[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Problem about X3 is that for your budget you are looking at the older model and given the "new" model has been out a few years the old one is starting to look pretty dated.

I'd agree with that. I'd love an X5 but funds being diverted into other things right now. Do keep looking at them on AUC though

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by davyk31

I also had a 3.0d M Sport X3 and thought it was a great vehicle. Only had it 9 months as got tempted by an X5 which was by far a superior vehicle. Replaced it with a new model X5 which is an even better vehicle.

Problem about X3 is that for your budget you are looking at the older model and given the "new" model has been out a few years the old one is starting to look pretty dated.

not put off by an older model or a few miles TBH, I know that on our budget we aren't going to get the newest model of anything, but I guess I'm likely to get more X3 at that price than I would buying a RR, Toureg or ML.

[rogerxp]

This game is fun

[N8N]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

Grand Cherokee (would have cash left over for holiday!)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/4?logcode=p


Any opinions on the above?
Anything I should be considering? Did think about E91 or A4 estate, but I didnt think they would be as big??

You can get a Grand Cherokee with a Diesel over there? You bastards!

I'm still driving a '99 Cherokee (not Grand) with the 4.0L inline six, time will tell if it dies first or I do!

The ride is definitely neither plush nor carlike just so you know... your link has expired so I don't know what year range you were looking at but just be aware that up until very recently GCs had a live front axle just like every other real Jeep... great for trail capability, actually handles surprisingly well on road, but MASSIVE unsprung weight along with the expected nervousness in bumpy corners etc. I like 'em but then again a) they're common as cockroaches over here so parts are easy to find - not sure how popular they are your way? b) other than a Range/Land Rover it's probably the most truck-like of your options. Nothing wrong with that, but it's all in what you expect from the vehicle.

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

This game is fun

ha yeah, but sidetracked me from work today............

off to look at an X3 this evening!

[phil200tdi]

Jeep srt8 would make a fun family car. Sound mega with a performance exhaust!

I'd be suprised if you manage 10k per year with only occasional use. Big petrol is the way to go!

[Darlo]

Same dilemma I was having before I got my e91. I really couldn't decide and was out off by the higher road tax of post 06 plate 4x4's that were in my budget and didn't want to go too old. I really wanted a RR but was concerned by the reliability. Although I'm interested to see how much this goes for

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-RANGE...00917513650%26

He also has an auction running for the same car.

I love my e91 BUT the X3 3.0SD was up at the top of list... £12k may get you a high miler and 280+ bhp!!

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

off to look at an X3 this evening!

So, what did you think?? Which one did you look at??

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

So, what did you think?? Which one did you look at??

the lure of twilight golf on a lovely spring day took priority, so I postponed till the weekend.
hopefully I'll have a more productive Saturday as the Mrs is out all day so me and the boy can do man stuff, like go view cars.

I have gone off the idea of a 'big one' though, just think its a gamble I dont really have to take.


This one looks alright, to many miles for me, but will be a decent benchmark to gauge others

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/2?logcode=p

also a multitude of 3.0 petrols, but they are all older (04/05 plate) but a good deal cheaper.

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

still not entirely sold on these, but we'll see.

and also another QQ

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...s/20?logcode=p

[rogerxp]

A postcode is on your autotrader links, if it's your house, you might want to change it.

Warning on the X3, the 3.0d unit got caught in the higher road tax band between 56-57 plates, can't remember whether 57 plates were caught or not, something tells me 57 plates were OK. Basically the government changed the banding coincidentally when the xdrive model was released and the 3.0d (auto not manual!) unit was caught at £450+ p/a. BMW then tweaked the engine a year later so it ducked under the bands. Just check the co2 on the V5 but the build date is a good indicator.

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

A postcode is on your autotrader links, if it's your house, you might want to change it.

Warning on the X3, the 3.0d unit got caught in the higher road tax band between 56-57 plates, can't remember whether 57 plates were caught or not, something tells me 57 plates were OK. Basically the government changed the banding coincidentally when the xdrive model was released and the 3.0d (auto not manual!) unit was caught at £450+ p/a. BMW then tweaked the engine a year later so it ducked under the bands. Just check the co2 on the V5 but the build date is a good indicator.

not actually my postcode but thanks.

I had assumed would be band M regardless of what year, certainly would be for petrol models anyway.

