Most comfortable, economical car for 40 mile commute?

[Ben Chod]

I currently have a w210 mercedes e300td. It's a dog and it's pissing me off. I'd doesn't get the best mileage but it's comfortable and has cruise control. I do a round trip of 80 miles a day, 90% motorway (mainly the m25).

I'm after something refined and extremely comfortable, automatic, with heated seats and cruise control. Also something a bit more economical. Not sure whether a 3.0 LPG car would equal or better the economy I'm currently getting.

I don't mind spending £5k, but if something half decent came along for £2k I wouldn't say no. Max budget £7k.
I have been eyeing up cls320's though...

Edited by Ben Chod on Wednesday 9th August 11:27

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say get a CLK/E 270 or 320cdi both will see 40mpg+ obviously the 270 will be cheaper to buy they'll both have Cruise Control Heated Seats Auto Lights/Wipers etc which you buy depends on how much you want to spend the 320 is more refined but the 270 counters by having a pretty much bulletproof drivetrain.


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

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

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


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

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

E Class

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

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

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

[foxbody-87]

X-Type?

I had one for a similar commute distance, 2.0 diesel. Delivered impressive MPG and came with the usual stuff (leather, heated seats, cruise, AC etc). If you can get over people telling you it's "a Mondeo underneath" every 5 minutes they're quite good.

[Ben Chod]

Thanks guys. How would an Alfa 159 fare? Would this fit my criteria?

[Ben Chod]

X type is a bit too told. Would prefer something newer. Nothing older than 10 years ideally.

Is a cls320 cdi a wise choice?

[cologne2792]

One of my recent previous was a 2.5 TD Citroen XM. Could just about manage 40 mpg and NOTHING I've ever driven or passengered in before or since was more comfortable...except perhaps a CX

[Colonial]

Some form of Volvo s60?

[RSTurboPaul]

cologne2792 said:

One of my recent previous was a 2.5 TD Citroen XM. Could just about manage 40 mpg and NOTHING I've ever driven or passengered in before or since was more comfortable...except perhaps a CX

Aren't they the ones with hydraulic suspension? That sounds expensive if it breaks lol

[cologne2792]

RSTurboPaul said:

Aren't they the ones with hydraulic suspension? That sounds expensive if it breaks lol

The hydro pneumatic suspension rarely gives any trouble since Citroen decided to make the pipes out of copper nickel rather than steel. The spheres fail eventually but they're very cheap to replace and are a just a screw fit.

I've been spoiled driving them for a few years as they just don't seem to make cars that ride like that anymore. A friend has had three Audi A8 with air suspension and it's amazing dynamically but still not a patch on the Citroen for ride quality and road isolation.

[wemorgan]

I think the C5 estate also had the hydraulic suspension - a little newer than the XM.

[RSTurboPaul]

cologne2792 said:

The hydro pneumatic suspension rarely gives any trouble since Citroen decided to make the pipes out of copper nickel rather than steel. The spheres fail eventually but they're very cheap to replace and are a just a screw fit.

I never knew that - that's the one new thing I will learn today! lol

[cologne2792]

wemorgan said:

I think the C5 estate also had the hydraulic suspension - a little newer than the XM.

We had a couple after the XM.

It depends what type of Hydro Pneumatic system it's equipped with.

The first one had Hydractive 3 which was superb and as good as the best XM.
The second one had a more basic system and frankly it was rubbish !
Nasty car to the MK1 C5. Interior by Palitoy, horrible styling and it creaked and rattled. Definitely cutting corners after the XM.