Help me out! Petrol or Diesel.

Help me out! Petrol or Diesel.

Author
Discussion

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
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!

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
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.

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
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.

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
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

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
Rammy76 said:
Oh dear someone else stuck in the past! hehe

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?


Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Tuesday 28th June 2016
quotequote all
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

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

112 months

Monday 4th July 2016
quotequote all
Slight update.

Narrowed search down to either a Lexus IS300H which seem a tad out of budget, or an E90 325D M Sport.

The E90 is a 59 plate so the late late models before the new shape came in. I like the 325D as I had a 525D and it was a reasonable balance between economy and power. Does the late E90 325D Have swirl flap issues? My 525D apparently did not have them as it was an LCI 09 car.

I know the 330D is the "best" engine but spec wise, this 325d is near enough perfect to what I want and it is within reasonable budget. Will it bork and cost me tons or should I expect a few years of happy motoring?