What comfy auto gives 45mpg+ under £8K?
Discussion
Hi.
I'm currently driving a 2.2 Mk8 Civic - one of the harshest rides known to mankind!
I want to get shot of it and buy an automatic that I won't feel potholes in, is super comfy, quiet, gives me 45mpg+ on mostly motorway journeys. I've looked at the Volvo XC60 and the Jaguar XF, but I'm not sure what else is out there. I'd like a little luxury for once but in something that's also reliable and doesn't look pig ugly.
Any suggestions ?
Ta!
I'm currently driving a 2.2 Mk8 Civic - one of the harshest rides known to mankind!
I want to get shot of it and buy an automatic that I won't feel potholes in, is super comfy, quiet, gives me 45mpg+ on mostly motorway journeys. I've looked at the Volvo XC60 and the Jaguar XF, but I'm not sure what else is out there. I'd like a little luxury for once but in something that's also reliable and doesn't look pig ugly.
Any suggestions ?
Ta!
I was limited to £3.5k, but went for a BMW 525d automatic (SE, for all the comfort).
It's been absolutely marvellous despite having a quarter of a million miles on the clock; the ride quality is sublime and the cabin near-silent.
Mine is the E61 (2004-2010, Touring) but the newer F11 is the updated version.
With your budget an F11 520d automatic would be well within reach I imagine.
It's been absolutely marvellous despite having a quarter of a million miles on the clock; the ride quality is sublime and the cabin near-silent.
Mine is the E61 (2004-2010, Touring) but the newer F11 is the updated version.
With your budget an F11 520d automatic would be well within reach I imagine.
Skoda Superb? Or the 5 series as another poster mentioned?
I'd certainly look at (in no particular order)
Skoda Superb
BMW F10 5 Series (ideally one that's had the timing chain done!)
Audi A6 (if you can live with the multitronic, I never minded it, many hate it)
Jaguar XF
Lexus IS350 (editing as this one probably won't get you 45mpg
)
All auto, comfy and <£8k
I'd certainly look at (in no particular order)
Skoda Superb
BMW F10 5 Series (ideally one that's had the timing chain done!)
Audi A6 (if you can live with the multitronic, I never minded it, many hate it)
Jaguar XF
Lexus IS350 (editing as this one probably won't get you 45mpg
)All auto, comfy and <£8k
I've been digging around further and have been looking at the C and E class Merc coupes and the Volvo S60. All lovely looking, but much like when scouring Tripadvisor for hotels, I only have to read one criticism about ride quality and I'm like ”nope... that's binned” !
I was all set on a BMW 520 or 3 series until I read the horror story that is the N47 engine and it's appetite for timing chains. I've had a belt go once on the wife's car and I rebuilt it so I'm in no rush to go anywhere near something that might take me back there!
The Jag is lovely but the interior... wood? Ugh!
The E class coupe is huge, the C class one reviewer criticised for it's hard ride, the S60's D4 engines have a reputation for coking up... and so on.
Maybe I could cover up the wood with pretend carbon fibre or something on the Jag....
I was all set on a BMW 520 or 3 series until I read the horror story that is the N47 engine and it's appetite for timing chains. I've had a belt go once on the wife's car and I rebuilt it so I'm in no rush to go anywhere near something that might take me back there!
The Jag is lovely but the interior... wood? Ugh!
The E class coupe is huge, the C class one reviewer criticised for it's hard ride, the S60's D4 engines have a reputation for coking up... and so on.
Maybe I could cover up the wood with pretend carbon fibre or something on the Jag....
Edited by aneng on Tuesday 20th September 17:04
j44esd said:
Skoda Superb? Or the 5 series as another poster mentioned?
I'd certainly look at (in no particular order)
Skoda Superb
BMW F10 5 Series (ideally one that's had the timing chain done!)
Audi A6 (if you can live with the multitronic, I never minded it, many hate it)
Jaguar XF
Lexus IS350 (editing as this one probably won't get you 45mpg )
All auto, comfy and <£8k
The BMW will be very spec dependent, some have terrible rides.I'd certainly look at (in no particular order)
Skoda Superb
BMW F10 5 Series (ideally one that's had the timing chain done!)
Audi A6 (if you can live with the multitronic, I never minded it, many hate it)
Jaguar XF
Lexus IS350 (editing as this one probably won't get you 45mpg
)All auto, comfy and <£8k
Depending on how often the rear seats are needed I've been very impressed with my summer car - A3 Convertible S-Line Black edition TDI Auto - granted its 59 plate but fully loaded for 2009 ! Remapped to 170 it's pretty brisk too. I bought it for 7k 4 years ago to replace my somewhat broken and barking mad Abarth. It's probably still worth about 5k on a good day and costs peanuts to run
Ticks a lot of boxes strangely enough. It only does 2-3k miles a year but in all honesty I could live with it happily as a daily !
