Best car for long journeys, £25-£30k
Discussion
Hi,
Starting a new role/business that will require extensive driving probably around 25,000 miles yearly. My current car is MK3 Focus RS which mostly due to its abysmal fuel range and stiff ride isn't really the best choice.
I'm looking to replace it with something more suitable for long trips, however, I don't want to sacrifice the fun factor completely. I can get 50% of the fuel costs reimbursed so large petrol engines are not necessarily off the table.
My current favourite is a D4 Audi S8 other options are F10 M5 or maybe something really crazy like a CL 65 AMG.
What would you go for?
Starting a new role/business that will require extensive driving probably around 25,000 miles yearly. My current car is MK3 Focus RS which mostly due to its abysmal fuel range and stiff ride isn't really the best choice.
I'm looking to replace it with something more suitable for long trips, however, I don't want to sacrifice the fun factor completely. I can get 50% of the fuel costs reimbursed so large petrol engines are not necessarily off the table.
My current favourite is a D4 Audi S8 other options are F10 M5 or maybe something really crazy like a CL 65 AMG.
What would you go for?
topgunkos said:
Drums said:
Another vote for the 640d, I prefer the Coupe.
Plenty of shove for a diesel and very comfy.
Good shout, prefer the shape of these. Option for a nice remap as wellPlenty of shove for a diesel and very comfy.
BrettMRC said:
Ultimate in waftability no doubt but is it too sterile?Edited by topgunkos on Tuesday 5th May 14:24
The high performance models are great but at 25k miles a year on something that’s already got a few years behind it, maintenance and bork could be very high. If you have the budget for that then great but most people are plodding up and down the motorway in 520/530d because they are the best tools for that job, unless you are wealthy.
topgunkos said:
Ultimate in waftability no doubt but is it too sterile?
Depends what volume the stereo is set to... Edited by topgunkos on Tuesday 5th May 14:24
People do tend to be very compliant in letting an LS through in my experience.... quite important when doing a lot of miles.
A 3 or 4 year old low mileage 320d/520d would be a good shout for both driving and financially. (pref SE spec unless you prefer looks over ride)
I've done 145000 miles in what was a 3 year old 320d when i bought it and its cost me about 12k over 5 years excluding fuel and servicing
Saves the cash for the more fun things in life
I've done 145000 miles in what was a 3 year old 320d when i bought it and its cost me about 12k over 5 years excluding fuel and servicing
Saves the cash for the more fun things in life
topgunkos said:
Hi,
Starting a new role/business that will require extensive driving probably around 25,000 miles yearly. My current car is MK3 Focus RS which mostly due to its abysmal fuel range and stiff ride isn't really the best choice.
I'm looking to replace it with something more suitable for long trips, however, I don't want to sacrifice the fun factor completely. I can get 50% of the fuel costs reimbursed so large petrol engines are not necessarily off the table.
My current favourite is a D4 Audi S8 other options are F10 M5 or maybe something really crazy like a CL 65 AMG.
What would you go for?
Hi,Starting a new role/business that will require extensive driving probably around 25,000 miles yearly. My current car is MK3 Focus RS which mostly due to its abysmal fuel range and stiff ride isn't really the best choice.
I'm looking to replace it with something more suitable for long trips, however, I don't want to sacrifice the fun factor completely. I can get 50% of the fuel costs reimbursed so large petrol engines are not necessarily off the table.
My current favourite is a D4 Audi S8 other options are F10 M5 or maybe something really crazy like a CL 65 AMG.
What would you go for?
I sympathise. I had an XJR from new, ran it for 7 years, then a Phaeton for 10 years and, with business getting tight, now own a Skoda Superb Laurin & Klement 280 4x4 Estate.
It suits my 6’3”. Spacious comfort, brilliant acceleration, low running cost, utter reliability over the past 18 months. Excellent roadholding, cold season no problem with winter W-rated tyres. Thoughtful standard features - adaptive cruise, city brake, lane assist, blind spot warning, auto park , reversing camera with washer jet, xenons, ventilated & heated leather seats front & rear, pan roof. Adjustable dampers and DSG. Huge boot.
Give it a try! I’m glad I discovered this VAG gem.
NewUsername said:
A 3 or 4 year old low mileage 320d/520d would be a good shout for both driving and financially. (pref SE spec unless you prefer looks over ride)
I've done 145000 miles in what was a 3 year old 320d when i bought it and its cost me about 12k over 5 years excluding fuel and servicing
Saves the cash for the more fun things in life
I guess that's true, however the other part of me says that If I am to spend so much time in car, it may as well be something a bit more special.I've done 145000 miles in what was a 3 year old 320d when i bought it and its cost me about 12k over 5 years excluding fuel and servicing
Saves the cash for the more fun things in life
Here's the thing if you're going to be putting big miles on a performance saloon the depreciation could well match/be worse than the cost of maintenance.
