£15-20k Luxury Commuter
Discussion
I've gone and got myself a 50 mile daily commute (about 80% A roads) after barely driving since covid so I'm looking for something to make those miles a bit more relaxing with a budget of up to £20k.
Top priority is a comfortable, quiet cabin, closely followed by spacious rear seats for wife, 2 kids and frequent trips with a 3rd passenger in the back (none of the aforementioned are particularly tall so width is more important than height here).
Fairly open to any body type with 4 doors but it needs to be reliable as we're a single car household and ideally fairly recent (2017+) and lowish mileage. (In my head new + low mileage = reliable but do I really need to worry so much if the car has a good service history?)
Toys and driving aids like heated seats/screens/steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, android auto etc would be very welcome cherries on top of this 4 wheeled cake but space and comfort are top of the list.
So far been looking at 5 and 7 series, Jaguar XJ, Volvo S90 and the like but would appreciate some guidance on best bang for buck to make those winter morning drives a bit more tolerable.
Cheers
Top priority is a comfortable, quiet cabin, closely followed by spacious rear seats for wife, 2 kids and frequent trips with a 3rd passenger in the back (none of the aforementioned are particularly tall so width is more important than height here).
Fairly open to any body type with 4 doors but it needs to be reliable as we're a single car household and ideally fairly recent (2017+) and lowish mileage. (In my head new + low mileage = reliable but do I really need to worry so much if the car has a good service history?)
Toys and driving aids like heated seats/screens/steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, android auto etc would be very welcome cherries on top of this 4 wheeled cake but space and comfort are top of the list.
So far been looking at 5 and 7 series, Jaguar XJ, Volvo S90 and the like but would appreciate some guidance on best bang for buck to make those winter morning drives a bit more tolerable.
Cheers
A 3.0 diesel BMW will be a good purchase, anything 65 plate or newer is ULEZ compliant.
Police BMWs only self combust as they're sat idling for ages, them hammered, then idling etc, that's what kills them, in case that's a concern.
The 3.0 diesel in my X3 pretty much matches my former 420d GranCoupe for economy.
Police BMWs only self combust as they're sat idling for ages, them hammered, then idling etc, that's what kills them, in case that's a concern.
The 3.0 diesel in my X3 pretty much matches my former 420d GranCoupe for economy.
This might be a bit leftfield based upon what you are looking at but an EV could be ideal if you can charge at home.
Fuel savings will be massive vs ICE (so you could pro rata up your budget quite considerably). I presume you will be doing at least 18k miles total if you are doing 12k just commuting. 18k miles is over 3 grand a year on fuel at 35mpg, it will be a fraction of that with an EV. Over 5 years, you could pro rata up your budget up to 30k.
My best mate has an iPace and its luxurious inside and has the silent, wafty type of drive that you had to pay £££ for in something like a Bentley or Roller. Very fast too.
Fuel savings will be massive vs ICE (so you could pro rata up your budget quite considerably). I presume you will be doing at least 18k miles total if you are doing 12k just commuting. 18k miles is over 3 grand a year on fuel at 35mpg, it will be a fraction of that with an EV. Over 5 years, you could pro rata up your budget up to 30k.
My best mate has an iPace and its luxurious inside and has the silent, wafty type of drive that you had to pay £££ for in something like a Bentley or Roller. Very fast too.
Jag_NE said:
This might be a bit leftfield based upon what you are looking at but an EV could be ideal if you can charge at home.
Fuel savings will be massive vs ICE (so you could pro rata up your budget quite considerably). I presume you will be doing at least 18k miles total if you are doing 12k just commuting. 18k miles is over 3 grand a year on fuel at 35mpg, it will be a fraction of that with an EV. Over 5 years, you could pro rata up your budget up to 30k.
My best mate has an iPace and its luxurious inside and has the silent, wafty type of drive that you had to pay £££ for in something like a Bentley or Roller. Very fast too.
This is good point! I was going to suggest a Lexus saloon but this will save you loads of money on fuel and servicing. Ideally plug it in at work! They might have a charger, or as someone I know does, using a 13amp charger on an extension lead.....Fuel savings will be massive vs ICE (so you could pro rata up your budget quite considerably). I presume you will be doing at least 18k miles total if you are doing 12k just commuting. 18k miles is over 3 grand a year on fuel at 35mpg, it will be a fraction of that with an EV. Over 5 years, you could pro rata up your budget up to 30k.
My best mate has an iPace and its luxurious inside and has the silent, wafty type of drive that you had to pay £££ for in something like a Bentley or Roller. Very fast too.
Can't say enough good things about the X351 Jaguar XJ as a commuter, I've had two and they've both been brilliant and fault free, having had an XF they're a real step up in niceness and despite the huge size much more fun to chuck down a good road.
Parts are very reasonable and they seem to be pretty robust and reliable too.
I know they have their fans, but for me while S90 has a seriously nice interior it is also really quite mediocre to drive, which is fine for a comfortable commuter, but unfortunately the ride also isn't great, and both the petrol and diesel engines are coarse and feel strained. A car I really wanted to love too. It can't hold a candle to other E segment cars with six cylinder engines and RWD, much less an F segment car like a 7 series or XJ.
Parts are very reasonable and they seem to be pretty robust and reliable too.
