I went to an RS6 Avant :D miles quicker than my spec c and still delivers mid 20 mpg if driven sensibly and about 4 if you drive it like you stole it

330d sounds like just the ticket for you to be honest! I've got an E90 M-Sport (remapped) and when you want some fun it seriously moves - sounds good under load (more like a petrol v8 noise, than traditional diesel), but when you just want to get from A to B its comfortable (on the move - low speed ride is poor) and refinded. I'm getting 44mpg overall with plenty of hard driving included.

Was reading Whatcar recently, and in their little summary at the back of the mag they say the 330d is the best car in the real world as it's everything you'd ever want. Not sure I'd go that far, but it certainly far exceeded my expections (ex-Audi devotee)

Not sure what the E46 ones are like, but guessing pretty good still as the newer ones still seem to fetch at least 12-13k.

If you were spending more like £25k you could get a facelift E90 with the uprated engine. Better MPG, and they remap to 315bhp!

not interested in rear wheel drive beemers, where I live there is plenty of snow when there is snow and it would need to cope with muddy fields with the caravan. as much as id love a leggy diesel I wouldnt be able to afford it, im probably looking at around £3000.

on the short list for me at the minute:

1. audi avant tdi quattro, either an a4 or a6, I dont think ile be able to afford and rs4 or 6 unfortunatly.

What is your budget fella?

Bit too much guessing what you can afford atm. :D

about £3k mate.

Bet it does about 4mpg towing though :D

it never will be used for towing :D

Ok lets have a look at needs:

4x4
So that rules out all the expected 'buy a beemer' responses as an X5/3 is going to be more than 3k but leaves quite a few options

Practical
So an estate then

Sporty
Cuts out a lot of the bigger 4x4's like Land Cruisers

Frugal
So diesel then really...

that said, depending how sporty you want to be Pistonheads has thrown up a Honda CR-V 5 door for 3k on a 51 plate and a 97 Legnum VR4 which certainly won't be frugal!

Other options Ford Maverick/Nissan Terrano (not sporty but capable) and Freelanders - not sporty at all. Apart from that... yeppers Audi so looks like you are best off getting what you seem to be wanting anyway!

5t.

For a £3k budget, practical, fun, reliable and be able to tow a Caravan, simple............................................ .................................................. .........................................A Bugeye Wagon. I can't see anything else coming near.