Chopping the 5er in next year, torn between head and heart!
Discussion
I'm looking to sell or trade in my lovely trusty 530d next year for something a lot newer, and with more space. However, I'm really struggling with what to replace it with. Absolute max budget is £20k, and have 3 main considerations (was 4 but the missus has flatly refused to consider an Octavian vrs estate!)
We have 3 kids, 10, 7, 6. All growing up with need of more space. We go on shortish local trips through the week (mrs on tram, me on push bike) with an occasional long weekend trip. We also go to France on holiday every year and drive.
So through the year low mileage but some big road trips. Plus I like to go for a decent run in the car when possible.
I've narrowed it down (on paper!) to a 215 D5 xc60 circa 2011, a 265bhp merc e350 CDI circa 2011 or an insignia vxr estate circa 2011.
Ph dictates vxr, but potential big costs (but would probably save at least 7-4k on initial purchase price on a merc so costs not as bad as they seem. Like the look of the xc60 and always fancied a 4x4 with warm hatch pace. Merc seems to tick all boxes for space, comfort, power, looks etc but would I regret not going for the vxr?
Anyone had any experience with any of the cars - particularly the vxr, what are they like for real world mpg and typical fuel range? Thanks in advance for any useful advice.
We have 3 kids, 10, 7, 6. All growing up with need of more space. We go on shortish local trips through the week (mrs on tram, me on push bike) with an occasional long weekend trip. We also go to France on holiday every year and drive.
So through the year low mileage but some big road trips. Plus I like to go for a decent run in the car when possible.
I've narrowed it down (on paper!) to a 215 D5 xc60 circa 2011, a 265bhp merc e350 CDI circa 2011 or an insignia vxr estate circa 2011.
Ph dictates vxr, but potential big costs (but would probably save at least 7-4k on initial purchase price on a merc so costs not as bad as they seem. Like the look of the xc60 and always fancied a 4x4 with warm hatch pace. Merc seems to tick all boxes for space, comfort, power, looks etc but would I regret not going for the vxr?
Anyone had any experience with any of the cars - particularly the vxr, what are they like for real world mpg and typical fuel range? Thanks in advance for any useful advice.
I went from an e38 7 series (with all the toys) to a fully loaded brand new 2010 Octavia Vrs estate. That was after test driving the 2 litre mid range 3 series & A4. For less spend i could get the better engine and tick all the options on the sheet.
Never regretted it. In fact, i liked it so much, i bought another (only this time i got the DSG that i should have got first time!).
The only reason i'm not in a 3rd, is the Golf R lease deal worked out a lot cheaper. The Octavia vrs estate (i'm a petrol man right enough) has been the best alrounder on the market for years. Price is creeping up though, might lose its crown!
Never regretted it. In fact, i liked it so much, i bought another (only this time i got the DSG that i should have got first time!).
The only reason i'm not in a 3rd, is the Golf R lease deal worked out a lot cheaper. The Octavia vrs estate (i'm a petrol man right enough) has been the best alrounder on the market for years. Price is creeping up though, might lose its crown!
2 votes for the Octavian vrs so far! I have heard that they have a good size boot in the estate, what is rear seat width and legroom like? I'll probably keep it for 5 years so It will need to have a 16 / 13 / 12 yr old in the back come change time!
As far as driving it goes, what is it like? I would probably drift towards a petrol due to low local mileage, but reasonable mpg on a run. It has a similar engine to the Golf GTi, does it drive anything like one?
As far as driving it goes, what is it like? I would probably drift towards a petrol due to low local mileage, but reasonable mpg on a run. It has a similar engine to the Golf GTi, does it drive anything like one?
Doesn't turn in quite as sharp as the Golf of the same generation but there's nothing in it really. You'd need to drive them back to back to tell the difference.
Rear leg room is class leading I think. I'm 6'3 and I can sit behind myself if that makes sense with a good bit of knee room to spare. Space is what Skoda does.
The tsi engine is a peach. I think the older tfsi is good to but might not get a genuine 34mpg mixed. The absolute limit is 45mpg but you'd never get that over a tank unless you're hypermiling.
Rear leg room is class leading I think. I'm 6'3 and I can sit behind myself if that makes sense with a good bit of knee room to spare. Space is what Skoda does.
The tsi engine is a peach. I think the older tfsi is good to but might not get a genuine 34mpg mixed. The absolute limit is 45mpg but you'd never get that over a tank unless you're hypermiling.
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