[davyk31]

March 2006 was the change in tax rules from my memory, my X3 was Feb 06 so in the low tax even though it was a 3.0d. Pretty swift motors, depends if you need the power or not, if not then the 2.0d is a cheaper running proposal.

Would avoid the petrol, cheap for a reason, demand is low for petrol in these type of vehicles.

[doughboy]

dobbo, by the time you've sorted it the kid(s) will be a few months older and there'll be no kid stuff to carry. No puschairs etc..

Save you dosh and Start planning for the sports car you want when they've left home

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by davyk31

March 2006 was the change in tax rules from my memory, my X3 was Feb 06 so in the low tax even though it was a 3.0d. Pretty swift motors, depends if you need the power or not, if not then the 2.0d is a cheaper running proposal.

Would avoid the petrol, cheap for a reason, demand is low for petrol in these type of vehicles.

On reflection, if I could get a 57 plate one or later, I'd probably still go for another 3.0d. Having that power on-tap was great especially fully-loaded on a family holiday being able to power up a large hill in Wales for example or overtaking in safety. Obviously you get the silky smooth straight 6 with the 3.0d as opposed to the 4 pot 2.0d - better standard spec too. Never felt the need to go with the 3.0sd though, I managed to have a fair few twitchy-arse moments with a single turbo (given the weight/height), so daren't imagine the trouble you could get into with a second turbo strapped on-board.

2.0d is perfectly adequate but the 3.0d would be my choice.

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by doughboy

dobbo, by the time you've sorted it the kid(s) will be a few months older and there'll be no kid stuff to carry. No puschairs etc..

Save you dosh and Start planning for the sports car you want when they've left home

he's 10 weeks old, so I think we've got a fair way to go yet until we lose all the baggage and he leaves home.

[dobbo99]

so on the way into work this morning, I saw something else that made me think...........then found a few on net



http://www.veloces.co.uk/cars/kdy/al...Z25E664F6.html

whole world of pain???

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

so on the way into work this morning, I saw something else that made me think...........

I really looked into these a few years ago and was seriously tempted. They are great looking cars, even in estate form, and the interior is nice too; I love the seats. That particular are is a 'ti' model, which is Alfa's version of M Sport, so get the silver mirrors, nice alloys and lowered from memory.

Nothing much else to add regarding reliability apart from the usual stigmas.

[Sportplus]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

so on the way into work this morning, I saw something else that made me think...........then found a few on net



http://www.veloces.co.uk/cars/kdy/al...Z25E664F6.html

whole world of pain???

Thats a NICE looking car.......

Have you looked at the Audi A6 Le Man?? (Special Edition model)

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/Audi/A6/Es...asp?viewtype=0

They do come up within your budget from time to time.

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by Sportplus

Thats a NICE looking car.......

Have you looked at the Audi A6 Le Man?? (Special Edition model)

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/Audi/A6/Es...asp?viewtype=0

They do come up within your budget from time to time.

yeah looked at A6, they are a beast of a car and everything we'd need. though at that size, the 2.0Tdi would feel overwhelmed I reckon, so a bigger engine is a must, but then I couldnt stretch to a facelift model with reasonable miles.

but I could get a facelift A4 I reckon.

oh no, head says german efficiency, everything else says italian lap dance....

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

I really looked into these a few years ago and was seriously tempted. They are great looking cars, even in estate form, and the interior is nice too; I love the seats. That particular are is a 'ti' model, which is Alfa's version of M Sport, so get the silver mirrors, nice alloys and lowered from memory.

Nothing much else to add regarding reliability apart from the usual stigmas.

my understanding is they took huge leaps with reliability with 159, perhaps you can handle that with the amazing looks.
my brother had a GT which was a dog, but they are a different car from a different period of time.

[chrisbin]

The Rangie is up on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2711945761...84.m1555.l2649

[Durham4416]

Range rover! Everyone should try one, iv just sold mine at the weekend and replaced it with a 330d e91 but I will have another one in a few years, mine was a td6, having served my time on land rovers when I left school I always wanted one so when I got a proper job I bought one, the early td6's suffer from gearbox failure and it will cost you £2-3k to repair so find one with a new box, engines are bulletproof, air suspension is the only other 'major' thing to worry about but that isn't even expensive, new compressors are only £300, £12k may get you a higher mileage facelift td6 but for the amount of miles you will be doing and the cost if petrol vs diesel you may be better off with the 4.4 v8, try one you won't regret it