Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 320d

Previous-generation 3 is a sound buy, with its great image and solid cabin. Look under bonnet for signs of leaks from steering.

Now this is a big improvement. The blue propeller is way ahead of the Volvo for badge appeal – but less than half the price!

I found this 64,000-mile 2004 320d ES automatic on the forecourt at Available Car, priced at £8,500. It’s a couple of years older than the XC90, but that gives you an excuse to haggle! I reckon I could get it for under £8k – especially as it was replaced by the current E90 3-Series in 2005, which makes it even cheaper.

Advertisement - Article continues below

For that you get prestige, comfort and lots of goodies. Plus, there’s strong 40.9mpg economy, 150bhp of power and a 0-60mph time of 8.8 seconds. Watch out for turbo wear on hard-driven cars and have a good butcher’s at the power-steering fluid – the system is renowned for leaking.

An equivalent manual 320d diesel is well worth a look, as you’ll return an extra 10.5mpg on average. Factor in a 440-litre boot and you’ve got the ultimate blend of luxury, practicality and budget-busting economy!

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £15,158
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £14,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
Citroen recall sees owners told to stop driving “immediately”
Citroen C3 Mk2 - front tracking

Citroen recall sees owners told to stop driving “immediately”

A ‘Stop-drive’ order has been issued by Citroen following a fatality that may have been caused by a faulty Takata airbag
News
20 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price
Volkswagen ID.7 GTX - front static

Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price

GTX Plus gives some extra punch to an already excellent electric saloon. It’s our Deal of the Day for 20 June.
News
20 Jun 2025