Choices Choices, my return to the UK
Discussion
Hey guys and gals,
In 2023, I took a job in Brisbane, Australia. When we left the UK, I sold my beloved F82 M4 and the rest of the fleet. It's been a great time out here, but we're now heading back, and we've booked our flights for the end of May. So... When I get back, I'll have 2 weeks to find the next steed before I start the new job. I don't want to spend the earth, but I want a combination of fun and practicality. I probably have a budget of up to £35k, but I suppose I could go PCP and get something even nicer..... But anyway,
My daily routine will consist of the following:
1. Commuting from Ross-on-Wye to Bristol down through Monmouth and over the hills down to the M4 and then returning in the evening. (I'll do this twice or 3 times a week) (100 miles return)
2. Commuting from Ross up the M50 to Tewkesbury. (45 miles return)
My weekly commute will be around 300 miles. So I think I probably need some economy too.
The rest of the time, it's just going to be me and the wife driving around (we don't have kids), so I don't need anything huge; however, I am in a band, and at weekends, I'd like to be able to transport my 88-key piano controller about with some monitors and stand, etc., so I think I probably need a bit of capacity.
I did think Electric (Tesla M3, Volvo EX30), but then I gave myself a stern talking to - then I thought BMW M340d Touring... Or Skoda Octavia TDI VRS Estate. I keep going around and around on the subject, and my missus is getting pissed off with me talking about it.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Am I missing anything? What other options do you peeps think I should consider?
In 2023, I took a job in Brisbane, Australia. When we left the UK, I sold my beloved F82 M4 and the rest of the fleet. It's been a great time out here, but we're now heading back, and we've booked our flights for the end of May. So... When I get back, I'll have 2 weeks to find the next steed before I start the new job. I don't want to spend the earth, but I want a combination of fun and practicality. I probably have a budget of up to £35k, but I suppose I could go PCP and get something even nicer..... But anyway,
My daily routine will consist of the following:
1. Commuting from Ross-on-Wye to Bristol down through Monmouth and over the hills down to the M4 and then returning in the evening. (I'll do this twice or 3 times a week) (100 miles return)
2. Commuting from Ross up the M50 to Tewkesbury. (45 miles return)
My weekly commute will be around 300 miles. So I think I probably need some economy too.
The rest of the time, it's just going to be me and the wife driving around (we don't have kids), so I don't need anything huge; however, I am in a band, and at weekends, I'd like to be able to transport my 88-key piano controller about with some monitors and stand, etc., so I think I probably need a bit of capacity.
I did think Electric (Tesla M3, Volvo EX30), but then I gave myself a stern talking to - then I thought BMW M340d Touring... Or Skoda Octavia TDI VRS Estate. I keep going around and around on the subject, and my missus is getting pissed off with me talking about it.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Am I missing anything? What other options do you peeps think I should consider?
The BMWs are hard to look past to be honest with the amount of useable performance they can offer. I would guess real world fuel consumption on the 340 wont be that great though.
Usual suspects apply really if you fancy an estate, maybe a Leon Cupra if you wanted 4wd but the Octavia is great too.
Cant see the petrol Seat being too ruinous on fuel really.
Usual suspects apply really if you fancy an estate, maybe a Leon Cupra if you wanted 4wd but the Octavia is great too.
Cant see the petrol Seat being too ruinous on fuel really.
Belle427 said:
The BMWs are hard to look past to be honest with the amount of useable performance they can offer. I would guess real world fuel consumption on the 340 wont be that great though.
Usual suspects apply really if you fancy an estate, maybe a Leon Cupra if you wanted 4wd but the Octavia is great too.
Cant see the petrol Seat being too ruinous on fuel really.
In mixed driving conditions my M440d does mid to late 40’s MPG. Usual suspects apply really if you fancy an estate, maybe a Leon Cupra if you wanted 4wd but the Octavia is great too.
Cant see the petrol Seat being too ruinous on fuel really.
I do 90 miles a day in my Jaguar i-Pace and it's great for that.
There are lots of nearly-new ones around at huge discounts - you can use some of the money you save on fuel to keep extending the warranty:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There are lots of nearly-new ones around at huge discounts - you can use some of the money you save on fuel to keep extending the warranty:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by this is my username on Saturday 22 February 07:35
this is my username said:
I do 90 miles a day in my Jaguar i-Pace and it's great for that.
There are lots of nearly-new ones around at huge discounts - you can use some of the money you save on fuel to keep extending the warranty:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Nice place to return to. I would go EV.There are lots of nearly-new ones around at huge discounts - you can use some of the money you save on fuel to keep extending the warranty:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by this is my username on Saturday 22 February 07:35
And at 39k for a new iPace, I would be tempted. 3 year warranty. 200-240 mile range. Best EV drive other than Taycan (in my opinion).
