Passat CC vs. 330d vs. IS220d vs. RCZ HDi?
Discussion
I've decided that next year my wife's Astra SRI needs upgrading. She is an odd one when it comes to cars; judges mainly on looks and compares things to the elegant yet compact profile of the Mk3 Escort 
Also, she much prefers diesels and won't drive an automatic.
One advantage from my point of view is that she does prefer bigger cars and wouldn't be seen dead in a Mini. So far the following have her approval:
- VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI
- Lexus IS220d
- Peugeot RCZ HDI
And I have thrown the BMW 330d into the mix because they're far quicker and economical enough too.
I'm looking to spend in the region of £12-13k and get a 3-4 year old car with less than 50k on the clock.
What would you choose? And what other options would you consider?
Also, she much prefers diesels and won't drive an automatic.One advantage from my point of view is that she does prefer bigger cars and wouldn't be seen dead in a Mini. So far the following have her approval:
- VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI
- Lexus IS220d
- Peugeot RCZ HDI
And I have thrown the BMW 330d into the mix because they're far quicker and economical enough too.
I'm looking to spend in the region of £12-13k and get a 3-4 year old car with less than 50k on the clock.
What would you choose? And what other options would you consider?
RCZ doors are so heavy if she parks facing up a hill she'll never be able to open them to get out. Fabulous looking car (most attractive of the four), nice interior, nice enough car to drive but not that sporty.
IS220d Beautifully built but dynamically no-where near as good as a BM 3 Series, Passat and RCZ. Performance, economy and refinement of the diesel all criticized in road tests.
BMW 330d and the Passat are the two to choose from. I prefer the styling of the Passat, BM is the better drive. Best wife drives both (all four in fact as each car has its own individual appeals)
IS220d Beautifully built but dynamically no-where near as good as a BM 3 Series, Passat and RCZ. Performance, economy and refinement of the diesel all criticized in road tests.
BMW 330d and the Passat are the two to choose from. I prefer the styling of the Passat, BM is the better drive. Best wife drives both (all four in fact as each car has its own individual appeals)
Id scratch the IS220d off the list - the documented HG issues on the 2.2 diesel D4D from Toyota are enough reason I would say.
They MAY have cured it by 2011 but ive never heard of the problem actually being fixed....
Even if they have - ive never heard anyone say good things about the IS220d.
My brother is a Lexus fan - and he HATED the IS 220d he had as a courtesy car - he was quite a journey away from the Lexus dealer - and used it for the journey home and back to collect his LS 430 when it was done.
yet even on the dual carriageway he was struggling to get into the 40s for fuel consumption.
Again not sure if they ever addressed it but the gear ratios are supposed to be ridiculous - especially 6th gear.
Obviously if she likes the RCZ - then female logic means she probably won't want any of the other 3 (boring saloons....) inspite of the fact that if its an F30 - youd expect the BMW to drive better.
The CC IS a stunning looking car - and if shes not overly fussed on what its like dynamically - its potentially the best car of the 4.
From what I hear the adaptive damping on the CC is worth considering - but im sure someone with actual experience of one will be able to better advise.
Would a Golf GTD not suit????
They MAY have cured it by 2011 but ive never heard of the problem actually being fixed....
Even if they have - ive never heard anyone say good things about the IS220d.
My brother is a Lexus fan - and he HATED the IS 220d he had as a courtesy car - he was quite a journey away from the Lexus dealer - and used it for the journey home and back to collect his LS 430 when it was done.
yet even on the dual carriageway he was struggling to get into the 40s for fuel consumption.
Again not sure if they ever addressed it but the gear ratios are supposed to be ridiculous - especially 6th gear.
Obviously if she likes the RCZ - then female logic means she probably won't want any of the other 3 (boring saloons....) inspite of the fact that if its an F30 - youd expect the BMW to drive better.
The CC IS a stunning looking car - and if shes not overly fussed on what its like dynamically - its potentially the best car of the 4.
From what I hear the adaptive damping on the CC is worth considering - but im sure someone with actual experience of one will be able to better advise.
Would a Golf GTD not suit????
Fox- said:
I can't imagine that 12k gets a sub 50k mile 10 or 11 plate 330d.
I also thought it was a bit optimistic before looking but then I spotted this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...They also have a 2010 2 door 330d with 37k on the clock but it's in an horrible colour.
Not quite sure why they're so cheap from this dealer when other equivalents are upwards of £15k.
Thanks for the input guys!
ab955i said:
I also thought it was a bit optimistic before looking but then I spotted this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
They also have a 2010 2 door 330d with 37k on the clock but it's in an horrible colour.
Not quite sure why they're so cheap from this dealer when other equivalents are upwards of £15k.
Thanks for the input guys!
Would not spend £12k on that, poverty spec. The only thing it has going for it is the engine, i'd rather go a year older/more mileage and go M sport with a few more goodies tbh. That will depreciate massively with it being just an SE.They also have a 2010 2 door 330d with 37k on the clock but it's in an horrible colour.
Not quite sure why they're so cheap from this dealer when other equivalents are upwards of £15k.
Thanks for the input guys!
lewisf182 said:
Would not spend £12k on that, poverty spec. The only thing it has going for it is the engine, i'd rather go a year older/more mileage and go M sport with a few more goodies tbh. That will depreciate massively with it being just an SE.
The LCI 330d is a considerably better car though as it has the all-new N57 engine not the ancient M57 you'll find in older cars.The CC probably meets those requirements best and its good value for money. A 330d at the same price would be a little old/ baggier but still a good car.
I'd rule out the RCZ based on size as its really just a less practical version of the 308.
IS220d quite old and long in the tooth now (assuming you mean the previous shape)
I'd rule out the RCZ based on size as its really just a less practical version of the 308.
IS220d quite old and long in the tooth now (assuming you mean the previous shape)
lewisf182 said:
ab955i said:
I also thought it was a bit optimistic before looking but then I spotted this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
They also have a 2010 2 door 330d with 37k on the clock but it's in an horrible colour.
Not quite sure why they're so cheap from this dealer when other equivalents are upwards of £15k.
Thanks for the input guys!
Would not spend £12k on that, poverty spec. The only thing it has going for it is the engine, i'd rather go a year older/more mileage and go M sport with a few more goodies tbh. That will depreciate massively with it being just an SE.They also have a 2010 2 door 330d with 37k on the clock but it's in an horrible colour.
Not quite sure why they're so cheap from this dealer when other equivalents are upwards of £15k.
Thanks for the input guys!
I found the cc a very dull drive, very competent but just dull, the 330d is a grade or two above, 320d or even 318d is more of a match. I had a choice of a brand new cc or bmw f30 318d both auto, went for the bmw as same bhp but bmw was miles better drive, not generously as equipped or good looking though, saying that I didn't like the new CC front.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff