new car, new job. Cant be RWD

[liam quigley 21]

Budget around £20-23k
15k miles
commute is 40miles or 80m all in but only 14days every 35. Mainly A roads, some motorway and some rural roads with steep inclines. Roads great for summer drive not so good in winter.

Currently drive a 2017 E220 AMG line W213 Mercedes, had a terrible time with it, really put me off Mercedes.

Test drove a Q5 today, £28K, 2018 s line, really poor spec for the price. (no virtual cockpit, no reverse cameras, no brake-hold at lights)
looked at a 335d xdrive but interior looks really dated compared to the e-class .

last year was quoted £400pm + £400 deposit for an X3 now around £600 so deals look poor now.

Really struggling to pick a new car, also after the year I have had with this Mercedes, I am not sure if buying new/leasing is better as I have spent almost £4k fixing my car this year. Maybe I was just unlucky this time

[fflump]

You currently have a mid size executive car and are looking at 2 mid size SUVs and a compact executive
I’d advise you think what type of car you want.
As a general rule mid size execs have nicer interiors than compact ones, and you get more car for your money in a used saloon than a used SUV.

[Joebristolgym]

Does it have to be a really premium car brand? I’m looking at the Jaguar XF Sportbrake vs Audi A6 Avant vs Skoda Superb Estate. The superb is available in a 4x4 version with a 280bhp petrol engine - for your budget you ought to be able to get a couple of years old in either Sportline or maybe the fanciest top spec. Probably get a lot if toys and the haldex 4x4 is pretty decent in bad weather conditions.

The Audi is probably over budget with the most powerful petrol engine - but the 190ps version is in budget - not sure if you can get that one as a Quattro or not.

Having looked at / driven some suvs I don’t think they’re a great drive. The best was the Jaguar EPace on a courtesy car but I had a time limit to get somewhere so drove enthusiastically and the brakes properly wilted. My equivalent Jag XE would have been absolutely fine with that drive. So saloons / estates are the way forward for me.

[Magnum 475]

Obvious question - your current car is RWD. Is there any particular reason why the next one shouldn't be? A lot of the best options in this price range / sector are RWD....

[Parbold milkperson]

Volvo S80 T6 if still available are brill and fast.

[Mammasaid]

Parbold milkperson said:

Volvo S80 T6 if still available are brill and fast.

Actually for 20-23k you can get a 2 yo S/V90, lots of ex-lease V90CC T5s at that price;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102038...

[liam quigley 21]

Thanks for the ideas, the S90 looks good, but my wife hates estates that is why I was looking at SUV's. TBH my wife has a seven seater so its really just a car for me commuting and occasionally using as a family but could use the other car.

I was tempted by a Golf R/S3 as they have 4 wheel drive and would be more fun/interesting, even a i30N. For the last 10 years I have driven 2 litre diesels so could do with something different, just not sure if the 15K miles would be expensive in them. Fuel economy probably is not much worse than a diesel SUV.

[J1990]

liam quigley 21 said:

Thanks for the ideas, the S90 looks good, but my wife hates estates that is why I was looking at SUV's. TBH my wife has a seven seater so its really just a car for me commuting and occasionally using as a family but could use the other car.

I was tempted by a Golf R/S3 as they have 4 wheel drive and would be more fun/interesting, even a i30N. For the last 10 years I have driven 2 litre diesels so could do with something different, just not sure if the 15K miles would be expensive in them. Fuel economy probably is not much worse than a diesel SUV.

my i30N did a comfortable 35mpg when on long motorway trips, so yes comparable with the diesel SUV figures but far more fun.
Golf R and S3 both return better mpg and they're a little better screwed together, I found them both rather bland though and the i30N really just put a smile on my face - Add in the fact that it's a far less common sight on the roads and that added more appeal for me as well.

[CJ1]

I love my S3 Sportback, Super practical boot and spacious. Great DSG box and Quattro.

