Big quickish auto estate

[gareth_r]

I think, for the first time, I'll have to buy a new car.

Leading up to the decision is the dearth of used petrol estates, the prevalence of dual clutch transmissions, and my nervousness about running a modern DPF diesel (given my likely use of the car) and the potential for expensive DCT problems.

It looks like the best option for me is a Mondeo Titanium 2.0 Ecoboost 240bhp, (dealer nearby, only occasional long trips, retired driver who doesn't much like diesels anyway), probably with a Ford extended warranty. There seem to be good deals available, going by the Broadspeed/CarWow/Drive The Deal websites.

Any reason to avoid the Mondeo?

Am I unreasonably prejudiced against diesel/dct for my use and without the manufacturer's warranty?

[fourstardan]

Why do you want to avoid modern DPF motors?

[angels95]

gareth_r said:

Leading up to the decision is the dearth of used petrol estates, the prevalence of dual clutch transmissions, and my nervousness about running a modern DPF diesel (given my likely use of the car) and the potential for expensive DCT problems

It looks like the best option for me is a Mondeo Titanium 2.0 Ecoboost 240bhp

By DCT, I take it you are referring to a dual-clutch transmission.

In which case the Mondeo EcoBoost 240 might be worth avoiding, as I believe it was only available with the Powershift 'box, which is a DCT.



Not sure what your budget is, but it may be worth looking out for a 320i/328i Touring. If you get an auto, it will have the ZF eight-speeder which is one of the best autos around.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you don't want a dual clutch box then I'd say look for a Jaguar/Mercedes/BMW

[gareth_r]

fourstardan said:

Why do you want to avoid modern DPF motors?

They add the complication of having to periodically make a journey that will cause a DPF "regeneration".

angels95 said:

gareth_r said:

Leading up to the decision is the dearth of used petrol estates, the prevalence of dual clutch transmissions, and my nervousness about running a modern DPF diesel (given my likely use of the car) and the potential for expensive DCT problems
It looks like the best option for me is a Mondeo Titanium 2.0 Ecoboost 240bhp

By DCT, I take it you are referring to a dual-clutch transmission.

In which case the Mondeo EcoBoost 240 might be worth avoiding, as I believe it was only available with the Powershift 'box, which is a DCT.

Not sure what your budget is, but it may be worth looking out for a 320i/328i Touring. If you get an auto, it will have the ZF eight-speeder which is one of the best autos around.

The Mondeo would be new, not just new to me, so manufacturer's warranty.

The market has been so skewed by the CO2 crap that it seems to be very difficult to find a petrol estate - 2688 auto BMW estates on Autotrader, 197 are petrol (nearly 93% diesel) and that's before looking at performance, mileage, and whether a 3 series is big enough.

ZX10R NIN said:

If you don't want a dual clutch box then I'd say look for a Jaguar/Mercedes/BMW.

Don't have the cash for a new one, and everything used is a diesel, so back to the DPF issue. It would be different if I still had a 160 mile a day motorway commute.
Anyway, I still don't much like diesels , and I have a feeling that they are about to become more of a financial liability.


As I said, am I being unreasonably prejudiced against diesel/dct for my use and without the manufacturer's warranty?

[ZX10R NIN]

gareth_r said:

on't have the cash for a new one, and everything used is a diesel, so back to the DPF issue. It would be different if I still had a 160 mile a day motorway commute.
Anyway, I still don't much like diesels , and I have a feeling that they are about to become more of a financial liability.


As I said, am I being unreasonably prejudiced against diesel/dct for my use and without the manufacturer's warranty?

DCT/DSG style boxes require regular fluid & filter changes (most recommend every 40k) this costs £300 a time & yes if they do go wrong they're expensive.

The thing is if you're buying new then you won't have to worry about the gearbox also you can extend the warranty once the one it comes with has expired.

In which case get the Mondeo.

[Benjijames28]

I have a soft spot for Ford's, so I'm gonna say if you like the drive, buy it.

I also love my beamers, I've got a manual beamer but if I had money I would be opting for a 530d auto. New Mondeo money should get you a very nice 5 series, sure it won't be new but that just means less depreciation to me.

[ZX10R NIN]

How new does it have to be? The reason I ask is because of this one being for sale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[gareth_r]

ZX10R NIN said:

How new does it have to be? The reason I ask is because of this one being for sale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Decent price and only 72 miles. Only problem is that it's already lost a year's warranty.

[Defconluke]

Would a V60 fit the bill?
Something like this V60 T4 has a more conventional auto and seems reasonably well equipped although it seems like T4 Autos are thin on the ground so choice is likely to be limited.

[nmd87]

gareth_r said:

Decent price and only 72 miles. Only problem is that it's already lost a year's warranty.

Is the cost of an extra year extended warranty more or less than the saving against a new one (broker price)?

[markirl]

If you could live without an estate, this thread screams Lexus.
However, if you're concerned with keeping a warranty a BMW is a decent proposition:
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201711020873882...
You can pretty much extend the warranty indefinitely.

[Mr GCC]

For me one of the best quick auto estates is the 535D or 335Dd.

The 535D is pretty much everything you could want, the right amount of power, amazing torque and fun to drive.

Just one to consider maybe?

[Alfa numeric]

Our search for a bigish petrol estate lead us to a Skoka Octavia vRS. Ours is a PDK but there are plenty of manuals around. It's quick enough for us, roomy, comfortable and does reasonable economy for a 217BHP estate.

We got a pre-facelift on a 0% PCP and with £2k discount- I doubt that offer is still available but they're always advertising something. I'd recommend one wholeheartedly, EVO seem to have one permanently on their Fast Fleet and there's a reason for that.

[IanCress]

Defconluke said:

Would a V60 fit the bill?
Something like this V60 T4 has a more conventional auto and seems reasonably well equipped although it seems like T4 Autos are thin on the ground so choice is likely to be limited.

I had a T4 manual. I wouldn't call it quick, and had me wishing i'd found an (even rarer) T5.
I wouldn't call it big either.

[gareth_r]

markirl said:

If you could live without an estate, this thread screams Lexus.
However, if you're concerned with keeping a warranty a BMW is a decent proposition:
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201711020873882...
You can pretty much extend the warranty indefinitely.

Funnily enough... If I didn't need an estate I'd probably just continue to run my 230k 1997 GS300.

nmd87 said:

gareth_r said:

Decent price and only 72 miles. Only problem is that it's already lost a year's warranty.

Is the cost of an extra year extended warranty more or less than the saving against a new one (broker price)?

Much less, I would guess. Might have to check that out.

Edited by gareth_r on Tuesday 14th November 13:29

[ZX10R NIN]

gareth_r said:

ZX10R NIN said:

How new does it have to be? The reason I ask is because of this one being for sale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Decent price and only 72 miles. Only problem is that it's already lost a year's warranty.

How much would they charge for a warranty? I bet it's not close to the new broker price.