Ticks a lot of boxes strangely enough. It only does 2-3k miles a year but in all honesty I could live with it happily as a daily !
arfur said:
Depending on how often the rear seats are needed I've been very impressed with my summer car - A3 Convertible S-Line Black edition TDI Auto - granted its 59 plate but fully loaded for 2009 ! Remapped to 170 it's pretty brisk too. I bought it for 7k 4 years ago to replace my somewhat broken and barking mad Abarth. It's probably still worth about 5k on a good day and costs peanuts to run
Ticks a lot of boxes strangely enough. It only does 2-3k miles a year but in all honesty I could live with it happily as a daily !
Had an A3 around this age, definitely not even close to the most comfy car for under 8k, especially in S-line trim. If you wanted a car with this engine you'd be better off with a Skoda Octavia in Laurin and Klement trim. If looking at a VW group Convertable an Eos in SE spec would be better than the Audi.Ticks a lot of boxes strangely enough. It only does 2-3k miles a year but in all honesty I could live with it happily as a daily !
If you like the look of the Volvo's, make sure you also look at S80's... Little bigger than the S60, more comfort/waft oriented than the slightly sportier S60.
And for some reason (perhaps because there were never all that many of them, perhaps also because the model number designation was retired whilst they still make an S60?) the S80's seem to come up at more reasonable prices in many cases.
The other thing I'd note is... The 5-cylinder diesels have a bit more character than the later models with 4-pots - not sure quite how much the auto hurts the MPG, but I have to really thrash my 2.4 D5 manual (5pot) to get under 40mpg on any road, a semi-careful motorway waft will top 55 easily (and top 60 if really trying).
Great seats too and, whilst I'll acknowledge it's in the eye of the beholder, I think it's a handsome design too...
And for some reason (perhaps because there were never all that many of them, perhaps also because the model number designation was retired whilst they still make an S60?) the S80's seem to come up at more reasonable prices in many cases.
The other thing I'd note is... The 5-cylinder diesels have a bit more character than the later models with 4-pots - not sure quite how much the auto hurts the MPG, but I have to really thrash my 2.4 D5 manual (5pot) to get under 40mpg on any road, a semi-careful motorway waft will top 55 easily (and top 60 if really trying).
Great seats too and, whilst I'll acknowledge it's in the eye of the beholder, I think it's a handsome design too...
Edited by Brassblaster on Tuesday 20th September 17:41
Brassblaster said:
If you like the look of the Volvo's, make sure you also look at S80's... Little bigger than the S60, more comfort/waft oriented than the slightly sportier S60.
And for some reason (perhaps because there were never all that many of them, perhaps also because the model number designation was retired whilst they still make an S60?) the S80's seem to come up at more reasonable prices in many cases.
The other thing I'd note is... The 5-cylinder diesels have a bit more character than the later models with 4-pots - not sure quite how much the auto hurts the MPG, but I have to really thrash my 2.4 D5 manual (5pot) to get under 40mpg on any road, a semi-careful motorway waft will top 55 easily (and top 60 if really trying).
Going the other way is the V40 Cross Country, very underrated carAnd for some reason (perhaps because there were never all that many of them, perhaps also because the model number designation was retired whilst they still make an S60?) the S80's seem to come up at more reasonable prices in many cases.
The other thing I'd note is... The 5-cylinder diesels have a bit more character than the later models with 4-pots - not sure quite how much the auto hurts the MPG, but I have to really thrash my 2.4 D5 manual (5pot) to get under 40mpg on any road, a semi-careful motorway waft will top 55 easily (and top 60 if really trying).
If a coupe can work then go for the E350cdi SE coupe the ride will be smooth as & you'll also be in a nice place with low NVH:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208269...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206116...
I will say that the Sport's ride is still supple, but my idea of a smooth ride may be different to yours so I'd suggest test driving your shortlist once you have one.
Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207157...
Avantgarde Saloon:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207077...
Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208269...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206116...
I will say that the Sport's ride is still supple, but my idea of a smooth ride may be different to yours so I'd suggest test driving your shortlist once you have one.
Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207157...
Avantgarde Saloon:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207077...
Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205276...
Brassblaster said:
If you like the look of the Volvo's, make sure you also look at S80's... Little bigger than the S60, more comfort/waft oriented than the slightly sportier S60.
