£6000 budget, 30,000 Miles a Year: Which Car is Best For Me?

[T3CH]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 20 March 2020 at 18:03

[T3CH]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 20 March 2020 at 18:04

[daemon]

T3CH said:

Hi all,

To cut a long story short ...

For the next three years I will need to travel approx 30,000 miles per year. That is 126 miles (63 miles there and back) per weekday and 630 miles per working week for around 48 weeks of the year.

Thankfully the drive is around 95% Motorway with ocassional stop/start traffic depending on the time and shift pattern.

I know that this is a task for any machine, not to mention myself but I was wondering if you PHers could offer me some advice on which machine would do the job best.

I (guess) my three main needs are economy, comfort and realiability.

From what I have researched so far it seems as though the BMW 3 series E90 2010 Efficient Dynamics model would be fit for the bill but on the other hand I have read that they're not (renound) for realiability and I don't want to spend the next three years constantly in and out of garages. Is this hearsay and scaremongering or are 3 series and BMW's in general prone to go wrong? With my budget, I could get a decent E90 example with around 80,000 miles on the clock.

Similiarly, I am quite fond of the 5 series and with my budget I could get a decent 520d 07-09 plate.

Am I barking up the wrong tree? Let me know what you think.

Look forward to your replies,

T3CH

1.9TDI Passat with v low miles and good SH - £4995

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

or

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Vee]

For that type of mileage I'd get a Volvo S60.
Hugely more comfortable and reliable than any E90 BMW.

[daemon]

T3CH said:

Wow, they look like really nice examples for £5000. Really like the second with the black leather. What are those cars like for reliability and sat on the motorway what sort of real world MPG are you looking to get? Cheers T3.

I'd have thought with stead motorway runs you'd be talking 50-55mpg easily. I'd say closer to 55mpg.

The 1.9TDI is the one to go for. Its old school and relatively bulletproof.

[LasseV]

Lexus GS 450H.

[hashtag]

Vee said:

For that type of mileage I'd get a Volvo S60.
Hugely more comfortable and reliable than any E90 BMW.

my suggestion too, great seats 50 mpg.

For you budget you will get a great car.

Mine was £800.00 and is fab.

[iwantagta]

Saab 9-5 diesel?
Love the nightpanel feature - makes night driving easy on the eyes.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[phil y]

As the owner of one, I would say this but here goes.

Have you looked at SEAT Exeos? Can be had for the budget, based on the 05-08 A4, but with the newer common rail *cough* dieselgate *cough* engine.

Pretty good spec as standard, I've put nearly 70k on one over 4 years, no issues whatsoever.

Downside is you can't explain to people what it is without sounding like an anorak.

[daemon]

iwantagta said:

Saab 9-5 diesel?
Love the nightpanel feature - makes night driving easy on the eyes.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

That 1.9 engine isnt great - prone to floating flywheel issues, and DPF issues (although the OPs miles are good so maybe not such an issue)

I personally wouldnt like to be spending that amount of money on a car preparing to do that amount of miles in something where the manufacturer no longer exists

Yes, there are parts avail, but i'd an MG ZT recently and parts were pricey and hard to get (and equally as annoyingly not available locally so you had to mail order them meaning your car could be sat up awaiting parts - i'd expect SAABs will soon go the same way for some parts if they havent already.

[Deerfoot]

Vee said:

For that type of mileage I'd get a Volvo S60

Is the correct answer....

There's a comprehensive thread in the Volvo section. There's no need to spend all of your budget.

Edit, there's a lovely 40,000 mile D5 auto on the trader for £4500, full Volvo history, in met grey with heated leather.....

Edited by Deerfoot on Monday 8th May 20:09

[anonymous-user]

Deerfoot said:

Vee said:

For that type of mileage I'd get a Volvo S60

Is the correct answer....

There's a comprehensive thread in the Volvo section. There's no need to spend all of your budget.

Also consider a Mk2 2007 onwards S80. Very comfortable cars, and good value too.

[ZX10R NIN]

With that kind of mileage I'd be looking for an auto with a nice comfortable unfortunately the auto on the Volvo isn't the strongest with that in mind I'd say an E/C Class should tick the boxes but don't discount the Volvos.

