Latest news with #GeoffTooley
Auto Express
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Help! I need a mile-munching saloon for £6,000
Dear Auto Express, I'm after a comfy, mile-munching saloon car , but my budget is a relatively lowly £6,000 – what do you recommend? - Geoff Tooley, By E-mail A budget of £6,000 is not a lot to spend on a used car these days, and if you want something with a bit of luxury, you're going to have to compromise somewhere. Advertisement - Article continues below Traditionally, wise money would opt for a slightly older model with lower mileage over a higher-mileage newer variant with fresher styling and more bells and whistles. However, given that the nation's keeping their cars longer than ever and the ever increasing cost to buy a new car, it's becoming harder to find those gems. It's not the end of the world, with many well looked-after cars, especially in this premium segment, taking high mileage in their stride. Given the price requirements, the options are limited so expect some higher mileage examples, which shouldn't be an issue if the cars have been properly maintained. These are the three 'executive' choices that would tempt us. Here's our expert pick for three of the best mile munching saloons you can get for under £6,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service … For: Sporty chassis, powerful and efficient engines Sporty chassis, powerful and efficient engines Against: Style has moved on, practicality isn't great Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below To find a BMW 3 Series in budget and with reasonable miles, you'll be looking at 10 to 12-year-old sixth-generation/F30 cars. Newer Mk7 models introduced from 2018 – especially from dealers – are likely to have massive miles on the clock, which will put off many buyers. Advertisement - Article continues below Nicely looked-after F30s sold privately would be our favoured option for a car of this age, and we found a good selection of 2013 318d, 320i and 320d models with attractive histories priced between £5,500 and £6,500. Owners like the F30 3 Series, which arrived in 2013 with styling that was a little more conservative than some of its contemporary BMW stablemates. It was hugely popular, but looks a little dated today. More importantly, the F30's exceptional driver appeal has not diminished over the years, and if you opt for a punchier 320i or 320d over the entry-level 318i, you'll enjoy the oomph to match the refinement of the chassis. There are plenty of more muscular options for buyers blessed with bigger budgets, but 60mpg diesel variants are within your range. See our used BMW 3 Series deals For: Elegance and style, luxurious cabin, comfortable ride Elegance and style, luxurious cabin, comfortable ride Against: Less engaging to drive than rivals Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Again, you'll be looking back two generations to find a C-Class with reasonably low miles, which means the third-gen W204 launched in 2007 and was facelifted in 2011 with its improved dashboard, swoopier lamps and LED tail-lights. Through the Auto Express marketplace you can find a sub-80k 2013 C200 CDI within budget. Advertisement - Article continues below As with the BMW, there's a multitude of engine options for those with bigger budgets, but for most drivers, the entry-level petrol and diesel engines will be sufficiently rewarding and decently economical. Unlike the previous-generation C-Class, which some felt was a bit below par for the company, this W204 generation was a definite return to form for Mercedes. The car's quality and reliability should be excellent, and compared with the 3 Series (above), the C-Class leans towards a more comfortable and luxurious ride, without its rival's more overtly sporting feel. See our used Mercedes C-Class deals For: Luxury, style and great chassis dynamics Luxury, style and great chassis dynamics Against: Higher running costs and repair bills Jaguar's follow-up to the S-Type was a hit that didn't only look and feel good, but also drove beautifully. And while it's from a class higher than the 3 Series and E-Class, that means you're getting a bigger and more luxurious car for your cash. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below If you want a low mileage, you might have to look for a slightly older model to stay on budget. Also consider a diesel to keep fuel costs down. We've seen 2013 2.2d Sport XFs with under 100k miles from just under £6,000. A full service history is advisable. The Jaguar XF was introduced to rave reviews in 2008, and racked up multiple awards, including Auto Express Car of The Year. It also scored first place in the 2009 Driver Power survey, and was a regular fixture in the top five for the next five years. In 2013, the XF was facelifted with more aggressive headlights and an updated front end. Its qualities are still there to be appreciated, including a fine, high-quality cabin with its bespoke 'gentleman's club' feel, and a