Which German wagon, what says the Hive?

So I am getting ready to part with the MINI convertible because I don't like the transmission, driving it in the winter, and it can be inconvenient for hauling stuff. Plus I fear large $$$ repairs in the future.

I have narrowed things down to three choices in das wagens; new 2015 Golf Sportwagen TSi vs used 2011 BMW 328ix Touring. I have a sub-choice of a BMW with 80,000km, 18"s, and a small warranty vs. one with 50k km, 17"s, and a $6k accident repair in its history. My math tells me the the Golf will be $3k to $4k cheaper to run over the first four years. It will have no repair costs while under warranty and fuel will be a lot less. I think the Golf actually has about 15% more room despite being 600lbs lighter. The Golf I am looking at would have pretty much the same options as the beemer, but a more modern media centre while it lacks a few creature comforts like memory seats, power passenger seat, garage door opener. The beemer has AWD which is cool and all up here in the North, but good winter tires make anything drivable for me.

The sale on VWs right now is not all that great and they don't seem to be willing drop much from a $500 discount and 2.9% over 84 months. Hardly inspiring, maybe a lean month or two will motivate them.

I am torn. I like the lower initial cost (all taxes and fees included) of the used BMW ($27k) vs. Golf ($39k), but I know the BMW will consume more repairs and stuff.

Is the ultimate driving machine worth it?

Would you guys pick the clean BMW with more mileage?

Should I just play it safe with the VW?

Your opinions are most welcome.

FWIW, my parents have an E9x Touring and dig it.

I have no interest in VWs, period, for a myriad of reasons most of which are probably biased in illogical (though our VW ownership experience soured me on two local dealers and VW corporate, all of which we had to deal with several times over the few years we owned one). And I have even less than no interest (if that is possible) in a $40k VW.

Personally, I'd go find a Acura TSX wagon (unless you want stick, in which case no-go).

And that's coming from a BMW fan. The 328 wagon does nothing for me, and the 328 sedan I've driven was crisp but thoroughly soul-less and unexciting I thought.

That said, of the choices you present, I'd pick the BMW 100 times out of 100.

Thanks, unfortunately no Acura wagons came to Canada. I hear you on the VW experience. I was going to lease one so I could give it back if it was crap, but there is not much incentive there for discounts.

For reference $40k Cdn = $30k USD.

What about an E350 wagon? They're lovely cars, but might be a bit older than what you'd like.

G_Body_Man wrote: What about an E350 wagon? They're lovely cars, but might be a bit older than what you'd like.

I have always liked them and almost got to the point of buying one. They are a bit "much" for me I think. I looked at the 5 series too, but the 535ix are just too unreliable out of warranty and the 2006 530ix's are older than I want.

Aspen wrote:

G_Body_Man wrote: What about an E350 wagon? They're lovely cars, but might be a bit older than what you'd like.

I have always liked them and almost got to the point of buying one. They are a bit "much" for me I think. I looked at the 5 series too, but the 535ix are just too unreliable out of warranty and the 2006 530ix's are older than I want.

They may be a bit on the big side, but they have tons of cargo space and 4Matic AWD.

Aspen wrote: I fear large $$$ repairs in the future. I have narrowed things down to three choices in das wagens; new 2015 Golf Sportwagen TSi vs used 2011 BMW 328ix Touring.

I'm sorry, but these seem like very contradictory statements to me. You're very concerned about large repair bills in your MINI, but your top two replacement candidates are VW and BMW??

I'm in the very same market as you, shopping for a sporty hatch/wagon for under $20k. No way on earth I'm even considering VW. Just no. Trouble waiting to happen. The 328i wagon is a contender, but I know it's going to need more upkeep than many other cars. It's part of owning a BMW, they're not cheap.

If you can deal with an auto trans in a car that's more luxury than sport, I'd go with a TSX wagon all day long. It's a top candidate for me, but I really want a manual. Other cars I'm looking at...Hyundai Elantra GT (the "sensible, reliable, non-sports car choice"), FoST, FiST or Sonic RS.

CTS-V on non V wagon? Since we're throwing non-German stuff out there.

If you're going between the two I'd go with the BMW. Parts availability has never been much of an issue for them and VAG products, in my own experience, very much deserve the reputation that they have.

I would go BMW 3 touring non-X. My X3 (based on the 3 series not the one based on the X5 like now) was a joy but the AWD really wasn't necessary. I ran summerish Continentals and a good set of snow tires on a wagon would have been just as well.

3.0l, 6 speed, minus the AWD and the X3 would have been perfect, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Flight Service wrote: I would go BMW 3 touring non-X. My X3 (based on the 3 series not the one based on the X5 like now) was a joy but the AWD really wasn't necessary. I ran summerish Continentals and a good set of snow tires on a wagon would have been just as well. 3.0l, 6 speed, minus the AWD and the X3 would have been perfect.

