Which one would you have (

[Eth2312]

Considering a new car

I tend to play it safe with my own car as its needed for many purposes, so its good to have efficiency, space and comfort. This is not an exciting choice but one I need to make: Considering the following:

1- BMW 3 Series Estate

2 - Mercedes C Class Estate

3 - VW Passat Executive Style Estate (Simple reason I can get pretty much as new here)

All of the above come will be auto.

If anyone has real life user experience I would be interested to know ups/downs to either model. Also peoples views. I know this is pistonheads and these are as about exciting as a farmers market but I know there are people on here with real life requirements and real life budgets so sometimes mainstream is the way to go. Anyone saying dull, boring slow etc thats expected but at least I can carry ikea's finest in relative comfort!

[Tuvra]

Which engine's?

[stumpage]

Depends if you have an active family or not.

We had a C Class Estate and Passat Estate at the same time. The Passat covered every base. There were times when we used the Passat, Camping trims, holidays, Transporting Elderly parents, needing to sit 3 kids in the back with kiddie seats where the Merc was just too small.

There was never an occasion the other way round.

Don't get me wrong the Merc was the nicer place to be a felt more special but for a practical family car the Passat had it beat.

[richs2891]

Do you live anywhere where the rwd of the BMW or the Merc may be more of an issue than the fwd VW ?

[Baldchap]

I used to drive a pool-car 3 series intermittently for a while. It didn't rattle at 100k hard miles and was everything the tin said it was. Can't say fairer than that.

My brand new Golf GTi rattles at 5000 miles. That said, the DSG is the best auto box out there. The ZF auto is still an old-school 'slush box' to drive so if the 3 comes with that, the Passat gets my vote.

I don't really like Mercs for no apparent reason.

So I say get the 3. Especially if you're going diesel.

[SWoll]

If you're looking for space and comfort have you considered the 5 series touring? Much nicer place to spend time than any of the cars mentioned and considerably more practical.

[Benmac]

How much of an estate do you need?

As noted above the Passat is usefully bigger than the C class but another aspect there is that the 3 series doesn't have a flat load boot, it's more like a big hatchback with a lip.

It's why I bought my C class rather than the equivalent 3 at the time.

[AndySheff]

Having owned a couple of C-class', I wouldn't fancy another. Too many niggling little problems. (Granted, I'm talking about 03/04 model, but it/they were new and nearly new cars).

Of the 3 I'd go for the VW if it was a petrol engine.
The BM'er if diesel.

[Eth2312]

Engines: I don't need huge amounts of power but will be a nice to have. I would prefer to meet this with economy, but I'll side with the edge of power if the car is right. (Currently reading reviews on the C Class 250cdi. seems to tick plenty of boxes)

Current family situation is growing with just myself and wife and a new arrival expected imminently. Reason for an estate isn't a must but more a want. Now and then I'm faced with the limitations of a saloon (that I currently drive) and personally I think some estates in certain dress look good, solid and a safe bet that you will more than likely not outgrow its practicality. (I've lost count the amount of times I've had to swap with my bother as he has a more practical car when running errands)

Location wise I live near the peak district so rear wheel drive would be a serious concern but I can go alternative main road routes if the weather closes in so not a game stopper.

[KTF]

What about a Skoda Superb or Octavia Estate?

Edited by KTF on Tuesday 8th November 13:22

[stumpage]

Skoda Octavia is what we swapped the Passat for.

Just as practical as the Passat but with a decent Petrol Engine and a lot more fun to drive. That car is really ticking all Stumpage Family boxes so much so that it's now due for replacement and we are looking to order the same but with a DSG this time.

[Eth2312]

SWoll said:

If you're looking for space and comfort have you considered the 5 series touring? Much nicer place to spend time than any of the cars mentioned and considerably more practical.

Like the 5 series but its just a little too big for me, would prefer to stick to something mid size. But agree, great car and place to be.

[Eth2312]

Benmac said:

How much of an estate do you need?

As noted above the Passat is usefully bigger than the C class but another aspect there is that the 3 series doesn't have a flat load boot, it's more like a big hatchback with a lip.

It's why I bought my C class rather than the equivalent 3 at the time.

Its more a want than a need. I don't necessary need one but just want one. Hard to explain but getting an estate means I (most likely) will not need to to change anytime soon due to family changes. Currently driving a saloon I find it restrictive from time to time to what i can put in it, so going this route means I want need to change the car due to practicality reasons.

[Eth2312]

stumpage said:

Skoda Octavia is what we swapped the Passat for.

Just as practical as the Passat but with a decent Petrol Engine and a lot more fun to drive. That car is really ticking all Stumpage Family boxes so much so that it's now due for replacement and we are looking to order the same but with a DSG this time.

Had Skoda's before (Octavier and an early version of the Superb) . Good cars, plus brother has one. Hard to explain but the extraction to them has gone for me now I've run a couple of them, still good cars.

[Eth2312]

AndySheff said:

Having owned a couple of C-class', I wouldn't fancy another. Too many niggling little problems. (Granted, I'm talking about 03/04 model, but it/they were new and nearly new cars).

Of the 3 I'd go for the VW if it was a petrol engine.
The BM'er if diesel.

Currently looking into both aspects. Will most likely go with a diesel. But, I do prefer the linear petrol, just looking at running costs

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say the Mondeo in Titanium spec with the 2.0 diesel is more than worth a look or the 2.0 Ecoboost petrol version, are a better option than the Passat.

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

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

[Eth2312]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say the Mondeo in Titanium spec with the 2.0 diesel is more than worth a look or the 2.0 Ecoboost petrol version, are a better option than the Passat.

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

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

Really like the Mondeo but some of the build quality is question (passenger'd in a couple) and to be fair as I will be buying a used model, they dont keep their value very well so would prefer to steer clear.

[ZX10R NIN]

Fair enough but they seem to depreciate at the same rate as the VW if you're worried about that then steer clear of the mainstream cars.

What's your budget?

[Eth2312]

ZX10R NIN said:

Fair enough but they seem to depreciate at the same rate as the VW if you're worried about that then steer clear of the mainstream cars.

What's your budget?

Its not a main concern, more like you say most cars mainstream will depreciate, just some quicker than others,

Budget; Cap is 20k, ideally want to mingle around the 17-18k

Edited by Eth2312 on Wednesday 9th November 12:52

[Eth2312]

Tuvra said:

Which engine's?

Open minded. Would absolutely love the 335d but costs are slightly above my max for a sensible used one. 320i is also an option here, apparently its not too bad on fuel and much more refined than diesel.

Merc has a nice 250cdi wand the C180 is out due to reviews. Slightly under powered and poor fuel economy. (no experience here so have to go off what I read)

Passat currently looking into options but seem to all be 2.0 diesels and a mixture of outputs.

I do plenty of miles a year but looking into whether its enough to justify diesel or go with petrol, the cost of fuel is neither here or there its just a matter of efficiency overall for me.