Best used estate car for no more than £18k
Discussion
Hi all,
I know estate cars are terribly unfashionable these days, but I don't want an SUV. Just hoping to garner some thoughts on the best as an ownership proposition. As the title says, I am looking to spend £18k, or less, would like the cars to be no more than 3 years old, will keep the car (all being well) for at least 5 years and need it to comfortably fit 3 teenage children in the back along with the need to swallow our worldly possessions and a dog for the annual retreat.
Rather predictably I suppose, my short list has come down to either a Mercedes E-Class (E220d AMG-line), a BMW 5-series (520d M-Sport) or slightly newer and lower mileage Skoda Superb (Sportline). My thoughts so far are that the BMW is the better driving car, the Mercedes is the nicer place to spend time and the Skoda the most practical. I'm lucky enough to have a more interesting car for the weekends so I am leaning toward the 'Benz for a long term prospect and I would expect it to hold it's value better over 5 years than the others.
Thoughts/recommendations/wildcards welcome.
Thanks in advance.
I know estate cars are terribly unfashionable these days, but I don't want an SUV. Just hoping to garner some thoughts on the best as an ownership proposition. As the title says, I am looking to spend £18k, or less, would like the cars to be no more than 3 years old, will keep the car (all being well) for at least 5 years and need it to comfortably fit 3 teenage children in the back along with the need to swallow our worldly possessions and a dog for the annual retreat.
Rather predictably I suppose, my short list has come down to either a Mercedes E-Class (E220d AMG-line), a BMW 5-series (520d M-Sport) or slightly newer and lower mileage Skoda Superb (Sportline). My thoughts so far are that the BMW is the better driving car, the Mercedes is the nicer place to spend time and the Skoda the most practical. I'm lucky enough to have a more interesting car for the weekends so I am leaning toward the 'Benz for a long term prospect and I would expect it to hold it's value better over 5 years than the others.
Thoughts/recommendations/wildcards welcome.
Thanks in advance.
I've just returned from a decade abroad, and bought a 2017 superb diesel.
It has loads of rear seat space, the boot is bloody huge, has a decent spec and does 55 to the gallon without trying.
Not used it much yet, but love it already. Just a great car for carrying loads of stuff, in comfort, cheaply.
It has loads of rear seat space, the boot is bloody huge, has a decent spec and does 55 to the gallon without trying.
Not used it much yet, but love it already. Just a great car for carrying loads of stuff, in comfort, cheaply.
Having been through a similar buying position (albeit with a slightly smaller budget) and tried all three cars, my opinion is the BMW is the best of the three to drive, but you'll only really notice this difference when pushing on, which I don't do much of in my family car so this wasn't enough to swing it for me. The Mercedes is very comfortable and nice inside, and has a much bigger boot than the BMW, not just in litres but also seems to be a more practical shape. The Skoda also has quite a big load area but maybe not quite as big as the Merc, and isn't as nice inside as the BMW or Merc but is cheaper (or you'll get a newer / lower mileage car).
I went with the Merc and have no regrets.
The Volvo is also worth a look, as is the Jaguar XF estate if the boot space isn't so important.
I went with the Merc and have no regrets.
The Volvo is also worth a look, as is the Jaguar XF estate if the boot space isn't so important.
I'd be going for a v90...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2020...
Unless a 17 plate 530/535 touring appeared somewhere in budget but I'm guessing it would probably be a bit higher miles
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2020...
Unless a 17 plate 530/535 touring appeared somewhere in budget but I'm guessing it would probably be a bit higher miles
I've recently bought a year old Insignia Gran Sport VX-Line with the 200hp petrol engine because it drove and handled better than the Superb. Not as nice inside but not so much it's an issue.
The hatch itself, is vast so the Estate is huge.
You may safely assume it will depreciate at a greater rate but I am fairly certain that could be offset by the discounts available because nobody is buying big saloons or estates. Over 5 years, probably less of an issue.
Mine will do 40 mpg on a run though around 27 just pottering round, repeatedly, like I do. I was not a Vauxhall fan prior to picking this over the Superb (a 280 Sportline) and still think the Vauxhall is the better looking car.
The hatch itself, is vast so the Estate is huge.
You may safely assume it will depreciate at a greater rate but I am fairly certain that could be offset by the discounts available because nobody is buying big saloons or estates. Over 5 years, probably less of an issue.
Mine will do 40 mpg on a run though around 27 just pottering round, repeatedly, like I do. I was not a Vauxhall fan prior to picking this over the Superb (a 280 Sportline) and still think the Vauxhall is the better looking car.
If you're looking at the Superb then I'd say unless you need the extra space the Mondeo Vignale 210/180 are the better picks:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
They're a better steer & a very nice place to spend time in but I am bias.
The new Insignia is a very good car especially in 210 Elite Nav form fit & finish are a notch down from the Mondeo/Superb but they're worth a look:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
170 Elite Nav
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
As alternatives to the two Germans I'd say look at the Jaguar XF the ride/drive are great but the infotainment is a bit clunky but works well & you'll only be looking at the older one but it will have a smooth 3.0d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or the 2.2d is similar money at which point I'd be taking the 3.0d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or there's the V90 D4 Momentum
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Inscription
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
They're a better steer & a very nice place to spend time in but I am bias.