People get scared of high mileage performance models, is it possible for you to have two cars?
Or buy a second car & Keep the RS?
Something like this Jaguar XJ Portfolio will eat up you're business miles with ease & will see you right for the next four years leaving you a nice budget for a fun car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
You can still enjoy driving with one of these they have a good chassis.
A CL is a great car my dad & uncle have them (63 & 500) both are on their second ones they're a different level when it comes to comfort, if you wanted one of these then I'd say go for the 500 (with a little tickle these are up to 63 levels of performance but without the AMG tax when it comes to maintenance) with the 4.7TT I have this engine in my E500 Coupe & it's a beast.
I actually managed 27mpg on a run which I (my average is around 25 but I do have a different diff) felt was amazing considering the upgrades.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The E500 coupe is the more fun car out of the two but it's a definite step down in luxury, finding one is hard getting a Sport spec one is harder still so you end up paying a premium for them & not getting the best spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I'd say you're better of getting the 5.5 N/A version & piling the miles on one of those:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Leftfield:
Genesis you can still extend the Manufacturer's Warranty on these & you'll have a great mile comfortable mile muncher that's loaded with kit.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or you go truly leftfield & buy a high mileage performance car at a low price which leaves you a load of money to cover the higher running costs compared to a low mileage one & then run it until it drops:
Lexus IS-F very good cars with not a lot to go wrong 11k probably buys it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
C63
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
In truth given the option I'd buy one of these so the comfort spec & performance side of things are taken care of which then leaves an ample budget for a weekend car or means the RS stays:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
People get scared of high mileage performance models, is it possible for you to have two cars?
Or buy a second car & Keep the RS?
Something like this Jaguar XJ Portfolio will eat up you're business miles with ease & will see you right for the next four years leaving you a nice budget for a fun car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
You can still enjoy driving with one of these they have a good chassis.
A CL is a great car my dad & uncle have them (63 & 500) both are on their second ones they're a different level when it comes to comfort, if you wanted one of these then I'd say go for the 500 (with a little tickle these are up to 63 levels of performance but without the AMG tax when it comes to maintenance) with the 4.7TT I have this engine in my E500 Coupe & it's a beast.
I actually managed 27mpg on a run which I (my average is around 25 but I do have a different diff) felt was amazing considering the upgrades.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The E500 coupe is the more fun car out of the two but it's a definite step down in luxury, finding one is hard getting a Sport spec one is harder still so you end up paying a premium for them & not getting the best spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I'd say you're better of getting the 5.5 N/A version & piling the miles on one of those:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Leftfield:
Genesis you can still extend the Manufacturer's Warranty on these & you'll have a great mile comfortable mile muncher that's loaded with kit.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or you go truly leftfield & buy a high mileage performance car at a low price which leaves you a load of money to cover the higher running costs compared to a low mileage one & then run it until it drops:
Lexus IS-F very good cars with not a lot to go wrong 11k probably buys it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
C63
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
In truth given the option I'd buy one of these so the comfort spec & performance side of things are taken care of which then leaves an ample budget for a weekend car or means the RS stays:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
+1 for Audi A8.
Lovely place to sit, 50mpg achievable on a longer run if your hyper milking it (ok, more likely 45 in your type of normal use), 700 mile range, fast enough, quiet, refreshed when you get out.
Not the most exciting steer, but had mine since new (2014) and can’t find a suitable replacement.
Lovely place to sit, 50mpg achievable on a longer run if your hyper milking it (ok, more likely 45 in your type of normal use), 700 mile range, fast enough, quiet, refreshed when you get out.
Not the most exciting steer, but had mine since new (2014) and can’t find a suitable replacement.
BMW 335d. I had a touring spec, phenomenal car and decent economy. something like this should leave a few pennies left over?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Simon-Cook said:
BMW 335d. I had a touring spec, phenomenal car and decent economy. something like this should leave a few pennies left over?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I like that a lot. The 3 series does make a surprisingly decent long journey car in my experience. My best was 41k miles from one MOT to the next in a E90 330d. It wouldn't be the go to long journey car for many, but it did a very good job of it for me. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Welshbeef said:
The F30 330d has incredible balance of economy and performance. The 335d is sharper on pace but a fair chumk less economy.
Have a look online and you’ll see some of those owners have seen into the 70’s mpg (at times).
Meanwhile the average is 34mpg (over a million miles)Have a look online and you’ll see some of those owners have seen into the 70’s mpg (at times).
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