Best car for motorway miles (circa 20k a years)

[98Dil]

Hi all,

I currently own a 10 plate manual 2.0TDI.

I’m considering buying a new car, it has to be diesel, under 10-13k, can cope with doing 20k miles a year on the motorways. Average 45-50mpg+

What would you recommend?

Thank you

[Alfa Pete]

I do that and more mileage every year.
Currently have a Mazda 3 Skyactiv X petrol but previously had a Mini Clubman SD , Golf GTD, Merc A class A200d sport, BMW 320d, Insignia CTDi to name a few.
The Mazda gives low 40s , the Mini , Golf, Insignia and Merc averaged high 40s and the 320d well into the 50s.
All did the job well, the Golf was probably the best all rounder of those and Mini the most fun.
Worth mentioning with the current cost of diesel of around 20-25p a litre more my Mazda doesn’t cost anymore to fuel than its diesel predecessors and is compliant with London and Bristol ULEZ zones.

Edited by Alfa Pete on Wednesday 28th December 00:13

Edited by Alfa Pete on Wednesday 28th December 00:14

[MonkeyBusiness]

98Dil said:

under 10-13k

I've had a few beers so forgive me. Which figure does it need to be under?

[98Dil]

Hi, thanks for your response. Anything under 13k would be a bonus. I’m currently doing around 420 miles a week.

Any recommendations?

320D is good, could you suggest me any cars for sale on pistonheads, autotrader at the moment. Thank you

[fflump]

98Dil said:

Hi, thanks for your response. Anything under 13k would be a bonus. I’m currently doing around 420 miles a week.

Any recommendations?

320D is good, could you suggest me any cars for sale on pistonheads, autotrader at the moment. Thank you

You want someone to do an Autotrader or PH search for you?

[98Dil]

I’ve found this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212192...

Would this be suitable, I’ve heard timing chains can be costly if they go wrong

[Whistle]

I was doing that kind of milage a few years ago in a 2013 Jaguar XF 2.2 R-sport diesel.
Loved it and it would always average over 50 mpg.

Swapped it for a brand new BMW 530e somehow I preferred the Jag.

[TCX]

The car you've already got,unless there's some serious problems with it?

[98Dil]

My current car is working absolutely fine. It's quite well equipped with Apple CarPlay, Cruise control + parking sensors.

The downsides are it returns a true MPG of 41-44, with 95% of most journeys being motorway driving. I was wondering if having a newer, automatic car would be better for my pocket and for the ease of driving over 20,000 miles a year.

I was also considering a DSG Mk7 Golf 1.6tdi/2.0tdi. Most golfs have ACC equipped as standard, which is so useful on longer journeys

[alex075]

Alfa Pete said:

I do that and more mileage every year.
Currently have a Mazda 3 Skyactiv X petrol but previously had a Mini Clubman SD , Golf GTD, Merc A class A200d sport, BMW 320d, Insignia CTDi to name a few.
The Mazda gives low 40s , the Mini , Golf, Insignia and Merc averaged high 40s and the 320d well into the 50s.
All did the job well, the Golf was probably the best all rounder of those and Mini the most fun.
Worth mentioning with the current cost of diesel of around 20-25p a litre more my Mazda doesn’t cost anymore to fuel than its diesel predecessors and is compliant with London and Bristol ULEZ zones.

Edited by Alfa Pete on Wednesday 28th December 00:13

Edited by Alfa Pete on Wednesday 28th December 00:14

I second this, after looking at loads of options for 20K miles, I went through looking at diesels (BMW, Audis, Merc), hybrids (330e, 530e, Audi A3 Hybrid), and yesterday just paid a deposit for a 21 reg Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv X. I am incredibly impressed by the refinement, great spec, and efficiency of this car. Don't get me wrong I do love my BMW's and will miss my 330i E92 manual, but value for money Mazda seems to tick all the boxes.

How has your Mazda3 been Pete? Have you done serious miles on it? Anything I should look after?

[Pica-Pica]

TCX said:

The car you've already got,unless there's some serious problems with it?

This would be the normal position. Your mileage/job may well change in 2023, keep the money in the bank! I would suggest a 320d if you need to change.

[ZX10R NIN]

Here are some options that'll give you 50's on a run & are ULEZ/CAZ compliant too.

Infiniti Q50 Sport auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211111...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...

The above use the same drivetrain as the C220cdi.

Q30 PremiumTech these have adaptive cruise:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205165...

The Q30 is a A220cdi AMG line in everything (even down to the window switches) but the body.

Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212122...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211031...

V40 R Design Lux D4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

SE Lux D4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212042...

Insignia SRI Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212222...

Leftfield

DS5 Perfomance Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

[Alfa Pete]

alex075 said:

I second this, after looking at loads of options for 20K miles, I went through looking at diesels (BMW, Audis, Merc), hybrids (330e, 530e, Audi A3 Hybrid), and yesterday just paid a deposit for a 21 reg Mazda 3 e-Skyactiv X. I am incredibly impressed by the refinement, great spec, and efficiency of this car. Don't get me wrong I do love my BMW's and will miss my 330i E92 manual, but value for money Mazda seems to tick all the boxes.

How has your Mazda3 been Pete? Have you done serious miles on it? Anything I should look after?

I bought mine at 18 months old with 3k miles.I’m on 32k miles now. Just routine servicing so far and recently 2 new tyres.
Interior is really high quality, very refined, great manual gear box, handles well. Only negatives are the crap rear visibility and it feels as though it could do with a bit more low down torque.
As you say very efficient and easy to live with.

[alex075]

Alfa Pete said:

I bought mine at 18 months old with 3k miles.I’m on 32k miles now. Just routine servicing so far and recently 2 new tyres.
Interior is really high quality, very refined, great manual gear box, handles well. Only negatives are the crap rear visibility and it feels as though it could do with a bit more low down torque.
As you say very efficient and easy to live with.

Thanks Pete! Great to hear! Just out of curiosity have you sticked to the 12.5K miles service interval? They do seem very long to me.

I agree, I bought a saloon so rear visibility is a bit better (I test drove both). And regarding the low end torque I completely agree, you do have to rev them a bit to get them moving. I might be biased as my previous car is a 330i with a 3 liter and manual gearbox, so plenty of torque. But the top range the car feels quite agile and responsive, and the gearbox waaaaaay nicer than the bmw to engage gears and use it.