Opinion: which of these 3 estates do I go for
Discussion
Hi guys
Hoping you can help me please, due to the "you don't know what you don't know" factor. I've watched and read endless reviews but still not 100%.
I'm not a car-guy, but I enjoy driving. I also like my cars to look fairly mean/sporty - e.g. I like a sport trim. I'm not particularly bothered about how fast it goes as long as it has a bit of poke - for example a 150bhp 2.0 TD estate is plenty. I also have to have an estate (two massive dogs and a medium-sized wife)
Oh also I have to be <120g co2 which limits me a little.
Anyway, I'm due my next lease and I can't have my A4 Avant or an Octavia VRS due to WLTP and stock issues. Short version is I'm down to these 3:
1. Passat estate 2.0, R-line spec, which I think looks pretty damn nice inside and out
2. BMW 320d Touring Ecodynamics Plus - admittedly a bit of a "prestige" pick, as I've always thought it'd be nice to have a BMW/Audi for a lease-term just for the hell of it. But the ED Plus isn't exactly an M-Sport, so I fear I'd be settling for the most basic version for a price which would get a far superior car from another manufacturer
3. Merc 220d executive edition - for the luxury element, but I'm a 32yr old salesman, so I do worry that I'd look like a 48yr old bank manager, or like I'd borrowed my dad's car. Also a friend of mine in the industry says they're not built as well as they used to be in terms of finish (rattly inside etc).
Before anyone says "who cares what anyone else thinks" - you're 100% right, but it's how I think I would feel that's the concern.
I'm leaning towards the Passat, but would really value some general opinions in here - ideally not just if you think X is a nice looking car, but from any practical/experience-based perspectives please.
Many thanks in advance!
Hoping you can help me please, due to the "you don't know what you don't know" factor. I've watched and read endless reviews but still not 100%.
I'm not a car-guy, but I enjoy driving. I also like my cars to look fairly mean/sporty - e.g. I like a sport trim. I'm not particularly bothered about how fast it goes as long as it has a bit of poke - for example a 150bhp 2.0 TD estate is plenty. I also have to have an estate (two massive dogs and a medium-sized wife)
Oh also I have to be <120g co2 which limits me a little.
Anyway, I'm due my next lease and I can't have my A4 Avant or an Octavia VRS due to WLTP and stock issues. Short version is I'm down to these 3:
1. Passat estate 2.0, R-line spec, which I think looks pretty damn nice inside and out
2. BMW 320d Touring Ecodynamics Plus - admittedly a bit of a "prestige" pick, as I've always thought it'd be nice to have a BMW/Audi for a lease-term just for the hell of it. But the ED Plus isn't exactly an M-Sport, so I fear I'd be settling for the most basic version for a price which would get a far superior car from another manufacturer
3. Merc 220d executive edition - for the luxury element, but I'm a 32yr old salesman, so I do worry that I'd look like a 48yr old bank manager, or like I'd borrowed my dad's car. Also a friend of mine in the industry says they're not built as well as they used to be in terms of finish (rattly inside etc).
Before anyone says "who cares what anyone else thinks" - you're 100% right, but it's how I think I would feel that's the concern.
I'm leaning towards the Passat, but would really value some general opinions in here - ideally not just if you think X is a nice looking car, but from any practical/experience-based perspectives please.
Many thanks in advance!
Left field- Volvo v60, fantastic looking thing.
https://www.volvocars.com/uk/car-configurator/esta...
https://www.volvocars.com/uk/car-configurator/esta...
Having driven all 3, here's my thoughts.
The BMW is the nicest to drive and the most dynamic. This doesn't seem to be that important to you.
The Merc is the most luxurious and comfortable. This is the one I'd probably suggest for you.
The Passat... I think I'd rather walk. Very dull and not a nice car to drive. They look OK from the outside but there's nothing I'd suggest was better on the VW over the other two.
The BMW is the nicest to drive and the most dynamic. This doesn't seem to be that important to you.