The new Insignia is a very good car especially in 210 Elite Nav form fit & finish are a notch down from the Mondeo/Superb but they're worth a look:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
170 Elite Nav
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
As alternatives to the two Germans I'd say look at the Jaguar XF the ride/drive are great but the infotainment is a bit clunky but works well & you'll only be looking at the older one but it will have a smooth 3.0d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or the 2.2d is similar money at which point I'd be taking the 3.0d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or there's the V90 D4 Momentum
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Inscription
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I'm more than happy with 2017 E220d AMG Line Estate. It's a brilliant mile muncher. The engine and gearbox are well matched and largely completely unobtrusive. Junk the run flat tyres and the ride is transformed.
You do need some options though - COMAND Online with Widescreen cockpit really transforms the interior. The basic Garmin nav with the small screen is rubbish and looks awful. £18k is the bottom end of what these go for though, you'll need to shop around to find a decent one for this money.
The V90 is OK but the gearbox is very dim witted. Many of the S/V90's I looked at seemed to have fairly worn looking interiors - the materials look nice but don't appear to wear terribly well - the metal trims on the doors seem terribly prone to scratches.
You do need some options though - COMAND Online with Widescreen cockpit really transforms the interior. The basic Garmin nav with the small screen is rubbish and looks awful. £18k is the bottom end of what these go for though, you'll need to shop around to find a decent one for this money.
The V90 is OK but the gearbox is very dim witted. Many of the S/V90's I looked at seemed to have fairly worn looking interiors - the materials look nice but don't appear to wear terribly well - the metal trims on the doors seem terribly prone to scratches.
Leftfootwonder said:
Hi all,
I know estate cars are terribly unfashionable these days, but I don't want an SUV. Just hoping to garner some thoughts on the best as an ownership proposition. As the title says, I am looking to spend £18k, or less, would like the cars to be no more than 3 years old, will keep the car (all being well) for at least 5 years and need it to comfortably fit 3 teenage children in the back along with the need to swallow our worldly possessions and a dog for the annual retreat.
Rather predictably I suppose, my short list has come down to either a Mercedes E-Class (E220d AMG-line), a BMW 5-series (520d M-Sport) or slightly newer and lower mileage Skoda Superb (Sportline). My thoughts so far are that the BMW is the better driving car, the Mercedes is the nicer place to spend time and the Skoda the most practical. I'm lucky enough to have a more interesting car for the weekends so I am leaning toward the 'Benz for a long term prospect and I would expect it to hold it's value better over 5 years than the others.
Thoughts/recommendations/wildcards welcome.
Thanks in advance.
This was my shortlist a few months ago albeit I also had the Volvo V90 as well. Went for the E220 in the end as I also have a fun weekend car. The E220 is spot on for capacity and comfort and I’m now looking to fit a tow bar for cycling holidays. The only draw back is it’s a bit bland to drive but I knew that when I bought it. I know estate cars are terribly unfashionable these days, but I don't want an SUV. Just hoping to garner some thoughts on the best as an ownership proposition. As the title says, I am looking to spend £18k, or less, would like the cars to be no more than 3 years old, will keep the car (all being well) for at least 5 years and need it to comfortably fit 3 teenage children in the back along with the need to swallow our worldly possessions and a dog for the annual retreat.
Rather predictably I suppose, my short list has come down to either a Mercedes E-Class (E220d AMG-line), a BMW 5-series (520d M-Sport) or slightly newer and lower mileage Skoda Superb (Sportline). My thoughts so far are that the BMW is the better driving car, the Mercedes is the nicer place to spend time and the Skoda the most practical. I'm lucky enough to have a more interesting car for the weekends so I am leaning toward the 'Benz for a long term prospect and I would expect it to hold it's value better over 5 years than the others.
Thoughts/recommendations/wildcards welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Petrol not diesel, but they are supposed to be quite economical, and only a year old and 4k miles, probably in budget with a little haggling :
https://www.brindley-mazda.co.uk/used-cars/1155501...
:https://www.brindley-mazda.co.uk/used-cars/1155501...
Edited by Justin Case on Monday 20th July 22:11
Thanks all, I really appreciate the responses and opinions.
I have no great desire to go German, they just seem to offer the most car for the money. I had considered the XF but had written it off due to my belief that the rear legroom wasn't as spacious... although I have not looked at one in the metal admittedly. I looked at a Jag XJ LWB as a real wildcard but really need the estate boot space.
Rear seating space, width as well as leg and head room, along with a large boot are my main priorities.
I have no great desire to go German, they just seem to offer the most car for the money. I had considered the XF but had written it off due to my belief that the rear legroom wasn't as spacious... although I have not looked at one in the metal admittedly. I looked at a Jag XJ LWB as a real wildcard but really need the estate boot space.
Rear seating space, width as well as leg and head room, along with a large boot are my main priorities.
That is bang on my budget when I was looking for an estate six months ago. My main criteria were petrol engine, reasonable economy, auto box, decent performance and refinement, and not too big. After driving a Skoda Octavia 1.9 pd for seven years ( a really good car in its own way), refinement was a big thing for me. After a lot of research I looked at all the usual suspects and finally decided on a 2017 Audi A4 Avant, the 2 litre 190 bhp TFSI. I decided to avoid the 1.4/1.5 engines as Audi had stopped producing them, which got me wondering why. I managed to find a Sport model, rare at the time, rather than the S Line, as I didn't want a hard ride. I like to make rapid progress at times, but will never take it around the Nurburgring. I am very happy with the car so far.
Edit. I just noticed the requirement for a large boot. In that event I would consider a Skoda. Octavia if refinement not a priority, try a Superb if it is.
Edit. I just noticed the requirement for a large boot. In that event I would consider a Skoda. Octavia if refinement not a priority, try a Superb if it is.
Edited by lornemalvo on Tuesday 21st July 21:48
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