Help me out! Petrol or Diesel.

[Darko92]

Hi chaps,

I'm after a new car and sort of stuck for options here. Let me give you some info.

My current commute to work is made up of 50% Town/A1 and 50% M25 - Total journey is 40 miles each way. I normally don't struggle on the M25 but as soon as I get off it on to the A1 at South Mimms, I get stuck in traffic. It's always slow moving all the way till I get home, which is about 12 miles.

At present, my C220 Diesel Auto returns about 450 miles to a full tank at £55 a tank. This is Mon-Fri work and weekends local driving. So I fill up once a week, bringing my fuel bill to around £220.

I need to change cars as the Merc is showing wear, but I'm not sure if Diesel is necessarily the way forward now, however saying this.. I don't want to bump up my fuel costs too much either, I'd like to stick to filling up once a week.

What do you suggest? It must be auto and ideally a saloon with some bits and bobs on it. I'm 23 so a fitting car would be nice.

My budget is around 11k if going used, if newer, I'd go for a PCP deal that settles around the £250pm mark.

Any suggestions are welcome!

[CX53]

I'm always amazed that a colleague of mine got his E250 CDI coupe for 11k, it looks like a much more expensive car! If you're a merc fan I'd be inclined to consider one of these, it really is very nice, and has been very reliable for him.

[Darko92]

I do like the Merc coupe's but I just don't get along with the seating. It's difficult to get comfy, plus a saloon would be ideal.

Still unsure whether or not I require a diesel for the journey that I do.

[hornetrider]

Darko92 said:

Still unsure whether or not I require a diesel for the journey that I do.

80 miles a day commute, plus personal on top... I'd be edging towards a diesel tbh.

[CX53]

Sorry, I missed the bit about a saloon!

I'd say that mileage more than justifies a diesel, but i doubt a petrol would bankrupt you either if you fancied it.

[Alex_225]

I'd be thinking diesel as well, in part because of the mileage and secondly because I'm so impressed with my E320 to drive day to day let alone on a long run.

I actually only do about 9k a year but 6k of that mileage is on the motorway (260 mile to Bristol and back every other weekend) so it suits being a diesel for that purpose. Is see 50mpg out of that and I can only imagine a far newer Merc diesel would be more efficient. That probably goes for any of the German diesels though to be honest.

[Rammy76]

I think a diesel would be justified with that mileage.

How about a Jaguar XF, nice engine with plenty of grunt, decent auto box and a nice interior to spend time in. Generally a decent drive. Something like this maybe?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[hornetrider]

Rammy76 said:

How about a Jaguar XF

He's 23, not 43

330D or a 4 pot 320/325D?

Could even go 123D.


http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 28th June 13:58

[74merc]

I'm no tree hugger, but with that sort of use in mind, I'd take a hybrid over a diesel.

[RS250_Steve]

aren't the lease deals on the 330e pretty good?
that would almost be perfect for your commute.

[RizzoTheRat]

74merc said:

I'm no tree hugger, but with that sort of use in mind, I'd take a hybrid over a diesel.

Same here, I'm working in Holland at the moment, where there are tax breaks on hybrids, and I'm amazed how many manufacturers now offer hybrid versions, in the UK you'd be forgiven for thinking the only options were Lexus or a Prius, but there's loads of hybrid BMWs and Mercs around.

[Darko92]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I do agree a Diesel is my best option.

Now comes the struggle of finding something worthy - I dont want to go down the Lease route per se, as PCP/HP serves me a better purpose.

The XF is lovely, but my heart is set on a BMW or an Audi, or even a newer shape VW CC. Seat comfort is a big thing for me and I just find the Mercedes seats are far too uncomfortable for my liking.

Im essentially looking to spend £250 per month, with about a £500 deposit. For this, I have realised I am left with HP = 11K car, or PCP = ??? No idea what budget I'm looking at as they vary and can't find a dealer that does clear quotes.

i GUESS my requirements are:

- Saloon/Big Coupe/Golf GTD/Focus STD type.
- Xenons, as M25 is very dark at night/I work in a poorly lit area.
- Heated Seats (Optional)
- Satnav- Must.


Other than that, I don't really care. Ultimately, as crude and typical as this may sound, I am still 23 and would not like to drive around in something my grandad would. I know that is "snobby" of me, but ultimately I will be driving it, I want to feel proud when I do.

[spookly]

Alex_225 said:

I'd be thinking diesel as well, in part because of the mileage and secondly because I'm so impressed with my E320 to drive day to day let alone on a long run.

I actually only do about 9k a year but 6k of that mileage is on the motorway (260 mile to Bristol and back every other weekend) so it suits being a diesel for that purpose. Is see 50mpg out of that and I can only imagine a far newer Merc diesel would be more efficient. That probably goes for any of the German diesels though to be honest.

Wow, you must drive like my gran :-) I only managed 32.7mpg average with mainly motorway in an E220

ETA: Yes, my gran is in fact dead.

[Darko92]

Same for me. After working it out my C220 gives me 36MPG roughly.

Looking into BMW/Merc Hybrids (Used) - Are these any good? Will they suit my driving? Or will they wreck me once I hit the Mway and the hybrid switches off

[Rammy76]

hornetrider said:

Rammy76 said:

How about a Jaguar XF

He's 23, not 43

330D or a 4 pot 320/325D?

Could even go 123D.


http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 28th June 13:58

Oh dear someone else stuck in the past!

How does this;



Look any less modern than this;

[Darko92]

Rammy76 said:

Oh dear someone else stuck in the past!

How does this;



Look any less modern than this;

What are XF reputations like, reliability wise? Are they prone to fail or are they pretty solid?

[Rammy76]

Darko92 said:

What are XF reputations like, reliability wise? Are they prone to fail or are they pretty solid?

I just noticed you specifically said you're not too keen on the XF so I won't bleat on any more!

They are no worse reliability wise than any of the Germans so I wouldn't let that put you off.

Is it a BMW/Mercedes/Audi than you've set your heart on?

[Monkeylegend]

spookly said:

Wow, you must drive like my gran :-) I only managed 32.7mpg average with mainly motorway in an E220

ETA: Yes, my gran is in fact dead.

Must be something wrong with it or your driving style if you only get 32.7 mpg.

I can easily get 47/48 plus with mine cruising up to 75 where I can, and that will include non motorway driving as well.

[Darko92]

Rammy76 said:

I just noticed you specifically said you're not too keen on the XF so I won't bleat on any more!

They are no worse reliability wise than any of the Germans so I wouldn't let that put you off.

Is it a BMW/Mercedes/Audi than you've set your heart on?

Looking into it.. An XF in Sport guise may be great. I do really like the look of them and that interior is just fabulous, but I am concerned about reliability and MPG figures. I don't want a money pit

[greghm]

What about a Lexus GS 450 ?
- reliable
- hybrid
- saloon