Bems

New shape. Over what I was budgeting for but was after one of these the back end of last year. This one was too well specced to resist!

Hello & welcome

Yep your right. Looked at passats and the likes a few days back and even they weren't big enough to sit the buggy in lenthg ways on it's side. Mondeo estate and octavia fitted but other than that it was up to 5 series, E class etc which are too big for the missus. X3 is a compromise but a small at that and worth it for the performance and gadgets.

So today I had a bit of a f#%k it moment and bought an 11 plate BMW x3 30d in silver. Can't wait to pick it up Saturday. First owner specced it to buggery. It almost a match for the zed in acceleration too yet returns a family friendly 40+ to the gallon, the wife is happy.

Can't wait to get mine after reading that. Hopefully in time for picking up my new car on Saturday!

Beautiful! You've just convinced me to get my LMGT4's refurbished so they look original instead of a colour. When they are as clean as yours they look amazing! What do you use on the wheels?

Mine not arrived yet. Here's hoping for tomorrow

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=vw+blackberry+paint&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=stqAUa38M6Wa1AWfjYG4Aw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=690#biv=i%7C38%3Bd%7CAO5DPkjHfuN09M%3A You mean this VW colour?

Hello & welcome

Very nice

Post pics after your bonding sesh

Yeah drove both in the past when I last considered getting a bigger car, also the xc60 which was pants. Q5 are ok but standard spec is poor. X3 is a fantastic car and if I had/wanted to spend 35k for a well specced one I would but trying to be sensible and stick to a 20k'ish budget. Going to look at a few estates/ big hatchbacks and maybe a new style Tuareg today. See how it goes.

Right on my doorstep yet I still haven't driven the fort William to Thurso stretch. Inspired

I'm in Scotland, Aberdeeen I've just been to see one today and unfortunately the boot was too small for our push buggy + the dog which is a shame as it's a nice car. It's the length thats more important so I can put the buggy in on it's side. Also went to see a Qashqai+2 and that boot is just long enough. So now I know the length I just need to find out what my other options are. Possibly estate something or other, maybe touring BMW.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/s2000/honda-s2000-16v-gt-2005/1309789 Well here it is on Pistonheads so I guess we have a fair bit to go yet with the bidding

I know the cx7 was originally 2.3 petrol only. Not sure about the 5 but being smaller and newer I'd expect more economical engines available? Yep CX-7 has turbo petrol but CX-5 only has 2.0 petrol or 2.0 &2.2 diesel as far as I'm aware.

Thanks for that. My current sportback is a 140bhp which I had revo remapped 2 days after buying so I'm not ruling out doing this again. None of the ones currently for sale are fully loaded but easy to retrofit a lot of the items. I have also been looking at the facelift sport models as theres not much between the two in price.

Haha, brilliant!

Cheers. At 430 ltrs it's 60 bigger than I have at present and with the rear seats slid forward I'd say you probably get another 40 maybe. The Qashqai +2 has the best boot, in fact it's the best all round for practicality. Will be trying the Tiguan in the next day or two. Seem to be spoilt for choice at the moment for the R Line as between a couple of garages there's about 7 for sale. Tried a 170hp tdi skoda yeti a while back and was set on buying one. Great practicality and a hoot to drive but the missus point blank refused to get in it, said it was too ugly to be seen driving one :0

Qashqai +2 is on the list. As you say they're cheap and well specced in Tekna. My sister has one and it's very easy to drive if a little lifeless.

£4000 and I'll throw in a fish supper when I pick her up. C'moan, you know you want the faassh!

My old lady had a cooper mk1 and now has a cooper S mk2. She preferred the cooper as in her words it was more raw. I would agree with her. I would imagine that from what I've read on the JCW that it would be more like the cooper in character and obviously a fair bit quicker. They have a lovely pop crackle on the overrun!

Love the first one

£2500 and the (cough) wife.

Yeah I've heard the Kuga's a good drive but the boot is too small so that's out. The Mazda cx-5 may be worth a try but it's front end is a bit ugly. Looks like it's been hide by a shovel!