So... You need a newer car.....

[Agreeable Slick]

and there is quite a bit of choice out there (albeit not as well priced as they once were)

There is an upper limit of £30k and the most basic of requirements is that it is family friendly. Would prefer something at least 2017 onwards, and preferably petrol.

What are you picking? - Yes this is an "Give me some advice based off your experiences" type thread.

I've been delving in to this quite a bit recently and there are a number of cars out there which tickle my fancy and tbh I was moving away from the VW badge (but staying in the family), and I do fancy another wagon (Estate) due to the practicalities and sleeper-ish options around.

All of the below I've never driven but will be looking to get test drives soon. A common theme is I'm looking at larger engines as a) I've never had one before and b) I am fortunate enough to be in the position where I can afford it so am trying to take advantage and get a "fun luxury" off my list before being driven to sensible again.... well maybe.

Mercedes: I've hankered after the sound of an AMG, but price point is a bit of a limit here, there are some C43 Estates which drop to within grabbing distance, just, and they have the benefit of 4-wheel drive rather than the risk of killing myself whilst going around some bends. Also seem a bit hit and miss for the distronic plus (Adaptive Cruise) which I have gotten used to and love in the GTI. So they are proving difficult to source.

Audi's - Love the S4, clean, subtle and a lovely 3.0l lump under the bonnet. Again, ACC is problematic to find, but the trim levels look good and also has a digidash which I think is a trick little feature. The S5's might do the trick but would need to be the hatchback version as I need the opening space which a saloon doesn't offer.

BMW's - Not sure what to look for here, I'm worried the 3 series (330/340) are going to be a bit small for me (6ft5 and chunky with it) and they look quite bland inside, then again I've seen some 440 GT's which do look nice and I had one as a hire car for a little while and it certainly shifted and sounded nice too, comes in a hatch, but again the interiors seem bland. Then again, never had one so could be missing something critical... or nice to have.

VW's - Being honest, only a R estate is on the list as a back up. It's a car I know from the GTi, easy to look after and yes 4 wheel and throaty with DSG (never had an auto either) should be fun. It's a more budget and service friendly car, doesn't have the engine but would continue to give me contented motoring for a number of years with easy upgrade options should I want to do things in the future.

Skoda's are out. Missus is adament that she would remove "priviledges" from me if I brought home one of them and I'm sensible enough to not test her resolve.

Bit of a brain sh!t on a page here, but long and short of it. What would you choose if you had to? Real life experience welcomed.

[bogwoppit]

How about a Volvo V60 Polestar?
Very rare, the earlier ones were a 3.0, later ones a 2.0.
V60 estates aren't that big though

[Exonian]

As a shortarse who doesn’t like any car bigger than a Golf I’m probably the least equipped to reply here, but seeing as you asked…

Audi: there are quite a few A4 and A6 models that are quite sporty and can hold their own as far as performance goes that don’t wear an S (or RS) badge. Some of the bigger engined TDI estates will do decent MPG and a good turn of *useable* speed. Comfy and have decent toys plus are easily to upgrade from the Audi parts bin. Pointless getting a petrol as the cars are heavy so petrols will need thrashing so you’ll get more reward out of a torquey Diesel.

BMW: a former colleague of mine had two older BMW’s which were I think a 335d and 530d. He is so tall we suspect he might have had a bald patch on the top of his head from rubbing on ceilings. He fitted in the 3er just fine. They’re well built, quick, but not hugely good on fuel.

Skoda: at your age you should be less worried about favours from the Mrs and starting to think about eBaying the kinky dungeon kit in your cellar and planning the model railway you’re going to build down there instead. Grow some and have a close look at the “superb” options Skoda cobble together in estate flavour. All are upgradable from the VAG parts bin.

SEAT/Cupra: have a good look at the Leon estate in Cupra flavour. 300 bhp and AWD unlike the hatch and much prettier than the Golf R hearse.

Volkswagen: don’t they make some decent options in Arteon Shooting Brake shape? Or the good old Passat.
And yeah, now we get down the the car you don’t want to get but probably will… the Golf R estate. Can’t really go wrong with a good old Golf can you… ?

[Snoopy]

Leon ST cupra R.  I think look far better than a Golf R estate. One of the ABT dealer fitted ones if you can find one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0JlHv3LGxk

[willni]

Mercedes - Load of S...just rebranded Renaults at this point and too soft to have any enjoyment, only ones to have are the 63's.

Audi - S4 great cars even better in diesel with the extra torque, will ride quite hard compare to other rivals.

BMW - F series 330/335d exceptional cars there's a reason Pistonhead authors love them, powerful & smooth, built to last our 330d never dropped below 39mpg, 335 they don't drop below 32mpg, interior is slightly aged now but BMW interiors will but it will look far newer than Mercedes or Audi in 5 years time, they're masters of a timeless interiors in my opinion.

If you can stretch to a G series (Current one) it's even better. You'll have no issues with height if you think a golf has plenty of space for you.

[The_Doc]

Mercedes: Don’t do it. Just don’t do it. They’re lovely to drive, quick, and look and sound great, from the CLA35 and c43 up, and then after 5 minutes something goes wrong. It’s probably a known issue, but Mercedes will take 3 years to release a fix and until then they’ll ignore you completely. If your local dealer is good, they’ll be helpful but limited, and if they aren’t you’re screwed.

No Skodas? That’s a shame, but give a look at the Cupra Leon estate, there’s some great examples around and they’re very good fun. The Volvo v60 as suggested above is epic and has possible the best interior of any hot estate. The BMWs are fun, but like you said they’re bland inside and after you get used to the speed, they’re not the most exciting to drive. The Audis are nice, but the S4 range are nice to be in, but being diesel they’ve lost some of the excitement of the older petrol models. To me they feel held back artificially so they don’t compete too much with the RS.

Have you looked at the VW SUVs? The Tiguan is nice to drive, and if you can find one under budget the R is a great alternative the golf r estate.

[Watts]

How about a Kia Stinger? 3.3 V6 with 360bhp and looks pretty good. You could get a 2021 for around 31k.

Or, if you can find one, a Lexus GS F 5.0 V8, fantastic build quality and plenty of grunt. Not sure if within your budget as can't see any currently for sale.

[Carl_45]

I know you said no diesels, but if you’re looking for a reasonably priced (I.e. deprecates fast in the first 3 years) larger family car that’s comfortable and fun when you want it to be…. I was looking at a BMW 530d touring. Available in salon too.

The servicing is not as scary as you think if you’ve got a good independent specialist near by.

We’re now looking for an X5 40d or a Touareg because… I’ve been reminded it’s mainly HER car and SHE doesn’t like estates 🙄.

[Watts]

We’re now looking for an X5 40d or a Touareg because… I’ve been reminded it’s mainly HER car and SHE doesn’t like estates 🙄.

But aren't they both just tall estates? 

[willni]

We’re now looking for an X5 40d or a Touareg because… I’ve been reminded it’s mainly HER car and SHE doesn’t like estates 🙄.

But aren't they both just tall estates? 

Tall and off-roady estates, for the once in 4 years someone will park it on grass 

It's quite funny how Agreeable Slick specified a petrol engine and the majority of us, including myself automatically went diesel for majority of our choices.

What about a Porsche Macan or Cayenne? I'd have said Range Rover but unless you've got warranty I wouldn't bother.