guy]

Subaru impreza? Cant beat it for performance

Oh you can...

Not a particularly good estate in terms of load space, and rear leg room. Noisier in the rear, and poor MPG.
Plus doesn't hit any of the requirements the OP was after!