And it is as good on the lovely Monmouth to Chepstow road as it is on the M50. Quiet, refined, fast, handles well and is economical.
I love ICE, but even the latest 3 series touring feels old after a good EV - at least when used a daily commuter.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 22 February 14:37
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 22 February 17:25
Something with ACC, you’ll be sitting in lots of traffic when you join the m4 when the weathers bad/ bridge is shut/ it’s summer holidays / someone’s crashed their caravan
Loads of traffic at Chepstow too if you come down though tintern etc
The a4419 is long and boring, and the backroads are tight and congested so not much point going for massive power really.
I would suggest a Passat BiTDI, or a golf R all VWs have excellent adaptive cruise control, or a polestar 2 maybe
Loads of traffic at Chepstow too if you come down though tintern etc
The a4419 is long and boring, and the backroads are tight and congested so not much point going for massive power really.
I would suggest a Passat BiTDI, or a golf R all VWs have excellent adaptive cruise control, or a polestar 2 maybe
Edited by Quattr04. on Saturday 22 February 10:50
Edited by Quattr04. on Saturday 22 February 10:51
M340 estate
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024102556...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024102556...
Edited by Edible Roadkill on Saturday 22 February 10:57
bingles said:
Hey guys and gals,
In 2023, I took a job in Brisbane, Australia. When we left the UK, I sold my beloved F82 M4 and the rest of the fleet. It's been a great time out here, but we're now heading back, and we've booked our flights for the end of May. So... When I get back, I'll have 2 weeks to find the next steed before I start the new job. I don't want to spend the earth, but I want a combination of fun and practicality. I probably have a budget of up to £35k, but I suppose I could go PCP and get something even nicer..... But anyway,
My daily routine will consist of the following:
1. Commuting from Ross-on-Wye to Bristol down through Monmouth and over the hills down to the M4 and then returning in the evening. (I'll do this twice or 3 times a week) (100 miles return)
2. Commuting from Ross up the M50 to Tewkesbury. (45 miles return)
My weekly commute will be around 300 miles. So I think I probably need some economy too.
The rest of the time, it's just going to be me and the wife driving around (we don't have kids), so I don't need anything huge; however, I am in a band, and at weekends, I'd like to be able to transport my 88-key piano controller about with some monitors and stand, etc., so I think I probably need a bit of capacity.
I did think Electric (Tesla M3, Volvo EX30), but then I gave myself a stern talking to - then I thought BMW M340d Touring... Or Skoda Octavia TDI VRS Estate. I keep going around and around on the subject, and my missus is getting pissed off with me talking about it.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Am I missing anything? What other options do you peeps think I should consider?
I'd say another M3/4 will be the answer not to big decent fuel economy for the performance & you'll land a very nice one:In 2023, I took a job in Brisbane, Australia. When we left the UK, I sold my beloved F82 M4 and the rest of the fleet. It's been a great time out here, but we're now heading back, and we've booked our flights for the end of May. So... When I get back, I'll have 2 weeks to find the next steed before I start the new job. I don't want to spend the earth, but I want a combination of fun and practicality. I probably have a budget of up to £35k, but I suppose I could go PCP and get something even nicer..... But anyway,
My daily routine will consist of the following:
1. Commuting from Ross-on-Wye to Bristol down through Monmouth and over the hills down to the M4 and then returning in the evening. (I'll do this twice or 3 times a week) (100 miles return)
2. Commuting from Ross up the M50 to Tewkesbury. (45 miles return)
My weekly commute will be around 300 miles. So I think I probably need some economy too.
The rest of the time, it's just going to be me and the wife driving around (we don't have kids), so I don't need anything huge; however, I am in a band, and at weekends, I'd like to be able to transport my 88-key piano controller about with some monitors and stand, etc., so I think I probably need a bit of capacity.
I did think Electric (Tesla M3, Volvo EX30), but then I gave myself a stern talking to - then I thought BMW M340d Touring... Or Skoda Octavia TDI VRS Estate. I keep going around and around on the subject, and my missus is getting pissed off with me talking about it.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Am I missing anything? What other options do you peeps think I should consider?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501228...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068...
Or not quite as focused but a great place to be with a sweet drivetrain is the E53:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502199...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407262...
Or the E400d:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410084...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410024...
Thanks all, very interesting ideas. I reckon all bases are covered now. I’m going to do some thinking, and maybe some test drives while I’m still in Aus. I think I’m settling down on the idea of an M340d even more now - I want a do-it-all car, with space, pace and a bit of economy, so I think it probably hits all of the requirements.
Thanks to everyone who made suggestions, I’ll let you know what I end up getting.
Thanks to everyone who made suggestions, I’ll let you know what I end up getting.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff