This thread has got me looking at X3s now, Mrs P has had some back trouble and lowering herself into the 3 series and hauling herself out again hasn't been helping. Could get a similar age/spec/mileage X3 for not much more money. Hmmm.
Going to pop down look at one tomorrow, also a CRV, i40 and Yeti all being well.....
Let us know how you get on so I can stop Googling unbraked towing limits! Was just having a quick look at MINIs...
500kg on the Clubman 😉 1.6D is a N47 engine...
I know what my old man would say (41 years RAC)....Toyota or Honda...... just found the RAV4 like a bigger version of my Mk1 Yaris... if it was similar to my Mk3 Yaris inside I might have been more tempted.
Tried 2 X3's today, both 07 plates with 91 and 91K on the clock.
The 1st hadn't been drove in a while and smoked until warm which I didn't like the sign off... but apart from that they road ok felt nice etc just the service history in the back of my head for both and their turbos....
CRV seems very dated inside more so then the RAV4.
i40 seemed best of the bunch tbh, nice inside and drove alright, nothing special but a lot of car for the money.
Nissan Qashqai, nice and comfy for long journeys, economical and tows well. I've got the 1.6 diesel AWD. 100% reliable so far but does have the odd rattle from trim etc.
Hmmm was all set to buy the I40 but been reading they get a problem with the dpf and diesel ends up in the oil.... Doesn't sound good....
Hmmm was all set to buy the I40 but been reading they get a problem with the dpf and diesel ends up in the oil.... Doesn't sound good....
Worth checking to see if it's Euro 5 or 6 for emissions as the Euro 5 and less will probably be subjected to future restrictions on use in towns/cities.
All diesels with a dpf that aren't given the chance to properly heat up and regenerate can experience problems, so if you frequently do sub-10 mile journies at speeds under 60mph a petrol car may be best. DPF's regen at higher speeds so regular motorway work is needed to keep them clean.
Perhaps look at petrol i40's? Otherwise I'd say you can't go too far wrong with something like a Focus estate, which should handle well and be relatively easy to work on if you want to service it yourself.
Well done a bit of traveling today and looked at some cars on the boarder, got a deal on a RAV4.
Thanks for all the tips and advice, in the end went with the car I thought of first.
Worth checking to see if it's Euro 5 or 6 for emissions as the Euro 5 and less will probably be subjected to future restrictions on use in towns/cities.
Try not to go to Cities if I can help it.... should be alright down here in west Cornwall.
I am also down in west Cornwall and I'm the very proud owner of an x3. Mine now has 175000 miles on the clock( have had from new) and I still love it. Lots of space, not too bad mileage and I like the way it handles.
I would recommend them to anyone
M
