[XAlp]

Hi all.
If funds allow we try to go skiing in the Alps most winters, driving to keep costs down. Up to now the F31 335d with Nokian winter tyres on has been absolutley brilliant. However, our youngest is almost 13, our 15 year old lad is catching me up quickly and our eldest daughter I guess is about 5'7". They complained about discomfort quite a bit on the trip to the Lake District this summer, so 12 hours each way to the Alps becomes a bit grim.
So I'm thinking about an X3 M40i, likely second hand but will look at deals out there eg the "Services" ones at Park Lane. Maybe also a second hand Velar (always dreamt of a Range Rover...).
However, as an alternative and with less business miles in the foreseeable future I was thinking about a different route - maybe something smaller, fun but still practical/appropriate for work (eg Golf GTi Clubsport minus stickers) provided I could hire something big enough (eg X3 size or above) for a week from the UK - but it would need winter tyres. Does anyone know if there are hire firms who could provide this? I've tried a bit of googling but no joy yet.
Anyone else carrying 3 teens in the back of an X3 in comfort on long journeys (or a Velar?!).
Cheers

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

I don’t think an X3 or a Velar will offer significantly more room than you have now.

We carry 2 small children and an adult in the back on long journeys and had an X3 and a Q7. X3 is just a raised up car similar in size to yours, with maybe a little more legroom.

The Q7 makes all the difference and makes those journeys comfortable.

With 3 children I’d definitely be looking at something bigger. Some good deals on the X5, Q7 and the Volvo XC90 is a really good option. I think if you move up in size gradually you might regret it and wish you’d gone the whole way. Just my opinion of course.

I’d also wait until Q4 in October as these cars are expensive and traditionally there are better deals at year end.

[Firaxis]

There's been some great deals on the Jaguar F-Pace this year, despite concerns about reliability I never had an issues with my XE but I would tend to keep them in warranty.

Never got the chance to try the 250 petrol F-Pace they only had the 180HP diesel, it made smooth progression but ultimately it's underpowered for a car that size. The 250 petrol is a good option but if you can spring for the 240 diesel that's my pick of the bunch.

[KRS_SN]

you need an x5. nothing else to add.

[Watsey]

As well as the size of the car I think XAlp is asking for names of hire car companies which supply cars with winter tyres fitted.

I imagine that's a bit too specialised for the UK hire car market, but you never know. The forum knows many things.

[330XDave]

Did anyone other than Watsey actually read what the OP is asking for?

[robbiep]

You realistically need to contact car hire companies and ask. Before you even get to the winter tyres question, a lot of the companies have a prohibition on taking the car out of the country, or additional requirements.

For example, Hertz you'll pay an additional fee for the paperwork to allow you to take the car out of the country.

https://www.hertz.co.uk/rentacar/res...AC&EOAG=BHXW64

£130 for up to a week.

However, I don't think any of the companies in the UK supply cars with winter tyres on.
To get those, I think you'd need to hire when already out of the UK, getting the car in a country where the tyres are mandatory - no hire company is going to invest that sum in dozens of sets of wheels / tyres on the very small possibility that a customer is going to want them.

[TimMcC]

Or if you like estate cars, get yourself a 5 series touring! Magnificent car, and loads more room than a 3 series touring.

[davyk31]

You say you drive there to keep costs down but if you need to hire a car to get there or run a bigger car than you need all year to accommodate the trip then all the savings are long gone.

Buy a GTI and fly to your holiday.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Did anyone other than Watsey actually read what the OP is asking for?

The OP asked two different things. I answered the one I knew something about.

The title of the thread gives the clue, new car / hire car.

As Watsey said, the other is a bit specialised. Likely to get 10 answers on car size before any answer on a large hire car with winter tyres!

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

I don't think an X3 or a Velar will offer significantly more room than you have now.

We carry 2 small children and an adult in the back on long journeys and had an X3 and a Q7. X3 is just a raised up car similar in size to yours, with maybe a little more legroom.

The Q7 makes all the difference and makes them journeys comfortable.

With 3 children I'd definitely be looking at something bigger. Some good deals on the X5, Q7 and the Volvo XC90 is a really good option. I think if you move up in size gradually you might regret it and wish you'd gone the whole way. Just my opinion of course.

