Originally Posted by
RichieL
I have narrowed it down to these 3 cars as you can pick them up for 1k these days. I take my daughter into school everyday and pick her up so she wants me to have something a bit flash that she does not feel ashamed of getting into (14 this year so going through that stage!) Also I want something a bit practical, good fun to drive and something that wont cost the earth to run as in fuel and parts.
Volvo S40 T4..... I think these look fairly sleek.....Again, not driven one and do not have a clue on MPG etc.
Then the E36 BMW 328i Coupe. Not exactly practical but it has a good sized boot and rear seats.....although only 3 door. Same as above, not driven one so dont know what they are like MPG wise, parts etc.
I cover around 250 miles per week. Mostly A roads but some town driving. What of the above cars will not kill my bank as in MPG? What would be the best to drive.....I am used to front wheel driven cars which makes the BMW a bit scary as would not have a clue as in taking bends fast.
Any help would be great.
Autocar had a triple test of the Volvo T4, E36 328i, Merc C280 back in about 1997.
The Volvo pulverized the other 2 in real world performance increments but IIRC they picked the 328i as their overall choice.
I've got a 328 as a family bus - I wouldn't say it was particularly lairy even with a LSD on but mine has ASC ( stability control ) as well which you can switch off.
ETA - re fuel consumption - I get about 31/32 on my B-road commute but I don't have to queue anywhere in traffic. It can go up to nearly 38/40 on a long motorway cruise such as when I go to Cornwall or similar. I'd say you could get down to high teens/20mpg quick if you have to do stop/start town traffic though. Mine's a manual box