I know they have their fans, but for me while S90 has a seriously nice interior it is also really quite mediocre to drive, which is fine for a comfortable commuter, but unfortunately the ride also isn't great, and both the petrol and diesel engines are coarse and feel strained. A car I really wanted to love too. It can't hold a candle to other E segment cars with six cylinder engines and RWD, much less an F segment car like a 7 series or XJ.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 8th September 18:07
I’ll be in similar position in a few months, but I’m leaning towards an estate as need to carry 2 bikes on odd occasions ( can’t be bother with. Bike racks etc).
Currently on a V60 4D manual for the past 5 years. Reliable, spacious, all the safety gear makes a really safe and easy car to drive. Not very exciting to drive, and the fan is super noisy above 2 bars. Apart from that I couldn’t fault it.
Would love an XJ but won’t be able to fit the bikes.
New shape XF is interesting but still have to work out if it has the ingenium engine which doesn’t get a good rep for reliability.
A6 on the radar but the auto box doesn’t sound as responsive as other ZF8.
Love the look of the latest A7 but over badger unless a high miler.
5 series or E class seem to tick most of the boxes
Currently on a V60 4D manual for the past 5 years. Reliable, spacious, all the safety gear makes a really safe and easy car to drive. Not very exciting to drive, and the fan is super noisy above 2 bars. Apart from that I couldn’t fault it.
Would love an XJ but won’t be able to fit the bikes.
New shape XF is interesting but still have to work out if it has the ingenium engine which doesn’t get a good rep for reliability.
A6 on the radar but the auto box doesn’t sound as responsive as other ZF8.
Love the look of the latest A7 but over badger unless a high miler.
5 series or E class seem to tick most of the boxes
GeniusOfLove said:
Can't say enough good things about the X351 Jaguar XJ as a commuter, I've had two and they've both been brilliant and fault free, having had an XF they're a real step up in niceness and despite the huge size much more fun to chuck down a good road.
Parts are very reasonable and they seem to be pretty robust and reliable too.
I know they have their fans, but for me while S90 has a seriously nice interior it is also really quite mediocre to drive, which is fine for a comfortable commuter, but unfortunately the ride also isn't great, and both the petrol and diesel engines are coarse and feel strained. A car I really wanted to love too. It can't hold a candle to other E segment cars with six cylinder engines and RWD, much less an F segment car like a 7 series or XJ.
+1 for the XJ.Parts are very reasonable and they seem to be pretty robust and reliable too.
I know they have their fans, but for me while S90 has a seriously nice interior it is also really quite mediocre to drive, which is fine for a comfortable commuter, but unfortunately the ride also isn't great, and both the petrol and diesel engines are coarse and feel strained. A car I really wanted to love too. It can't hold a candle to other E segment cars with six cylinder engines and RWD, much less an F segment car like a 7 series or XJ.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 8th September 18:07
I've done 6k very comfortable and quiet miles in mine since the start of July.
In isolation an XF, 5 series, E class are comfortable and refined...that is until you've experienced a car from the segment above - XJ, S class, A8, 7 series etc.
Cheers,
Chris
Summit_Detailing said:
GeniusOfLove said:
Can't say enough good things about the X351 Jaguar XJ as a commuter, I've had two and they've both been brilliant and fault free, having had an XF they're a real step up in niceness and despite the huge size much more fun to chuck down a good road.
Parts are very reasonable and they seem to be pretty robust and reliable too.
I know they have their fans, but for me while S90 has a seriously nice interior it is also really quite mediocre to drive, which is fine for a comfortable commuter, but unfortunately the ride also isn't great, and both the petrol and diesel engines are coarse and feel strained. A car I really wanted to love too. It can't hold a candle to other E segment cars with six cylinder engines and RWD, much less an F segment car like a 7 series or XJ.
+1 for the XJ.Parts are very reasonable and they seem to be pretty robust and reliable too.
I know they have their fans, but for me while S90 has a seriously nice interior it is also really quite mediocre to drive, which is fine for a comfortable commuter, but unfortunately the ride also isn't great, and both the petrol and diesel engines are coarse and feel strained. A car I really wanted to love too. It can't hold a candle to other E segment cars with six cylinder engines and RWD, much less an F segment car like a 7 series or XJ.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 8th September 18:07
I've done 6k very comfortable and quiet miles in mine since the start of July.
In isolation an XF, 5 series, E class are comfortable and refined...that is until you've experienced a car from the segment above - XJ, S class, A8, 7 series etc.
Cheers,
Chris
I used to work at JLR and was always mightily impressed with the XJ. BMW 5 series with a 3 litre 6 cylinder is always a good choice also.
I used to do a daily 120 mile commute. It's super important to have low NVH and auto gear box. The cars in your price bracket should all have adaptive cruise control. I wouldn't overlook the infotainment either. You need something that's easy to connect to your phone and is reliable, otherwise you'll be listening to irritating radio.
Not talked about much on these forums, but studies seem to back this up. A saloon is more comfortable on long journeys than SUVs. I've had two SUVs and currently drive a BMW iX3 and I think there is some truth to it. Sitting more leaned back and lower versus upright is less fatiguing on the thighs and back in my experience.
.
Edited by silent ninja on Saturday 9th September 10:42
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