If I'm going to go BMW, that's exactly what I'm looking for. But they're hens teeth.

Another vote for RWD 328i wagon. Put some snow tires on it and you'll do just fine all winter.

The AWD adds another level of complexity and maintenance that I would not be comfortable.

Newest SAAB 9-5 you can find? Is something like a Mazdaspeed 3 or WRX too small? They also did make legacy GT wagons.

You guys make it sound like every VW spontaneously combusts 8 seconds after their factory warrantee expires. My 2007 Passat has 108K miles on it and TigerMom gets in it each morning, it starts up and she drives to work. There are no CEL illuminations. The car is solid and rattle/squeak free. The 4Motion system absolutely laughs at all the "just put snow tires on a RWD car and you'll be fine" business.

Is it perfect? Not completely. Is it a darn good car? Yup.

But I know I'm just wrong and will go drink the BMW kool-aid now.

BMW e90 tourings were ONLY offered with Xdrive in Canada, and I don't want to go back to 2005. I am going with the slushbox so Mrs. Aspen can drive it too. No Acura wagon in Canada either.

I am not so worried about maintenance and repairs within a reasonable amount. I just don't love the MINI enough to want to pour $thousands into if the top, supercharger, transmission or PS pump breaks. These are all known issues.

I am done with Saab. The 9-5 was a dated 90s design by 2001. The whole parts thing is there too. I had a pair of 9-3s and would like something newer and different.

The BMW is looking like the favourite. Any thoughts on trading off 30k km vs. a $6k accident repair history for right side paint and panel?

JtspellS wrote: Newest SAAB 9-5 you can find? Is something like a Mazdaspeed 3 or WRX too small? They also did make legacy GT wagons.

No more Saabs. I already have a WRX wagon as my autoX stupid project car and the Legacy GT wagon stopped in 2009. The Outback is just too SUV and weird looking for me.

KyAllroad wrote: You guys make it sound like every VW spontaneously combusts 8 seconds after they leave the showroom floor.

FTFY

KyAllroad wrote: You guys make it sound like every VW spontaneously combusts 8 seconds after their factory warrantee expires.

No, that is 30 seconds after the warranty expires. The electrical system mysteriously stops working after 8 seconds...

The BMW wagons drive really well. The VW wagons do well for a front drive but at the end of the day one is a sport sedan with an extended roof. The other is just a family sedan with an extended roof.

Which do you want? Sport wagon or family wagon. (However both will drive rings around most of the 4 door toyota lineup.)

It has German underpinnings..sort of..

Flight Service wrote:

KyAllroad wrote: You guys make it sound like every VW spontaneously combusts 8 seconds after their factory warrantee expires.

No, that is 30 seconds after the warranty expires. The electrical system mysteriously stops working after 8 seconds... The VW wagons do well for a front drive but at the end of the day one is a sport sedan with an extended roof. The other is just a family sedan with an extended roof.

That is a good way of thinking about it, thanks. My heart wants the BMW, but the accountant side is naggying about costs.

KyAllroad wrote: You guys make it sound like every VW spontaneously combusts 8 seconds after their factory warrantee expires. My 2007 Passat has 108K miles on it and TigerMom gets in it each morning, it starts up and she drives to work. There are no CEL illuminations. The car is solid and rattle/squeak free. The 4Motion system absolutely laughs at all the "just put snow tires on a RWD car and you'll be fine" business. Is it perfect? Not completely. Is it a darn good car? Yup. But I know I'm just wrong and will go drink the BMW kool-aid now.

Plus eleventy billion.

My Golf handles the salt they dump on our roads way better than ANY Japanese car I have ever seen too!

NGTD wrote:

KyAllroad wrote: You guys make it sound like every VW spontaneously combusts 8 seconds after their factory warrantee expires. My 2007 Passat has 108K miles on it and TigerMom gets in it each morning, it starts up and she drives to work. There are no CEL illuminations. The car is solid and rattle/squeak free. The 4Motion system absolutely laughs at all the "just put snow tires on a RWD car and you'll be fine" business. Is it perfect? Not completely. Is it a darn good car? Yup. But I know I'm just wrong and will go drink the BMW kool-aid now.

Plus eleventy billion. My Golf handles the salt they dump on our roads way better than ANY Japanese car I have ever seen too!

Yep, my 192k mile 2002 Audi A4 Avant 1.8t Quattro 5 speed hasn't disintegrated yet. First gear synchros are starting to get a little iffy, but other than that it's totally solid.

Is the CTS wagon an option?

I am going to repost my post from the other thread...

E55 AMG wagon....because spanking Porsches with the dog plastered to the back glass should be required of all wagons.

Flight Service wrote: E55 AMG wagon....because spanking Porsches with the dog plastered to the back glass should be required of all wagons.

Yes, no problem, I saw one on line last night for only $116k plus $15k of sales tax. Not so grassroots compared with a used BMW with an accident history.