70Mile Motorway Commute/Family Car

[Allthemiles]

Hello, long time lurker, first time poster here in need of some ideas. Recently started a new job and have a kid on the way so my car requirements have changed somewhat recently..

My daily commute is around 70miles round trip, mostly on the motorway so looking for something nice to spend 90minutes or so in each day (in addition to any traffic jam times) which will also serve as a family car in the evenings/weekends.

Have up to £16k to spend and figure I'd be as well buying outright given the annual mileage probably rules out PCP etc.

The Mrs was keen on an SUV such as a Sportage but a recent look around some 2nd hand dealers has kept the option of a saloon open given it might be a nicer environment for the commute. On the day we were looking at BMW 3 Series (320d/335d) / Audi A4 but I'd be concerned about reliability/maintenance costs going forward with those.

So - up to £16k for a 70mile Motorway roundtrip + family runaround - what would you suggest?

[Summit_Detailing]

Mercedes E-class diesel was my first thought - nicer interior and better ride/refinement than the equivalent BMW.

Jaguar XF, Mondeo Vignale and Infiniti Q50 as rank outsiders.

Cheers,

Chris

[Joe5y]

C350cdi Estate gets my vote

[ninjag]

XF Sportbrake 3.0d V6 S Portfolio falls in budget. Comes fully loaded and with the top spec Meridian sound system, great suspension (self leveling at the rear) with 50:50 weight distribution, very quiet cabin and very responsive and quick.

All Sportbrake's are facelift which have a range of improvements and crucially I believe the DPF was relocated so it doesn't clog up with shorter trips, but with your usage I don't think any dpf will be much of a problem.

Here's one such example :
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

A Volvo may be worth looking at for their excellent seats.

[ZX10R NIN]

At your price point the obvious choice would be the Mondeo in Vignale trim but the Infiniti Q50's in Sport trim are one of the best buys at the moment the use the same drivetrain as a C220 Mercedes (so servicing etc is no issue) unlike some of the Mercedes they have folding rear seats & they come loaded with kit.

Most will still be inside of their warranty & Infiniti are extending the care packages at a sensible price which Nissan will cover.

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...

If your OH is after an SUV they did a Kuga sized one;

QX50 GT which have the nice bonus of being 3.0d's

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

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

GT Premium

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

The Mondeo is still a good call especially in 210 Vignale trim but the Infiniti's are a nicer (I own a 210 Vignale & can't fault it) package at the moment when you take into account age/mileage/running costs:

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

180

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

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

C220 AMG Line in all honesty I'd buy the newer Q50 Sport:

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

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

Jaguar XF Portfolio out of the Premium car makers this would be my pick:

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

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

If you want an alternative to a diesel Infiniti do a hybrid but not a limp wristed one but one that'll do 0-60 in the 5's will return a real world 36-40mpg depending on you journey as well as coming with even more kit than the diesel version (radar cruise etc but the rear seats don't fold) on the plus side that 3.5 V6 has a nice note.

I now have three family members with these & when the time comes for my Mondeo to go I'll be buying one

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

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

Q70

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

Or the BMW 535AH

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

[Flumpo]

Hi zn, what’s your overall take on the Infiniti? I’ve seen you post a few times about them and I have to admit the value change be ignored.

For a daily I have to say it’s tempting, but the horrendous reviews do stick in my mind. Especially the what car 1 star. I think I’m just going to ignore and try a drive and sit in one.

[Teebs]

Skoda Superb 2.0 Tdi DSG L&K. I've run a mk3 SE-L (one level below the L&K) previously for 3.5 years and 106k and it was a great family & work car. Spacious, quick enough, cheap to run and utterly reliable.

[Dicky Knee]

Volvo V60 anyone?

Whilst you don't strictly need an estate you will be glad you did.

[ninjag]

Dicky Knee said:

Volvo V60 anyone?

Whilst you don't strictly need an estate you will be glad you did.

I agree with this, many are very good looking these days as well.

[Pit Pony]

If I had 16k to spend on a car to travel 350
Miles a week comuting, and i needed a family car, I'd be buying 2 cars.
Some old mile munching diesel probably less than £1000, possibly an astra possible a clk and an astra estate for about 7 k.
The rest I'd save for repairs.
To be fair.
I commute about 400 miles a week in a 3.2 petrol omega, cost abput 525 to buy, wife has the family car. A very low miles 11 plate Astra automatic. Petrol. Cost 4700 quid from a main dealer occasionally we use the mx5 that sit in the garage. Usually if the omega is broken.

