Comfy reliable estate - £8k

[matt21]

Now approaching 15 years old and 220k, I’m starting to consider swapping my faithful Passat Highline B5.5.

Looking to meet the following criteria

Estate
50mpg+ on a run (Passat does this with ease)
Cruise control, heated leather, good connectivity (Bluetooth etc)
Super comfy
Reliable for another 100k in 4-5 years and cheapish to repair
Auto if poss

Got a good VAG indi nearby so keen to stick with them. Thoughts so far are:

Merc E220i Estate with 150k - seem to last well
Passat Executive 2014ish with about 100k
Early new shape Passat if it’s that much better

Any comments on these, or other thoughts? I am keen to get good economy to help offset my other thirsty vehicles and keen to stick with a German car as they tend to be my preference

Cheers

[kurt535]

Toyota Avensis estate

[Dapster]

If you want comfortable....

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



If you want VAG, (nearly) German and fully loaded then I suggest a Superb but in my view, the Volvo will be way more comfortable - the seats in a V70 are amazing.

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

Edited by Dapster on Sunday 13th January 11:45

[dmsims]

Dapster said:

If you want comfortable....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Seconded, I did 150,000 miles in a V70 - much better than a Merc or Beemer

[matt21]

Not keen on the avensis, Volvo and Skoda nice though,

Are Volvos of that era reliable, and cheapish to repair / maintain?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the E Class is perfectly sorted for this kind of work now I'd go for the 3.0d in 280/320 form as they're a much smoother soothing drive but they'll average 44-46mpg if you add a good map then you'll see low to mid 50's.

W211 E320cdi Sport these are pretty much bulletproof hence so many being used as taxi's

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

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

280 Elegance

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

The 220's are good cars but in reality they're only 1-2mpg better than the 280/320 because you're working the engine harder.

220 Avantgarde

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

The W212's are better on fuel & will easily see 50mpg on a run.

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

If you want something newer then I'd say the Mondeo in Titanium X/X Sport spec:

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

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

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

The value for money option is the 508SW in GT or Allure trim

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

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

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

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

The Superb above is a good option but I'd take the Mondeo or Peugeot first.

Accord ES GT

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

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

Subaru Legacy

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

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

MAzda6 Sport/SEL

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

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

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

All the above are in most cases less than 70 so you can then go ahead & add 170k to them all have sensible running costs & are reliable it'll come down which car suits you best.

[Jamescrs]

I've just this morning paid a deposit on a Volvo V60 so that gets my vote, though you may want the additional space of a V70.
Immensley comfortable place to be, good space and a lovely drive, I've bought a T4 though where I guess with your MPG requirements you will be looking at diesel.

[ZX10R NIN]

Jamescrs said:

I've just this morning paid a deposit on a Volvo V60 so that gets my vote, though you may want the additional space of a V70.
Immensley comfortable place to be, good space and a lovely drive, I've bought a T4 though where I guess with your MPG requirements you will be looking at diesel.

You didn't go for the C63 then, can I ask why not?

[Jamescrs]

ZX10R NIN said:

You didn't go for the C63 then, can I ask why not?

No evidence of the head bolt replacement was the main thing for me if I'm honest, I was really torn on it but ultimately I thought one big repair bill would cause me financial difficulties, that and having my last car stolen in a burglary a month ago, I feel like I would be asking for trouble with a C63 on the drive, I feel no self respecting burglar is going to bother with a Volvo estate.

As much as I loved the C63 I would use it for commuting to work and back mainly in rush hour traffic so I thought it makes no real sense (Not that a car like a C63 has to) but going for a cheaper car both to buy and running costs daily gives me more freedom for my other motoring interests, mainly continuing doing track days in my MX-5 and frees up some money to get my garage refurbished.

[ZX10R NIN]

Very good points the burglary issue would make me think twice, as to the head bolts I never had mine done until last year I never worried about them but I was getting the heads gas flowed so I had to have them done otherwise to be honest I wouldn't have bothered as for me it's a non issue.

[Mr Tidy]

Just a thought, but if you'd like to stick to VAG an Octavia Estate might be an option.

[matt21]

Thanks for the links and great advice! Not into the Jap or French stuff (personal preferences) but those Mercs look good!