Another one of those what car threads.... Motorway Muncher

[eltax91]

Hi guys

I'm on the hunt for a change on my daily. I currently cover around 25k miles per year, with 90% of the time spent on the motorways of blighty. The other 10% is spent getting to/ from the motorways. When on the motorway I tend to cruise at an indicated 0.8 leptons. My company pays me an allowance for maintenance and a pence per mile value. My approximate budget is under £6k.

So, my requirements are:-

It must...

• Have a larger than 2000cc petrol engine (qualifies for highest mileage rate)
• Achieve 28-30mpg average
• Be reliable
• Be comfortable for a long journey
• Have 4 useable seats

It would be nice...

• To have RWD and be PH worthy

I will be happy with either a manual or an auto - I will take the hit on MPG for the extra comfort of an auto. Current thoughts are:- e60 530i and S60/80.

Edited by eltax91 on Wednesday 2nd January 16:52

[Rawwr]

Except the RWD, a Mondeo ST (the V6) should fit.

[obob]

330CI

[DrDeAtH]

Volvo s60

[Bear Phils]

Edit: Sorry, thought it said 2000cc or less

E39 525i and onwards

You could get a very nice E39 instead of an average E60

Edited by Bear Phils on Wednesday 2nd January 17:00

[famfarrow]

330CI
I would say 530i? but I am unsure if it would manage the MPG?

[Blue Oval84]

famfarrow said:

330CI
I would say 530i? but I am unsure if it would manage the MPG?

530i will just slide into the 28-30mpg range that OP requires in real world usage.

Some claim to get much more, and I don't doubt a manual may achieve a little more, but if you like to make progress then 30mpg is about the best you'll get.

[Ki3r]

famfarrow said:

330CI
I would say 530i? but I am unsure if it would manage the MPG?

My 528i can do 31mpg on a very short motorway run (and I have a heavy right foot), when I say short, its Dorset to Southampton.

I believe they are all roughly the same MPG wise.

[ModernAndy]

S60 T5 or R would do that and give lots of luxuries if you're a good car hunter. Don't settle for anything without leather.

[Alv]

VW Golf V6 4motion...

[littleredrooster]

My S-Type is a rather nice place to be. Diesel is my choice, but other fossil fuels are available.

[eltax91]

ModernAndy said:

S60 T5 or R would do that and give lots of luxuries if you're a good car hunter. Don't settle for anything without leather.

This was in my thoughts. Whats with the confusing miriad of engine combo's from volvo? Are they all 5 cylinder in the S60 and are they all considered bombproof. SE spec appears fully loaded with everything, in fact, there is a nice 2.5T with FVSH within 15 miles of me that has 98k on the clock. I assume that's nothing for these?

Are the engines chain or belt? If belt, whats the change interval?

[DSLiverpool]

Lexus IS200 job jobbed

[sparks_E39]

Get the best E39 or E38 BMW you can. All of the 6 cylinder models will do 35ish on a long run.

[obob]

330CI

[a_bread]

Rawwr said:

Except the RWD, a Mondeo ST (the V6) should fit.

The ST220 - absolutely, although not available as an automatic. Also the 330ci would do a similarly good job on the motorway. I've had both.

Edited by a_bread on Friday 4th January 17:59

[Bonefish Blues]

Buy the SOTW and save £5k (serious suggestion)

[rallycross]

Saab 9-5 2.3 aero.
£1k gets you SOTW.
£3k gets you 2005/2006 model with sensible miles
£5k gets you so much more but wont be worth much in a year or two!

[eltax91]

rallycross said:

Saab 9-5 2.3 aero.
£1k gets you SOTW.
£3k gets you 2005/2006 model with sensible miles
£5k gets you so much more but wont be worth much in a year or two!

After seeing the SOTW today, I had started looking at 9-5's. So, Saab experts, whats the script? I presume they are bullet-proof like all Saab's ever have been? Or did GM cost cutting mean corner cutting too? Lastly, since they've gone bust, are spares ever likely to be an issue?

[Bonefish Blues]

Aero's the safest and best purchase (google Saab sludging), spares not an issue, either OE or from cars being broken all the time. 30+ is easy to achieve on the motorway. Calm, restful at a cruise, yet the Aero can pick its skirts up (in a straight line) when required.

Get a good one which has been looked after and you're home & hosed.