The Merc is the most luxurious and comfortable. This is the one I'd probably suggest for you.
The Passat... I think I'd rather walk. Very dull and not a nice car to drive. They look OK from the outside but there's nothing I'd suggest was better on the VW over the other two.
I’ve just stepped out of a 2015 C220d (80k miles driven) and got a Passat R Line 2.0 TDI to replace it, so feel qualified to answer.
Top line, the Merc is quieter and quicker. The Passat is MUCH bigger, has more toys and with ACC and DLA, much easier/relaxing on long drives (and I do plenty of them).
With two kids and a Labrador, I found the Merc just a bit too small and the Passat is a much more family friendly size.
If it was just for me and my wife, I’d have gone for another Merc.
My Merc averaged a true 58MPG and the Passat is averaging 53MPG for me over the 11k I’ve done since July. Again true and measured Brim to Brim.
I’m not sure I could go back to the Merc though after these recent dark days though, the Passats LED headlights are so much better than the Mercedes lights and I have added dynamic lighting and without doubt, it’s the best ‘night’ car I’ve ever been in. Adaptive cruise control is also amazing for motorway drives.
Good luck and happy to answer any questions you may have.
PS - isn’t the C220d ‘executive’ edition poverty spec? Only one up from the SE. If so, it’ll have the basics but will look a bit plain.
Top line, the Merc is quieter and quicker. The Passat is MUCH bigger, has more toys and with ACC and DLA, much easier/relaxing on long drives (and I do plenty of them).
With two kids and a Labrador, I found the Merc just a bit too small and the Passat is a much more family friendly size.
If it was just for me and my wife, I’d have gone for another Merc.
My Merc averaged a true 58MPG and the Passat is averaging 53MPG for me over the 11k I’ve done since July. Again true and measured Brim to Brim.
I’m not sure I could go back to the Merc though after these recent dark days though, the Passats LED headlights are so much better than the Mercedes lights and I have added dynamic lighting and without doubt, it’s the best ‘night’ car I’ve ever been in. Adaptive cruise control is also amazing for motorway drives.
Good luck and happy to answer any questions you may have.
PS - isn’t the C220d ‘executive’ edition poverty spec? Only one up from the SE. If so, it’ll have the basics but will look a bit plain.
Edited by A900ss on Thursday 18th October 20:44
Thanks all - I appreciate your input.
To be honest, I'd not even thought of the Volvo...
But just did some digging and the V60 even at the basic level is incredibly well-equipped. And the R-design one is beautiful... I've just sent off for a quote.
Gone off the BMW as the ED Plus looks just too beige (and screams "I just wanted to have a BMW of some sort"). The Passat looks like a hell of a car, and the Merc also looks great but again I'm thinking it's just not me.
But the V60 actually looks like it has everything... and some extremely decent leasing options on offer by the looks of it!
I'm driving myself insane with all this, it's been going on for months now, so if the V60 quote is decent I think I'll just green-light it (ironically, given that it's not even in my OP!).
Cheers all, thanks for all of your thoughts
Matt
To be honest, I'd not even thought of the Volvo...
But just did some digging and the V60 even at the basic level is incredibly well-equipped. And the R-design one is beautiful... I've just sent off for a quote.
Gone off the BMW as the ED Plus looks just too beige (and screams "I just wanted to have a BMW of some sort"). The Passat looks like a hell of a car, and the Merc also looks great but again I'm thinking it's just not me.
But the V60 actually looks like it has everything... and some extremely decent leasing options on offer by the looks of it!
I'm driving myself insane with all this, it's been going on for months now, so if the V60 quote is decent I think I'll just green-light it (ironically, given that it's not even in my OP!).
Cheers all, thanks for all of your thoughts
Matt
My only advice would be to stop worrying about what you look like, or what other people think, and live by the beat of your own drum. It's why so many people nowadays are so shallow and superficial. It's also why so may people are up to their knackers in debt, forever having to meet PCP payments, to try and impress the neighbours. Try them all, buy the one that you enjoy driving the most and suits your needs
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