And for some reason (perhaps because there were never all that many of them, perhaps also because the model number designation was retired whilst they still make an S60?) the S80's seem to come up at more reasonable prices in many cases.
The other thing I'd note is... The 5-cylinder diesels have a bit more character than the later models with 4-pots - not sure quite how much the auto hurts the MPG, but I have to really thrash my 2.4 D5 manual (5pot) to get under 40mpg on any road, a semi-careful motorway waft will top 55 easily (and top 60 if really trying).
Great seats too and, whilst I'll acknowledge it's in the eye of the beholder, I think it's a handsome design too...
I'm presuming yours is a manual box, as according to https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/volvo/s80-200... , the automatic takes a big bite out of those impressive figures.And for some reason (perhaps because there were never all that many of them, perhaps also because the model number designation was retired whilst they still make an S60?) the S80's seem to come up at more reasonable prices in many cases.
The other thing I'd note is... The 5-cylinder diesels have a bit more character than the later models with 4-pots - not sure quite how much the auto hurts the MPG, but I have to really thrash my 2.4 D5 manual (5pot) to get under 40mpg on any road, a semi-careful motorway waft will top 55 easily (and top 60 if really trying).
Great seats too and, whilst I'll acknowledge it's in the eye of the beholder, I think it's a handsome design too...
Edited by Brassblaster on Tuesday 20th September 17:41
aneng said:
I'm presuming yours is a manual box, as according to https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/volvo/s80-200... , the automatic takes a big bite out of those impressive figures.
It is indeed...However, it's going to depend a lot on your driving style and usage - on primarily motorways I tend to get around 55... Even on an extended A-road drive with a multiple overtakes I won't see less than 45.
On the other hand, unless you particularly want the extra power that the D5 gets you over the D3/D4 (5-pot versions of these are a 2.0 version of the 2.4 D5, bit less power but better MPG) you might find a D3 or D4 quite appealing.
And if you value MPG over character then a 4-pot D4 will oblige... I don't know the 4-pots as well, but the 5-pots are really reliable and most make significant mileages as long as they're serviced.
As I say, just one I'd suggest looking into if you like the look of the S60's as they're a more comfortable proposition (and less common, if you like being different).
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207027...
Sensible E class estate.
43 to 60 theoretical mpg.
Smaller dia wheels will make it comfy.
Job jobbed.
Sensible E class estate.
43 to 60 theoretical mpg.
Smaller dia wheels will make it comfy.
Job jobbed.
When I was looking at trading my car in there was an E350 coupe, fully kitted out with only 68k on the clock, full history, low owners and it really did look the part. It was bought pretty quickly too but that was £8250. Just couldn’t make it happen with the location of the car and my finances. Shame because it did seem like a good deal.
Personally I’d be looking at the E350d or if you want to go full chauffeur then the 730d Mind you, the running costs will probably be bonkers
Personally I’d be looking at the E350d or if you want to go full chauffeur then the 730d Mind you, the running costs will probably be bonkers
Ok, maybe at this point it might be wiser to clarify my requirements in more detail !
Budget: £10K
Priorities in order:
Ride quality over s
tty British roads
Looks
Automatic box
>43mpg (real, not manufacturers bullst)
Reliability
Diesel
Tax under £200pa
I'm fed up of driving things that I don't really like (decades of company cars I had little choice in). I want something I like the look of when I walk up to it and will make me smile that it's mine. Yeah, I'm shallow! Lol.
So far I've considered the XC60, V40 and S60 Volvos, Mazda 6 and 3, Jag XF, Merc E and C class coupes, a variety of Beemers until I read about their suicidal engines, Audi A5 and TT.
Comfort however is non-negotiable. My missus has been. complaining for years about the Civic's awful suspension (she's not wrong), so whatever I get next has to be like a magic carpet instead of something that shakes your fillings out!
Budget: £10K
Priorities in order:
Ride quality over s
tty British roadsLooks
Automatic box
>43mpg (real, not manufacturers bulls
t)Reliability
Diesel
Tax under £200pa
I'm fed up of driving things that I don't really like (decades of company cars I had little choice in). I want something I like the look of when I walk up to it and will make me smile that it's mine. Yeah, I'm shallow! Lol.
So far I've considered the XC60, V40 and S60 Volvos, Mazda 6 and 3, Jag XF, Merc E and C class coupes, a variety of Beemers until I read about their suicidal engines, Audi A5 and TT.
Comfort however is non-negotiable. My missus has been. complaining for years about the Civic's awful suspension (she's not wrong), so whatever I get next has to be like a magic carpet instead of something that shakes your fillings out!
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