Advice wanted on large estates with good reliability etc

[shininghero]

Hi all
I want to get a large diesel automatic estate and have narrowed it down to:

- Volvo V70
- Merc E220 CDI
- BMW 520d
- Audi A6 Avant

My budget is around £10-12k and I would like a car that's newer than 2010 and with full dealer history. I am a little badge snob so would like to stay away from Mondeo/Insignia etc. Like everyone I only want to spend minimum servicing cost so want a very reliable car.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge and experience of any of these? Before anyone suggests, I don't want a roof box or a leggy car... any advice would be much appreciated!

[helix402]

Don't buy a BMW with an N47 (2.0d from approx 03/07 to ....?)

[Deerfoot]

You want a big diesel auto estate?

Go and have a look at a Skoda Superb.

[wiliferus]

V70 with the 5 cylinder 2.4 diesel. Comes in 2.4D and D5 variants which is essentially the same engine with different power outputs. Nice drive, supremely comfortable, cavernous boot, and a decent mile muncher.
Avoid the 2.0d which for a car of this size is a bit asthmatic, and it's a wheezy Ford unit. I also don't think that due to the weight of the V70 it has much of an economy benefit over the 2.4.

[GreatGranny]

V70 all day long from that list.

R Design spec looks nice.

Plenty in your price range from Volvo dealers.

Example

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Don't be put off by higher mileage. They take the miles really well and unlike other makes it doesn't affect resale value that much.

[mightymouse]

Deerfoot said:

You want a big diesel auto estate?

Go and have a look at a Skoda Superb.

Have to agree on this although I do not have one

[seadragon]

Seat Exeo

[valiant]

seadragon said:

Seat Exeo

Exeo is a rebodied A4 so may be smaller than the op wanted (especially as he mentioned the A6 avant)

Superb or V70 would be my choice.

[shininghero]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

V70 - what's the long term reliability like on these? People praise the comfy seats and load space but is this the only good reason to get one?

BMW 520d - surprised no one has recommended so far. Are these engines that bad? Are the DPF/ERG issues too common on these? On paper the BMW has the best mpg etc...

Superb - yes I forgot to consider these but that's because of my badge snobbery. My mini can driver swears by it but does it feel cheap driving it?

E220 - does anyone know if the air suspension is just an expensive gimmick and do Mercs simply cost too much to maintain every year?

[Willy Nilly]

I would have thought a 12 grand Mondeo (which is a big car) would be a better bet long term than a 12 grand BMW.

[halo34]

shininghero said:

Thanks for the feedback so far.

V70 - what's the long term reliability like on these? People praise the comfy seats and load space but is this the only good reason to get one?

BMW 520d - surprised no one has recommended so far. Are these engines that bad? Are the DPF/ERG issues too common on these? On paper the BMW has the best mpg etc...

Superb - yes I forgot to consider these but that's because of my badge snobbery. My mini can driver swears by it but does it feel cheap driving it?

E220 - does anyone know if the air suspension is just an expensive gimmick and do Mercs simply cost too much to maintain every year?

Why would it feel cheap?

I have a 13 plate Octavia - I chose it over a 3 series. The badge thing is long gone and the superb uses a6 bits, least the last generation did.

The 520d F10 - yes maybe but you will pay for the privilege.

[Spangles]

Willy Nilly said:

I would have thought a 12 grand Mondeo (which is a big car) would be a better bet long term than a 12 grand BMW.

Of course it would. The OP could even remove the badges if they offended him that much.

[MorganP104]

There are only ever two correct answers on PH. They are:

• Mazda MX-5

• Volvo V70

Guess which correct answer relates to your question?