No more company car - up to £25k to spend?!?!

[Stoco]

Hoping for some advice and ideas..

The worst part about leaving an office job at a car manufacturer is that I have to give back my incredibly cheap company car and actually go out and buy one!

But the positive is I’m no longer tied to one company and the limited cars they let me order and I am now free to choose whatever I want, but now I have the choice, I have no idea what to choose!

As much as I’d love something silly (think older Elises, Cayman S’ and bonkers tuned MX5’s) unfortunately that will have to wait and I need to get a more sensible (but still as much fun as possible) daily driver for the time being...


Budget of £15k - £25k; I do 20k - 25k miles pa (mixed driving) and will keep the car for 3/4 years.

Despite wanting something fun, I do need some practicality, rear seats need to be big enough for very small children (without complaints) and ideally the boot space for annual ski/snowboard trips (no kids - snow time is me time, haha!)
I’m also not a massive fan of FWD, would prefer RWD or 4WD...

Considering my mileage I’d like something comfortable, fairly fuel efficient (real world c.40mpg +), and fairly reliable so I’m thinking something under 6 years old and under 50k miles at purchase would make sense if I’m gonna add up to 100k to it.

I know it’s a bit of a difficult list to meet - happy for anyone to tell me why I’m wrong and give alternatives!

Current considerations - open to any suggestions!
BMW 640D (coupe or gran coupe)
Audi A7 biTDI
Porsche Macan S (diesel)
BMW 425D (coupe or gran coupe)
Mercedes C250D coupe
Jag XF
Jag F Pace
Volvo XC90
Etc...

Cheers guys!

[RobM77]

Gosh - this totally depends on your priorities. All of those cars are decent, with each just offering something different.

[Stoco]

RobM77 said:

Gosh - this totally depends on your priorities. All of those cars are decent, with each just offering something different.

Thanks buddy - what would you recommend and why? Also doesn’t have to be those exact cars, happy to consider anything that fits the bill!

[Volvolover]

Before I read your list I was thinking 330d Touring for that usage profile, price and length of ownership. Nice chassis so relatively entertaining, good range, effortless engine and a reliable do anything car. I've just sold similar after 5 years and 120k miles, if I didn't need something bigger id have another

Having said that i've just got an XC90 which is an incredible family car, don't think id want to bear the cost of doing 25k miles a year in it

[Byker28i]

Never realised f-paces were so cheap for the 2.0

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10722381

[RobM77]

Stoco said:

RobM77 said:

Gosh - this totally depends on your priorities. All of those cars are decent, with each just offering something different.

Thanks buddy - what would you recommend and why? Also doesn’t have to be those exact cars, happy to consider anything that fits the bill!

As I say, it depends what you like about cars and what you need the car to do. One man's perfect car will be another's flawed car and another's annoyance he can't wait to get rid of.

[HairyMaclary]

I was just about to say 335d estate but then seen the list of cars.

335d estate for me

[C350Akra]

On that list the Merc C250D would be the most sensible option, RWD 50+mpg etc. A 3 litre diesel will struggle to get better than 40 mpg in real world driving, my C350D just about gets 40mpg and I don't drive in rush hours. Also consider the C class diesel hybrid C300D.

[Byker28i]

C350Akra said:

On that list the Merc C250D would be the most sensible option, RWD 50+mpg etc. A 3 litre diesel will struggle to get better than 40 mpg in real world driving, my C350D just about gets 40mpg and I don't drive in rush hours. Also consider the C class diesel hybrid C300D.

Or E class estate?

[mmm-five]

Alpina D5 Bi-Turbo?

Possibly a bit leggy for you though (68k miles).

[AC43]

C350Akra said:

On that list the Merc C250D would be the most sensible option, RWD 50+mpg etc. A 3 litre diesel will struggle to get better than 40 mpg in real world driving, my C350D just about gets 40mpg and I don't drive in rush hours. Also consider the C class diesel hybrid C300D.

Hmmmmm....that was the one I was going to suggest striking off immediately. Diesel lovers would call it "gruff".

I can think of other words to describe it but, in my book, it doesn't suit a premium car.

The 350 is night and day in comparison.

[ST270]

From that list i would consider a 640d for a couple of reasons;

1. They drive very well and are rapid but frugal when you want them to be (coupe rear seats a bit tight though so gran-coupe if more space needed
2. Styling - both bodyshapes are elegant and have good road presence
3. Quality - the interior and fit and finish is excellent. If you find a high spec example then it will have been a £65k+ car when new and it shows on the inside...
4. Likley to be a bit cheaper than a Macan....

Edited by ST270 on Monday 16th November 15:46

[seabod91]

Would have to be a 335d xdrive touring for me. And if you wanted extra oomph, a remap or tuning box really gets them going and could even reduce mpg on the motorway Slogs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007091...