superlative chassis that's full of finesse and feel for appreciative drivers. Petrol variants can be a bit thirsty, but diesels are pleasantly refined once you're up and running. See our used Jaguar XF deals Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ... Find a car with the experts Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra aren't waiting around for the government grant by cutting £1,500 from their EV prices Car Deal of the Day: MGS5 EV for under £200 a month is a true bargain Car Deal of the Day: MGS5 EV for under £200 a month is a true bargain The ZS EV's replacement is an excellent small electric SUV, and our Deal of the Day for August 4 How green is an EV? BMW reveals the surprise truth about EV vs ICE carbon footprints How green is an EV? BMW reveals the surprise truth about EV vs ICE carbon footprints The new BMW iX3 will have less of a carbon footprint than the petrol-powered X3 after just 12,428 miles of driving
IOL News
7 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Women in Engineering: IMESA reports significant growth
The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) has reported a steady rise in the number of women in infrastructure engineering. Image: Freepik. The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) has reported a steady rise in the number of women in infrastructure engineering, with women now making up 30% of its membership, up from just 12% in 2005. The figures were released this month as part of IMESA's Women's Month campaign, which includes events across the country and a new social media campaign, #IMESAseesU - Women in Engineering, spotlighting the contributions of women engineers. IMESA president Geoff Tooley said the increase was not driven by gender quotas but by a changing professional culture. 'We've never implemented specific gender equity strategies or formal policies around this,' Tooley explained. 'What we've done is build a professional home for all municipal engineers, where technical excellence, ethics, and service to communities are the common ground. Inclusion has followed naturally.' Bhavna Soni, who made history as IMESA's first female president, has been in the municipal engineering sector for more than two decades. She is currently operations director for the institute's Young Professionals and Membership portfolio. 'When I joined, female engineers were extremely rare,' she recalled. 'But I had a passion for physics, maths, and problem-solving. Once I found my way into the municipal planning division, I realised I could have a real impact, especially in water infrastructure where the needs are urgent and continuous.' Soni said she faced challenges common to women in male-dominated professions but was able to persevere. 'There are always obstacles,' she said. 'But I don't take things personally. I believe in moving forward, speaking up, and persevering. Engineering is about solving problems, not just technical ones, but human ones too.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Cape Town-based Jeanine du Preez, a long-standing IMESA member and current operations director of Marketing and Communications, started her career after a year in the South African Army Women's College. She now works as district head for Urban Mobility, Roads Infrastructure Management at the City of Cape Town. 'I had always been creative, with a passion for drawing, writing, and architecture,' Du Preez said. 'Engineering gave me a way to apply that in the real world. It's both creative and technical.' She added: 'IMESA gave me the confidence to speak publicly, to lead teams, and to step into more strategic spaces. It was not just about networking; it was about personal growth.' While acknowledging the sector was once more male-dominated, Du Preez said: 'I have never felt like I was denied opportunities because I was a woman. Although others may have had different experiences, I have found that most organisations strive for strong, diverse teams where appointments are made based on what you can offer. No one wants to get the job because of gender or race.' Matseliso Fosa, a Professional Engineering Technologist and IMESA Council member from the Northern Provinces branch, brings a research perspective. She recently completed a Master's degree at Wits University on strategies for retaining women in construction. 'There's definitely been progress,' Fosa said, 'but the number of women in senior roles and on boards remains worryingly low. Representation is improving in technical posts. It is not happening fast enough in management.' She added: 'Organisations need to offer real promotion pathways for women, not just token inclusion. Gender equality must be structural, not symbolic. That includes fair hiring, respectful work environments, and targeted mentoring.' Fosa said professional bodies like IMESA play an important role. 'IMESA has supported me, and now I'm doing the same for others, mentoring my colleagues as they work towards professional registration.' THE MERCURY
