Big 6 cylinder diesel family car for 25k pa

[Spudmaster]

Looking to replace Volvo v90 D5 cross-country. Lovely place to be; but dull to drive.
With a budget up to £35k, I am looking for 6 cylinder diesel estate, 12-18m old for 25k miles pa. Narrowed it down to 530d x drive; Merc E350/400d, Audi A6 3.0d or Jag XFS (3.0d) - all estates.
Tested the Jag today and have To say that it really surprised me - a really nice drive and I actually quite liked the interior.... but jag’s reputation not great.
Head says BMW, Audi or Merc - heart says jag. Any thoughts or comparable experience much appreciated!
Thanks - Spud

[Pica-Pica]

I have an F30 (Saloon) 335d xdrive. Fantastic. I would have got an estate if one was available pre-reg’d, but with folding rear seats I have never thought ‘I should have searched for an estate’.

[ZX10R NIN]

In reality the 3.0d is no less reliable than it's German rivals so I'd say buy one, it's not even a risky choice.

[Brett748]

Having had an F30 330d for over two years and 30k miles I would recommend the BMW engine but I’d get a 5 or 7 series given my time again.

[TheDrownedApe]

Not sure if your "big" is the car or engine.

Had a 330d estate and it wasn't very big in the back. The 530d is probably the better option of the two.

[Uncle boshy]

BMW is a lovely car, but don’t forget to factor in rear suspension air bags. Mine went at 3.5 years, total bill just under £1,000. BMW said was wear and tear and no contribution.

Good job it was a company car

[BlueJ]

Mercedes E400d. I understand they are incredibly refined, lovely place to travel, strong performance from new twin turbo inline six.

Start at £35K in the Mercedes approved network, I am seriously considering a test drive in one myself.

Whatever you get please report back on it!

[jwilco]

The Jag is a sweet steer too.

[Spudmaster]

Thanks all for thoughts and feedback.
Still leaning towards the Jag based on really nice driver and being able to get 1 year old c. 10k miles v. 2-3 yo with 25-30k miles for BMW & MB for my budget (No current shape Audis below £36k). However, I've just seen that the Jag is about to receive mid-life refresh, including significant technology upgrade and just wonder whether the interior and tech. might quite rapidly show it's age....?

330/35D very tempting; but with young family and labrador, thinking I might regret it after the Volvo (& F11 520D before that).

In summary - not yet made mind up; but still determined to go 3.0D before they become obsolete and much, much nicer drive than default logical 2.0D choices (also expecting MPG c. 37-40???).

Having driven the BMW, Jag and Audi, defo down to Jag or BMW. Mercedes dealer have been utterly useless at even attempting to assist with a test-drive; so just waiting to have a go with one of these and should (hopefully!) be in a position to p*ss or get off the pot!

[Mouse Rat]

Jag XJ or XF or

640d Gran Coupe

[QuartzDad]

I've had a 335d estate in the past and a 535d saloon currently, Very occasionally I miss the last 5% of acceleration the 3 has over the 5 presumably due to the heavier weight but I much, much prefer the better NVH, cabin quality and space in the 5.

I normally get around 38mpg from the 535, did a 1000 mile trip last week up to the Highlands and back. Was about 45mpg on the way up with the cruise set at 75, 35mpg on the way back when driving like I stole it.

Brakes on the 535 seem to be made from gold; ~£650 for a full set of discs and pads from ECP, £295 for a 520d.

[Spudmaster]

Got 2x deals on table with very close numbers....
12m old E400d with everything on it, including air suspension. V. jag XF 3.0d S at 18months old.

Merc more for your money, fantastic kit, AWD and probably more reliable.
Jag looks lovely - great to drive and slightly different to the German ‘norm’ - but significantly behind with infotainment - plus high miles in a JLR product doesn’t inspire masses of confidence...
Head says Merc (not yet driven) - heart says Jag (driven and loved it)... in the grander scheme of things, there are worse problems to have!

[xcesx]

I was similar.
I narrowed it down to the Merc or BMW.
I went with the BMW in the end.

G31 530d X Drive. Had it a couple of weeks now and i'm happy with it.

Picking is all part of the fun

[AndrewO]

JLR could well have fixed the issues they had with the 3l diesel with the age of car your looking at....I'm not sure.

They had issues with snapping cranks, my limited reading it sounded like a spun bearing that causes it. I had a 2016 Discovery4 and it was at risk of this....mileage didn't seem to matter. When I sold mine a guy off Disco3 (also 2016 D4) forum who bought my spare wheels had his go.

My vote would be for the msport 530d on your list.....18" wheels non runflat. £500 remap will give it the equiv to a 535d if you want it.

Edited by AndrewO on Wednesday 7th October 23:19

[Spudmaster]

Picked up 11month old E400d premium + estate with comfort (air magic) pack on Thursday with 4.5k miles on it.
Only done 150 miles so far - but seriously impressed. Put it in comfort mode and it just wafts effortlessly with the air suspension keeping all composed and the engine barely ticking over. The economy is also pleasantly surprising.
Put her in Sport + mode and she becomes a bit of a grin-inducing weapon. Seriously rapid and the suspension tightens up enough for pretty decent handling - (coming from the Volvo x-country it’s a mahoosive step up!). The new straight 6 is a seriously impressive piece of kit, and sounds quite nice - especially after 10 years+ Of Various 2.0d engines in big estates with different outputs from 140 - 235hp.
The seats are supremely comfort and so far appear to be a match for the Volvo which is saying something. The only minor disappointment is with the Burmester stereo - but that is after 3 years with the serious impressive Volvo B&W system; and hey, there are much worse problems in the world right now!

Still very much in honeymoon mode - but reckoning I’m going to be happy with this one for a while,

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP.