35k motorway miles a year...Diesel or MPG? What car? Help!

[northernerlancs]

Hi all,

I'm doing around 35k miles a year and am just looking to change cars as my BMW 320D is now at 150k miles and I'd like a change. With such high annual mileage I've been looking for a car that's good for motorways and can give me ideally 55+ mpg.

I've considered an LPG conversion. Does anyone rate these higher than diesel?

I've got a budget of 12k. I may be able to spend slightly more if I trade the outlay for a higher MPG. It's hard to tell what actual MPG figures are as the published ones seem the world of fiction.

Cars I've considered:

1. BMW 320D (12k could get an 07 model) - top of my budget.
2. Seat Leon - bit of a grim interior.
3. Ford Mondeo - good price - a bit uninspiring.
4. Audi A3/A4 - reliability issues from what I've read.

After 2 accidents in a year on what is a dangerous stretch of motorway (2 different people ploughed in the back of me and it was none fault in both case I may add ) I'd like something that feels safe.

I only really need 2 seats. I wish I could have a Z4 diesel or LPG convert one but I couldn't get the MPG.

I'd be really grateful for opinions. LPG the best option for the mileage? Or do I wait for the new hybrids?

I go round in circles every day so I'd really appreciate some input.

Cheers,

Tony

Edited by northernerlancs on Thursday 5th August 10:14

Edited by northernerlancs on Thursday 5th August 10:14

[GavinPearson]

I would steer clear of the LPG conversion if safety is a consideration, baecause unless it is a factory equipped conversion you really don't know how the vehicle will survive a big rear-end accident.

So then it comes down to the trade-off of older but higher end or newer but less glamorous.

The simple answer is drive them all and see just how bad the ones you are least excited about are.

Remember, you're buying a piece of machinery to help you earn money, not a track day toy where running costs and reliability are a secondary consideration.

[Munter]

GavinPearson said:

Remember, you're buying a piece of machinery to help you earn money, not a track day toy where running costs and reliability are a secondary consideration.

That. It's the reason I had a Vectra and now an Avensis. They are not fun but they are there to do the job (and my budget was smaller than yours). I went for the best MPG/Safety mix with the Avensis. Although I do wish it wasn't on 10,000 mile services. If you can get close to 55mpg, 5 star with loads of airbags, and long service intervals. Go for that one.

Edit: I also considered http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1715802.htm because of the warrenty and if I could actually get the MPG it would be a good option. Never got around to finding out on the MPG front though.

Edited by Munter on Thursday 5th August 12:06

[northernerlancs]

Thanks for the replies. I agree. When you're doing that kind of mileage it's more of a workhorse than anything. I hadn't thought about service intervals. That's a good point. My 320D services are around 17k miles apart. which is still every 6 months. Maybe a new 320D is the best option.

[Incorrigible]

MINI TDi will return about 65MPG. I personally wuldn't want to go much smaller for regular motorway use, bt a mate of mine runs a C1 TDi which although made of tin foil drives well and returns nearer 80MGP

That's a saving of 250 gallons a year or £1500 back in your pocket

[Pumaracing]

northernerlancs said:

Thanks for the replies. I agree. When you're doing that kind of mileage it's more of a workhorse than anything. I hadn't thought about service intervals. That's a good point. My 320D services are around 17k miles apart. which is still every 6 months. Maybe a new 320D is the best option.

Recommended service intervals are primarily a marketing exercise. People like longer ones for less hassle so that's what's happened over the years even if it's not so good for engine life. There's no reason why two similar modern cars running the same oil in the same type of use would require different service intervals regardless of what the manufacturer says.

Modern synthetic oils in mainly motorway use can last a very long time without undue degradation. Fleet owners, trucking companies and the like set their own intervals based on regular oil analysis. In all cases I'd say the oil and filter quality is far more important than the specific vehicle. 25,000 mile intervals are not an impossible target.