BMW 3 series estate or VW Passat?

[Whirliwig72]

... Which would you go for? We've got about £4k to spend. Family of four children 3 and 1. Car needed as a run about as well as for longer road trips to midlands and Eire (from London). Thank you!

Sorrythat should be family of 4, children 3 and 1 yrs

As a VW Passat owner I would recommend it to anyone - it's got a vast boot which is much bigger than that of the 3 Series. Our children also 3 and 1 and we manage to fit everything in for holidays (we don't pack light). Fuel consumption is good (ours is the 140bhp 2.0-litre diesel) and on long journeys 55-60mpg is achievable. It's comfortable and good to drive.
It's a '58 plate model and we've had no reliability problems yet. I'm not sure whether £4k is going to get you that or the previous shape one though. Either way, I'd suggest you look for one with a full service history.

The VW would be the better choice between the 2 cars imo though I would go for a Volvo estate v70/90 which could be picked up for 3-4 k. I have owned several volvo estates 740, 940 and 850 series and have never have a single breakdown in 12 years of ownership, my current work car a 2.3 litre 940 has just over 300k on the clock and drives as good as new, my 850 has just past 200k and drives just as well though its hard on fuel being a 5 cylinder turbo petrol. The 5 cylinder diesels are quite economical returning around 45 mpg with the advantage of massive load space and good solid and safe construction

Thank you both so much - lots to think and mull over here :)