Comfy German estate for high mileage

[matt21]

I’m looking for a smart comfy estate with lots of toys to do 25-30k pa for commuting, euro trips and biking on the weekend. It will replace an aging Passat estate. Also have something more interesting in the garage so don’t need anything fast/sporty and would like to average 50mpg.

Options are. All late 2018 with around 10k on the clock

Passat GT Estate DSG 150 - £20k (love Passats)
Passat R Line Estate DSG 150 - £22k
520d Touring M Sport - £25k
320d Touring M Sport Shadowline - £22k
E220d Estate - £25k

Residual value in 4 years with 100k important, happy to pay a bit more if I get more back. All are in the expensive tax bracket except Passats (paying £465 tax for another car so physiologically it will hurt paying 2 lots at that rate).

Not interested in any other brands.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!
E220

[S100HP]

You're foolish to discount the V90

[MYOB]

S100HP said:

You're foolish to discount the V90

Agreed. Can't beat a Volvo for comfort.

[olu0104]

Take a look at

2018 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI R-Line 220PS DSG Estate

Mod edit: link removed.

Edited by Scrump on Monday 9th December 11:18

[dodsi2000]

Talking from the perspective of someone running a V90 currently, my previous car was a 2016 Skoda Superb. Overall I found it a better car for space and only marginally (and I mean marginally) less comfortable then the epically comfortable Volvo.

Also the 150ps TDI engine in the Superb was good for an extra 15/20mpg over the V90 D4 I have currently.

Edited by dodsi2000 on Sunday 8th December 14:39

[matt21]

Thanks for the messages folks

Just not a fan of Volvo, appreciate it may be more comfortable but happy with VAG, BM or Merc

The 220bhp petrol looks nice, but I want 50mpg. I have a 560bhp car to use on weekends so a fuel efficient diesel is exactly what I’m looking for here. I will be pottering up and down motorways at 70!

Edited by matt21 on Sunday 8th December 15:45

[dodsi2000]

matt21 said:

Thanks for the messages folks

Just not a fan of Volvo, appreciate it may be more comfortable but happy with VAG, BM or Merc

The 220bhp petrol looks nice, but I want 50mpg. I have a 560bhp car to use on weekends so a fuel efficient diesel is exactly what I’m looking for here. I will be pottering up and down motorways at 70!

Edited by matt21 on Sunday 8th December 15:45

For that spec I would highly Recommend the Superb, adaptive/radar cruise control is standard on every car and really it’s just a Passat in a different skirt with more space. At 70mph on the motorway our 2.0l 150ps would be indicating over 60mpg on the trip computer. Frankly I miss ours for its economy. And in terms of toys - SE tech upwards into SEL and L&K trims will have pretty much everything.

[Wilmslowboy]

matt21 said:

520d Touring M Sport - £25k
320d Touring M Sport Shadowline - £22k
E220d Estate - £25k

Residual value in 4 years with 100k important, happy to pay a bit more if I get more back.
What are your thoughts?

520d Touring M Sport - £25k

We bought our 2012 520d M sport Touring, when it was 6 years old (about the same age as the 2018 car will be in 4 years time) with 80k miles for £12k , (from a franchised BMW dealer with full years warranty).

Now has 103k miles, and expect it to be worth around £7k

[Hitch]

Just done 60k faultless miles in a R Line 150 DSG. 50mpg even when cracking on and still feels solid. Great seats, good stereo, loads of kit.

5 series would tempt me, but I’d want auto cruise on it which seems rare compared to the VWs.

[matt21]

What MPG are you both getting in your 2.0 TDIs when cruising up and down the motorway at 70-80mph?

5 is tempting, but for a commuter tool not sure it’s worth the extra outlay

Superb is definitely of interest but the Passat spec for spec seems about the same price

[nobrakes]

If residuals are important, why not look at older cars?

There are plenty e classes etc at circa 8 to 9 grand with tons of life left and are still quite respectable steers.