2006 E320 Avantgarde FMBSH 49k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2003 E320 Avantgarde FSH 53k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2005 CLK270 Avantgarde FSH (if having a coupe isn't a hindrance then this would be my pick) 57k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2004 C270 Avantgarde SE FSH 47k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 C320 Sport 54k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

All the above will take the 90k you'll be putting on them with ease regular maintenance will see them run past that number just remember fluid & filter every 40k for the Gearbox.

Or more mainstream:

2008 Mondeo Titanium X 57k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 Insignia Elite 49k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Other Options:

2006 Audi A4 Convertible 3.0tdi Sport 65k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

BMW 330d SE Coupe 68k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 Volvo S80 D5 SE 30k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 S60 D5 (high power option) 215bhp 53k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 A4 Convertible 2.0tdi S Line 57k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[hashtag]

Volvo d 5 recently on auto trader with 621,000 on the clock

[ZX10R NIN]

T3CH said:

Hi ZX,

Thanks for such a comprehensive list. All those cars seem great and especially comfortable. I think an auto box would be definitely a good way to go aswell. Only thing that worries me is that on paper most of those cars don't look too good on fuel I was hoping to try and get something that could do a solid 50+mpg without having to drive it like a pensioner. Do you have any recommendations based on this?

Hi OP I'll be honest none of those will hit 50's unless you drive like a granny & with your budget I think you're being unrealistic when you also want comfort & an auto box along with good spec.

Now I can recommend the C/CLK270 (or any of the 270 Mercedes) my mapped one would average 45-48mpg on a run sitting at around 80ish mph to get that MPG you need to map them as they'll be around 40-45mpg my 320cdi that I replaced the 270 with is slightly worse on fuel but has more performance.

Also when you're looking to add 90k to the car then you want it to be as unstressed as possible so a slightly bigger engine (rather than a 4 pot) will help, the 270's also benefit from not having a DPF so that's one less potential issue to worry about I sold my 270 with 170k on the clock & apart from an alternator & a suspension refresh it was faultless.

If you'd like to know more feel free to ask.

[daemon]

T3CH said:

Hi ZX,

Thanks for such a comprehensive list. All those cars seem great and especially comfortable. I think an auto box would be definitely a good way to go aswell. Only thing that worries me is that on paper most of those cars don't look too good on fuel I was hoping to try and get something that could do a solid 50+mpg without having to drive it like a pensioner. Do you have any recommendations based on this?

I dont necessarily think an auto box is a good idea, particularly as you said you do a lot of motorway miles? Once you're in 5th/6th on a motorway thats it really, and an auto box (particularly an older type one like you'll find at your budget point) will sap fuel economy.

I'd still be running with a Passat 1.9TDI. Robust mechanicals, comfortable, cheap to repair, known for longevity.

[ZX10R NIN]

daemon said:

T3CH said:

Hi ZX,

Thanks for such a comprehensive list. All those cars seem great and especially comfortable. I think an auto box would be definitely a good way to go as well. Only thing that worries me is that on paper most of those cars don't look too good on fuel I was hoping to try and get something that could do a solid 50+mpg without having to drive it like a pensioner. Do you have any recommendations based on this?

I dont necessarily think an auto box is a good idea, particularly as you said you do a lot of motorway miles? Once you're in 5th/6th on a motorway thats it really, and an auto box (particularly an older type one like you'll find at your budget point) will sap fuel economy.

I'd still be running with a Passat 1.9TDI. Robust mechanicals, comfortable, cheap to repair, known for longevity.

The Mercedes are just as robust & cost wise there won't be a lot in it as for the auto you still have to get to the Motorway.

[daemon]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mercedes are just as robust & cost wise there won't be a lot in it as for the auto you still have to get to the Motorway.

There'll be a lot in it if hes getting early 40s mpg compared to maybe nearer 55mpg when you factor that up across the year and 30,000 miles.

I would personally forego an auto box in favour of improved fuel economy, given he has already told us 95% of his driving is motorway anyway.

[CubanPete]

Hi spec mondeo or volvo s60 / s80.

Auto will be nice, but you will pay a 5mpg or so premium.

Mondeo titanium x's come with cooled seats and are a nice stear.

[Deerfoot]

T3CH said:

.... I need to look for some options with a little better MPG, maybe I might have to look for a manual box.

I used to commute 50 miles door to door. I'd definitely go auto. For a few mpg less they offer a far more relaxing drive.

Trust me, after a couple of months all you will want to do is sit back in some comfortable seats, listen to something decent and go with the flow...