Big estate

[Tuggy]

Not sure if this is more of a 'smoker barge' but..
budget 15k
Requirement: big comfy estate, around 10k miles/year on a once a week on a 3+ hour commute. Retirement will be happening at some point in future, so if it lasts 5 years/50k without major expense I'd be happy.
Its replacing a VW T5 (now economically deceased), so pretty much anything will be comfier in comparison.
I'm thinking Volvo (V90), Skoda Superb, even MB E-class.

TIA

[ZX10R NIN]

Will a diesel work for you after retirement?

Insignia in Elite Nav spec is a very good pick vs the other mainstream options:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604241...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604291...

Mondeo h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511107...

CLS220d Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604201...

E250 Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605152...

E220d Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603010...

520d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605112...

530i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605112...

Does a big hatch work? If it does then 5GT really hits your brief:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605202...

[Fusion777]

Another vote for the E-Class. Their 2.0 (rather than 2.1) diesel is decent for refinement, considering it’s a 4-cylinder.

Obviously 6 cylinders are better, but you’re introducing more complexity if you want something that will last 5 years relatively trouble free for £15k. 5-Series less wafty, unless you go for an SE or get adaptive suspension. Does it need to be E-Class size, as the C-Class is still a solid car. Just not as roomy.

[LT1987]

A 2022 Mazda 6 estate appears to meet your criteria. Large, reliable, and the skyactive means it s very economical for a 2.0

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605202...

[Tuggy]

Thanks for all the suggestions and your time to post links - some definite contenders. Much appreciated.

ZX10R NIN - it'll probably go at retirement as we'll go down to one car. My wifes electric thing will suffice mostly as annual miles should drop dramatically.

Well, when I say 'one' I mean one daily. They'll have to prise the Tuscan keys out of my cold, dead fingers.

Edited by Tuggy on Saturday 23 May 22:05

[nobrakes]

I’ve a 2008 E320cdi estate that I’ve had for about 12yrs now. Goes really well. Carries everything.

Newish e220s on a 9 speed box are very frugal and quite adequate. Well proven and will hold value too.

[AddyT.]

If its an E Class buy from MB for the warranty or put an MB warranty on it. Think its available for cars up to 10 years old. Engine reliable, electrics not so much.

[maz8062]

Skoda Superb. Audi’s are good as well.

IME, Mercs and BMW’s are not very reliable and are expensive to fix and run.

[blue_haddock]

maz8062 said:

Skoda Superb. Audi s are good as well.

IME, Mercs and BMW s are not very reliable and are expensive to fix and run.

Skoda superb would be my choice too.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

E Class would be my choice without a doubt.

[AddyT.]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

E Class would be my choice without a doubt.

They were my choice last year. Lovely cars to be in and cruise around in but electrics are not their strong point and they are expensive to fix. The auto electrician who did all the repairs on mine said Mercedes make up the large majority of cars he has come in.

[Scrump]

I have a 2014 212 E350 estate. Bought it 10 years ago as a stopgap. I like it so much I still have it.
40mpg on a motorway run, let’s not talk about the urban mpg.

[ZX10R NIN]

Tuggy said:

Thanks for all the suggestions and your time to post links - some definite contenders. Much appreciated.

ZX10R NIN - it'll probably go at retirement as we'll go down to one car. My wifes electric thing will suffice mostly as annual miles should drop dramatically.

Well, when I say 'one' I mean one daily. They'll have to prise the Tuscan keys out of my cold, dead fingers.

Edited by Tuggy on Saturday 23 May 22:05

On which case it would be the CLS with the Mondeo/Insignia in close running.

[Neil-nvaua]

ZX10R NIN said:

On which case it would be the CLS with the Mondeo/Insignia in close running.

Ive owned an E Class estate and a CLS shooting break (estate) - unless you are buying on looks alone the E Class for me is the better car in every other area, all other things being equal (engine size, age, mileage etc).

[nobrakes]

AddyT. said:

DaveyBoyWonder said:

E Class would be my choice without a doubt.

They were my choice last year. Lovely cars to be in and cruise around in but electrics are not their strong point and they are expensive to fix. The auto electrician who did all the repairs on mine said Mercedes make up the large majority of cars he has come in.

Get a good 211 - jap import. Older but no electrical issues.

https://www.specialistcars.net/searchstock/

Edited by nobrakes on Saturday 6th June 18:22

[Quhet]

blue_haddock said:

maz8062 said:

Skoda Superb. Audi s are good as well.

IME, Mercs and BMW s are not very reliable and are expensive to fix and run.

Skoda superb would be my choice too.

Me too. I've been very happy with my 220 tsi over the 2 years and 20k miles I've had it. Reasonable performance, reasonable but dull handling, very comfortable and all the space you could want. I think they look decent too.