[pb8g09]

I bought a 330d touring (2012) for £12k on 39k Miles a few months back. Lot cheaper and drives a lot better than the stuff listed above IMO...

[Leggy]

Just bought 320d efficient Dynamics version. 2015 Touring with 62k for £12k for similar task.
Auto and easily doing 50 mpg. Comfortable and nice to drive.

[ninjag]

pb8g09 said:

I bought a 330d touring (2012) for £12k on 39k Miles a few months back. Lot cheaper and drives a lot better than the stuff listed above IMO...

This ^

I could average over 50 mpg easy on a run and that extra power and torque does make the drive more interesting and pass quicker. Either that or a 530d.

[Sim89]

ninjag said:

pb8g09 said:

I bought a 330d touring (2012) for £12k on 39k Miles a few months back. Lot cheaper and drives a lot better than the stuff listed above IMO...

This ^

I could average over 50 mpg easy on a run and that extra power and torque does make the drive more interesting and pass quicker. Either that or a 530d.

Whilst I agree, I have an F31 330d and have done approximately 20k in the last year. 50mpg if you're doing 60mph for hours on end in eco-pro. In reality, you're getting mid-40s on a run and low-40s day to day in city or traffic. But agreed, worth it compared to 20d.

[quinny100]

I picked up a 2017 E220d a few months ago and it's a brilliant long distance tool and general family wagon. Mine has the Driving Assistance package and it's well worth having - radar cruise and steering assist make long journeys far less tiring. I would not buy a car with the standard Garmin based sat-nav, go for Comand Online (which is not brilliant, but it's far better) and you get Apple Carplay and Android Auto with it too. 360 cameras are well worth having too.

Mid 50's MPG is easy on a long run if you keep the speeds legal. The 2.0 engine performance is adequate, the engine is pretty smooth at idle for a 4 pot diesel and you can't hear it at all when cruising. You can tell it's a 4 pot under hard acceleration but it's no intrusive and the 9 speed transmission works so well you just select forward or reverse on the stalk and forget about it.

Widescreen cockpit looks nice and modern, but I find the steering wheel obscures it. You need Premium if you want electric seats, Premium Plus adds Burmester stereo which is excellent and the Intelligent Multibeam LED lights which are fantastic.

If you go for a car registered before 30th March 2017 the tax is only £30.

There are 2016 and 2017 cars around with low mileage around the £20k mark. This would be a far better way to reduce depreciation.

[ninjag]

Sim89 said:

ninjag said:

pb8g09 said:

I bought a 330d touring (2012) for £12k on 39k Miles a few months back. Lot cheaper and drives a lot better than the stuff listed above IMO...

This ^

I could average over 50 mpg easy on a run and that extra power and torque does make the drive more interesting and pass quicker. Either that or a 530d.

Whilst I agree, I have an F31 330d and have done approximately 20k in the last year. 50mpg if you're doing 60mph for hours on end in eco-pro. In reality, you're getting mid-40s on a run and low-40s day to day in city or traffic. But agreed, worth it compared to 20d.

Aye cruise control on at 70mph and sit back and relax to get over 50mpg. But inevitably you get a little bored and want to play, but as you say even with some fun it would still return mid 40's. All very impressive for a near 5 second 0-60mph car.

[CzechRS]

Just picked up a Superb 190 exec for same task. Hard to beat for the money, lots of kit incl adaptive cruise, Apple car play etc.

Big old bus but seeing over 50mpg on run plus nice and wafty. Plenty of room in back for little ones and clubs fit in boot with ease.

[hyphen]

matt21 said:

would like to average 50mpg.
320d Touring M Sport Shadowline - £22k

Buy a 340 touring instead, mpg will be 35 ish but your life quality will improve.

Go for it!! As these guys have done: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by hyphen on Monday 9th December 20:34

[nobrakes]

2011 250cdi on 59k miles for £8.5 on the screen

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

Book mpg is 36 to 64

148mph max so plenty ability to press on when required.

So in 4 years it’ll be 12/13 and on 160k so still capable and worth at least something.