[dvs_dave]

You specifically mention ski trips as being a priority so that should help narrow your search down a good bit to AWD options only. Yes, winter tyres on a 2wd is ok, but in a mountain environment, you’ll still want for AWD.

So SUV’s or Audi quattro’s would provide the most plentiful options. Or maybe a pushing it a bit, but how about a diesel Panamera 4?

[Volvolover]

C350Akra said:

On that list the Merc C250D would be the most sensible option, RWD 50+mpg etc. A 3 litre diesel will struggle to get better than 40 mpg in real world driving, my C350D just about gets 40mpg and I don't drive in rush hours. Also consider the C class diesel hybrid C300D.

I had a CLS350d in 2016 for 6 months and it regularly did 50+ mpg

[Stoco]

dvs_dave said:

You specifically mention ski trips as being a priority so that should help narrow your search down a good bit to AWD options only. Yes, winter tyres on a 2wd is ok, but in a mountain environment, you’ll still want for AWD.

So SUV’s or Audi quattro’s would provide the most plentiful options. Or maybe a pushing it a bit, but how about a diesel Panamera 4?

Interesting thoughts - haven’t looked at the panamera, heard great things about the Macan being particularly good from a reliability perspective (considering it’s a Porsche) but haven’t heard anything about the panameras...

What’s the reliability like on the panamera....

[RobM77]

Volvolover said:

C350Akra said:

On that list the Merc C250D would be the most sensible option, RWD 50+mpg etc. A 3 litre diesel will struggle to get better than 40 mpg in real world driving, my C350D just about gets 40mpg and I don't drive in rush hours. Also consider the C class diesel hybrid C300D.

I had a CLS350d in 2016 for 6 months and it regularly did 50+ mpg

My 530D saloon averages 45mpg on my mixed road commute (or did, pre-pandemic), and 50+ on longer runs. My record is 60mpg when we go on longer trips to the West Country, which we've done several times repeatably. The lowest I get without attaching my trailer is 40mpg, which is mainly C roads on a 15 mile round trip to my son's nursery from cold, which is understandable. It'd be even better if they put proper wheels and tyres on it, rather than the enormous cartoon wheels. Great car though - for a large comfortable saloon it's wonderful - extremely refined and high quality, loads of great features, effortless to drive, but engaging in the twisties when you want it to be. The only negatives are the unnecessarily big wheels and what's inescapable with this type of car: a 1700kg+ kerbweight, which M Sport hides extremely well, but it does make itself felt on tight twisty roads. Now we're in lockdown and all I'm doing is the C road trips with my son, I do long for something smaller and more nimble, but as soon as I'm back to normal commuting a long distance it'll be perfect again.

[cerb4.5lee]

Volvolover said:

C350Akra said:

On that list the Merc C250D would be the most sensible option, RWD 50+mpg etc. A 3 litre diesel will struggle to get better than 40 mpg in real world driving, my C350D just about gets 40mpg and I don't drive in rush hours. Also consider the C class diesel hybrid C300D.

I had a CLS350d in 2016 for 6 months and it regularly did 50+ mpg

I get about 40mpg out of the GLC350d. 4WD and the 1800kg plus kerbweight don't help with that though.

[cerb4.5lee]

Byker28i said:

Never realised f-paces were so cheap for the 2.0

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10722381

I personally wouldn't want only a 2.0 engine in something as big and heavy as that though. Great value though for sure.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you don't need four doors then the last of the line E350 in AMG Line Premium spec would be the pick they also have the added bonus of folding rear seats you can get a nice one well under budget with less than 30k on the clock & you'll be in the high 40's with ease.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010034...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

Or the CLS350 Premium Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

The 3.0d is a much better unit than the 2.0d which is why I haven't listed one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009264...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262...

The 640d is a good option although you don't get folding rear seats but some do come with a ski hatch at your price point it'll be mainly GC's.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

If you go the SUV route I'd be looking for an SQ5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

There's also a scenario where you can have your cake & eat it whilst ticking (real world 27mpg town 37-39mpg on a run no complaints from the family & an easy way to soak up 20k a year) pretty much every box apart from 40+ & being fun you (they do come loaded with kit though & are up there with the Germans when it comes to interior quality) can get one of these with less than 30k on the clock which means you could keep it for longer.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009203...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003108...

Which means you'll have change to buy & run something like these:

MX5 Turbo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-mx5-Turbo-265-bhp...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-ICON-MX5-TURBO-BR...

Honda S2000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Honda-S2000-Import...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Honda-S2000-2-0-GT...

2.7 Boxster 987

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...

370GT

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Awesome-looking-Nissan-...

GT86

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...