I'd also wait until Q4 in October as these cars are expensive and traditionally there are better deals at year end.

Agree with this. I think the X5 is a very good compromise on size, not vast inside but also a good bit shorter than some. Not as space efficient or spacious as Q7/X7/XC90/D5/FFRR. The Q7 and D5 are the perfect family options I think, and the XC90 if four cylinders suit you.

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by TimMcC

Or if you like estate cars, get yourself a 5 series touring! Magnificent car, and loads more room than a 3 series touring.

Yeah, that was another thought I had too. 530d tourer would be a good pick

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by robbiep

Yeah, that was another thought I had too. 530d tourer would be a good pick

Or a Skoda Superb Estate, you can have a game of football in one of those they are so large!!!

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by davyk31

You say you drive there to keep costs down but if you need to hire a car to get there or run a bigger car than you need all year to accommodate the trip then all the savings are long gone.

Buy a GTI and fly to your holiday.

What he said. 52 weeks of driving something big, expensive to buy and maintain, for one long journey?

Enjoy all 52 weeks...

[XAlp]

I'm concluding the hire with winters from UK is off the table.
I'd hoped for better feedback on space in the back of the X3, as I felt the M40i was ticking a lot of boxes. A size class above I'd never thought about, I'll do some research.
I'd thought of a 5 touring and a Superb, maybe I need to try fitting the family in some if I could ever persuade them to visit any dealership!
"GTi plus fly" I'm going to think about too - just checked Easyjet to Geneva over Xmas and NY - really cheap at the mo! But can't bank on that normally methinks.
Cheers all.

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by XAlp

I'm concluding the hire with winters from UK is off the table.
I'd hoped for better feedback on space in the back of the X3, as I felt the M40i was ticking a lot of boxes. A size class above I'd never thought about, I'll do some research.
I'd thought of a 5 touring and a Superb, maybe I need to try fitting the family in some if I could ever persuade them to visit any dealership!
"GTi plus fly" I'm going to think about too - just checked Easyjet to Geneva over Xmas and NY - really cheap at the mo! But can't bank on that normally methinks.
Cheers all.

You could check with Hertz etc. at the other side of the pond at your destination airport. Unless the plan is to drive all the way?

It would make sense for them to cater to their local climate (guessing here but worth a go?). Over here however I doubt you'll find anything..

[XAlp]

Originally Posted by Firaxis

You could check with Hertz etc. at the other side of the pond at your destination airport. Unless the plan is to drive all the way?

It would make sense for them to cater to their local climate (guessing here but worth a go?). Over here however I doubt you'll find anything..

Yes if you land in Geneva for example then it's almost standard (worth checking - seem to remember it can be different if you're on the French side?!) that hire cars come with winters. Last time I did that we got an Octavia Estate 4x4 with winters - it was very surefooted in the snow.
Last few times I've done the drive via chunnel, it's about 12 hours door to door to our usual destination (Chatel) with very minimal stops and no big delays.

[XAlp]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Agree with this. I think the X5 is a very good compromise on size, not vast inside but also a good bit shorter than some. Not as space efficient or spacious as Q7/X7/XC90/D5/FFRR. The Q7 and D5 are the perfect family options I think, and the XC90 if four cylinders suit you.

The D5 is the Volvo below the XC90 in size?

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by XAlp

The D5 is the Volvo below the XC90 in size?

Sorry LR Discovery mk.5.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by XAlp

The D5 is the Volvo below the XC90 in size?

The Volvo engine used to be called D5 which might be the confusion, it’s now B5, which has some mild hybrid support to the same 2 litre diesel or petrol engines.

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by TimMcC

Or if you like estate cars, get yourself a 5 series touring! Magnificent car, and loads more room than a 3 series touring.

Totally agree with this. Brilliant all rounder

[225]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

The Volvo engine used to be called D5 which might be the confusion, it’s now B5, which has some mild hybrid support to the same 2 litre diesel or petrol engines.

DO NOT BY A 4 POT DERV VOLVO!! Yes the d5s have now become b5s but unless they have got bmw to hand over their gearbox software you will hate driving it. Especially after a 335d.