[ZX10R NIN]

Flumpo said:

Hi zn, what’s your overall take on the Infiniti? I’ve seen you post a few times about them and I have to admit the value change be ignored.

For a daily I have to say it’s tempting, but the horrendous reviews do stick in my mind. Especially the what car 1 star. I think I’m just going to ignore and try a drive and sit in one.

My take on them is that they're very nice & underrated the quality is right up there, the drivetrains are proven I now have three family members I've now supplied Q50h's too & I myself will be buying a Q50h when the time comes to replace my Mondeo Vignale, the Mondeo is great I can't fault it it's averaging a real world 51mpg & is a lovely place to while away the miles.

The Q50h will give me between 39-43mpg (real world low to mid 50's for the diesel) using my family members & customers who I've supplied them to as examples which I can live with considering it's a 3.5 V6.

In diesel form they make even more sense you get the proven Mercedes drivetrain wrapped up in a newer car & if anything a better specced car, it's a bit of a win win.

The lack of brand recognition has hurt them depreciation wise but now they're at this price point the depreciation hasn't been helped by they're announcement they're pulling out of Europe but now people have got over that (as well as the fact they share drivetrains with Mercedes/Renault) informed buyers aren't seeing the withdrawal as an issue plus you can still extend warranties & buy service packs which Nissan will honour, they do seem a bit of a no brainer.

[Allthemiles]

Some great responses so far, really appreciate it. A lot of food for thought given there's quite a few cars I've never had a look at or driven. Having been driving hatchbacks since I started driving, the likes of the C Class / XF / Q50 have never been on my radar.

Think I'll be going out to have a look at a few of the suggestions here this week. What is the general consensus on diesels? With this kind of commute will that likely work out cheaper than petrol? Don't have any low emission zones or anything to worry about either (for now).

Interesting suggestion on the 2 car front actually! That hadn't crossed my mind yet.

[ninjag]

I didn't worry about diesel, I'll be hanging onto the car for at least three years, possibly many more, which by then I reckon at this price point (similar to mine) the depreciation against any hit against it being a diesel is going to be fairly manageable. If it were a new or almost new car then I may think differently.

Besides, I went for the 3 litre V6 version which not only suits the car far better but I'm hoping it will retain slightly more desirability. I did consider the 330e hybrid but it was saloon only plus I've heard that it may be more difficult find a garage who are familiar with the more complex hybrid system.

[ZX10R NIN]

Allthemiles said:

Some great responses so far, really appreciate it. A lot of food for thought given there's quite a few cars I've never had a look at or driven. Having been driving hatchbacks since I started driving, the likes of the C Class / XF / Q50 have never been on my radar.

Think I'll be going out to have a look at a few of the suggestions here this week. What is the general consensus on diesels? With this kind of commute will that likely work out cheaper than petrol? Don't have any low emission zones or anything to worry about either (for now).

Interesting suggestion on the 2 car front actually! That hadn't crossed my mind yet.

With the difference in fuel only being 2p per litre buying a petrol with similar power output you'll only be spending more money to do the same 18k a year with a rough average of 10mpg between the two petrol makes no sense.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I wouldnt buy a cheap car for 70 miles a day

I bought a £3k audi to do it a few years back and 6 months in, it was a bit tired and loads of parts needed doing , a 1k car would be even worse

Ive been doing heavy weekly miles in a 4 year old Ford and there is no real maintenance to keep on top of and it all just works , plus 20k service intervals help

Id get the newest most robust car you like TBH

Make sure there is a good dealer/garage near your home or work as well

[htid]

Teebs said:

Skoda Superb 2.0 Tdi DSG L&K. I've run a mk3 SE-L (one level below the L&K) previously for 3.5 years and 106k and it was a great family & work car. Spacious, quick enough, cheap to run and utterly reliable.

Other half had same requirements and budget and got exactly what was suggested here Superb 2.0 TDi L&K (190 bhp) and likes it a lot

[PTF]

Half on something really economical and practical (Civic 1.6 DTEC is good for 60mpg easily)

Half on something interesting