Has held its value tremendously well too. 1 year later Webuyanycar are offering just £800 less than I paid from an Audi Dealer!

Definitely try and find one with Virtual Cockpit and Bang and Olufsen

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're after a smart hot hatch I'd say take a look at.

308 GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104010...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102259...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102189...

Focus ST

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102239...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...

Leon 300 Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104141...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104231...

300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...

M240i with Pro Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104161...

[ahenners]

liam quigley 21 said:

Thanks for the ideas, the S90 looks good, but my wife hates estates that is why I was looking at SUV's. TBH my wife has a seven seater so its really just a car for me commuting and occasionally using as a family but could use the other car.

I was tempted by a Golf R/S3 as they have 4 wheel drive and would be more fun/interesting, even a i30N. For the last 10 years I have driven 2 litre diesels so could do with something different, just not sure if the 15K miles would be expensive in them. Fuel economy probably is not much worse than a diesel SUV.

I'd budget for low to mid 30s average mpg in those at 15k a year. Should be able to nudge 40 on motorway runs but with mixed driving it will be in the 30s. 335d interior will look dated because it is dated. F30 gen 3 series was released 9 years ago.

[exelero]

liam quigley 21 said:

Thanks for the ideas, the S90 looks good, but my wife hates estates that is why I was looking at SUV's. TBH my wife has a seven seater so its really just a car for me commuting and occasionally using as a family but could use the other car.

I was tempted by a Golf R/S3 as they have 4 wheel drive and would be more fun/interesting, even a i30N. For the last 10 years I have driven 2 litre diesels so could do with something different, just not sure if the 15K miles would be expensive in them. Fuel economy probably is not much worse than a diesel SUV.

It’s weird. If it’s just for you for commuting why does she have to like it?

[nickfrog]

Magnum 475 said:

Obvious question - your current car is RWD. Is there any particular reason why the next one shouldn't be? A lot of the best options in this price range / sector are RWD....

It would be good to know as RWD would open more options without any downsides I can think of.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you did go RWD then the Kia Stinger in 2.0T form wouldn't be a bad shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101087...

Or the diesel version

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104030...

You'll also have 5 years worth of Warranty left on both.

Now here's my leftfield option:

435d M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

[Welshbeef]

My choice 640d GC a lovely car, fast elegant very good remount interior.

X5 M550d


Also the Passat Estate top of the range is a lovely place to be

[liam quigley 21]

RWD point. I spoke to people who work there, their advice is you probably don't need a 4x4 but avoid RWD. I have read a few things saying its more about tyres not drivetrain that will get you stuck. 335d/435d or 330/430d xdrive seems to be best fit,

[Magnum 475]

Hmmmm. Is there a ground clearance / mud issue? Or just untreated roads??

If it’s untreated roads in winter, then tyres are the answer rather than driven wheels. As I’ve said to many people, 4WD won’t help you stop or steer when grip is low.

For reference, I live about 4 miles from the nearest road that gets gritted or cleared in winter. I fit cold weather tyres and never have a problem in any car, including my Boxster or the E Class that I sold last year. Currently considering either an M2 or M4 to replace the E Class, despite the untreated roads.

[LightningBlue]

I’d look at a Volvo S90. These are massive bargains, front wheel drive and very nice to drive with a stylish interior. The S90 is a practical saloon with a big boot, the V90 is the estate. Maybe if you want to put a couple of bikes in that would be the best bet but otherwise the saloon looks great in R Design spec. Get some all season or winter tyres.

[ZX10R NIN]

liam quigley 21 said:

RWD point. I spoke to people who work there, their advice is you probably don't need a 4x4 but avoid RWD. I have read a few things saying its more about tyres not drivetrain that will get you stuck. 335d/435d or 330/430d xdrive seems to be best fit,

Here's the thing if you have the wrong tyres you can get stuck FWD/RWD/AWD, are you parking on grass at the new job or will you be visiting sites?